The course schedule is one of the most import documents in this program.  It enables you to navigate our extensive training materials.  Despite the challenges ahead, with patience, fortitude, the right tools and a little luck, you can succeed as a disability advocate regardless of location or level of competition.

We have developed a more efficient training approach for 2014 that will greatly improve our ability to serve the needs of each and every student.  Our training schedule is now divided into four major phases.  Each phase contains business milestones that should be achieved before moving forward.  This approach enables you to quantify your progress within the course.  It also helps us to determine where you are when you seek help.  We can then coordinate our efforts to retrieve the right solution when you need it most.  It would be a good idea to print this document and mark off each step as you progress through the course.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at stussa@daincpm.net.  We're here to serve you!  The Modular training schedule can be found below:
 

Working effectively with your Mentor

      By now, you've had at least a brief encounter with your Mentor.  Usually these encounters are highly instructive for the student and highly enlightening for the Mentor.  The warmer the relationship between Mentor and Student, the greater your chance for success. 

      Over the years we have inevitably encountered personalities that clash.  This can be avoided by clearly defining our respective positions.  It's our job to do everything we can to share useful knowledge that will help you to succeed as a disability advocate.  We cannot make you into a stronger, better or wiser business person.  That's up to you.  We must be able to speak frankly to our students, so if your easily offended, buck-up.   Everyone who enters this field is confused beyond belief at first.  That's why a frank, open and honest mentor is so important to your success. 

With a mentor, you have someone dedicated to your success.  It's in both you and the mentors interest that you work together.  Use your mentor as a window of understanding that can help you to absorb this complex subject.  Don't be shy about contacting your mentor for help.  You must seek assistance when you need it - otherwise we have know way of knowing you need help.    Be prepared to take notes during a mentor session.  Also make a note of where you and the mentor left off in your last conversation.  This will enable you to remind the mentor of where you are in the process.  A mentor may be supporting up to thirty other individuals, so help your mentor to remember you and your issues.

      Your Mentor will be prepared to walk you through a series of training exercises after you have completed the course and acquired your certificate.  He will also provide you with task that should be completed before moving forward with your service.  These exercises will begin with what we call a Case Debriefing mentioned earlier in this segment.  

In a Case Debriefing, the mentor will walk you through a common disability case.  This will provide you with an easy to understand overview of the processes you just finished studying about.  You'll also have an opportunity to discuss and ask questions without pressure.  Our approach is a very natural and almost effortless way to learning this complex process.

      In subsequent meetings with your mentor, he'll direct your progress while you set the pace.  Keep in mind that a slower more controlled stepping stone approach will yield far better results.  As your taken through the various aspects of this business, we think you'll come to love this service as much as we do.  As with any business, you also need good business sense and a lot of patience to succeed. 

1.   Regardless of your purchase level, you must begin with the basic portion of the course.  Our course contents is substantial so following the schedule will reduce confusion.  Don't overwhelm yourself by cramming.  Allow yourself a little time to thank about the materials you just covered.  Whatever you do, don't try to memorize this stuff!  You'll learn that viewing this process with a wider lens makes handling the details much easier. 

      Begin your course by reading all paperwork provided in your training package delivered by e-mail.  Make sure that you keep a safe copy of your membership letter, software license codes and invoice sheet for your records.  If there is a change or update in the course, it will be reflected in this online schedule or in the What's new segment of this website.  Use this schedule as your primary guide to navigating the course.

2.   Start you’re training by loading and reading the Seven Pillars Business Planner.  The Seven Pillars will help you to better understand our overall approach to this service. 

3.   Next, load your DA Pro software and read the inside help segment.  The DA Pro software is an abbreviated version of our three main training text.  These main text are the Study Guide, Business Guide and Marketing Manual.  Start your training by reading Study Guide lessons 1 inside the DA Pro. 

      Then open the Study Guide lesson 1 inside of this online Student web.  The online lesson is far more detailed than the DA Pro.  Complete the online lesson and take the lesson quiz inside of the DA Pro.  If you do well, fill out the completion notice at the bottom of each online lesson.  Then proceed to the next lesson.  Repeat this (DA Pro to Online Text) process for all sixteen lessons in the Study and Business Guides.

4.   Now open your online Study Guide (brown text) to lesson 1.  Review lessons 1 and 2.  Return to the DA Pro and take the Study Guide lessons 1 and 2 quizzes.  After successfully passing the lesson quizzes, send your lesson completion notices.  Then move on to the next lesson.  Repeat this training pattern with all remaining lessons.

5.    Load the Social Security Guide located on the Introductory page of this website.  Read the SSDG Introduction and Chapters 1 and 2 of the Social Security Guide (SSDG). 

6.   In the first two lessons of the Study Guide you were introduced to the case assessment concept.  If you have the Navigator software or the Office Suite, load it to your computer.  In the Office Suite, you must add a new sample client to the Active Client area in order to use all of the software features.  If you feel unsure or uncomfortable with the software, relax, your Mentor will take you through a sample case using the Office Suite during your first case debriefing.  Ask your mentor for help if you have any problems loading or understanding the materials. 

7.   If you plan to accept child cases, read Chapter 3 in the Social Security Guide.

8.   Read lessons 3 and 4 in the DA Pro Study Guide.  Repeat these lessons in the on-line Study Guide.  Return to the DA Pro and take the lesson 3 and 4 quizzes. 

9.   Access your Systems Explorer online.  Read the expanded medical information provided in the Social Security Guide beginning with Chapter 16 Musculoskeletal disorders.  The Systems Explorer and the SSDG is used together to reference various diseases seen by disability advocates in day-to-day practice.

10.  Review Chapters 4, 5 and 6 in the Social Security Guide.

11.  Read lessons 5 and 6 in the DA Pro Study Guide.  Repeat these lessons in the on-line Study Guide.  Return to the DA Pro and take the lesson 5 and 6 quizzes. 

12.  Load your Vocational RFC Analyzer software and take a quick look at the program inside of the Office Suite.  If you purchased the Executive program, the Voc Analyzer is located inside the Office Suite.  To access the Voc Analyzer, open the Active Client's page in the Office Suite.

      Note:  You must have at least one sample client inside of the Office Suite in order to use to Voc Analyzer or the Case Assessment Navigator Tool.

13.  Review Chapters 7, 8 and 9 in the Social Security Guide.

14.  Read lessons 7 and 8 in the DA Pro Study Guide.  Repeat these lessons in the on-line Study Guide. Return to the DA Pro and take the lesson 7 and 8 quizzes.  Be sure to send the online lesson completion notices to Dr. Scott.

15.  Review Chapters 9, 10 and 11 in the Social Security Guide.

Business Guide

16.  Read lessons 1 - 4 of the DA Pro Business Guide.  Repeat these lessons in the on-line Business Guide. Return to the DA Pro and take the lesson quizzes.  Be sure to send the online lesson completion notices to Dr. Scott.  Repeat this training pattern with all remaining lessons.

17.  Load the Advocate Client Manager or Office Suite software and get familiar
 with the program. 

18.  Read lesson 5 of the DA Pro Business Guide.  Repeat this lesson in the on-line
 Business Guide.  Return to the DA Pro and take the lesson 5 quiz. 

19.  Review Chapters 12, 13 and 15 in the Social Security Guide.

20.  Read lessons 6 - 8 in the DA Pro Business Guide.  Repeat these lessons in the on-line Business Guide.  Return to the DA Pro and take the BG lessons 6 - 8 quizzes.  Be sure to send the online lesson completion notices to Dr. Scott.  At this point, you may request your Certificate of Completion.  This is done by simply sending an e-mail requesting your certificate.  We must have all 16 lesson completion notices before the certificate will be awarded.  Your certificate request will trigger a review of your work.  Allow up to 7 days to receive your custom certificate.

Training Phase 2

Understanding and Using Student Training Resources

      Your online Student web contains a significant number of training and operational resources. To access these resources, open the online syllabus (White) book.  You'll notice a number of items that where referred to during your phase 1 training.  You'll also notice links related to subjects that range from Activities of Daily Living to Surveys.  Take you time and explore these elements. 

21. Call your Mentor and schedule a case debriefing.  Your mentor will take you through a sample case step- by-step.  Most students find the debriefing very helpful in understanding the overall disability process.

Training Phase 3

 Introduction to Advocate Documentation and Marketing

22.  To prepare for business, you must create the basic documentation used in the day-to-day operation of an advocacy service.  These documents include your contract, business cards, stationary, customer instruction letter, brochures, Information Packet and the Guidance Packet. 

      Contact your mentor for your documentation debriefing.  Your mentor can help you to prepare commonly used documents for this service.  Your contract must be created by a local legal source.  We do not provide contracts.  We do provide suggested clauses which can be found in the Executive web under Protecting Your Fee.  Once these materials have been created, its on to marketing.

Training Phase 4

Preparing for a Advocate Marketing Debriefing

      Read the online Marketing Manual.  This manual is designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of advocate marketing resources and techniques.  It'll enable you and your mentor to communicate using the basic language of marketing.  Its important to be able to move quickly beyond the basics so that we can help you to create a viable custom marketing approach that fits your budget. 

23.  Contact your mentor for a marketing debriefing.  This process will help you to better understand your specific market.  More than one market debriefing may be required.  You should also visit the Executive web site and review the various advanced marketing concept articles.  These operational ideas should be discussed with your mentor before execution. 

Training Phase 5

e-commerce marketing and website development

25.  For website development and e-commerce training, visit the e-commerce website.  This training segment will provide with a business understanding of e-commerce and show you how it is used in disability advocacy.  The best techniques will come from working with your mentor.  You and the mentor's combined evaluation of your market will determine the final design of your website.

      A Website is a critical marketing element of all businesses big and small.  In today's economy, you must have a web component in order to sustain your business over time.  A website acts as a conduit of information between you and your customers.  A website enables you to multiply your ability to communicate with potential customers.  People can learn about your services without you providing a personal presentation to each and every one.  It can also be used to collector and transfer data in a variety of formats.  Having a website reduces your marketing workload and significantly improves your ability to succeed as a disability advocate.

      Note:  Disability Associates offers a large variety of web related IT services.  We make it easy for you to create a website with the business persona you wish to convey.  We also provide direct assistance in creating any custom  capabilities your desire.  This means that you can acquire a website, website content, URLs, hosting accounts, business e-mail accounts, custom logo production, custom header production, website optimization and a host of other services directly from us.  Having a web presence is no longer an option.  All advocates should have a business website even if you're only practicing on a part-time basis.  Contact your mentor for assistance in setting up your website or go directly to our IT by clicking here.

Training Phase 6

Advanced Operation Training

      If your an Executive student who has completed the above steps, you're now ready to begin learning some advanced concepts related to this service.  These operation concepts can be found in the Executive website.  These concepts range from specific marketing approaches to techniques for protecting your fees.  You'll also have access to our exclusive business center and other perks related to our Executive package.

26.  For general business related information, visit the Executive Recourse Center.

27.  For audio clip commercials, visit the CPT resource.  For basic forms, visit the Forms Buddy.

28.  To test your skill level after training, load the Examination Primer.  The instant feedback from these auto-generated quizzes will quickly strengthen your understanding of this service.

If you have any questions about getting started or progressing in your course,
please feel free to contact us at stussa@daincpm.net.

Advocate Monthly Training Modules

Please note that you cannot skip a module.  To exact the maximum benefit from your training, we strongly recommended that you finish these ten scheduled modules.  Payment is required to access each additional modules.  You will be billed automaticall on a monthly basis or you can pay in advance for early access to the materials.

Module One:
Study Guide
Syllabus
SSDG

Module Two:
Systems Explorer
DRG

Module Three:
Business Guide

Module Four:
Resource center

Module five:
Executive Web

Module Six:
CPT Recordings
MemoWrite Argument Creation

Module Seven:
eCommerce Training

Module Eight:
Marketing Manual
Olivia Market Builder - Olivia

Module Nine:
Seven Mentor Debriefing

Module Ten
Mentor Support for each new client