Section 17b-411-8 - Volunteer Resident Advocate Certification and Training Program(a) Every person who acts as a VRA is required to complete 28 hours of initial training, consisting of a curriculum developed and coordinated by the State Ombudsman, followed by a minimum of 12 hours per calendar year of in-service training, in addition to an annual training required for all VRAs. The annual training shall be developed and coordinated by the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.(b) In-service training topics shall be related to issues affecting long-term care residents.(c) VRAs may meet the in-service training requirement by attending trainings sponsored by the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman or sponsored by other organizations so long as the training topic is related to issues affecting long-term care residents and the VRA obtains prior approval from the State Ombudsman. Trainings may be led by an instructor or web-based.(d) The specific content of the initial certification training course shall include, but is not limited to, the following topics: (2) Resident Councils and Family Councils;(4) federal, state and local laws, regulations and policy affecting long-term care facility residents, their rights, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program;(5) oversight agencies, licensure and certification;(6) legal issues, including but not limited to, conservatorship, power of attorney, and advanced directives;(7) aging process: physical and mental health;(8) types of facilities and levels of care;(9) resident complaints, investigative techniques, complaint resolution techniques and conflict issues;(10) admission issues, contracts and payer issues;(11) facility grievance policies and procedures;(12) systems advocacy, legislation and policy making;(13) state and federal deficiency ratings and consumer reports; and(14) the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program's policies and procedures.(e) The State Ombudsman shall provide a training manual to each trainee. The training manual shall contain information including, but not limited to, the topics covered in the initial certification training course as set forth in subsection (d) of this section.(f) If, in the opinion of the State Ombudsman, a candidate for VRA exhibits an adequate understanding of the role and the responsibilities of a VRA, after the candidate has completed the initial certification training course, the State Ombudsman may certify that person as a VRA.(g) At the expiration of each two-year certification period, the Regional Ombudsmen shall reassess a VRA's ability to perform the duties associated with the role and responsibilities of a VRA and make a recommendation to the State Ombudsman regarding the recertification of the individual as a VRA.(h) Regional Ombudsmen shall annually, in accordance with section 17b-411-13 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, ensure that the VRA is free of any conflict of interest.Conn. Agencies Regs. § 17b-411-8