National News
MN SWAP Education/National Report
NAAP (National Association of Activity Professionals)
Address: PO Box 5530
Sevierville, TN 37864
Phone: 865-429-0717
Website: www.theNAAP.com
NAAP/MN SWAP State Contact: Pamela Hayle
The MN SWAP Education-chairperson will be attending the NAAP annual conference held on March 20-April 2, 2011 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. At the national conference, Minnesota activity professionals will be represented at the state contact breakfast and NAAP annual meeting. Watch the web site for a full report. MN SWAP members interested in attending the NAAP conference may qualify for a NAAP/NCCAP Scholarship. Visit NAAP's website for more information.
QLA (Quality of Life Alliance)
Address: PO Box 2745
Madison, MS 39130-2745
Phone: 601-856-7550
QLA/MN SWAP Contacts: Pamela Hayle and Julie Reginek
The Quality of Life Alliance is a national organization for health care professionals who work in aging services and related fields. The Quality of Life Alliance also has a specific branch of the organization dedicated to the activity/recreation profession. MN SWAP is an organizational partner in both facets of this organization. The mission statement of QLA is, "To build a network that develops and practices models of leadership for those dedicated to innovations in public policy, quality education, and effective advocacy in aging services." QLA has been busy with several projects and workgroups over the past year with CMS related to the provision of activity services. In the past year, QLA founding directors have been instrumental in the implementation of the Quality of Life revised guidance released by CMS, and the MDS 3.0o workgroup.
NCCAP National Certification Council for Activity Professionals
Address: PO Box 62589
Virginia Beach, VA 23466
Phone: 757-552-0653
Website: www.nccap.org
NCCAP/MN SWAP State Contact: Julie Reginek
The National Certification Council for Activity Professionals is a credentialing organization that certifies activity professionals in the following areas; Activity Assistant, Activity Director and Activity Consultant. Each area has minimum track requirements that an individual must meet to qualify for certification. These requirements include education, activity work experience and continuing education. Specialization certification in the areas of Memory Care, Assisted Living, Adult Day Services, and Education are also available. To find out which track you qualify for or more information on the specialization options, visit NCCAP’s website, or contact Julie Reginek, Minnesota’s state contact person for assistance.
NCCAP National Exam Update
Effective January 1, 2012, all new Activity Director and Activity Consultant certification applicants will need to pass a natioanal exam in addition to the requried education, work experience, and continuing education. This is only applicable for new certifications. If you are currently certified by NCCAP, this does not apply to recertification. The national exam is in a pilot stage with student volunteers who have completed the MEPAP classes and agreed to take the exam. Statistics and data have been collected during the pilot stage and will be used to revise and finalize the exam questions. For more information contact NCCAP. |