To apply for training contact: Anita Hinojosa, Administrative Assistant 513-345-3316 ahinojosa@help4seniors.org or Cynthia Fischer, RN, Manager 513-345-3304 cfischer@help4seniors.org   To become a COALA Home Care Preferred Provider and for Information on Licensure contact: Cynthia Fischer, RN, Manager 513-345-3304 cfischer@help4seniors.org

GOALS of the Program

1. To provide an opportunity for a population of untrained individuals to have a productive, rewarding and perhaps a lifestyle changing career.
2. To provide the Council on Aging and it’s providers with qualified aides, thus increasing the number of clients served, and hopefully decreasing time on waiting lists.
3. To provide more seniors with that important home care assistance they need, improving their health and safety, and making it possible for them to remain in their own homes.

POLICY of the Program
It is the policy of the Council on Aging Learning Advantages program to select trainees for the training class based on the following set of criteria:

• The selection procedure will be free from any discrimination based on an individual’s race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of the interview.
• Applicants do not have to have a high school diploma or GED.
• The completion of an application form, an interview by a COALA staff member, and the successful completion of a criminal background check (last three counties of residence) based on SB160 criminal offence guidelines. Fingerprinting is completed through Web access with BCII.
• The completion of a computerized aptitude screen.
• Applicants may be rejected for class for nondisclosure of criminal offenses on application, falsification of any information on application, or dishonesty of information on application. A rejection letter will be sent to the applicant if any of these issues are identified.

Additional Components of the Program

Barriers are identified that can obstruct the success of the aide.  Social and lifestyle factors are addressed in a non-judgmental, problem solving manner.  This is accomplished with a program that believes in the ability of trainees to overcome any obstacle, and then convinces the trainee of this. Early intervention can stop a problem in its tracks.  With communication from providing agencies, COALA has been able to keep in contact with most of its graduates.  The aides that have found themselves in turmoil frequently return to COALA for counseling and assistance to get back on the right track. COALA believes this support helps the Home Care agency maintain aides as long-term employees and provides the HHA with assistance to overcome long-standing issues that are barriers to stable employment. COALA believes this is an essential component of the program and without this, barriers for success will continue to hamper the HHA.

COA contracts with a Social Worker (MSW), for the mentoring and counseling of the COALA students during and after training. Through intensive case management, the HHA gets the support to overcome long-standing issues that are barriers to stable employment including legal, domestic violence, mental health, housing, childcare, transportation and life skill issues.  Counseling is available to HHA’s during and after training.  Graduates are tracked for a minimum of 18 months, but as long as 5 years.

Since November of 2000, over 800 individuals have completed this training. The program has proven successful as is evidenced by employment at a 75-80% retention rate for at least16 months after graduation.

In 2003, COALA added a 12 Hour MRDD training module to its repertoire. The goal is to add this optional training to the program for aides who are interested in dual certification in Home Care and MRDD. This would be of benefit to the aides, and to the provider agencies for both COA and MRDD.  To be eligible for this training the aide must  be a COALA graduate, working in health care and have a high school diploma or GED. The policies and training curriculum are available to all Licensed COALA providers.

In 2006, COALA has completed an 8 hour Hospice training module. To be eligible for this training the aide must  be a COALA graduate, working in health care and have a high school diploma or GED. The policies and training curriculum are available to all Licensed COALA providers.

COALA® Preferred Provider
Home Care Agencies may apply to be a “COALA preferred provider" by submitting a request and paying a yearly fee. Preferred providers will be eligible to send individuals to COALA for training and all graduates are directed to only these 'preferred providers' for hiring.

Best Practice Award
COALA® received the 2004 Ohio Valley Appalachia Regional Geriatric Education Center (OVAR/GEC) Best Practice Award. This award was established in 1985 to enhance geriatric education and improve services to older persons throughout Kentucky, Southern Indiana, Southeastern Ohio and Eastern Tennessee. OVAR/GEC is a consortium of the Universities of Cincinnati, Kentucky, Louisville and East Tennessee.

ICAA Industry Innovators Award

COALA® has garnered recognition as one of the most innovative active aging programs for 2005.  The International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), the world's largest trade association for the senior fitness and wellness industry, recently chose the COALA Home Health Aide Training Program, to receive a 2005 ICAA Industry Innovators Award.  These awards honor excellence and creativity in the health and wellness field.  They also recognize organizations that have created cutting-edge programs to support active aging among adults ages 50 and older.

Expansion of Program
The expansion and licensure of the COALA® program to other AAA's in Ohio continues to progress. Current COALA Licensee's: AAA-7 Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc., serving 10 counties out of Rio Grande, Ohio. AAA- 8 Area Agency on Aging Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District, serving 8 counties out of Marietta, Ohio. AAA-9 Area Agency on Aging Region 9, serving 9 counties out of Byesville, Ohio.