Guardianship Courses

Courses listed in this section meet the standards for training established under 744.2003 FS. Professional Guardians are required to receive a minimum of 16 hours of Continuing Education every two years after the year in which the initial 40 hour educational requirement was met.

The following courses have been approved by the Office of Public and Professional Guardians, and are eligible for CE Broker certification.

*The Baker Act & Crisis Services (3 Hrs): $35.00 (Click here to access)

The Baker Act is Florida’s Mental Health law. It is designed to provide the criteria and procedures necessary to intervene in a crisis situation where an individual may be a danger to themselves or others due to symptoms or conditions of their mental disorder. This course covers a variety of aspects of mental health diagnosis and treatment. Topics include mental health needs, services, and client/resident behaviors, with suggested intervention techniques appropriate for caregiver, case manager, counselor, staff member and guardian. Information and application of the Baker Act to ALF and AFCH populations are reviewed.

Upon enrollment, the course will be available 24/7 for a total of 21 days. A printable, standard "Certificate of Completion" is issued immediately after satisfactorily completing the course material.

There is currently one option for earning your Certificate of Completion:

1. Standard Certificate:

  • 3 continuing education credit hours will be earned.
  • AHCA accepts this training for ALF staff, manager and administrator continuing education credits.
  • This certificate meets criteria for ALF, Adult Family Care Homes (AFCH), LMH, ECC, and ADRD administrators and staff continuing education requirements.
  • AHCA requires a copy of the 'Certificate of (Course) Completion' in staff records for licensed ALFs and AFCHs.
  • A certificate is automatically issued at the end of the course.

2. CE Broker Approved Certificate :PENDING; Not yet eligible for CE Broker Credit (3 Hr).

  • 3 Continuing Education credits hours will be earned.
  • This course is approved for professional licensure: Licensed Mental Health Professional Marriage & Family Therapists, Nursing, Social Work, Guardians & Committee Members, Clinical Social Workers, Marriage and Family therapists, and Mental Health Counselors. It is also approved for Guardians and Committee Members for CE Broker credit.
  • NO additional fee will be charged for processing through our partnership with Suwannee River Area for Health Education Center, Inc.
  • Suwannee River Area for Health Education Center, Inc. will issue the certificate within three weeks of processing.
  • This certificate will include the CE Broker provider number and other required information.

Fundamentals of Grief & Loss: A Primer for Working with the Elderly and Other Special Needs Populations (3 Hrs): $35.00 (Click here to access)

This course is an excellent primer for learning more about grief and loss. The focus is on understanding the process of death and dying, tasks of mourning, and hospice care. Emphasis is on meeting the unique needs of special populations including the elderly, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill. Managing professional caregiver grief is also addressed. Practical suggestions include assisting residents, developing skills during the grieving process, and utilizing hospice when appropriate.

Upon enrollment, the course will be available 24/7 for a total of 21 days. A printable "Certificate of Completion" is issued immediately after satisfactorily completing the course material.

This course is approved for Clinical Social Workers, Marriage and Family therapists, and Mental Health Counselors. It is also approved for Guardians and Committee Members for CE Broker credit.

There are two options for earning your Certificate of Completion:

  1. Standard Certificate:
    • The course may be taken for 3 continuing education credit hours.
    • DOEA accepts this training for ALF staff and administrator continuing education credits.
    • AHCA requires a copy of the 'Certificate of (Course) Completion' in staff records for licensed ALFs and AFCHs.
    • A certificate is automatically issued at the end of the course.
  2. CE Broker Approved Certificate:
    • 3 CEs will be earned.
    • An additional fee of $17.00 (seventeen dollars) will be charged for processing through a partnership with Suwannee River Area for Health Education Center, Inc.
    • This certificate will include the CE Broker provider number and other required information.

This course meets criteria for ALF, Adult Family Care Homes (AFCH), and ADRD administrators and staff continuing education requirements.

The DSM-5 Definition of Mental Disorder: Critique and Alternatives (2 Hrs): $20.00 (Click here to access)

This course is open to all who are interested in learning more about mental health, diagnosis and behavior. It is particularly relevant to all Mental Health Professionals, Public or Professional Guardians (394 F.S.) and their examining committee members. Administrators, managers, and staff of ALF facilities with the LMH specialty license may also find the subject matter pertinent.

Coursework is fully online. Topics include a ‘dissection’ of the definition of ‘Mental Disorder’ as defined in the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-5. A critical analysis of the DSM descriptions of major mental disorders follows. Alternative assessment modalities are presented.

This course is presented in a unique format. Unlike other PILOT.LLC courses, ‘The DSM-5 Definition of Mental Disorder: Critique and Alternatives’ Course is a self-study opportunity in which the author provides a critical view of the DSM-5. Participants are to read the material and successfully answer a minimum of 80% of the Exam questions correctly in order to earn their ‘Certificate of Completion’.

There are two options for earning your Certificate of Completion:

  1. Standard Certificate:
    • The course may be taken for 2 continuing education credit hours.
    • DOEA accepts this training for ALF staff and administrator continuing education credits.
    • AHCA requires a copy of the 'Certificate of (Course) Completion' in staff records for licensed ALFs and AFCHs.
    • A certificate is automatically issued at the end of the course.
  2. CE Broker Approved Certificate:
    • 2 CEs will be earned.
    • An additional fee of $17.00 (seventeen dollars) will be charged for processing through a partnership with Suwannee River Area for Health Education Center, Inc.
    • This certificate will include the CE Broker provider number and other required information.