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Modular
Education Program for Activity Professionals (MEPAP)
By
Kathy Hughes, ADC, NCCAP President
The
"MEPAP" (Modular Education Program for Activity
Professionals) was first designed by NAAP and NCCAP
as a course that met the unique needs of activity professionals
in long term care. Many educational programs available
at the time did not have the components that many activity
professionals needed to deliver activities services
to those that they served. The need to have an educational
opportunity for activity professionals to learn specific
information that can only be of interest to those working
in long-term care. Documentation, medical aspects of
aging, management of an activities and volunteer department,
marketing activities, program planning, implementation
and evaluation were of utmost importance to those who
were delivering activities to their facilities.
Through
the years NAAP and NCCAP provided many opportunities
for individuals to take training in order to assure
our consumers that they would be taught the pertinent
information and that all would learn the basic skills
required for activities. Instructors updated their skills
regularly and attended training courses. The MEPAP Instructor
was given manuals and information that would assist
them in developing their courses to meet the educational
needs of the activities professional. The MEPAP course
was being taught across the country to many individuals
who wanted to update their skills and learn all about
the activities profession.
NCCAP's
MEPAP Re-engineering Committee then took on the task
of re-engineering the MEPAP to meet the current needs
of the activities
profession. As we all know, changes in regulations,
interpretive guidelines and the level of resident needs
encourages all of us to increase our skills as professionals.
Many activity professionals needed to hone their management
skills and their delivery of activities to today's increased
consumer awareness of activities. With the advent of
the Baby Boomers moving into long term care it was important
that the MEPAP reflect those individual needs and interests.
The
MEPAP now is being offered in traditional face-to-face
venues across the country as well as "non-traditional"
venues such as home study, video and online courses.
All pre-approved instructors have been teaching the
original content of the MEPAP and December 31, 2007
they will all be re-engineered to meet the current requirements.
This course will include an increased awareness of current
challenges facing the activity professional of the future.
NCCAP's Re-engineering Committee is aware that changes
in the future will also be needed in order to assure
consumers that their NCCAP certified activity professional
has the skills and knowledge to meet their needs and
interests in their long-term care experience.
Requiring
the entire MEPAP for NCCAP certification as an ADC,
ADPC and ACC went into effect starting January 1, 2007.
This requirement was part of the NCCAP strategic plan
to assist with the evolution of the activities profession.
By successfully completing the MEPAP, an activity professional
will have the tools to implement a program that is specific
to the ideals and needs of their facility and activities
department.
MEPAP
is a continuous process of education and refinement
of the profession. It is a step toward legitimizing
the profession and a step toward a national standard
of professionalism. The original authors, original NAAP
and NCCAP Boards and those who were charged with bringing
the profession into the new millennium were prophetic
in their desires to see the profession evolve into a
realm that is equivalent to all those professions involved
in long-term care. The current authors, NAAP and NCCAP
Boards are looking forward to the future of the activities
profession. Their dedication to the evolution of a relatively
new profession is amazing and we thank them for their
professionalism. The Core Competencies that are available
in the MEPAP 2nd Edition cover the range and depth of
the activities profession and it's uniqueness in today's
long-term care continuum.
MEPAP
is the course that has been able to fill in the areas
of educational needs for those who want to join the
activities profession and those currently working in
the activities profession. The NCCAP Board and committees
realize that a continuing education opportunity to provide
the consumer with an activity professional who is able
to meet their needs and interests is part of the professional
standards.
The
"Modular Education Program for Activity Professionals",
(MEPAP) is now a requirement for NCCAP Certification.
This requirement is part of the strategic plan for NCCAP
to eventually have a national exam for Activity Professionals.
For those currently NCCAP certified, this will not effect
your certification, however, if you let your certification
lapse then you will have to meet the current NCCAP Standards,
which could include taking a national test.
MEPAP
will continue to grow and continue to be updated to
meet the changing needs of consumers and the long-term
care market. We are looking forward as well as thanking
all who are working toward making the activities profession
a great career for many. NN
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