What is the NEDA ADC Educator Proficiency Badge?
Although after-death care (ADC) is NOT considered part of the EOLD Scope of Practice, it is obviously a huge area of concern when preparing for and experiencing the death experience. But it's important for anyone choosing to practice either EOLD and/or ADC work, particularly for pay, to be aware of and understand the significant differences between the roles of end-of-life doulas and after-death care educators.
Just like EOLDs who focus their practice on the time before and during the dying process, after-death care educators come from all walks of life and have varying interests and skills. Similarly, there is no singular training curriculum, or formal oversight or licensing requirements for ADCEs either. However, to help create a basic reference for consistency and continuity in this emerging field, NEDA has created an ADC Educator Scope of Practice, Code of Ethics, and Core Competencies to help guide end-of-life doulas, after-death care educators, and families alike.
A proficiency badge from NEDA signifies that these Core Competencies have been met. Families can know that a practitioner who has earned a NEDA ADC Educator Proficiency Badge has met certain standards. And after-death care educators who have a proficiency badge can themselves know that their knowledge compares to others working in the field.
NEDA recommends that you choose your educational program carefully to ensure that the curriculum covers all that is needed to pass the exam and obtain a NEDA ADC Educator Proficiency Badge. Also know that obtaining a proficiency badge is voluntary; many doulas and educators who have been working in their communities for a while may feel that they do not need this extra "stamp of approval" and that's okay. There is no overseeing legal entity that regulates this profession. A proficiency badge is but one step that some will choose to take.
Just like EOLDs who focus their practice on the time before and during the dying process, after-death care educators come from all walks of life and have varying interests and skills. Similarly, there is no singular training curriculum, or formal oversight or licensing requirements for ADCEs either. However, to help create a basic reference for consistency and continuity in this emerging field, NEDA has created an ADC Educator Scope of Practice, Code of Ethics, and Core Competencies to help guide end-of-life doulas, after-death care educators, and families alike.
A proficiency badge from NEDA signifies that these Core Competencies have been met. Families can know that a practitioner who has earned a NEDA ADC Educator Proficiency Badge has met certain standards. And after-death care educators who have a proficiency badge can themselves know that their knowledge compares to others working in the field.
NEDA recommends that you choose your educational program carefully to ensure that the curriculum covers all that is needed to pass the exam and obtain a NEDA ADC Educator Proficiency Badge. Also know that obtaining a proficiency badge is voluntary; many doulas and educators who have been working in their communities for a while may feel that they do not need this extra "stamp of approval" and that's okay. There is no overseeing legal entity that regulates this profession. A proficiency badge is but one step that some will choose to take.
Earn Your Proficiency Badge Now!
NEDA members (doula, doula trainer, or doula/trainer combo) have the opportunity to demonstrate what they know. By earning a micro-credential, you’ll rest assured that your understanding of doula work is comparable to other doulas’ knowledge bases. Similarly, healthcare organizations and families will know when you display the NEDA ADC Educator badge that you’ve achieved a high standard of professionalism. Here how to earn your proficiency badge:
- To take the assessment, you must first become a NEDA member (doula, doula trainer, or doula/trainer combo) or already be a member (doula, doula trainer, or doula/trainer combo) in good standing.
- If you are becoming a member now, please wait 72 hours for your membership application to be processed by our membership service to be sure your email address is on file.
- Read the FAQs and micro-credentialing information below, and go here to see what standards will be covered.
- When you're ready, click on the Take the NEDA ADC Educator Assessment button below.
- Be sure to use the same e-mail address that you used when you joined NEDA when registering in the ClassMarker assessment site.
- You'll be asked to pay $115 for the exam by using PayPal or a credit card. One (1) full scholarship will be provided each month for the After-Death Care Educator Assessment. Please click here for the details and application. PLEASE NOTE: There is NO refund once you pay for the assessment.
- Once you pay, you're ready to test! The exam is timed. You'll have 90 minutes to complete it. You may save it and return to taking the test at your convenience as many times as you wish. You are allowed three chances to take the exam before paying for it again. Your answers will be graded in real time so you will know the correct answer to each question before moving on. It's not just a test, it's a learning experience!
- Once you have passed an assessment with a score of 85% or above, you’ll receive an email with the proficiency badge .jpeg for use on all your promotional materials, including your website, business card, brochures, and more. You’ll also receive the satisfaction of accomplishment, and the support of NEDA in this important work. If you have chosen to be listed on the website directory, we will also add "ADCE Proficient" to your listing.
Good luck!
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Q&A Proficiency Badge
Q. What is a proficiency badge?
A. A proficiency badge is the end result of awarding what is known as a micro credential to a student who endeavors to excel in a specific area of inquiry and wishes to demonstrate a mastery of the subject. This type of credentialing has become the gold standard in technology and education because it identifies measurable skills and accurate knowledge of specific areas of expertise based on standards, rather than simply attesting to whether someone has attended a course. It validates everyone who successfully passes the assessment based on comprehensive, in-depth knowledge.
Q. Who can earn one?
A. Any member of NEDA (doula, doula trainer, or doula/trainer combo) can earn a proficiency badge in their discipline(s), regardless of formal training or level of experience, by successfully completing an assessment based on core competencies. An after-death care educator may have been working in the field for a long time and amassed a wealth of knowledge, or s/he/they may have taken a training in preparation for service. Neither method of obtaining knowledge and skill is more or less valid as long as the individual knows the fundamentals of best practices in their field(s). Please note: Because the pre-death legal parameters of practice are different from post-death, it is important that anyone choosing to practice both end-of-life doula and after-death care educator work, particularly for pay, consider earning a certificate in both areas.
Q. Who determines what the core competencies are for the ADC Educator Proficiency Assessment?
A. The ADC Educator core competencies were developed through an arduous process of discussion and research by experienced after-death care educators and home funeral guides in both fields. These experts began laying the groundwork in 2009, and others picked it up and completed the work in 2019. For after-death care educators, the core competencies cover the following broad areas of knowledge and skill:
Q. What does the ADC Educator Proficiency Badge entitle me to?
A. As the profession develops, the NEDA ADC Educator Proficiency Badge may become the micro-credential that is recognized by outside organizations in related fields. In addition, the badge may be used on written materials and websites.
A. A proficiency badge is the end result of awarding what is known as a micro credential to a student who endeavors to excel in a specific area of inquiry and wishes to demonstrate a mastery of the subject. This type of credentialing has become the gold standard in technology and education because it identifies measurable skills and accurate knowledge of specific areas of expertise based on standards, rather than simply attesting to whether someone has attended a course. It validates everyone who successfully passes the assessment based on comprehensive, in-depth knowledge.
Q. Who can earn one?
A. Any member of NEDA (doula, doula trainer, or doula/trainer combo) can earn a proficiency badge in their discipline(s), regardless of formal training or level of experience, by successfully completing an assessment based on core competencies. An after-death care educator may have been working in the field for a long time and amassed a wealth of knowledge, or s/he/they may have taken a training in preparation for service. Neither method of obtaining knowledge and skill is more or less valid as long as the individual knows the fundamentals of best practices in their field(s). Please note: Because the pre-death legal parameters of practice are different from post-death, it is important that anyone choosing to practice both end-of-life doula and after-death care educator work, particularly for pay, consider earning a certificate in both areas.
Q. Who determines what the core competencies are for the ADC Educator Proficiency Assessment?
A. The ADC Educator core competencies were developed through an arduous process of discussion and research by experienced after-death care educators and home funeral guides in both fields. These experts began laying the groundwork in 2009, and others picked it up and completed the work in 2019. For after-death care educators, the core competencies cover the following broad areas of knowledge and skill:
- Spirituality
- Communication
- Confidentiality
- Grief and Bereavement
Q. What does the ADC Educator Proficiency Badge entitle me to?
A. As the profession develops, the NEDA ADC Educator Proficiency Badge may become the micro-credential that is recognized by outside organizations in related fields. In addition, the badge may be used on written materials and websites.
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