This 10-hour training satisfies the curriculum requirements for Community Support Associate certification by the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, covering principles of recovery, promoting resilience, psychiatric rehabilitation, and effective communication. Provides an overview of mental health and co-occurring diagnoses, as well as appropriate crisis intervention skills.

2025 CSA COURSE SCHEDULE

ALL TIMES 8AM-7PM EST

March 30th/April 27th/May25th/June29th/July27th/August 31st/September 28th/October 18th/November 30th/December 28th

(NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE)

Eligibility Criteria.
(1) A community support associate shall:

(a) Be eighteen (18) years of age or older;
(b) Have a high school diploma, a general equivalency diploma (GED), or qualifying documentation from a comparable educational entity;
(c) Have one (1) year of full-time experience working with individuals who receive services for treatment of a:

1. Mental health disorder; or

2. Co-occurring disorder; and
(d) Successfully complete within six (6) months of hire the department-led or approved training program described in Section 3 of this administrative regulation.

(2) Supervision. A community support associate shall:
(a) Work under the supervision of one (1) of the following:

1. Physician;

2. Psychiatrist;
3. Advanced practice registered nurse;
4. Physician assistant;
5. Licensed psychologist;
6. Licensed psychological practitioner;
7. Licensed clinical social worker;
8. Licensed professional clinical counselor;
9. Licensed marriage and family therapist;
10. Certified psychologist;
11. Certified psychologist with autonomous functioning; 12. Licensed psychological associate;
13. Marriage and family therapy associate;
14. Certified social worker;
15. Licensed professional counselor associate;
16. Licensed professional art therapist;
17. Professional equivalent;
18. Certified alcohol and drug counselor;
19. Psychiatric nurse; or
20. Licensed board-certified behavior analyst; and

(b) Meet face-to-face no less than one (1) time every two (2) weeks with the community support associate's supervisor as described in paragraph (a) of this subsection.

(3) The supervisor shall maintain a written record of supervision that: (a) Is dated and signed by the supervisor for each meeting; and
(b) Includes a description of the encounter that specifies:

1. The topic discussed;
2. Any specific action to be taken;
3. An update for any issue previously discussed that required follow-up; and 4. A plan for additional training needs if any were identified.

Section 3. Initial Training Requirements. A department-led or approved training curriculum for a community support associate shall consist of ten (10) clock hours of planned program instruction at a minimum in the following areas:

(1) Principles of recovery and resilience;
(2) Principles of psychiatric rehabilitation;
(3) Effective listening and communication skills;
(4) Diagnosis and medication management of mental health disorders or co-occurring disorders; and
(5) Crisis coping skills.

Section 4. Annual Training. During each subsequent year of employment, a community support associate shall complete and maintain documentation of a minimum of six (6) hours of training or education related to the specification described in Section 3(1) through (5) of this administrative regulation.

(40 Ky.R. 2236; 2795; eff. 6-18-2014; TAm eff. 4-27-2016; TAm eff. 9-17-2018; Cert eff. 5-10-2021.)