Accessibility Information
Welcome to APD's provider training page. There are three types of APD-funded training for provider staff members: Required Basic Training (applies to all direct care staff), Required Service-Specific Training (applies to direct care staff of specific services), and Annual In-Service Training. Some of these courses are offered in classroom settings, others are available in a Web-based version. APD's Web-based training is a cooperative effort with private industry and is available from either Tallahassee Community College (TCC) or the Training Resource Network (TRN) (accessed via links below).
Some of these courses require fees, while others are provided free of charge. For courses offered through APD, a training calendar is provided below, on which you can view courses either on a statewide basis or by specific APD areas, as well as register.
All courses under the Required Basic Training and Required Service-Specific Training are required by either a waiver handbook, the Florida Administrative Code, Florida Statutes, or federal law. The Annual In-Service Training section lists a variety of in-service training sessions, some of which may be taken to meet waiver handbook annual in-service requirements.
Required Basic Training
The following courses must be completed by all direct care staff of all providers:
- Choices and Rights of Individuals
- Core Competencies Training(both components: Intro to DD and Health & Safety)
- Development and Implementation of the Required Documentation of each Waiver Service
- HIPAA Basics
- Medicaid Waiver Services Agreement & its Attachments as well as Coverage and Limitations Handbook and its Appendices
- Use of a Person-Centered Approach to Service Delivery
- Zero Tolerance Training
Classroom
- Most of the courses above are available through APD area offices and are listed on the Required Provider Training calendar.
- If the course you need is not listed on the Required Provider Training calendar, the Certified Trainers document lists providers of both Core Competency courses, as well as Zero Tolerance. The certified trainer listings denote the courses that each trainer is certified to teach. Some trainers may provide these courses free of charge and others may charge for their classes.
Web-Based
- Core Competencies Training (both components: Intro to DD and Health & Safety) – Available through TCC and may be accessed via the Web Training page.
- Zero Tolerance Training– Available through TCC and may be accessed via the Web Training page.
- HIPAA Basics – Required by federal law. APD does not currently offer this course in classroom settings. However, an online HIPAA Basics course is available free of charge from the Department of Children and Families.
Required Service-Specific Training
The courses in this section are required for providers of specific services.
Classroom
- Medication Administration – This course is only available from trainers approved by APD's Central Office. Please call the medical case manager in any APD area office to obtain a list of providers of this training. To find contact information for area offices, please visit the APD Area Offices page.
- Reactive Strategies Procedures– This training is available from the APD-approved vendors listed on the Reactive Strategies Trainers page. Providers can contact any of these vendors to arrange training for their employees.
- Supported Employment Coaching Certification – Both components of this training (Best Practices in Supported Employment and Introduction to Social Security Work Incentives) must be successfully completed in order to provide supported employment services. Classroom sessions are available on a limited basis and are listed on the Required Provider Training calendar. Also, the Certified Supported Employment Trainers document lists independent APD-certified trainers of these courses.
- Supported Living Coaching Training – Classroom sessions are available and are listed on the Required Provider Training page. Also, a listing of independent APD-certified trainers of these courses will be posted here soon.
- Waiver Support Coordination Certification – In order to become a certified waiver support coordinator, you must complete two service-specific courses:
- Statewide Certification Training – Provided only by trainers approved by APD Central Office. They are listed on the Support Coordination page.
- APD Specific Area Office Information – Provided by area offices as listed on the Required Provider Training page.
- HIV/AIDS/Infection Control – Required by Section 381.0035, Florida Statutes. APD does not currently offer this course in classroom settings but recommends taking this from a trainer certified by the Florida Department of Health or anyone that teaches a course that meets the current statutory requirements.
- CPR – Required by the waiver handbook as well as the Florida Administrative Code. APD does not currently offer this course in classroom settings but recommends taking it from a trainer certified by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or American Safety and Health Institute.
- First Aid– Required by the waiver handbook as well as the Florida Administrative Code. APD does not currently offer this course in classroom settings but recommends taking it from a trainer certified by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or American Safety and Health Institute.
Web-Based
- Supported Employment Coaching Certification – Both components of this training (Best Practices in Supported Employment and Introduction to Social Security Work Incentives) must be successfully completed in order to be certified as a supported employment coach. Online classes are available from the Training Resource Network.
Annual In-Service Training
Classroom
- APD's Annual In-Service courses are listed on the In-Service Training page (posted quarterly). Providers of some special services are required by the waiver handbooks to take a specific number of hours of in-service training per year. These courses are also offered as professional development to employees of APD's developmental disability centers. Also, anyone who is interested in any of these topics (including individuals and family members) can take these courses at no charge. If you have questions, contact your APD area office.
Web-Based
- Florida Medicaid Provider Training – Presentations are posted at the Florida Medicaid Provider Training e-Library website, sponsored by the Agency for Health Care Administration. Information is posted about training sessions that are conducted via teleconference. Check with your area office about the acceptance of these courses for annual in-service requirements.