HCA staff identified training needs and develops the Continuing Education Course. The HCA Staff member, hereafter referred to as the Continuing Education Program Planner (CEPP) is responsible for following the procedures outlined in the CEPP application and subrnitting the application packet to the appropriate CAC(s). If accreditation is required for several disciplines, including physicians, the Continuing Medical Education (CME) CAC can coordinate the application process.

1. APPLICATION PROCESS
   1. In planning a Continuing Education Course, the CEPP should identify target audiences (i.e. MD, RN, etc.) and identify how the need for this course was determined (i.e. expressed, presumed or demonstrated need from Quality Improvement studies). Before planning a course for psychologists, the CEPP should contact the psychologists' CAC for criteria on the type of courses appropriate for credit and samples of course syllabi as well as additional policies and procedures determined by the American Psychological Association.
   2. If co-sponsoring the course with another organization, the CEPP should determine who is responsible for content, presentation, monitoring, record keeping, advertising, financial arrangements and administrative decisions. In order to co-sponsor a course for CME credit, if the co-sponsoring provider is not themselves accredited, then HCA must assume responsibility for the activity's quality and program planning. In order to co-sponsor a course for APA credit for psychologists, then the HCA program planner must have a prior agreement in writing between HCA and the co-sponsor which includes the following:
      1. HCA must be involved in all aspects of program planning, beginning early enough to be able to make a contribution.
      2. HCA must assure that the Ethical Principals of Psychologists are up-held.
      3. In cases where the co-sponsoring organizations are also APA-approved, HCA must clarify which organization shall accept and maintain responsibility for the activity.
   3. If CME and other accreditations are requested, the application packet can be sent to the CME CAC with indication of which other accreditations are desired. If CME accreditation is not requested, the CEPP should send the to the appropriate CAC.
   4. Applications are due to all CAC's at least thirty (30) working calendar days before the course date. A completed CEPP application must include the following:
      1. Clear and concise description of course content and objectives with time estimates
      2. Presenter's Financial Disclosure Statement
      3. Current resume of each speaker
      4. Handouts or a list of handouts
      5. Financial statement outlining cost and funding for program
      6. Post test (if applicable)
      7. Course application fee
      8. A copy of the speaker's current license
      9. A draft of Advertisement or Notice of Course to include the title of the course, qualifications of the presenter, description of the course, intended audience, course objectives, HCA provider number for California Medical Association (CMA) and Board of Behavioral Science (BBS) accredited courses), and the number of actual training hours of continuing education credit as outlined below:
   5. This activity is offered by the Orange County Health Care Agency, a CMA accredited provider. Physicians attending this course may report up to (insert of hours of actual training) of Category I credits toward the California Medical Association's Certificate in Continuing Medical Education and the American Medical Associations' Physician's Recognition Award.
   6. The Orange County Health Care Agency is a Board of Behavioral Sciences approved provider (Provider Number PCE 389). This course meets the qualification for (insert # of hours of actual training) hours of continuing credit for MFT's and/or LCSW's as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
   7. Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (Provider Number
      CEP 5694) for insert # of hours of actual training contact hours. Provider: Orange
      County Health Care Agency/Public Health.
   8. County Health Care Agency is approved by the American Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists.  Orange County Health Care Agency Maintains responsibility for the program
2. NOTIFICATION OF COURSE APPROVAL
   Educational programs offered by HCA are not accredited automatically. Each course offering requires application to appropriate CAC'S. The CEPP shall be notified in writing that the course is approved or if further documentation o r preparation is needed. The CEPP shall receive a certificate for the attendees for distribution at the time of the course. The CEPP shall also receive an attendance list, an evaluation form, and an evaluation summary form.

   Courses can be approved for a maximum of one year, and may be repeated within that year if the program is identical in content, length and instructor.   Application to repeat a course for MCEP credit must be submitted to the CAC seven weeks prior to the date of the course in order to obtain approval from the California Psychological Association Accrediting Agency (CPAAA).

3. FINAL DOCUMENTATION
   After each program presentation the CEPP must submit final documentation to the appropriate CAC. The final documentation must include:

   1. Course attendance sheet with each participant's name and license number

   2. Completed Evaluation Forms

   3. Completed Summary of Results of Evaluation Forms

   4. Copy of Post-Test (if applicable).

4. RECORD REQUIREMENTS

   1. Each CAC in the HCA must keep the following records for at least four years:

      1. Syllabi for all courses

      2. Time and location of courses

      3. Course advertisements

      4. Instructors' vitae or resumes

      5. Attendance rosters with the names and license numbers of licensees who attended the course

      6. Sign-in sheets

      7. Records of course completion issued to licensees who attended the course

   2. Each CAC is required to make the records available to the state accreditation boards if audited. Audits are on a random basis to ensure compliance with board criteria. It is each CAC's responsibility to apply for re-certification and to submit all documentation to the certification boards prior to the expiration date. Certification is approved for two years for all committees.

5. CME COMMITTEE

   1. This committee is comprised of physicians and administrators in the Health Care Agency. By design, the other Course Accrediting Coordinators sit on this committee to facilitate coordination between all accreditation functions.

   2. The GME committee meets at least quarterly to review CEPP applications, and to ensure that all of its activities meet the requirements of the Institute for Quality Medical Guide.

6. PSYCHOLOGISTS' CONTINUING EDUCATION COMMITTEE
   This committee is comprised of psychologists and other clinicians and administrators within the Health Care Agency. The committee reviews course applications and meets quarterly to review the performance of HCA as an approved provider of APA continuing education activities.