![](/accounts/airs/images/logo.png)
WA211 CRS Certification Preparation Package
- Registration Closed
This package is designed to help anyone previously onboarded to pass the CRS Certification test by reviewing the portions of the training manual and standards that the certification test is based on. Completion of this package does not guarantee a passing score on the test nor does it qualify as a replacement to taking the test and grant the user certification. This package is for study purposes only.
-
Contains 8 Component(s), Includes Credits
This course is for newcomers to the Information and Referral field or new staff members at information and referral organizations who need to understand the I&R process and the communication techniques required to assist someone.
This interactive course is for new staff at Information and referral (I&R) organizations who will be responsible for handling I&R inquiries, the supervisors who oversee this essential work, and existing staff needing to reacquaint themselves with key principles. The content provides an overview of the activities of an I&R Specialist, a detailed analysis of the I&R process, and the communication techniques required to assist in that process.
It also represents useful preparation for more experienced staff preparing for an Inform USA CRS or CRS—DC examination.
-
Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits
This course is best for beginners in a Community Resource Specialist role who want to understand more about confidentiality and anonymity within an Information & Referral (I&R) environment, including those circumstances when confidentiality must be overridden.
Learning Concepts and Objectives:
- Describe how Inform USA's standards describe confidentiality
- Understand the difference between confidentiality and anonymity within information and referral
- Learn the importance of data privacy and security
- Understand the limits of confidentiality when abuse, neglect or endangerment situations may be an issue
-
Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits
This course is ideal for beginners and also serves as an excellent review for more experienced Community Resource Specialists who need to understand more about crisis intervention within an I&R environment. Topics discussed include defining the nature of crisis, the search for coping mechanisms, and the types of crisis generally encountered within I&R.
This course covers all aspects of crisis intervention within an I&R environment. Topics discussed include defining the nature of crisis, the search for coping mechanisms, and the types of crisis generally encountered within I&R. It includes a crisis intervention model and the elements of a suicide risk assessment. The material is primarily geared for front-line staff at I&R services. It is not appropriate for crisis specialists but may be a practical primer for other professionals within health and human services.
-
Contains 3 Component(s), Includes Credits
Empowerment and advocacy are fundamental principles of information and referral. Empowerment will help individuals both now and in figure situations. Advocacy means assisting people who may need assistance getting the help they need. This interactive course is for Information and referral Specialists who handle human service inquiries from the public and the supervisors who oversee this essential work. It describes the nature of empowerment (helping people to help themselves) and advocacy (when people need additional support) within the context of I&R.
Empowerment and advocacy are fundamental principles of information and referral. Empowerment will help individuals both now and in figure situations. Advocacy means assisting people who may need assistance getting the help they need.
This interactive course is for Information and referral Specialists who handle human service inquiries from the public and the supervisors who oversee this essential work. It describes the nature of empowerment (helping people to help themselves) and advocacy (when people need additional support) within the context of I&R.
Learning Objectives
When you have successfully completed this course, you will be able to:
- Define the concept of empowerment within an I&R environment.
- Describe the meaning of advocacy in I&R.
- Identify situations in which advocacy is necessary.
- Recognize the difference between individual advocacy and system advocacy.
-
Contains 10 Component(s), Includes Credits
A resource database is a computerized body of information about community resources maintained by an I&R service. The resource database should include what you need to know about community, social, and health organizations to make good referrals, by answering basic questions such as: What does the agency do? Who does it serve? When and how can people apply? What documents might an applicant need to produce? Who provides the service?
A resource database is a computerized body of information about community resources maintained by the I&R service. The resource database should include what you need to know about community, social, and health organizations to make good referrals, by answering basic questions such as: What does the agency do? Who does it serve? When and how can people apply? What documents might an applicant need to produce? Who provides the service? This course will help Community Resources Specialists understand the basics of, and the strategies behind, effective database searches.
-
Contains 10 Component(s), Includes Credits
Within I&R, follow-up is the process of contacting clients in order to determine whether their needs have been met as a result of the earlier referrals provided and if not, why not. Depending on the circumstances of the situation and the client, a Community Resource Specialist may choose to follow up with the client to ensure that the primary need of the individual was met. This follow-up is not conducted for every client but is at the discretion of the specialist and/or the policies of the I&R agency.
Within I&R, follow-up is the process of contacting clients in order to determine whether their needs have been met as a result of the earlier referrals provided and if not, why not. Depending on the circumstances of the situation and the client, a Community Resource Specialist may choose to follow up with the client to ensure that the primary need of the individual was met. This follow-up is not conducted for every client but is at the discretion of the specialist and/or the policies of the I&R agency.
-
Contains 18 Component(s), Includes Credits
I&R organizations need to be prepared to play an active role in disaster response. This course introduces the stages of a disaster and outlines the role an I&R may play in each stage. It also explores government and nonprofit organizations that typically respond to and are active in disasters and what resources they typically provide. This course also outlines steps that should be taken to prepare the organization, the technology (including the database), and the individual team members to respond during a stressful and ever changing situation.
I&R organizations need to be prepared to play an active role in disaster response. This course introduces the stages of a disaster and outlines the role an I&R may play in each stage. It also explores government and nonprofit organizations that typically respond to and are active in disasters and what resources they typically provide. This course also outlines steps that should be taken to prepare the organization, the technology (including the database), and the individual team members to respond during a stressful and ever changing situation.
-
Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits
This course will help you understand the Ethical Principles of a Community Resource Specialist and the values that Community Resource Specialists should display in information and referral (I&R).
This course will help you understand the Ethical Principles of a Community Resource Specialist and the values that Community Resource Specialists should display in information and referral (I&R).
The objectives of this course are:
- Discuss what the Inform USA Standards say about how Comunity Resource Specialists perform their work.
- Review the Ethical Principles for Community Resource Specialists
- Review the values needed by Community Resource Specialists
- Discuss why establishing professional boundaries is important in information and referral
NOTE: This course was recently revised, and the portions about self-care and wellness were moved to a separate course.
-
Contains 11 Component(s)
Want a quick review of the materials as final prep for the test? You can take these review tests as many times as you want!
-
Contains 2 Component(s)
This practice exam for Inform USA Certification as a Community Resource Specialist (CRS) examination consists of 50 questions while the full exam contains 100 questions.
This practice exam for Inform USA Certification as a Community Resource Specialist (CRS) consists of 50 questions while the full exam contains 100 questions. The questions are in the same format and weighted in the same proportion in subject area as the full exam. Success in the practice exam does not guarantee success in the full exam, but it will provide you with some realistic preparation for the actual experience. Although this practice exam contains no questions specific to I&R within Aging and Disabilities, this is also a useful preparation for CRS-A/D candidates because of the overlap of questions between the CRS and CRS-A/D examinations.