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Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders
Frequently Asked Questions

		Question #
I.	Required Training	1 - 11
II.	Curriculum Issues	12 - 28
III.	Trainer Approval/ Certification	29 - 39
IV.	Web site	40 - 41
V.	Continuing Education	42 - 43
VI.	General	44 - 46

I. Required Training

1. Can a training program or curriculum that does not have a DOEA approval number substitute for the required training?
2. Are facility volunteers required to receive this training?
3. Is the facility required to provide this training to sub-contracted personnel (i.e., nurse registries, PT, OT, etc.)?
4. Are Nursing Home Administrators required to receive this training?
5. Are Physicians employed by the agency/organization required to receive this training?
6. For CNAs, will the training count towards the required annual continuing education requirements?
7. If I have received training in a different facility, will it meet the requirements of where I am working now?
8. Does the required training have to be delivered in 1-hour and 3-hour segments or in 4-hour segments for ALF Level 1 & 2?
9. What type of employees would be considered as having direct contact?
10. What type of employees would be considered as providing direct care?
11. If I am approved as a Training Provider, do I need to take the mandated Alzheimer’s training?
    
    

    II. Curriculum Issues

12. Where can I get an approved curriculum?
13. Do I need to inform DOEA which approved curriculum I am using?
14. I have an approved curriculum. Can I use it for another facility/agency type?
15. How do I submit my own curriculum?
16. Are there special requirements for self-study curriculum?
17. Are there special requirements for on-line curriculum?
18. Where can I find a curriculum application?
19. What do I have to send with my curriculum application?
20. What is the process to have a curriculum reviewed?
21. If a video or CD is used as part or all of the approved training, does the training provider have to be present as the video or CD is being viewed?
22. Can I submit a 1-hour and 3-hour curriculum or an ALF level 1 or 2 curriculum separately?
23. What do I do about copyrighted materials?
24. Do I have to submit a bibliography with my curriculum application?
25. Will the curriculum that I submit for approval be returned after the approval process is completed?
26. Can I submit a transcript or outline of copyrighted videos that I plan to use in my curriculum?
27. Does my curriculum have to meet the time standard stated in the Florida Administrative Code?
28. Can breaks, pre/post-tests, discussion sessions, or evaluations be included as part of the total required time for curricula to be taught in a classroom setting by an in-person approved trainer?
    
    

    III. Trainer Approval/Certification Issues
    

29. Where can I find an approved training provider to train the employees in my facility?
30. What does specialized training mean?
31. As an approved training provider, where can I train?
32. How do I become a training provider?
33. Is there a class I have to take?
34. Is there a fee to become a training provider?
35. Where do I find an application to become a training provider?
36. Can an Individual become an approved training provider without a current RN license or a Bachelor's degree in a health care, human service or gerontology related field?
37. How long does the process of certification take?
38. Will the approval as a training provider expire?
39. What needs to be on a certificate that is given to the trainee at the completion of an approved training program?
    
    

    IV. Web site Issues
    

40. What if I do not want my company, phone number or e-mail posted on the approved training provider list?
41. What if I do not want my company or personal phone number or e-mail posted on the approved training provider list?
    
    

    V. Continuing Education Issues

42. Once an employee has completed the initial training, is there a requirement for follow-up training?
43. Do employees earn Continuing Education credit for completing training?
    
    

    VI. General Issues

44. Does DOEA recommend certain training providers or curriculums?
45. I received an approval letter but then I received a request for more information. Was my approval revoked?
46. Who do I call if I have more questions?

---

I. Required Training

1. Can a training program or curriculum that does not have a DOEA approval number substitute for the required training?
   No, the training program must have a DOEA approval number that verifies the curriculum has been reviewed and approved by DOEA or its designee and must meet the requirements of number of hours of training and content as outlined in the Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) for the facility/agency type.
   
2. Are facility volunteers required to receive this training?
   No, volunteers are not required to receive the training.
   
3. Is the facility required to provide this training to sub-contracted personnel (i.e., nurse registries, PT, OT, etc.)?
   It depends.
   “For an employee who is a licensed health care practitioner as defined in s. 456.001, training that is sanctioned by that practitioner’s licensing board shall be considered to be approved by the Department of Elderly Affairs.” Therefore, any licensed health care practitioner who has received Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders training sanctioned by the licensing board will be considered to have met the requirement for Alzheimer’s disease training. The practitioner would need to provide proof to the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) surveyor of such training that was sanctioned by the respective board.
   
   Sub-contractors that are not able to produce such documentation will need to receive the training that is applicable to their resident care responsibilities.
4. Are Nursing Home Administrators required to receive this training?
   Yes, all employees shall receive the training that is applicable to their employment responsibilities.
5. Are Physicians employed by the agency/organization required to receive this training?
   It depends.
   “For an employee who is a licensed health care practitioner as defined in s. 456.001, training that is sanctioned by that practitioner’s licensing board shall be considered to be approved by the Department of Elderly Affairs.” Therefore, any licensed health care practitioner who has received Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders training sanctioned by the licensing board will be considered to have met the requirement for Alzheimer’s disease training. The practitioner would need to provide proof to the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) surveyor of such training that was sanctioned by the respective board.
   Physicians that are not able to produce such documentation will need to receive the training that is applicable to their resident care responsibilities.
6. For CNAs, will the training count towards the required annual continuing education requirements?
   Yes.
7. If I have received training in a different facility, will it meet the requirements of where I am working now?
   This is dependent on the type of training that was initially received and the type of facility that you now work for, as outlined in the following chart. You will need to
   provide certificates of completion for all previous DOEA approved training to your current employer.
   

   	As a previously trained direct care employee, do I need to complete training at my new facility/agency?
   Originally completed training at:	Nursing Home	Hospice	Adult Day Care	ALF	Home Health
   NH	No	No	No	Yes	No
   HSP	Yes	No	No	Yes	No
   ADC	Yes	No	No	Yes	No
   ALF	No	No	No	No	No
   HH	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No

   
   NH, ADC and HSP training substitution for HH must include 1 and 3 hours.
   NH, ADC and HSP training substitution for ALF Level 1 must include 1 and 3 hours.
   NH, ADC and HSP 1-hour "direct contact" training cannot substitute for NH, ADC or HSP "direct care" 3-hour training. Direct caregivers must take all 4 hours.
   http://www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/data/Employee_Training_Substitutions.pdf
8. Does the required training have to be delivered in 1-hour and 3-hour segments or in 4-hour segments for ALF Level 1 & 2?
   No, Florida Statutes allow training to be provided in smaller segments that total the required training time.
9. What type of employees would be considered as having direct contact?
   Direct contact is defined as person-to-person contact whether the contact be physical, verbal, or within the resident’s or client’s surroundings. Staff meeting this definition include, but are not limited to, nursing staff, dietary staff, activity staff, social service staff, housekeeping staff and maintenance staff. Office staff who have potential contact should also receive the training for direct contact employees. Sub-contractors who provide person-to-person contact are also required to complete the training requirements for direct contact staff.
10. What type of employees would be considered as providing direct care?
    Direct care would include providing personal or health care services to residents or clients. Staff meeting this definition include, but are not limited to, nursing staff, dietary staff, activity staff, social service staff, massage therapists and physical therapists. Sub-contractors who provide personal or health care services to residents or clients are also required to complete the training requirements for direct care staff.
11. If I am approved as a Training Provider, do I need to take the mandated Alzheimer’s training?
    If an individual is both an approved ADRC training provider and a new employee of an agency for which ADRC training certification is required, the individual’s training approval letter will serve as that individual’s certification for the mandated training.




II. Curriculum Issues

12. Where can I get an approved curriculum?
    The link below has a listing of all facility types with links to Adobe PDF files listing all approved training providers and approved curricula for the facility/agency type chosen.
    www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/products/atc/
13. Do I need to inform DOEA which approved curriculum I am using?
    No, if you choose to use a previously approved curriculum do NOT send a curriculum application and/or a copy of the curriculum you plan to use. DO obtain a copy of the approval letter for the curriculum for your files so that AHCA surveyors can review it upon request.
14. I have an approved curriculum. Can I use it for another facility/agency type?
    
    

    	As an approved Training Provider, may I use approved curriculum to train in:
    Curriculum Approved For	Nursing Home	Hospice	Adult Day Care	ALF Level 1	ALF Level 2	Home Health
    NH	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
    HSP	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
    ADC	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
    ALF	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
    HH	No	No	No	No	No	Yes
    1-hour plus  3-hour curricula can be used to teach ALF Level 1 Entire Level 1 plus Level 2 ALF curricula must be used when substituting for NH, HSP, ADC, or HH Entire 1-hour plus 3-hour NH, HSP, or ADC curriculum must be used when substituting for HH

    http://www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/data/Curriculum_Substitution_Chart.pdf
15. How do I submit my own curriculum?
    Application forms and an explanation of the process are on the Web site. On the first page, click on “Apply to be an ADRD Training Provider.” On the next screen, choose the facility/agency type. On the third screen, download the application from the box on the far right side. The links for the curriculum approval process and content area guides are also on this 3rd page.
    
    Include learning objectives, time frames, and didactic approach for each subject area (video, role play, lecture, PowerPoint, handouts, etc.).
    Also include all materials that will be used in the training. Be sure to make copies because these materials (including videos) will not be returned.
    Links for Process Overviews:
    Nursing Homes: http://trainingonaging.usf.edu/products/nursing/overview/
    Assisted Living Facilities: http://trainingonaging.usf.edu/products/alf/overview/
    Home Health: http://trainingonaging.usf.edu/products/hhc/overview/
    Hospice: http://trainingonaging.usf.edu/products/hospice/overview/
    Adult Day Care: http://trainingonaging.usf.edu/products/adc/overview/
    Links for Content Area Guides (a.k.a. training guidelines referenced in Florida Administrative Code):
    1-hour: www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/data/One_Hour_Curriculum_NH_Hospice_ADC.pdf
    3-hour: www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/data/Three_Hour_Curriculum_NH_Hospice_ADC.pdf
    ALF Level 1: www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/data/ALF_Level_1_Content_Areas_for_Applicants.pdf
    ALF Level 2: www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/data/ALF_Level_2_Content_Areas_for_Applicants.pdf
    Home Health: www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/data/HH_Content_Areas_Two_Hour_Curriculum.pdf
16. Are there special requirements for self-study curriculum?
    Yes, please see the link for self-study curriculum requirements: www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/data/Self_study_curriculum_requirements.pdf
17. Are there special requirements for on-line curriculum?
    Yes, please see the link for on-line curriculum requirements:
    http://www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/data/On-line_curriculum_requirements.pdf
18. Where can I find a curriculum application?
    Adult Day Care: www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/data/doea_adc_curr_app.pdf
    Assisted Living Facility: www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/data/doea_alf_curriculum.pdf
    Home Health: www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/data/HH_ADRD.pdf
    Hospice: www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/data/doea_hospice_curr_app.pdf
    Nursing Home: www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/data/doea_nh_curriculum.pdf
19. What do I have to send with my curriculum application?
    Include learning objectives, time frames, and didactic approach for each subject area (video, role play, lecture, PowerPoint, handouts, etc.).
    Also include all materials that will be used in the training. Be sure to make copies because these materials (including videos) will not be returned.
20. What is the process to have a curriculum reviewed?
    Upon receipt of a curriculum application, DOEA or its designee shall respond in writing within 30 calendar days. The process is outlined in the links below. Also see “Timeline for Review of Curriculum Application” chart at: http://www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/data/Timeline_for_curriculum_review_process.pdf
21. If a video or CD is used as part or all of the approved training, does the training provider have to be present as the video or CD is being viewed?
    Yes, an approved training provider must be readily available to answer questions or further explain materials during any training session. The signature of the training provider on the certificate of completion verifies that the trainee completed the required training.
22. Can I submit a 1-hour and 3-hour curriculum or an ALF level 1 or 2 curriculum separately?
    Yes.
23. What do I do about copyrighted materials?
    It is the responsibility of the curriculum preparer to ensure that no copyright laws have been violated if material from another source is used as part of the curriculum.
24. Do you have to submit a bibliography with your curriculum application?
    Yes, we recommend that you include sources of information presented in your curriculum, either in a bibliography or as footnotes in the curriculum.
25. Will the curriculum that I submit for approval be returned after the approval process is completed?
    No, materials submitted to the approval program cannot be returned.
26. Can I submit a transcript or outline of copyrighted videos that I plan to use in my curriculum?
    Copyrighted videos must be provided as produced.
    If you are preparing your own curriculum and plan to create a video, a complete transcript with descriptions of scenes to be shown and expected time per subject area may be submitted. Outlines are not sufficient.
27. Does my curriculum have to meet the time standard stated in the Florida Administrative Code?
    Yes.  To be approved, each curriculum must contain the items and meet the time standard mandated in Florida Statutes/Florida Administrative Code for the specific type of facility/program.  If a curriculum is received which is less than the time standard, an Incomplete or Need More Information letter will be sent to inform the developer that the information or activities must be expanded to meet the time standard.  If a curriculum is received which is longer than the time standard, an Incomplete or Need More Information letter will be sent to inform the developer that the information or activities must be reduced so the  time standard is met. 
28. Can breaks, pre/post-tests, discussion sessions, or evaluations be included as part of the total required time for curricula to be taught in a classroom setting by an in-person approved trainer?
    A) Break times cannot be included. 
    B) Pre/Post tests can be included but the total time for both should not exceed 5% of the total instructional time.
    C) Discussion session can be included.  Questions to be discussed and expected answers must be provided for clinical review.
    D) Review evaluations can be included and should be within the same 5% of total instructional time that is used for pre/post tests.
    E) Satisfaction with training questionnaires that focus on the training style and/or environment cannot be included as part of the total instructional time.



III. Trainer Approval/Certification Issues

29. Where can I find an approved training provider to train the employees in my facility?
    The link below has a listing of all facility types with links to Adobe PDF files listing all approved training providers and approved curriculum for the facility/agency type chosen. Listings are alphabetical by county and then by the last id of the training provider. Use this listing to make phone calls to find a training provider in your area. www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/products/atc/
30. What does specialized training mean?
    Generally, applicants must provide documentation of at least 4 hours of continuing education credit in a course related to dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
31. As an approved training provider, where can I train?
    

    	Am I Approved to Use My Training Provider  Number to Train In…?:
    My Training Provider # Begins with	Nursing Home	Hospice	Adult Day Care	ALF Level 1	ALF Level 2	Home Health
    NH	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
    HSP	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
    ADC	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
    ALF	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

    http://www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/data/Training_Provider_Substitution_Chart.pdf
    
32. How do I become a training provider?
    Application forms and an explanation of the process are on the Web site. On the first page, click on “Apply to be an ADRD Training Provider.” On the next screen, choose the facility/agency type. On the third screen, download the application from the box on the far right side. The link for the training provider approval process is also on this 3rd page.
    Nursing Homes: http://trainingonaging.usf.edu/products/nursing/
    Assisted Living Facilities: http://trainingonaging.usf.edu/products/alf/
    Home Health: http://trainingonaging.usf.edu/products/hhc/
    Hospice: http://trainingonaging.usf.edu/products/hospice/
    Adult Day Care: http://trainingonaging.usf.edu/products/adc/
33. Is there a class I have to take?
    No.
34. Is there a fee to become a training provider?
    No.
35. Where do I find an application to become a training provider?
    Adult Day Care:www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/data/doea_adc_training_app.pdf
    Assisted Living Facility: www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/data/doea_alf_provider.pdf
    Home Health: www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/data/HH_ADRD_Provider.pdf
    Hospice: www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/data/doea_hospice_training_app.pdf
    Nursing Home: www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/data/doea_nh_training.pdf
36. Can an individual become an approved training provider without a current RN license or a Bachelor's degree in a health care, human service or gerontology related field?
    Years of teaching experience or training as an educator of caregivers for persons with Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders may substitute on a year-by-year basis for the required Bachelor’s degree.
    A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a subject related to health-care, human service, or gerontology is also acceptable.
37. How long does the process of certification take?
    Upon receipt of a training provider application, DOEA or its designee shall respond in writing within 30 calendar days. See “Timeline for Review of Training Provider Application” chart for further information. http://www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/data/Timeline_for_Review_of_Training_provider.pdf
38. Will the approval as a training provider expire?
    Training provider approvals are based on education and experience and they do not expire. The only exception is ALF training provider approvals issued prior to July 1, 2005. These will expire on the same date as the curriculum they are tied to. Individuals with an ALF approval that is due to expire with the associated curriculum can submit a new application at any time to replace their current approval with a new one that will not expire.
39. What needs to be on a certificate that is given to the trainee at the completion of an approved training program?
    The certificate shall include the title of the training and the DOEA curriculum approval number, the expiration date for the curriculum, the number of hours of training, the participant’s id, dates of attendance, location, the training provider’s id and the DOEA training provider’s approval number, and dated signature.
    The training provider’s signature on the certificate shall serve as documentation that the training provider has verified that the trainee had completed the required training, pursuant to s. 400.4785, F.S., and Rule 58A-8.001, F.A.C.
    See http://www.trainingonaging.usf.edu/data/Certificate_of_Completion_SAMPLE.pdf for a sample certificate.
    



IV. Web site Issues

40. What if I do not want my COMPANY phone number or e-mail posted on the approved training provider list?
    A list of all approved Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders training providers for each facility/agency type is posted on the www.trainingonaging.usf.edu Web site, displayed by applicant id and company id (if provided on the application.) If you do not want your company id, telephone number, and/or e-mail to be posted, you must mail a written request specifying the information to be excluded to the following address:
    Training Academy on Aging
    USF, Florida Mental Health Inst.
    13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MHC 1300
    Tampa, FL 33612
41. What if I do not want my PERSONAL phone number or e-mail posted on the approved training provider list?
    A list of all approved Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders approved curricula for each facility/agency type is posted on the www.trainingonaging.usf.edu Web site, displayed by applicant id and company id (if provided on the application.) If you do not want your personal telephone number and/or e-mail to be posted, you must mail a written request specifying the information to be excluded to the following address:
    Training Academy on Aging
    USF, Florida Mental Health Inst.
    13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MHC 1300
    Tampa, FL 33612
    
    

V. Continuing Education Issues

42. Once an employee has completed the initial training, is there a requirement for follow-up training?
    The only follow-up training required per statute is for Assisted Living Facility employees. ALF direct care employees are required to complete 4 hours of continuing education annually in a course related to dementia, taught by an established provider of continuing education credits.
43. Do employees earn Continuing Education credit for completing training?
    It depends. The DOEA and its designee do NOT issue continuing education credit for completed training. However, curriculum developers that wish to provide such credit must submit their curriculum to agencies or accreditation groups that provide that accreditation.
    
    

VI. General Issues

44. Does DOEA recommend certain training providers or curriculums?
    No. Neither DOEA nor its designee are permitted to recommend one approved training provider or curriculum over any other.
45. I received an approval letter but then I received a request for more information. Was my approval revoked?
    We do not revoke approval letters. Look closely at your approval letter. If the approval number does NOT include “AD,” this is a training provider approval. We find that some applicants submit a training provider application and a curriculum application at the same time. The training provider application is often approved before the curriculum application. If you have further questions, call 813-974-3414 for assistance.
46. Who do I call if I have more questions?

• Questions regarding the Alzheimer's Disease Training Approval Program including the application and approval process should be directed to:
  Training Academy on Aging
  USF, Florida Mental Health Inst.
  Alzheimer's Disease Training Approval Program
  13301 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MHC 1300
  Tampa, FL 33612
  Phone: (813) 974-3414
• Questions regarding the laws and rules that apply to the Alzheimer's Disease Training Approval Program should be directed to:
  The Department of Elder Affairs
  Alzheimer's Disease Training Approval Program
  4040 Esplanade Way, Suite 315L
  Tallahassee, FL 32399-7000
  Phone: (850) 414-2000
• Questions regarding the laws and rules that apply to specific licensed facilities should be directed to:
  The Agency for Health Care Administration
  2727 Mahan Drive
  Tallahassee, FL 32308
  For nursing homes and other long-term care facilities:
  Attn: Long-Term Care Unit, MS 33,
  Phone: (850) 488-5861
• For assisted living facilities, adult day care centers and adult family care homes:
  Attn: Assisted Living Unit, MS 30
  Phone: (850) 487-2515
  For Assisted Living Core Training: http://floridaaffordableassistedliving.org/

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