Support & Planning Coach Certificate Program

In Spring 2023, Training Fund began offering its brand new program, The Support & Planning Coach (S&PC) Certificate Program. This program is offered in partnership with Boston University's School of Social Work: Center for Aging & Disability Education & Research (CADER) and the State of CT's Department of Social Services (DSS).

Details and Qualifications for the S&PC Certificate Program.

This course will be provided in a virtual, online setting via Boston University's Blackboard Site. The Training Fund will provide regular communication via virtual meetings and even check ins via text, phone call or email, if needed.

This Program is free to actively working PCAs and will offer a payment in the form of a stipend upon completion. (Please see link to letter from Training Fund below regarding stipends and credentialing.)

In order to qualify or this program you must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Be at least 21 years old

• Have five years of experience as a Personal Care Attendant (PCA), or experience in a professional capacity in a disability or health organization. **College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one half (1/2) of a year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree. A Master's degree in public health, social work, or rehabilitation may be substituted for General Experience***.**

• You must have access to a desktop computer, laptop or tablet in order to participate in this online certificate program.

• You must have the following technical skills/proficiencies:

  - Must have access/own an electronic device, preferably a laptop, computer, or tablet with a working camera and microphone. The S&PC can NOT be completed from a smart phone

  - Be familiar manipulating documents in Word and PDF formats.

  - Be comfortable using Zoom independently.

  - Have an active email address.

  - Be able o do online research in different browsers and independently follow instructions to complete a virtual task.

~FOR MORE DETAILS REGARDING OUR PROGRAM GUIDELINES, PLEASE REVIEW OUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BELOW~

Certificate Curricula

Courses/Modules Include:

1. A Guide to Aging and Disability Networks
2. Assessment with Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities
3. Understanding Consumer Control, Person-Centered Planning and Self-Direction
4. Key Practice Areas in Interprofessional Teams

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When does enrollment open? We expect the application period to be open some time in February or March 2025 - only 60 spots available. We have experienced some delays opening this application due to the State and GTI still finalizing a credentialling process for Support and Planning Coaches.
2. How do I know If my application was considered?
   We will notify every applicant with your individual results.
3. When does the S&PC Program start?
   Once all the candidates are selected, we plan to begin the 2025 program in March 2025. You will need to attend the mandatory Introductory Meeting with Boston University--this is your first day of the Training. Again, this is a MANDATORY Zoom meeting. After this day, you will have about 8 weeks to complete the online curriculum and receive your certificate.
4. How much time will I have to complete the Online Certificate Program?
   You are expected to complete the online SPC Certificate Program in a 8-week period. Specific deadlines will be given in the Introductory Zoom meeting.
5. What happens If I don’t meet the deadline to complete the certificate program?
   You can share any concerns with the Academic Coordinator and together create a feasible plan.
6. How many Zoom Meetings and check-ins am I expected to attend?
   There are 2 scheduled Zoom meetings that you will attend with peers from your cohort (those who started with you and have the same deadline). The first meeting will be an Introductory Meeting with Boston University (via Zoom) to launch the program and teach you how to navigate the BU login Portal. This is a mandatory meeting. The second meeting will take place halfway through the Program to check in with your peers, offer feedback and support. Additionally, there will be 2 individual Zoom or phone check in with the Academic Coordinator to discuss your progress and offer tools to achieve your goals, if needed.
7. Can I study or work on parts of the certificate program while I work or while I am clocked in and working as a PCA?
   No, it is considered a fraud to study or work on your S&PC Program while you are clocked in providing homecare services. Every chosen candidate will sign an Attestation Form. On the form, you will need to agree to not complete any part of the certificate program while working/on the clock providing homecare services.
8. When do I get Certified?
   Once you have submitted all the course work and passed all the quizzes, you will be able to download your Certificate provided by Boston University CADER. You will receive and email with instructions to get your credentials as a S&PC.
9. When do I get paid the stipend?
   Each S&PC Graduate will receive a stipend equal to $21.50 per hour for 13 hours. Stipends will be sent in the same manner as you receive your paychecks from your Fiscal Intermediary. Therefore, if you receive a paper check or a direct deposit, your stipend will be paid in the same manner. Stipends will be processed and awarded upon completion of your certificate.
10. Is there a Graduation Ceremony?
    There will be an in-person, graduation ceremony offered in June 2025 for all S&PC graduates. You will be welcome to join and celebrate your accomplishment, but it is not a requirement for this certificate program.
11. Do I have to remain working as a PCA to complete the S&PC Certification?
    Yes and no. At the time of application, you were already screened and were determined to have actively been working. The Training Fund only does outreach to the PCAs/homecare workers who have been paid at some point over the last month or so. If you are chosen as a participant in the program, if you are fired or quit your work as a PCA/homecare worker, this may affect your ability to be paid the related stipend for your learning hours. You will still be able to participate in and complete the certificate, but the stipend may not be guaranteed if you have stopped working. The reason for this is if you were terminated or quit, the Fiscal Intermediaries (GT Independence) may not have a way to pay you anymore. They are the entities responsible for releasing stipend pay to completed S&PC participants.
12. What does a Support & Planning Coach do for consumers? How is this different than my work as a PCA? A Support & Planning Coach in the State of Connecticut works alongside consumer-employers in a person-centered manner to do things such as: budget and secure services within the consumer's Plan of Care; assist with managing PCA staff; maintaining timesheets via Electronic Visit Verification (EVV); among many other things. You need to have a lot of knowledge about Medicare/Medicaid, Waiver Programs, person-centered planning and other things that you were taught in the S&PC Certificate Program. The role will still be paid via GT Independence and related to a consumer-employer's need. The wages associated with the S&PC role are higher than that of the base wages for a PCA, so this is another benefit to participating in the program. **Please note, you can work as a PCA and a S&PC but cannot work for the same consumer-employer in both roles. You can take on other consumers as a S&PC in addition to your PCA if you still want to work as a PCA.