Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is planning to amend WAC 388-112A-0010 What definitions apply to this chapter? and 388-112A-0300 What is the seventy-hour long-term care worker basic training?; and create a new section titled What are the minimum requirements for training programs to provide remote skills training? The department may amend other related rules as required.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.08.090, 74.39A.070, 74.39A.074, 18.20.270.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: RCW 18.20.270(9) stipulates that "the coordinated system of long-term care training and education must include the use of innovative types of learning strategies such as internet resources, videotapes, and distance learning using satellite technology coordinated through community colleges or other entities, as defined by the department."

Under gubernatorial suspension of training rules and coordinated efforts to expand opportunities for remote training during the COVID-19 pandemic, DSHS contracted with a DSHS approved training company to conduct a pilot basic training program in which skills would be taught, demonstrated, reinforced, and remediated remotely.

Data from student Prometric skills test pass rates for students involved in the pilot revealed success at a rate equal to that of students trained in person. The success of the pilot indicates that remote skills training is not only feasible but can also be effective. Remote skills training has the potential to greatly increase the ability for students in remote areas to access training, and in turn augment an already strained long-term care workforce.

Currently, there are no rules in place that allow for remote skills training or set standards for training programs that might offer it.

Process for Developing New Rule: The department of social and health services (DSHS) welcomes the public to take part in developing the rules. Anyone interested should contact the staff person identified below. At a later date, DSHS will file a proposal with the office of the code reviser with a notice of proposed rule making. A copy of the proposal will be sent to everyone on the mailing list and to anyone who requests a copy.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Angel Sulivan, P.O. Box 45600, Olympia, WA 98504-5600, phone 360-725-2495, fax 360-438-8633, TTY 1-800-833-6388, email angel.sulivan@dshs.wa.gov.