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Required for future licensees/co-licensees and administrators for homes licensed through the Aging & People with Disabilities (APD) program.
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EQC Essentials is approximately 35 hours
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Must pass EQC essentials exam to take AFH Administration
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AFH Administration is approximately 18 additional hours
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Must pass the AFH Administration exam with 80%
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Students can have access to course materials and the online classroom for a limited time even after the course ends
Ensuring Quality Care (EQC)
Easy registration
Flexible learning
Approved for all Oregon Counties
August-September EQC Course
This is the complete EQC course option ONLY (Essentials plus Administration). Registration is not yet open. Complete the interest form below to be screened for a spot in the course.
Complete EQC Course: Essentials plus AFH Administration Cohort - limited to 20 students
Please note, this this is the complete course only (Essentials PLUS Administration). There is no Essentials only option for this offering. The complete EQC course will run August 7th - Sept. 12th.
Self-Assessment: Is an intensive, online course right for me?
This course is flexible but very condensed and intensive course that requires a significant time commitment. We want students to be successful in our course, so please review the self-assessment questions below before registering for this course to make sure this online course is a good fit for you. Can you answer "yes" to all the questions below?
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Computer skills & Online Learning Experience: I have strong computer skills and experience with online learning.
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Technology: I have access to adequate technology for a fully online class, including high-speed internet, a laptop, desktop, or tablet, and a webcam (note: cell phones cannot be used for this course)
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Time Commitment: I am able to devote up to 2 hours per day to complete this course. I am not working more than 40 hours/wk.
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Time management: I have very good time-management skills and can prioritize this course, create a schedule for myself, and stay focused to complete the course on time.
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If you answered "no" to any of the questions above, this course is probably not a good fit for you. Please email us at [email protected] for other options.
What our students are saying
Excellent Course
Excellent course and excellent instructors.
Learned A Lot
I learned a lot from [this course] and the instructors are nice, knowledgeable and easy to understand. Thank you very much for what you've taught to us.
A wonderful journey
It has been a wonderful journey. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and helping me on this journey.
Great learning experience
It was a great learning experience. I will definitely recommend for whoever is looking to take this class.
Your passion shows
I think you guys are great and really passionate about what you do and it shows.
Supportive Instructors
You did well on keeping me on track and assuring me when I felt I wouldn't get course completed. It helped to have the material to view at my pace.
Motivating
The course is great, the information, the techniques by teachers was easy to understand and motivating.
Keep it up!
From the bottom of my heart, you guys did a wonderful job. Keep it up!
Meet Your Certified EQC Instructors
Lead Instructor Alyssa Elting McGuire, MA, MPA
Meet Alyssa Elting McGuire, an advocate dedicated to bridging the gap between theory and practice for adult care home staff. As the consulting and training director of Oregon Care Home Consulting & Training, a business she established in 2018, Alyssa brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. With a background as a former adult foster home licensing lead for Washington and Columbia Counties, Alyssa spent eight years immersed in the regulatory and protective services aspects of adult foster homes with the State of Oregon. Alyssa's experience extends to her tenure as a program manager for the Alzheimer's Association Oregon & SW Washington Chapter. As part of her role, she facilitated dementia training programs statewide for care staff and providers.
Alyssa holds a graduate degree in public administration & management from the University of Nebraska and a graduate degree in educational leadership (adult education & training) from Portland State University. As a State-certified Ensuring Quality Care (EQC) instructor, she has played an important role in delivering comprehensive EQC training, both in-person and online, for more than seven years. Alyssa's passion lies in empowering caregivers to translate their learning into meaningful real-world experiences, ensuring the highest standards of care within the adult foster care community.
Instructor Matthew Gannon
Meet Matt Gannon, a seasoned communications coordinator and trainer at Oregon Care Home Consulting & Training. With over two decades of experience in the field of dementia care, Matt's journey began after his honorable service in the Navy when he delved into long-term care, discovering his passion for dementia care.
As a former certified nursing assistant (CNA), Matt dedicated six years to memory care, offering compassionate support to individuals with dementia. His expertise extends beyond direct care, as he has also served as a manager and dementia trainer, honing his skills in adult foster home settings.
Matt's commitment to dementia care advocacy led him to the Alzheimer’s Association Oregon & SW Washington Chapter, where he spent four impactful years as a program coordinator. In this role, he provided invaluable consultation to families navigating the challenges of dementia and conducted comprehensive training sessions statewide. Moreover, Matt served as an instructor of the dementia care practice course at Portland Community College.
With an undergraduate degree in human studies and gerontology from Marylhurst University, Matt furthered his education at the Marylhurst University Graduate School of Gerontology. As a State-certified EQC instructor, Matt brings a wealth of knowledge and firsthand experience to empower caregivers and professionals in the adult foster care community.
FAQ
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What is Ensuring Quality Care (EQC)?
Starting April 2021, Ensuring Quality Care (EQC) will be a two-part training required by the State of Oregon for all prospective adult foster home licensees, administrators, resident managers, floating resident managers, and shift caregivers looking to open or work in a home licensed through Aging & People with Disabilities (APD). Prospective licensees, resident managers, and shift caregivers are required to complete the full course (EQC Essentials plus AFH Administration) and pass State exams for both parts of the course.
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When does the course start?
EQC Essentials starts January 6th, 2023 and ends on January 23rd. AFH Administration starts February 3rd, 2023 and ends on February 20th.
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I have an urgent need for EQC, can you help me?
We want to help you become or stay in compliance, so we offer both the EQC Essentials and the full course as an urgent/self-paced option outside our regularly-scheduled course. Please contact us at [email protected] regarding urgent requests.
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Is your course recognized by all counties in the state of Oregon?
Yes, Ensuring Quality Care is taught by State-certified instructors, and completion of the course and exam is recognized by all counties in Oregon. Multnomah County has additional requirements, so contact Multnomah County licensing at 503-988-3000 for more information.
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Do I need to take the required Adult Foster Home Orientation before I take EQC?
We strongly encourage you to take the required Adult Foster Home Orientation prior to taking EQC. Orientation is offered through your local licensing office. You will take the orientation through the county in which you will be opening your home or becoming a resident manager. Some local licensing offices have different expectations regarding orientation and EQC, so please contact your local licensing office to get clarification on their requirements.
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Can I take just the EQC exam?
Both the course and exam are required for licensing. You can only take the EQC exam if you have successfully completed an EQC course within the past 90 days of the exam date.
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What if I don't pass the EQC exam?
Fortunately, our students have a very high pass rate. In 2022, 99% of the students who took the exam with us passed, and our median student score is 95%. We work with you throughout the course to review the material and answer questions to make sure you know the content well. If you do not pass the exam on the first attempt, you have up to 90 days to re-take the exam. If you do not pass a second time, you will be required to re-take the course. This is very rare in our course.