To become a TCM, you must fulfill the educational and experience criteria outlined in Section 2 of the TCM regulation. These requirements can be found at: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/titles/908/002/260/. Additionally, you need to complete the department-approved training and continuing education specified in Section 3 of the same regulation to obtain certification for providing behavioral health-targeted case management services.

According to 908 KAR 2:260 Section 2 (1) (a) 1, a Targeted Case Manager should possess a bachelor's degree in a behavioral science. The term "behavioral science" is defined in Section 1 (3) and includes various fields such as psychology, sociology, social work, family studies, human services, counseling, nursing, behavioral analysis, public health, special education, gerontology, recreational therapy, education, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, rehabilitation counseling, or faith-based education. Different academic degrees may use different names to describe the same field of study. As long as the degree aligns with the regulatory requirements, it should be considered valid.

The Department's website provides a list of approved training providers. You can find the list at: https://dbhdid.ky.gov/dbh/documents/tcm/approved.pdf. Contact the training provider closest to you to inquire about their training schedule and costs. The most convenient option may be Therapy Trainings™. Therapy Trainings™ offers the Core, SED, SMI, and CCPHC trainings online at therapytrainings.com.

TCMs must complete 6.0 hours of continuing education annually. Every three years, they should submit a list of all completed trainings, along with the provider or presenter and the number of hours for each training, to the Department through their DBHDID TRIS account.

According to the TCM regulation, CE trainings must be related to case management, behavioral health, or the respective target population.

No, these trainings are considered part of the certification requirement and are entered into your DBHDID TRIS account by the training provider as "certification training." Continuing education refers to trainings that go beyond the certification requirements but can still be related to the target populations, mental health, or TCM.

The TRIS system automatically tracks your CEs based on your Core training date. For example, if you completed your Core training on 8/25/2020, you will need to complete 6.0 hours of CEs between 8/25/2020 and 8/25/2021, and then every year thereafter. The TRIS system sends automatic reminders at 90 days, 60 days, and 30 days prior to the due date for CEs.

The Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (BHDID) does not provide training for TCM, including initial certification or continuing education. You can find a list of approved training providers on the Department's website: [link to the list].

BHDID does not provide training for TCM recertification. If a TCM loses certification, they must retake the Core training and any 6-hour specialty trainings to become recertified.