Temporary format waivers available
ASWB ACE’s standards require CE providers to apply for and receive approval for course delivery formats before offering courses in that format. To make it easier for providers who need to transition from live in-person courses to live online trainings because of the COVID-19 pandemic, ACE is granting 30-day exceptions to the policy. Any ACE provider or CE provider with approved individual courses that is not already approved to offer courses in the live webinar format may request a waiver.
Providers should complete an attestation form and submit it with a sample CE certificate and a list of courses they plan to offer in the live webinar format. Most providers will receive approval the same day they submit it. If needed, the provider may request additional 30-day waivers when the current one expires. There is no fee for temporary format substitution waivers.
Fill out the temporary format substitution attestation form and submit your request now to ace@aswb.org.
Transitioning in-person courses to live online webinar courses
Is your organization considering adding a webinar platform to offer live distance learning CE courses? Are you looking for information about delivering live distance learning more effectively?
Webinar platforms, many of which are listed on this webinar software page, typically include built-in reporting features that can help CE providers with tasks such as:
- Tracking attendance
- Seeing user engagement statistics
- Recording individual poll and Q & A answers
Becoming familiar with these features may allow you to easily create reports that can inform business decisions. These features also help providers meet distance-learning accreditation requirements, such as tracking attendance and interaction. Zoom, for example, offers information on webinar reporting in its help center.
CE accreditors are working together to support one another in providing high-quality distance education to licensed professionals. The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education has created free, downloadable resources for CE planners and faculty that might help social work CE providers offering online courses.
Best practices for creating a virtual meeting: Tips for planners
Best practices for planning and leading virtual meetings: Tips for faculty
Free services from webinar vendors during COVID-19 pandemic
Effective remote work for CE professionals and organizations
For many of us in the CE world, working from home has become a reality. For some of you, it may be the first time you have worked from home. For others, this is something you already do on a regular basis. Even if you have some experience with remote work, you may find it challenging if the rest of your company is now working from home. You may need or want some tips on how to stay productive, manage your own wellness needs, and best communicate with your staff, managers, coworkers, other businesses, and customers.
Keep in mind that many factors may contribute to what works best for each individual. You may need to use different techniques depending on whether you are an introvert or an extrovert, have family members at home or live alone, or typically interact with customers in person or by phone. These techniques may differ from those your coworkers or friends use to make working from and living at home go as smoothly as possible. It may be challenging to maintain the level of connection with coworkers, customers, friends, and family that you need to feel your personal and professional best.
Remember to be kind to yourself and others. Remind yourself that these are extraordinary times, and we are all doing the best that we can. Below are some additional resources for working from home.
8 tips to make working from home work for you
A guide to managing your (newly) remote workers
ASWB compiles CE provisions in response to COVID-19
Regulators in many U.S. states have made changes to their continuing education requirements in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused in-person CE offerings to be canceled.
The Virginia Board of Social Work, for example, reports that it has received numerous questions from licensees about CE requirements for renewal. The Virginia board has granted a one-year extension to complete the required continuing education. And Pennsylvania’s governor has suspended restrictions on the number or percentage of distance learning CE credits permitted during the current renewal period so that all licensees may complete their CE online during the pandemic.
ASWB has compiled a list of regulatory provisions during the COVID-19 pandemic. That list is being updated regularly. Continuing education providers are also encouraged to visit individual regulatory board websites for up-to-the-minute changes that may affect license renewal requirements.
Handling the stress of COVID-19
The stresses associated with the COVID-19 pandemic may affect people differently. It is important to remain aware of this and take time for self-care. ACE has gathered some self-care resources for our colleagues in the CE provider community and their families. We hope these resources will help you add new ideas to your toolbox for destressing and coping during this challenging time.
Centers for Disease Control: Stress and coping
Time Magazine: How to stay physically and mentally healthy while COVID-19 has you stuck at home
NPR: Getting bored? Here’s a list of free things that weren’t free before coronavirus
Cleveland Clinic: 5 ways to manage stress during the coronavirus outbreak
SAMHSA: Tips for social distancing, quarantine, and isolation during an infectious disease outbreak