Updated June 2023
Caregiver Retention Toolkit Coming Soon!
CareLearn has launched a Retention Toolkit for direct care supervisors and managers only, which includes multiple trainings eligible for CE. Don’t miss the opportunity to access this free leadership tool. Supervisors join today to access these resources.
The Retention Toolkit, supplemental links, and learning modules can help you address retention issues within your control, reduce high turnover rates, and continue providing excellent care to our aging and disabled population. The Retention Toolkit focuses on four topics: Onboarding, Communication, Wellness, and Recognition.
The Retention Toolkit includes:
- Information on each topic's importance.
- Statistics for each topic based on the impact on employee retention.
- Steps to improve your skills in each area.
- A "Learn More" section with additional resources, handouts, helpful sites, and free training to expand your skills.
Updated March 2023
Home and Community Services Division of DSHS Amends Training Policy for Long Term Care Worker Qualifications
Home and community services (HCS) has amended policy around continuing education deadlines previously developed during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
HCS previously noted all long-term care workers employed for any length of time between March 1, 2020, and February 28, 2021, were granted 12 hours of DSHS-approved continuing education credit. No physical certificate for these hours were issued or required. The COVID-19 continuing education hours issued were required to be applied as any other continuing education hours as described in WAC 246-12. These hours must have been applied to CE due for CE years/HCA renewal Cycle 2020 and 2021 (for CE/HCA certification deadlines March 1, 202, through December 31, 2021).
Workers who owed more than 12 CE hours were previously provided the deadline of February 24, 2023, to complete any additional required training hours. This amendment has extended that deadline to August 31, 2023.
To review amended DSHS management bulletin H21-091 in its entirety visit HCS Management Bulletins | DSHS (wa.gov).
If you have questions regarding your training requirements, you may contact the HCS training unit at 360-725-2550
Updated February 2023
Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Receives Recognition For Supporting Direct Care Workers
Historically, Washington has always been an innovator when it comes to supporting residents in need.
Whether through pilot programs, new service opportunities, or changes to existing service policies; Washington has been person-centered and committed to transforming lives by promoting choice, independence, and safety through innovative services.
Recently, DSHS has been recognized through an outside advocacy organization as being #1 in the nation for supporting direct care workers. To learn more about the DSHS efforts in supporting direct care workers and its recognition click here.
As the CareLearn platform is funded and managed by the DSHS Aging and Long-Term Support Administration, our mission mirrors that of our parent organization. As such, CareLearn would like to promote multiple training opportunities sponsored by the Washington State Traumatic Brain injury (TBI) Strategic Partnership Advisory Council.
Click here to find TBI support groups, general resources, recorded webinars, and future training events designed to support and educate those living with and caring for individuals with a TBI.
Updated January 2023
WA Cares Supports Washingtonians with their future Long-Term Care Needs!
Washington continues to innovate when it comes to supporting the Aged, Blind, and Disabled Community. The WA Cares Fund is a new earned benefit to ensure working Washingtonians can access long-term care when they need it.
In 2022 legislative changes were implemented to improve the benefits for those who are currently near retirement, as well as those who live out of state, and veterans.
If you or someone you know is interested in reviewing all the 2022 program improvements or would like to explore current eligibility and benefit opportunities visit the WA Cares Fund website.
Updated December 2022
CareLearn Now Offers Training in Russian!
Thanks to the partnership between CareLearn Washington and Home Care Pulse, the CareLearn LMS now offers select DSHS approved continuing Education (CE) online courses entirely in Russian.
With the addition of these Russian Language courses, CareLearn now has over 100 training activities in an alternative language (other than English) with more to come.
To learn more about CareLearn Washington and its available content feel free to reach out to CareLearnSupport@dshs.wa.gov.
Updated November 2022
COVID-19 Emergency Rules Update (October 2022)
DSHS has filed an Emergency Rule change combining two training and certification cohorts in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency. See below for the new deadlines for those hired between 8/17/2019 and 4/30/2021.
Training and Certification Deadlines can be seen within the table to the right.
Continuing Education Deadlines and Application of the 12 hours of COVID On-The-Job Training
All long-term care workers employed for any length of time between March 1, 2020, and February 28, 2021 are granted 12 hours of DSHS-approved continuing education credit. No physical certificate for these hours will be issued or required. The COVID-19 continuing education hours may be applied to renewal periods ending no earlier than March 1, 2020, and no later than December 31, 2021.
All long-term care workers shall have until December 31, 2022, or 120 days from the end of the COVID-19 training waivers established by gubernatorial proclamation, whichever is later, to complete any additional CE that may have become due while training waivers were in place in excess of the 12 hours of CE granted.
If a worker's next birthday allows fewer than 120 days after the waivers are lifted to complete required CE for their current renewal cycle (Birthdays after December 31, 2021), the worker will have 120 days from the end of training waivers to complete the required CE.
Updated October 2022
Caregiving Employment Opportunities Await
DSHS Aging and Long-Term Support Administration is preparing for the extreme growth in the number of older adults who will need some type of assistance to live independently in their communities. Estimates from the state Office of Financial Management show the number of Washingtonians aged 65 and older will almost double by 2040 (from 1.2 million to nearly 2 million people) and most will want to live in their own homes and in community-based settings.
In addition to CareLearn Washington’s efforts to increase retention rates among providers within residential settings, Washington Care Careers is taking strides to increase the overall number of new providers within Washington.
If you or someone you know may be interested in exploring a new career in caregiving, take the Caregiver Quiz to see if you might enjoy the industry. Individuals may also find the Frequently Asked Questions area enlightening.
If you have questions or would like to learn more about these opportunities, you may email an administrator at WACareCareers@Dshs.wa.gov.
Updated September 2022
Governor Proclamation 20-10 rescinded: Initial Training and Continuing Education Deadlines Impacted.
What you need to know and do for Initial Training Deadlines:
Read updated initial training deadlines by reviewing WAC 388-71-0876 and WAC 388-112A-0081.
Unless a worker is exempt from training as described in WAC 388-71-0839 or WAC 388-112A-0090, employees hired during the COVID-19 emergency must complete basic training, and required specialty trainings as displayed. Workers who are required to be certified as home care aides must obtain certification as displayed. Please encourage all employees who need training/certification to begin the process as soon as possible.
(*A long-term care worker is considered “rehired” if they held previous employment as a long-term care worker and did not have an active home care aide credential when hired during the time frames outlined above.)
If a long-term care worker is limited-English proficient, the worker may request an additional sixty days to obtain certification.
What you need to know and do for Continuing Education (CE) training deadlines:
Read updated continuing education (CE) training deadlines by reviewing WAC 388-71-0992 and WAC 388-112A-0613.
For long-term care workers employed for any duration between March 1, 2020, and February 28, 2021 are granted twelve hours of DSHS-approved continuing education credit for the training entitled "COVID-19 On-The-Job Training Protocols," bearing the DSHS approval code CE2135218.
No physical certificate for this training will be issued or required.
The hours must be applied as any other continuing education hours and to a single renewal period as provided in chapter 246-12 WAC.
Updated August 2022
New Family Caregiver resource made available by the Dementia Action Collaborative and The University of Washington
The percentage of Individuals experiencing Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) as well as those diagnosed with Alzheimer's and Dementia are growing every year. Caregivers and family member dedicated to supporting these individuals require the most up to date medical information to help ensure the ones they care for can thrive during challenging times.
This resource has been designed to assist family caregivers of those experiencing memory impairment and dementia understand how to form working partnerships with healthcare providers, how to organize, and streamline tasks, and communicate about the care needs of the person living with dementia, as we as well as how to reduce the chances of avoidable care transitions.
To learn more visit Partnering with Your Healthcare Provider or scan the QR code to the right.
To find other resources made available by the Dementia Action Collaborative (DAC) visit the Dementia Action Collaborative | DSHS (wa.gov)
Resource Image and QR code
Updated July 2022
Hundreds of New Training Classes from Industry Leaders: Relias and Home Care Pulse
This month the Carelearn Admin Team is excited to announce its formal partnership with Relias and Home Care Pulse, two of the nation’s largest Long Term Care training content developers. This partnership will allow CareLearners to access over 700 new training courses.
Over 200 of those courses have been pre-approved to award DSHS Continuing Education (CE) credit to learners and are currently being added into the CareLearn LMS. The remaining courses are be reviewed for CE eligibility by a DSHS governing body and are expected to be available over the coming months.
In addition to bringing new content to CareLearn, this partnership has allowed for the expansion of available training courses in alternative languages. CareLearn now has entire trainings, as well as training transcripts, available in Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
To see new and upcoming titles visit our Home Page.
To become a CareLearner visit our Access Carelearn Page and follow the instructions to fill out your new user account request form.
We will continue to send out updates about new classes that have been made available within CareLearn as well as list them on the CareLearn home page.
Relias and Home Care Pulse Logos
Updated June 2022
The Washington State Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Council and CareLearn remain dedicated to developing the Washington workforce.
Provider shortages have been reported in all 50 states within all areas of the health care industry. Although Washington state has been continuously recognized as an industry leader within Long Term Care Services and Supports (LTSS) our state is not exempt from feeling the impact of that shortage.
The good news is organizations such as CareLearn and Washington's Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Council remain dedicated to combatting the shortage by creating new training opportunities that will both increase the number of available providers, as well as improve the skills of the current providers of Washington State.
Recent efforts made by CareLearn administrators include the shopping for, and potential procurement of over 300 new training activities specifically relating to providing care within Adult Family Homes, Assisted living Facilities, and within the in-home care setting.
Washington State's TBI Council is also bringing new trainings to Washington Providers with the help of The University of Washington, University of Oregon, and The Center on Brain Injury Research and Training. Washingtonians may now register for, and access free online and instructor lead Workforce development trainings designed for anyone supporting an adult with a TBI. Additionally, there are specific trainings designed for individuals supporting students with a brain injury. In addition to these training opportunities the TBI Council has created an opportunity to connect providers and specialists to review real world experiences and discuss evidence-based behavioral treatments relevant to those providers. To learn more about these amazing opportunities visit the DSHS Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Resources Webpage.
DSHS TBI Council of WA Logo and QR code
Updated May 2022
DSHS Updates Emergency Rules surrounding Long-Term Care Training Requirements.
The department is requiring Long-term Care Workers to complete training requirements by certain dates that would potentially be before the suspension of the training requirements end.
The Department is dividing the group of LTCWs who are working now and started within 120 days of when the suspension went into place in early 2020, into cohorts based on length of time working. The rule would then require each cohort to complete the requirements by deadlines in rule with the “oldest” LTCWs having the first deadline and then working through the groups chronologically.
This emergency filing cancels and supersedes the emergency filed as WSR 22-04-008 on January 21, 2022. Long-term Care Workers are required to complete certain training requirements within specific deadlines. The passage of Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1120 during the 2021 Legislative Session, the suspension of training requirements deadlines will end when the public health emergency ends or if the Governor or the Legislature acts.
DSHS anticipates that the end of the suspension of LTCW training requirements would create a sudden surge in demand for training that would likely exceed capacity of training entities and result in LTCW’s failing to complete the requirements in time.
Long-Term Care workers, administrators and other invested parties may view the filing in its entirety clicking the following link WSR 22-08-110.
Image of DSHS Logo
User Feedback Guides Training Content Development
From CareLearn's inception, user feedback has continuously driven system updates, improvements, and content acquisition. Through surveys, direct messaging, and focus groups, the CareLearn administrators have heard the requests from invested parties and have worked hard to deliver.
This month, Carelearn is pleased to provide an additional response to the requests received.
Developed by Home and Community Services staff, new training courses DSHS Introduction to Mental Disorders, and DSHS Caregiving for Individuals with have been created to provide Washington States Long-Term Care providers additional tools to serve the growing population of individuals suffering from mental health conditions.
Current CareLearners may access these new trainings by clicking the links above.
Long-Term Care providers not currently enrolled with CareLearn may request a CareLearn account by clicking the following Link and following the instructions outlined on the page.
If you have questions about CareLearn, its available training content, or any other DSHS related topic you may reach our support team at CareLearnSupport@dshs.wa.gov.
Image of New Mental Health related DSHS Training courses.
Updated April 2022
New CareLearn (SumTotal) Mobile App And Desktop System Updates
As Internet Service Providers (ISPs) continue to speed up our personal and professional networks, CareLearn must adapt to the modern technology through continued innovation.
The most recent change to the CareLearn (SumTotal) platform may impact those of you accessing our training activities on older mobile devices. iPhones and iPads running iOS 13 or older are no longer supported. Also, Android devices running version 8 or older are no longer supported.
Accessibility to the CareLearn (SumTotal) platform on traditional desktops and laptops remain unchanged supporting Microsoft Edge (Chromium & Legacy) Firefox, Chrome, and Safari.
If you are a current or perspective user and have technical questions, please reach out to our support team at CareLearnSupport@dshs.wa.gov.
Image of CareLearn desktop browser and mobile app system requirements
Updated March 2022
Your Wish Is Our Command!
The CareLearn Administrators have heard the requests submitted by current users and are pleased to announce the addition of the following training courses.
Everyone Can Communicate - 7 CE units
Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) - 1.5 CE units
Implementing Participant Directed Supports - 3 CE units
Community Inclusion - 4 CE units
In addition to the CE approved courses listed above, CareLearners may now access the following condition specific, safety, and general knowledge courses designed to increase caregiver skills.
Cerebral Palsy
Diabetes
Epilepsy
Brain Injury
Emergency Preparedness
Home and Community Living
Supporting Older Adults
Introduction to Developmental Disabilities
Teaching People With Developmental Disabilities
Current CareLearners may access these trainings by logging into the CareLearn platform and searching for the training by title.
Eligible parties looking to become CareLearners may request an account by visiting our Access CareLearn page and following the instructions on how to become a CareLearner.
Carelearn course Icons for new trainings now available.
Updated February 2022
The New Year Brings New Content To Current Carelearn Users
Instead of creating an alternative resolution for the 2022 calendar year, CareLearn administrators have doubled down on their mission to provide up to date and relevant training activities to eligible Washington Long Term Care providers.
As in the previous year, new content is being added to the CareLearn LMS every week. Current users may now find handouts from the National Institute of Mental Health, Dementia Action Collaborative, as well as the Alzheimer's Association.
In addition to the new publication contributions, Carelearn has added 4 new DSHS continuing education (CE) approved courses that offer a combined total of 19.5 hours of CE credits to users.
Course titles and available credits can be seen below:
Cultural Competence - 6.5 CE units
Civil Rights and Advocacy - 4.5 CE units
Safety - 8 CE units
Intellectual and Developmental Differences - .5 CE units
Current CareLearners may access these trainings by logging into the CareLearn platform and searching for the training by title.
Eligible parties looking to become CareLearners may request an account by visiting our Access CareLearn page and following the instructions on how to become a CareLearner.
Carelearn Course Icons for Cultural Competence, Civil Rights, and Safety
Updated January 2022
CareLearn has created the HCA Skills Practice Procedure Video library
Within the CareLearn (Sumtotal Application) library, CareLearners now have access to video demonstrations of personal care skills being performed. The skills depicted within this video series are the same skills taught by training programs on the job or by community instructors using the Fundamentals of Caregiving curricula or other DSHS approved training materials.
Whether CareLearners are needing to review the step by step procedure of a skill for a new client, or they simply want a quick refresher on how to perform a skill for their HCA Prometric's test they can now watch these videos at their convenience on a desktop or mobile device.
CareLearnWA.com now has User How To Walk Through videos
CareLearn Administrators have added video tutorials on certain CareLearn functions to our Access CareLearn webpage.
Below the written instructions to request an account, future CareLearners may now watch an administrator submit a new account request form, log into Carelearn for the first time, search for and take a training, print a diploma and much more.
Images above: List of HCA Skills Procedures videos now available in CareLearn
Updated December 2021
CareLearn Enhancements Continue to Improve User Experiences
Within the CareLearn (Sumtotal Mobile Application), CareLearners may now use the Library feature. Instead of using the search option mobile users may now review courses by topics and categories to identify the learning materials that meet their needs prior to registering for that class. Instructions on how to use the new feature have been added to the How To Use Carelearn Library, and a PDF version can now be downloaded by visiting our Access CareLearn webpage.
The libraries themselves have also been updated. The menu was re-structured by making the How to Use CareLearn Library more prominent. Administrators also created a new library called Courses By Category. Within this library all courses were organized into related category topics to allow for easier searching.
This month administrators have added another library called the Caregiver Document Hub. This library consists of downloadable caregiver resource documents. None of the documents within this library provide continuing education credit, however, they provide CareLearners the ability to take home knowledge that may be beneficial for future use.
In addition to the modifications outlined above, Carelearn administrators are continually adding new trainings to the online library. Since July, Carelearn has added 13 DSHS continuing education (CE) approved courses that offer a combined total of 62.5 hours of CE credits to users. Course titles and available credits can be seen below:
Personal Care - 5.5 CE units
Direct Support Professionalism - 3.5 CE units
Person-Centered Planning - 4 CE units
Introduction to Medication Support - 7.5 CE units
Individual Rights and Choice - 4 CE units
Professional Documentation - 3.25 CE units
Understanding Depression - 3 CE units
You've Got A Friend: A Course On Relationships - 3.5 CE units
Universal Precautions - 3.25 CE units
Working With Families and Support Networks - 3 CE units
Supporting Healthy Lives - 8 CE units
Understanding Transitions Across The Lifespan - 5.5 CE units
Introduction to Mental Health and Mental Illnesses - 8.5 CE units
Images above: mobile app menu wit and current CareLearn Libraries(updates indicated in red.)
Updated November 2021
The Washington State Department of Health’s Behavioral Health Group is pleased to offer November trainings for PsySTART Responder (PsySTART-R).
PsySTART-R is an evidence-based method for healthcare workers, first responders, and healthcare systems to build resilience, anticipate and track stressors, and develop individualized coping plans during critical incidents. After training, individuals set up their personal PsySTART account online, allowing them to track and graph their exposure to certain events that are more predictive of psychological risk, and set up a personal coping plan to address the risks. Only the individual can see and access their triage information. Note: Users may need to update their accounts after system updates occur.
Additionally, organizational leads can access de-identified, aggregated information on how their staff are doing and their risk levels. This information can be tracked to identify trends in real time, allowing the organization to modify levels of support and offer early intervention as needed. This provides situational awareness and builds resilience within the organization.
Training Details
No cost to you or your organization
Held virtually in Zoom Webinar
No more than 30 minutes
Taught by professionals with disaster response expertise
Training Dates
To register, please select one of the dates below.
Tuesday, Nov 9, 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Friday, Nov 12, 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov 16, 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov 19, 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
About the Behavioral Health Group
Since March 2020, the COVID-19 Behavioral Health Group has worked to address the behavioral health impacts of COVID-19 by leading the statewide behavioral health response efforts. The group provides situational awareness on behavioral health impacts and capacity, works to build capacity to support long-term behavioral health needs, and provides tools and subject matter expertise on disaster behavioral health principles to promote emotional wellbeing. Due to the generosity of and the compassionate use offered by the Psy-START developer, Dr. Merritt Schreiber, the Behavioral Health Group is providing this program free of cost.
Updated October 2021
DSHS has filed emergency rules for certification deadlines and resumption of training.
House Bill 1120 gave DSHS statutory authority to extend timelines for training requirements during a State of Emergency. DSHS, including ALTSA/HCS/RCS and DDA, in collaboration with with the Department of Health (DOH), has reached agreement on training and certification timelines.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW AND DO:
Unless a worker is exempt from training as described in WAC 388-71-0839or WAC 388-112A-0090, employees hired during the COVID-19 emergency must complete basic training, and required specialty trainings as displayed. Workers who are required to be certified as home care aides must obtain certification as displayed. Please encourage all employees who need training/certification to begin the process as soon as possible.
(*A long-term care worker is considered “rehired” if they held previous employment as a long-term care worker and did not have an active home care aide credential when hired during the time frames outlined above.)
If a long-term care worker is limited-English proficient, the worker may request an additional sixty days to obtain certification.
Emergency Rule for Continuing Education (CE) Training
We know that there are workers who were unable to complete required CE since training requirements were suspended. The department also recognizes that long-term care workers employed during the COVID-19 pandemic required emergent, intensive, and ongoing on-the-job training in the use of PPE, sanitation, health screening and more.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
All long-term care workers employed for any duration between March 1, 2020, and February 28, 2021are granted twelve hours of DSHS-approved continuing education credit for the training entitled "COVID-19 On-The-Job Training Protocols," bearing the DSHS approval code CE2135218.
No physical certificate for this training will be issued or required.
The hours must be applied as any other continuing education hours and to a single renewal period as provided in chapter 246-12 WAC.
ADDITIONALLY: All long-term care workers will have one hundred-twenty days from the end of the public health emergency to complete any additional CE that may have become due while training waivers were in place in excess of the twelve hours of CE granted for on-the-job training.
EXAMPLE: Caregiver with birthday in December
December 2018-December 2019 = Caregiver was in compliance
December 2019 – December 2020 = 6 hours earned somehow = caregiver has 120 days after the PHE ends to make up the other six.
December 2020 – 2021= Covered completely by COVID CE
December 2021-2022= Twelve more hours needed.
If you have questions, contact:
Dave Chappell
david.chappell@dshs.wa.gov
(360) 725-2516
