Members Present: James Harper and Beth Cobb, Chairpersons; Ron Ross, Becky Parish, Carol McCarty, Gary Wright, Sr. Alvin Seubott, Glenita Norwood, Chantel Adams, and Normer Adams. From Georgia Academy, Mitzi Wagner.

The Georgia Academy gave a presentation on NVQ, which is the National Vocational Qualifications that are designed to improve competency of staff in the helping professions. They then outlined the Memorandum of Agreement between the Georgia Academy and the Georgia Association of Homes & Services for Children for promoting this competency training, beginning with the Foundations Course Trainers.

Roles and Responsibilities of GAHSC

• Identify candidates--certified trainers for Foundations Course
• Provide training dates
• Provide training sites
• Provide CEUs
• Provide recommendations to update curriculum--Our members will serve on design team

Roles and Responsibilities of Georgia Academy

• Develop application
• 4-6 hour orientation about NVQ
• Obtain non-compete agreement
• Provide training material
• Collect registration fees & forward balance to GAHSC
• Provide monthly reports
• Annual curriculum updates by 3/99
• Schedule & advertise training in calendar

The trainer will present the course two times/year. Currently, there is no process for re-certification. The Academy will verify the assessors. Compensation to trainers of GAHSC member agencies must be mutually beneficial.

James Harper figured that each candidate must commit to approximately 188 hours per year. This number includes 80 hours of portfolio time, 36 hours of training for the Foundations course, 36 hours of preparing to teach the course, and 36 hours of actually teaching the course.

Other criteria for candidates includes a commitment to teach the course (x) times for (x) number of years in Georgia, with the risk of incurring a penalty reimbursement should they fail to complete this task. The candidate must be recommended by the employing agency, have obtained a certain educational level and years experience in the field.

Beth Cobb made a motion that the joint committee make a recommendation to the Executive Committee to accept the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). Gary Wright seconded the motion, and it passed unopposed.

The Certification Committee will flesh out these tasks and responsibilities in greater detail.

James Harper then made a motion that GAHSC set up a procedure for reimbursement of expenses of trainers from member agencies. This motion will also be presented to the Executive Committee.

(Normer Adams stated that there will probably be a called Executive Committee Meeting within the next month, perhaps a conference call.)

Adjournment: There being no further business to come before the committee, the meeting adjourned at 4:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Chantel Adams