Inside CQL Certification

The value and usefulness of person-centered discovery is enhanced through reliable implementation of Personal Outcome Measures® (POM) interviews, providing for valid conclusions reached and subsequent actions taken, based upon that information-gathering process.

Interviewer Certification

Interviewer Certification increases the validity and reliability of information-gathering and data collection when conducting POM interviews.

  • 2-year certification term
  • Increase the reliability of your POM interviews
  • Explore the benefits of a reliable database

Certified Interviewers carry out Personal Outcome Measures® interviews with greater confidence in their information-gathering skills, as well as their ability to make decisions about the presence and importance of outcomes and supports in people’s lives.

With an accurate understanding of what really matters to people, Certified Interviewers help organizations better allocate resources, direct services, develop person-centered plans, and inform strategic plans based on reliable data.

Candidates can pursue Interviewer Certification for the POM for Adults and/or POM for Children and Youth. These two measures are independent of each other, and if the candidate intends to achieve Interviewer Certification in both measures, they must complete certification activities for each one.

Please note: Organizations that are pursuing or have achieved CQL Accreditation can take advantage of a 5% discount on the costs of CQL Interviewer Certification activities.

Applying For Interviewer Certification

If a candidate is applying for CQL Interviewer Certification for the very first time, they need to fill out the Certification Inquiry Form. If a candidate has previously achieved CQL Interviewer Certification, please complete the following application:

Trainer Certification

Trainer Certification prepares staff to train others in using the Personal Outcome Measures®.

  • 2-year certification term
  • Develop leadership in person-centered best practices
  • Provide POM training to other employees

In addition to completing valid and reliable interviews, Certified Trainers have the tools to present POM Workshops to staff at their organization. This creates a ripple-effect, sharing the power of the POM with employees through workshops.

By having in-house experts to educate staff about the POM, Certified Trainers help an organization transform its culture and practices, where employees at every level learn how to support people achieve individually-defined outcomes.

Candidates can pursue Trainer Certification for the POM for Adults and/or POM for Children and Youth. These two measures are independent of each other, and if the candidate intends to achieve Trainer Certification in both measures, they must complete certification activities for each one.

Please note: Organizations that are pursuing or have achieved CQL Accreditation can take advantage of a 5% discount on the costs of CQL Trainer Certification activities.

Applying For Trainer Certification

If a candidate is applying for CQL Trainer Certification for the very first time, they need to fill out the Certification Inquiry Form. If a candidate has previously achieved CQL Trainer Certification, please complete the following application:

"By having two team members who have achieved CQL Trainer Certification, our POM data is now more reliable than ever."

Dori Leslie, CHI Friendship

"I will continue to sharpen up on my interviewing skills. It’s so rewarding to talk to people and find out what’s important to them."

Jane Webb Bendolph, VOA Southeast

"Staff learn how to conduct interviews from our Certified Interviewers and Trainers to prioritize each person’s outcomes."

Thane Dykstra, Trinity Services, Inc.

CQL Certification Components

Hands-On Experience

Certification includes active involvement in interviews and training, where candidates see first-hand how the process plays out and directly participate.

Free Resources

Along with a free Personal Outcome Measures® manual and related materials, candidates will access additional resources to assist them with their certification.

In-Person Consultation

CQL staff provide expertise and guidance during the various on-site activities, acting as a mentor to help the candidate throughout the certification process.

Ongoing Support

After the on-site activities end, CQL staff assist Certified Interviewers and Trainers to help ensure the successful application of their certification skills.

PORTAL Eligibility

Certified Interviewers and Trainers are eligible to purchase full access to the PORTAL Data System, for collecting and analyzing outcomes and supports data.

Online Re-Certification

As a cost-saving measure – only available when pursuing re-certification – candidates can use video streaming services for the inter-rater reliability (IRR) assessment.

Have questions about CQL Certification?

Benefits of CQL Certification

Whether you’re pursuing Interviewer Certification or Trainer Certification, there are numerous ways that this designation will impact services at both an individual and organizational level.

  • Expand data collection
  • Strengthen interview consistency
  • Develop capacity for data analysis
  • Advance staff development
  • Inform person-centered planning
  • Dive deeper into individual goals
  • Empower people supported
  • Demonstrate commitment to quality
  • Spread person-centered approaches
  • Improve information-gathering
  • Implement responsive services
  • Identify priority outcomes
  • Direct strategic planning
  • Embed best practices
  • Make data-based decisions
  • Prioritize organizational resources

CQL Certification Process

The information below provides a general overview of what to expect for Interviewer Certification and Trainer Certification.

Interviewer Certification

1

Attend Workshop

The candidate attends a POM Workshop to learn about the tool, its application, decision-making, and the interview process.

2

Practice Interviews

The candidate conducts practice interviews prior to the IRR process to improve experience with the POM. While not required, this step is highly recommended.

3

Coaching

CQL staff conducts an interview, while the candidate observes. Decision-making is done together with determinations being fully discussed, and mentoring being provided.

4

Inter-Rater Reliability Assessment (IRR)

The candidate conducts a POM interview and follow-up activities while CQL staff observes. There must be demonstration of essential interviewer skills and at least an 85% alignment between the candidate and CQL staff regarding decision-making.

5

Certification

Upon successfully completing the IRR, the candidate achieves CQL Interviewer Certification for a 2-year term.

6

Re-Certification

During the 2-year term the Certified Interviewer must meet certain requirements (see FAQ below) and at the end of the certification period successfully complete another IRR.

Trainer Certification

1

Attend Workshop

The candidate attends a POM Workshop to learn about the tool, its application, decision-making, and the interview process.

2

Practice Interviews

The candidate conducts practice interviews prior to the IRR process to improve experience with the POM. While not required, this step is highly recommended.

3

Coaching

CQL staff conducts an interview, while the candidate observes. Decision-making is done together with determinations being fully discussed, and mentoring being provided.

4

Inter-Rater Reliability Assessment (IRR)

The candidate conducts a POM interview and follow-up activities while CQL staff observes. There must be demonstration of essential interviewer skills and at least an 85% alignment between the candidate and CQL staff regarding decision-making.

5

Observation & Preparation

The candidate observes and takes notes while a CQL staff member presents a POM Workshop. The candidate works with CQL staff to learn about successful POM Workshop presentation including tips, materials, scheduling, timing, etc.

6

Facilitate Workshop

The candidate conducts a POM Workshop for up to 12 attendees, while CQL staff observes, evaluates the delivery of information, presentation skills, etc.

7

Certification

Upon successfully completing the IRR and successfully facilitating a POM Workshop, the candidate achieves CQL Trainer Certification for a 2-year term.

8

Re-Certification

During the 2-year term the Certified Trainer must meet requirements listed under the FAQ below, and at the end of the certification period successfully complete another IRR.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for Interviewer Certification?

If a candidate is applying for CQL Interviewer Certification for the very first time, they need to fill out the Certification Inquiry Form. If a candidate has previously achieved CQL Interviewer Certification, please complete the following application:

Please note: Organizations that are pursuing or have achieved CQL Accreditation can take advantage of a 5% discount on the costs of CQL Interviewer Certification activities.

How do I apply for Trainer Certification?

If a candidate is applying for CQL Trainer Certification for the very first time, they need to fill out the Certification Inquiry Form. If a candidate has previously achieved CQL Trainer Certification, please complete the following application:

Please note: Organizations that are pursuing or have achieved CQL Accreditation can take advantage of a 5% discount on the costs of CQL Trainer Certification activities.

What are the requirements for Interviewer Re-Certification?

Those pursuing Interviewer Re-Certification must take part in a new inter-rater reliability (IRR) assessment, with at least an 85% alignment between the candidate and CQL staff regarding decision-making about outcomes and supports. These IRR assessments can be completed in person or through video streaming services.

CQL has produced a Preparation and Study Guide to support you through this Re-Certification process.

In addition – during the two-year certification term – the Certified Interviewer must conduct 20 Personal Outcome Measures® interviews and participate in 8 hours of acceptable options for continuing education. The fulfillment of these requirements will be verified by CQL staff.

If certified in more than one measure, the certified interviewer must complete at least 15 interviews in each measure to ensure sufficient experience with the different measures.

What are the requirements for Trainer Re-Certification?

Those pursuing Trainer Re-Certification must take part in a new inter-rater reliability (IRR) assessment, with at least an 85% alignment between the candidate and CQL staff regarding decision-making about outcomes and supports. These IRR assessments can be completed in person or through video streaming services.

CQL has produced a Preparation and Study Guide to support you through this Re-Certification process.

In addition to the requirement of 8 hours of CQL Continuing Education, those seeking Trainer Re-Certification will now be required to complete a total of at least 24 days of POM related professional development consisting of the following activities over the course of the 2-year term:

  • A minimum of 2 POM Workshops
    • 1 POM Workshop counts as 4 Days (in-person or virtual)
  • A minimum of 6 POM Interviews
    • 1 POM Interview counts as 1 Day (in-person or virtual)

Beyond these minimum requirements, the remaining 10 days may include any combination of the following activities – POM Workshops, POM Interviews, and/or CQL-Approved Customized Training. If certified in more than one measure, consult CQL for the specific Trainer Certification requirements involving multiple measures.

CQL-Approved Customized Training is one that Certified Trainers develop, utilizing CQL POM training materials and concepts, designed to share the basic tenants of the Personal Outcome Measures® in a format, timeframe, and for an audience meeting organizational needs.

Some potential examples include:

  • 1-day overview of the POM for DSPs and/or people supported
  • 1-day training about one particular outcome or concept
  • Curriculum that is utilized during new staff orientation
  • Board member training
  • “Refresher/Coaching” course for those doing POM interviews in an organization

Customized training is really open to the Certified Trainer’s creativity and need. The curriculum and materials must be submitted to CQL for approval by completing the Customized Training Submission form. A CQL-Approved Customized Training curriculum may be repeated multiple times, with each event counting at a minimum as 1 day. Multiple-day training developed will be counted according to the number of days involved.

What are the acceptable options for continuing education?

Both CQL Interviewer and CQL Trainer Certification require the completion of 8 hours of continuing education during the two-year certification term.

Acceptable options for continuing education include:

  • CQL webinars
  • CQL in-person training options
  • CQL-hosted conferences and seminars
  • CQL presentations at other conferences
How is my certification affected if I leave my organization?

Your Interviewer Certification and/or Trainer Certification status is connected to the organization where the certification process took place. If you move to a new organization and wish to maintain your certification status you must contact CQL to request a transfer. Failure to do so will result in the termination of your certification status.

Who is able to grant CQL Certification?

Only current CQL staff members are able conduct the CQL Certification process and grant CQL Certification. Neither Certified Interviewers or Certified Trainers are able to grant CQL Certification – either internally at their organization or externally at other organizations.

How do I maintain my certification?

CQL Certification expires exactly two years after the official certification date. Whether a Certified Interviewer or Certified Trainer completes their re-certification early, the official certification and expiration dates changes to the new re-certification date.

What occurs when a certified interviewer/trainer changes employment to a different organization?

If you desire to maintain your Interviewer/Trainer Certification status when changing your employment from one organization to another, you must contact CQL and notify us of the change so that we can update our records.

What materials are available for Certified Trainers conducting POM Workshops?

There are a number of materials exclusively available to those who have achieved Trainer Certification, which are necessary for conducting Personal Outcome Measures® Workshops:

  • POM Workshop PowerPoint
  • Trainer’s Workbook
  • Trainer’s Agenda
  • PowerPoint Handouts
  • Decision-Making Posters
  • Factors & Indicators Listing
  • CQL-Approved Customized Training

If you are a Certified Trainer, you can request these materials by contacting CQL.

Decision-Making With The Personal Outcome Measures®

CQL conducted a free webinar series to share guidance about decision-making when using the Personal Outcome Measures® (POM), including variables that could influence the decision.

Contact CQL

Please fill out the form below about CQL Certification.

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