Miguel 4 Report Share Posted March 23, 2007 I am starting this forum in the hopes to feel out what Activity Professional across the nation feel about Federal and State Legislation such as Resident to Staff Ratio in Activity Programs, appropriate living wage, Certification Vs. Qualified, and any other ideas you may have! Lets Make a Change! -Miguel Sarasa, ADPC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennie 26 Report Share Posted March 24, 2007 Hey Miguel, Should pose for an interesting questions & answers. As far as I know the only state I have seen Ration of Activity Staff to res. is New Jersey & even it is vague. They have 2 FT Activity staff per 46 - 60 res. I believe this should be a state/fed regulation so that we could get the staff that we need in activities. Most AD's are so under staffed & trying to do it all themselves. Usually the pay scale is to low for what we have to do, the responsibilities we have, the schooling that we have to have etc. In fact most AD's are considered Dept. Heads but I will bet they are the lowest paid person in that group. It is also hard to find decent staff with what they allow us to pay them & the demands we put on them for that pay scale. I don't know the fix for this?! Qualified verse Certified. I think all AD's should be certified. But I do think that the requirements to be certified are too strict. I think that AD's should have to take the MEPAP 1 & 2 & should have high school dip or GED but I think the college is to much & that the hours one must work before becoming certified is to much (5000 to 6000 hours close to 3 years). Especially for the pay that most AD's are getting. I do however think that writing & spelling is very important, as the paperwork we do is legal documentation. Try to become a Consultant first the schooling is gets even stiffer. I know a lot of AD's that would make excellent ACC but because of their age or money situation they will never be able to do this because of the too strict rules. I expect to have a lot of you disagree with me on this part but just posting my feeling here. Hands on experience, seminars, workshops & daily life can educate us. I know that the times are changing as our res. will also be of a different generation but people are still people no matter what the generation is. So what do you all think & is there more to this topic that we should also discuss? Thanks Pennie PS: My mind is subject to change just like our calendars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momtwins24 0 Report Share Posted April 7, 2007 Hello, I am new to all this I mean really new I am in my 2nd class of the Activity coordinator course. I want to know what is ADC and ACC that is hear so much about. I am just guessing that I will be asked to do more schooling?? I am only taking a small 75 hour course. I was told this would get me to where I needed. I am only worried about all the paper work because I have been a CNA for years and I think I will have no trouble coming up with activities and relating to residents. I am worried about schooling and not having help i.e. Assistant. Right now I am not employed but this is really what I have wanted to do. I am not looking for what some would say a job that is easy to get in to but I am a young mother who has made lots of educational mistakes working threw them all now but I can't do collage for ever. I thought CEU's like 10 hrs a year and all in-services would work. (I know education is important but help I'm confused). Oh and there is no ratio? Great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennie 26 Report Share Posted April 8, 2007 Hello, I am new to all this I mean really new I am in my 2nd class of the Activity coordinator course. I want to know what is ADC and ACC that is hear so much about. I am just guessing that I will be asked to do more schooling?? I am only taking a small 75 hour course. I was told this would get me to where I needed. I am only worried about all the paper work because I have been a CNA for years and I think I will have no trouble coming up with activities and relating to residents. I am worried about schooling and not having help i.e. Assistant. Right now I am not employed but this is really what I have wanted to do. I am not looking for what some would say a job that is easy to get in to but I am a young mother who has made lots of educational mistakes working threw them all now but I can't do collage for ever. I thought CEU's like 10 hrs a year and all in-services would work. (I know education is important but help I'm confused). Oh and there is no ratio? Great. Hi, Welcome to the world of AD's (Activity Director's) This is one of the most rewarding jobs you can have. The burn-out rate is high , so remember to take the time for yourself & family. The pay is not the best but it is getting better. ADC stands for Activity Director Certified & ACC stands for Activity Consultant Certified. To see what it takes to become certified for either of these go to NCCAP.org also check out thenaap.org No one here will judge you about education, we all do what we have to do. As far as college, depending on where you live & the state regs. you may not be able to work or become certified as an AD. Like I said it depends on the state regs. (In Texas you can be qualitifed or certified & no college required). But you can always be an AAC Activity Assistance Certified. As far as learning the paperwork & all the other stuff you run across, well you have come to the right place. We have some of the best folks on this message board. Everyone is always willing to help out & explain things, whatever you need. So again welcome. Pennie & all of us from AD Network Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahurd52 0 Report Share Posted April 9, 2007 (edited) Commenting on your statement as far as ratio to activity staff to residents, I have been for years the only activity staff member to 43 or so residents. I have no part time activity aides. I'm thinking this is a common problem. And yes just like most Activity Directors I feel overwelmed most of the time. The one thing that keeps me going is I love my residents, not the money. I'm sure most Activity directors feel the same. Edited April 9, 2007 by ahurd52 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momtwins24 0 Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 Hi,Welcome to the world of AD's (Activity Director's) This is one of the most rewarding jobs you can have. The burn-out rate is high , so remember to take the time for yourself & family. The pay is not the best but it is getting better. ADC stands for Activity Director Certified & ACC stands for Activity Consultant Certified. To see what it takes to become certified for either of these go to NCCAP.org also check out thenaap.org No one here will judge you about education, we all do what we have to do. As far as college, depending on where you live & the state regs. you may not be able to work or become certified as an AD. Like I said it depends on the state regs. (In Texas you can be qualitifed or certified & no college required). But you can always be an AAC Activity Assistance Certified. As far as learning the paperwork & all the other stuff you run across, well you have come to the right place. We have some of the best folks on this message board. Everyone is always willing to help out & explain things, whatever you need. So again welcome. Pennie & all of us from AD Network Thanks Pennie! I am so happy to be in the health care feild adn to know that all I need to do is log on to this site GREAT! I know I will love this line of work. Thansk for the advice and help. Beth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OceanGuy23 2 Report Share Posted April 27, 2007 Hi. I was wondering what the course MEPAP 1 and 2 is about. Are they only offered online and how many weeks are they. There is so much information to know about being certified. I currently work as an activities assistant in California in long term care which I have done for five years. I will be taking the course to become an activity director in August to be state certified but I would like to be nationally certified. I would also like to know more about California guidelines, it seems every state is different. Can anyone also please give me a preview of what to expect for my state certification course. I am so excited I can't wait. Thank you so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel 4 Author Report Share Posted April 27, 2007 Hi OceanGuy! My name is Miguel Sarasa and I am in California, where exactly are you located? As for California, Certification is a little different in every state like you mentioned in your post and California is no different. Currently all that is required is 36 hours of training in Geriatric Activity Programming; there is no State Certification. Many activity professionals who complete a state approved course tend to immediately think they are certified which is not the case. They have only become qualified and don’t have any form of credentials like OT's, RT's and other health care professionals have. I strongly encourage that you complete a "state approved course" and work on the NCCAP Mepap Courses, as they are truly amazing in covering all aspects of the Activity Profession. I completed a 72 hour course in the state, a 40 Hour Course and my Mepap 1 and am currently working on my Mepap 2 and I must say I learned more in my Mepap Classes than I did in both State Approved Courses. Get certified with the NCCAP (www.nccap.org) they are the activity professions certifying body! If you would like to chat in detail feel free to call me at (951) 992-0230 -Miguel Sarasa, ADPC Hi. I was wondering what the course MEPAP 1 and 2 is about. Are they only offered online and how many weeks are they. There is so much information to know about being certified. I currently work as an activities assistant in California in long term care which I have done for five years. I will be taking the course to become an activity director in August to be state certified but I would like to be nationally certified. I would also like to know more about California guidelines, it seems every state is different. Can anyone also please give me a preview of what to expect for my state certification course. I am so excited I can't wait. Thank you so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OceanGuy23 2 Report Share Posted April 28, 2007 Hi Miguel. Thanks for responding to my post about California Activity guidelines. I live in Turlock, California, which is located in the Central Valley, near Modesto and about a 1 1/2 hour drive to Sacramento. Where are you located in California? I work as an activities assistant in a 99 bed long term care facility in Turlock. The course I am taking in August is 16 weeks and meets once a week. When I complete this course to be a state qualified AD in California can I work in any long term care facility or do some facilities already want you to be nationally certified. Can I take MEPAP 1 in the meantime. Thank you for giving me your contact phone number and I will definitely be calling you for questions. This site is so awesome. Catch ya later. OceanGuy23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel 4 Author Report Share Posted April 29, 2007 Awesome! I currently live in a town called Hemet in southern California and moved here from Stockton so I know exactly where Turlock is. Great step to complete a basic state approved course, where and who are you taking it from and how many hours is it? The reason I ask is from what I hear there is an instructor in your area who teaches the 90 hours Basic Mepap Course and has been for a while. Mepap is not required at the present moment but it would be a dream of mine for it to happen. (Which from what I hear through the grapevine wont be far away) I strongly encourage that you complete a state approved course and if it is not the Mepap class that is taught in your area make sure its over 70 hours so that you can complete a NCCAP Bridge the Gap course we are trying to bring to California which would count as your Mepap 1 course (90 Hours). If it is 36-40 hours (what’s required by DHS) than I would encourage you to take the Mepap 1 Course online through Activity Directors Network or with whomever you choose. Some Activity Professionals in California are funny in that they think as soon as they complete a state approved course they are certified which is not the case, they are only qualified and have a certificate of qualification, NO CREDENTIAL BEHIND THEIR NAME and honestly, take it from someone (me) who has taken a 72 hour course, a 40 hour course, and a 90 hour Mepap 1 (currently on my Mepap 2) The state is far behind and the only way an Activity Professional is going to gain the most adequate educational training is the Mepap courses and become certified (which requires continuing education every 2 years, California State Qualifications do not require any form of Continuing Education which is sad as these professionals are not getting new ideas to bring back to their facilities and residents) Hope this all makes sense! Look forward to hearing from ya! -Miguel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OceanGuy23 2 Report Share Posted April 29, 2007 Hey Miguel, How cool that you used to live in Stockton, isn't this a small world, lol. Thank you for getting back to me. You have given me great help, thank you. The 16 week state approved AD course is 48 hours and is held at Millers Place in Modesto, which is a day center for adults during the day and at night opens up to offer this course. It is run through Doctors Medical Center Foundation. I definitely want to take my mepap courses because I know they will come in great handy and I always love to learn more about activities to bring new ideas for my residents. I think I will take mepap online through this site because online classes are awesome if you work full time as I do but you said there is a local instructor so I might do that. I want to become a CTRS in the future but for now I will get all my activity courses done. I am 23 so there is plenty of time lol. I have such a passion and love working in long term care and the residents are such a joy and blessing. I have worked as an AA for five years so its about time I become an AD. My current AD is so encouraging and tells me this is my calling and this is exactly my profession. It is and I love it. Activities are sooooo cool. I will be getting in contact with you and it will definitely be a pleasure getting to talk to you. Thanks again. OceanGuy23 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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