IADSA, with support and funding from the Illinois Department on Aging, offers training events throughout the year. The following courses will be offered during the remainder of the year.  

Management Certificate Training (MCT)

This course, which includes information about most aspects of managing an adult day service program, was first offered by the Association in 1988. It served as the basis for the NADSA ADS Management Training Course developed in 1999 and is now required of all contracted CCP day service providers by the Department on Aging in Illinois.

The 5 day course designed for directors and administrators covers topics such as…day-to-day operations; policies & procedures; managing staff; financial management; marketing; program evaluation and risk management.

Cost for the course is $750.00

A certificate of completion is awarded to participants who attend all 5 days of the course and successfully present their course project. 

Program Assistant Training (PAT)

This is a 32 hour training course developed by NADSA in 1994 and piloted in Illinois in 1995. The curriculum includes basic components of adult day service, benefits of the program, characteristics of the population served and skill building related to meeting the personal care needs of clients & assisting them during activities.

The course is geared to staff providing direct care to clients such as program aides, drivers, van attendants, volunteers and senior aides (title V workers).

There is no charge to attend since funding is provided by IDOA, but preferential enrollment will be given to CCP providers and members of the Illinois Adult Day Service Association.

A certificate is awarded to attendees who successfully complete the written and skills based exam administered at the end of the course.

This program was first offered in 1990 in response to requests from ADS providers and IDOA to improve the quality of care offered to people with dementia attending ADS. The primary focus of the week long session is to provide an experiential learning opportunity for adult day center staff. Since 2000, the curriculum has emphasized the person-centered care model as developed by Tom Kitwood.  Attendees learn and practice effective approaches for interacting with people who have dementia.

The course is geared to program directors, program coordinators, activity directors and program nurses.

Full scholarships cover the $500/person tuition and up to $250 in travel expenses.  Attendance is limited and scholarships are restricted to CCP providers of adult day service.

Non CCP providers may register and will be notified of availability based on enrollment.  Payment must be received before registration will be confirmed.

A certificate of is awarded to attendees following the successful completion of this 35 hour course

Since Illinois is geographically a large state, many centers are unable to send staff to statewide meetings. In 1990, the Association began offering regional educational opportunities. These sessions conducted at various locations around the state focus on topics suggested by members and address clinical as well as administrative topics. The regional training topic and dates are still being arranged.  Notices will be sent once they are established.