Course Schedule - Jan. 3rd - 22nd

Online/In-class & Online-only options

This course is offered both fully online and mostly online with limited class time for students in the Portland Metro area. There will be one in-class session on Jan. 18th, and we will proctor the exam on Jan. 25th. For students outside the Portland Metro area, the class will be offered fully online. The classroom sessions will be held at the Banks Library in Washington County.

Please read before registering

Taking an online course can be convenient, but there are special considerations for online learning. Please click the link below before registering for this course to determine if an online course is right for you.

Is online learning Right for me?

What our students are saying

April 2019 EQC Student

Gained knowledge & confidence

April 2019 EQC Student

I gained so much knowledge and confidence with Alyssa and Tracey's teaching. It was a great experience. They were welcoming, warm and supportive in our learning and answered all questions in depth. And they gave information on what else we need to do as well as furthering our education.
Sept. 2019 EQC Student

Your passion shows

Sept. 2019 EQC Student

I think you guys are great and really passionate about what you do and it shows.
April 2019 EQC Student

Great learning experience

April 2019 EQC Student

It was a great learning experience. I will definitely recommend for whoever is looking to take this class.
Sept. 2019 EQC Student

Supportive Instructors

Sept. 2019 EQC Student

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.
February 2019 EQC Student

A wonderful journey

February 2019 EQC Student

It has been a wonderful journey. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and helping me on this journey.
February 2019 EQC Student

Great class

February 2019 EQC Student

Great class with great people with great information. Thank you.
February 2019 EQC Student

Motivating

February 2019 EQC Student

The course is great, the information, the techniques by teachers was easy to understand and motivating.
June 2019 EQC Student

Keep it up!

June 2019 EQC Student

From the bottom of my heart, you guys did a wonderful job. Keep it up!
Sept. 2019 EQC Student

Loved it

Sept. 2019 EQC Student

I loved it all.

Meet the Instructors

Alyssa Elting McGuire, MA, MPA

Lead Instructor

Alyssa Elting McGuire, MA, MPA

Alyssa's passion is helping adult care home staff connect their learning to "real world" experiences. Alyssa is a former lead adult foster home licensor for Washington and Columbia Counties. She spent eight years working in adult foster homes in both a regulatory and protective services capacity with the State of Oregon. Alyssa also worked as a program manager for the Alzheimer's Association Oregon & SW Washington Chapter, where she facilitated dementia training around the state. In 2018 she founded Oregon Care Home Consulting & Training and currently works as an independent consultant and training specialist. 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. Additionally, she has a gerontology-focused certificate of completion from the Univ. of Southern California. She is also a State-certified Ensuring Quality Care (EQC) instructor.
Tracey Diani

Instructor

Tracey Diani

Tracey has been teaching EQC for the past several years. Her passion is empowering students and providing information for students to be successful. For eight years, Tracey provided services as a Medicaid case manager and an adult foster home licensor. Tracey also previously worked as a caregiver for over five years providing one-on-one care to individuals living in different care settings, including adult foster homes. She has a passion for helping people and has first-hand knowledge of what it means to be a compassionate caregiver.

FAQ

  • What is Ensuring Quality Care (EQC)?

    Ensuring Quality Care (EQC) is a 40-hour training required by the State of Oregon for all prospective adult foster home licensees, 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 course, in full, and pass the EQC exam, which is proctored in person.

  • When does the course start?

    The next full course starts January 3rd and runs through the 22nd. We proctor the exam for individuals in the Portland Metro area on the 25th.

  • I have an urgent need for EQC, can you help me?

    We want to help you become or stay in compliance, so we are able to offer an urgent, online EQC option outside our regularly-scheduled course. Please contact us at EQC.Class@gmail.com regarding urgent requests. Cost is $409 - $469.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • I live outside the Portland Metro area, can I take this course completely online?

    Yes! We've designed the course to allow a fully online option for individuals outside the greater Portland Metro area (Columbia, Clackamas, Multnomah, Washington, & Yamhill Co.). You will need to schedule to take the EQC exam through your local licensing office within 90 days of completing this course.

  • What if I don't pass the EQC exam?

    Fortunately, our students have a very high pass rate. In our last three classes, 90% of the students who took the exam with us passed, and our median student score is 91%. 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.