NASUAD Launches Online Training Course for I&R/A Professionals
November 17, 2011
NASUAD has launched a new online training course, “Basic Training for Aging I&R/A Professionals.” The course aims to enhance the services provided by Aging Information and Referral/Assistance (I&R/A) professionals by advancing their knowledge, skills, and work-related competences. The course is also carefully designed to help prepare I&R/A professionals to obtain a certification in CIRS-A (Certified Information and Referral Specialist-Aging).
Participants in the course will learn about the historical expansion of the Aging Network and the development of Aging I&R/A; an overview of the broad array of health, social, and long-term services and supports for seniors and individuals with disabilities; tools and strategies to provide culturally appropriate services; and the fundamental phases of the I&R/A process with a focus on learning how to support the decision making of seniors, individuals with disabilities, and their caregivers.
This new online training platform offers video tutorials, concise written materials, voice narrated PowerPoints, and online quizzes that allow participants to demonstrate their understanding of each module’s learning objectives. Participants that successfully complete the course, scoring 75 percent or greater in the quizzes, will receive a Certificate of Completion. Additional learning modules will be added in the future.
The course currently includes four modules, and additional modules will be added in the future.
- I&R/A Services and the Aging Network
Provides participants with a historical perspective and deeper understanding of the Aging Network, I&R/A services, and major U.S. policies that have shaped long-term services and supports for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and their caregivers. - Developing Cultural Competence to Serve a Diverse Aging Population
Provides participants with an overview of America’s diverse aging population, and offers participants the opportunity to learn and apply culturally competent skills to successfully serve diverse populations. - Essential Components of the Aging Informational and Referral Process
Provides participants with a comprehensive, step-by-step, analysis of the I&R/A process, and offers participants the opportunity to learn and apply communication techniques that support and encourage older adults, individuals with disabilities, and their caregivers in accessing and obtaining health and social support services. - Key Programs and Services for Older Adults
Provides an overview of key programs and services that support older adults to live with dignity, independence, and improved health.
The Basic Training for Aging I&R/A Professionals is a free service provided by the National Information & Referral Support Center. The National Information & Referral Support Center is a special project supported by the Administration on Aging.
The course may be accessed by clicking here.
For a Step-by-step Guide to Logon and Create an Online Training Account, click here.
You may view an instructional video about the course by clicking here.