Workforce Development and Training
The following information applies to care providers contracted with Banner – University Family Care (B – UFC) for the AHCCCS Complete Care (ACC) Behavioral Health and Arizona Long Term Care Services (ALTCS). It discusses the requirements, expectations, and recommendations in developing the workforce. The initiatives align with AHCCCS Workforce Development Policy ACOM 407.
Banner – University Health Plan's (B – UHP) Workforce Development (WFD) department implements, monitors, and regulates Provider WFD activities and requirements. In addition, B – UHP evaluates the impact of the WFD requirements and activities to support Providers in developing a qualified, knowledgeable, and competent workforce.
In collaboration with the Workforce Development Alliance, which consists of the Arizona Association of Health Plans (AzAHP), AHCCCS, and all ACC/RBHA/ALTCS health plans, we ensure that all course content is culturally appropriate, has a trauma informed approach and is developed using adult-learning principles and guidelines. Additionally, it is aligned with company guidelines and WFD industry standards, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) core competencies for WFD, federal and state requirements and the requirements of several agencies, entities, and legal agreements.
- Arizona Association of Health Plans (AzAHP) unites the companies that provide health care services to the almost two million people that are members of the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). AzAHP supplies assistance and resources to enhance the long-term care workforce through our ALTCS Workforce Development Alliance, and they offer valuable training programs through the ACC/RHBA Workforce Development Alliance.
- The Workforce Development Alliance (WFDA) A name given to the WFD Administrators from each Contractor that jointly plan and conduct WFD activities for a particular line of business. Currently there are two WFDAs: the ALTCS WFDA and the ACC/RBHA WFDA.
- The ALTCS WFDA includes WFD Administrators from the DDD and ALTCS E/PD Contractors.
- The ACC/RBHA WFDA includes the WFD Administrators from ACC, RBHA, and CMDP Contractors. In addition to conducting joint WFD planning, the ACC/RBHA/CMDP WFDA collectively manages the contract between the Arizona Association of Health Plans (AzAHP) and the Learning Management System (LMS) vendor.
- Workforce Development Coalition (WFDC) is organized by the Workforce Development Department at AHCCCS and includes members from Arizona Complete Health, Banner—University Family Care, Care1st, DDD, Health Choice Arizona, Magellan Complete Care, Mercy Care, United Healthcare Community Plan, community agencies, other governmental agencies.
- Competency is defined as worker’s demonstrated ability to intentionally, successfully, and efficiently perform the basic requirements of a job, multiple times, at or near the required standard of performance.
- Competency Development is a systematic approach for ensuring that workers are adequately prepared to perform the basic requirements of their jobs. Competency based WFD.
- Workforce Capability is the interpersonal, cultural, clinical/medical, and technical competence of the collective workforce or individual worker.
- Workforce Capacity is the number of qualified, capable, and culturally representative personnel required to sufficiently deliver services to members.
- Workforce Connectivity is the workplace’s linkage to sources of potential workers, information required by workers to perform their jobs, and technologies for connecting to workers and/or connecting workers to information
- Workforce Development is an approach to improve outcomes by enhancing the knowledge, skills, and competencies of the workforce in order to create, sustain, and retain a viable workforce. It aids in changes to culture, changes to attitudes, and changes to people’s potential to influence outcomes.
The Banner Workforce Development Administrators are available to provide technical assistance for various workforce development related needs. Technical Assistance needs could include:
- WFDP Guidance
- Recruitment Assistance
- Competency Review
- Workforce Development Goal Review
- Career Path Development
- Training Needs
- Metrics Review
- Relias
- Technology Assistance
- Network Capacity Review
- Cultural Competency
- Diversity/Equity/Inclusion Support
- Community Resources
For additional information on the WFDP requirement, training plans and the provider forums, or to discuss technical assistance needs, please reach out to our Workforce Development Department via email at workforce@bannerhealth.com or the following methods:
ACC
ACC Alliance: workforce@azahp.org
B – UHP WFD Administrator for ACC: Selena McDonald at selena.mcdonald@bannerhealth.com
ALTCS Alliance: altcswfd@gmail.com
B – UHP WFD Administrator for ALTCS: Kate Lemke at katherine.lemke@bannerhealth.com
ACC/ALTCS Requirements *see below for specific line of business requirement
- Prevention of Abuse and Neglect
- The Provider workforce shall have access to, and be in compliance with, all workforce training and/or competency requirements specified in federal and state law, AHCCCS policies, guidance documents, manuals, contracts, plans such as network development, quality improvement, corrective action, etc., and/or special initiatives.
- Providers shall have processes for documenting training, verifying the qualifications, skills, and knowledge of personnel; and retaining required training and competency transcripts and records
- Residential Care (24-Hour Care Facilities) Annual Requirements
- Crisis prevention/de-escalation training for all member-facing staff prior to serving members.
- For facilities where restraints are approved, a nationally approved restraint training for all member-facing staff. This curriculum should include non-verbal, verbal, and physical de-escalation techniques.
- Division of Licensing Services (DLS) Required Training
- You must be aware of all training requirements to be completed and documented based on all additional licensing or accrediting licensing agencies. This includes the Bureau of Medical Facilities Licensing (BMFL) / Bureau of Residential Facilities Licensing (BRFL), Joint Commission, grant requirements and other entities, as applicable.
- Community Service Agencies
- Community Service Agencies (CSAs) must submit documentation as part of the first and annual CSA application. The documentation must show that all direct service staff and volunteers have completed CSA training before providing services to members. For a list of all required CSA-specific training, see the AMPM Policy 961-C – Community Service Agencies.
- ACOM 407, Attachment A Survey
- B – UFC requires that all contracted provider types listed below complete the ACOM 407 Attachment A Survey annually to fulfill the requirements from ACOM 407. To meet this requirement, all Health Plans and lines of business have collaborated extensively to create a single provider survey that will be disseminated from one source (AZAHP vs. seven separate surveys being disseminated and duplicated). The survey will remain open for one month for providers to complete.
Provider types include: Nursing Homes, Home Health Agencies, Personal Care Attendant, Group Homes (DD), Adult Day Health, Assisted Living Homes, Homemaker, Attendant Care, Assisted Living Center, Supervisory Care Homes, Respite, Day Programs, Developmental Homes, Employment Programs, Group Homes (DD), Habilitation Provider, In-home Nursing Services, Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Speech/Hearing Therapist, ACC Core Codes, Integrated Clinics, Community Service Agency, Rural Substance Abuse Transitional Agency, Crisis Services Provider, Behavioral Health Residential Facility, Level I Residential Treatment Center – Secure (IMD), Level I Residential Treatment Center – Secure, Level I Residential Treatment Center – Nonsecure (non-IMD), Level I Residential Treatment Center – Nonsecure (IMD), Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic, and additional BH providers to be considered -
The survey can be found at: https://form.jotform.com/210889281159162
- B – UFC requires that all contracted provider types listed below complete the ACOM 407 Attachment A Survey annually to fulfill the requirements from ACOM 407. To meet this requirement, all Health Plans and lines of business have collaborated extensively to create a single provider survey that will be disseminated from one source (AZAHP vs. seven separate surveys being disseminated and duplicated). The survey will remain open for one month for providers to complete.
*ACC Only Requirements
- Relias Learning Management System (LMS)
The ACC WFD Alliance requires that all Behavioral Health contracted ACC/RBHA Providers, under the provider types listed at the link below, ensure that all staff who work in programs that support, oversee, or are paid by the Health Plan contract have access to Relias and are enrolled in the AzAHP Training Plans listed in this addendum. This includes, but is not limited to, full time/part time/on-call, direct care, clinical, medical, administrative, leadership, executive and support staff.
Provider types: https://azahp.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Provider-Types-with-Codes-407-Survey.xlsx
Exceptions:
- Any staff member(s) hired for temporary services working less than 90 days is required to complete applicable training at the discretion of the Provider.
- Any staff member(s) hired as an intern is required to complete applicable training at the discretion of the Provider.
- Any Independent Contractor (IC) is required to complete applicable training at the discretion of the Provider.
- Behavioral Health Hospitals
- Federally Qualified Healthcare providers (FQHCs), may request exemption from their contracted Health Plan(s). Exemptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis and will take into account the following: Portion of AHCCCS Members enrolled in the network and served by that provider, geographic area serviced, and number of other service providers in the surrounding area.
- Housing Providers
- Individually Contracted Practitioners
- Prevention Providers
- Transportation Providers
Agencies must manage and maintain their Relias Learning portal. This includes activating and deactivating users as well as enrollment and disenrollment of courses/events.
To request access to Relias, please contact your B – UFC Workforce Development Administrator for further assistance. The request should include the following information:
- Provider Agency Name
- Contract Start Date
- Address
- Key WFD Contact
- Name
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Contract Type (ACC)
- Provider Type (GMH/SU, Children’s, Integrated Health Home, etc.)
- Number of Users (# employees at the agency who need Relias access)
- List of Health Plans provider is contracted with (if known)
BH provider agencies with 20 or more users will be required to purchase access to Relias Learning for a one-time fee of $1500 for full-site privileges. A full-site is defined as a site in which the agency may have full control of course customizations and competency development.
Provider agencies with 19 or fewer users will be added to AzAHP Relias Small Provider Portal at no cost with limited-site privileges. A limited site is defined as one in which the courses and competencies are set-up according to the standard of the plan with no customization or course development provided. This can be done by contacting workforce@azahp.org.Provider agencies that expand to 20 or more users will be required to purchase full site privileges to Relias Learning immediately upon expansion.
*Fee is subject to change if a Provider requires additional work beyond a standard sub-portal implementation.AzAHP Core Training Plans
AzAHP–Core Training Plan (90 Days)- Personalized Learning: Understanding the HIPAA Regulations Due: January 31st
- Ethical Decisions Making: The Basics (0.5hrs) Due: March 31st
- Abuse and Neglect: What to Look For and How to Respond (1.5hrs) Due: April 30th
- Corporate Compliance: The Basics (0.5hrs) Due: May 31st
- *AzAHP –Cultural Competency in Health Care (1.0hrs) Due: June 30th
- *AHCCCS –Health Plan Fraud (0.75hrs) Due: October 31st
- *AzAHP –Quality of Care Concern (1.0hr) Due: December 31st
The above Training Plan is set to auto-enroll all NEW Relias users in your system who have been assigned one (or more) of the 7 Health Plans under the “Plan” field in their user profile. If the employee hired has a previous account under another agency, please ensure that you have their transcripts transferred (there is a job aid available at www.azahp.org).
General Mental Health (GMSH)/Substance Use (SU)
Staff members completing assessments of substance use disorders and subsequent levels of care must complete the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria-specific training. This training is required before staff may use the assessment tool with members. They must also complete any approved substance use/abuse course every year. The assessment should align with the most recent ASAM criteria. - Network Workforce Data Collection
Workforce Development Plan (WFDP)
The ACC WFD Alliance requires that all Behavioral Health contracted ACC/RBHA Providers, under the provider types listed at the link below, complete an annual Workforce Development Plan (WFDP).
Provider types: https://azahp.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Provider-Types-with-Codes-407-Survey.xlsx
A WFDP Template is provided for this deliverable by the Workforce Development Alliance to providers. Due dates for these plans will be determined by the Workforce Development Alliance and communicated to Providers.
Failure to submit your completed annual Workforce Development Plan deliverable by the annual due date may result in corrective action and/or sanctions (including suspension, fines, or termination of contract).
Exceptions to the above include Behavioral health hospitals, Individual practitioners, prevention, and transportation agencies. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) may request exemption from their contracted Health Plan(s). Exemptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis and will take into account the following: Portion of AHCCCS members enrolled in the network and served by that provider, geographic area serviced and number of other service providers in the surrounding area.
The ACC Workforce Development Alliance consists of representatives from the AzAHP, Relias, and the Workforce Development Administrators from all seven ACC Health Plans. On the second Thursday of each month, the Alliance hosts a virtual provider forum to update the Behavioral Health Network on Workforce Development related issues, training, and Relias. We encourage providers to attend the forums for up to date information on WFD related topics.