Today is Friday, July 4th     

EVOC / Vanessa K Free Act Compliance Training

APRIL INSTRUCTOR UPDATE FORMAT CHANGING IN 2007
By: Steve Carden
       TARS Executive Director

The growth of the TARS Instructor I program has prompted a new look at how we are conducting the annual updates.  Starting this year a few changes are being made in hopes of providing a more streamlined process of recertification of Instructors in the TARS system.

The biggest change is transitioning to a 2-year certification period versus the annual requirement that has been in practice.  We are suggesting that those instructors whose Instructor number ending in an odd number plan on attending the update this year.  We say ‘suggested’ because we realize some may ride together from a particular agency and wish to continue doing so even though one may have an even number and the other an odd.  That’s no problem.  We will have a means to group those wishing to recert on the odd or even year in place that will accommodate that need.

The fee will be $20, remaining unchanged at $10 per year, but will change to be collected bi-annually, payable at the update location.  We request that you bring appropriate means of payment (check or money order) and not request billing due to the paperwork and approval process many times involved.  This also helps us to keep our fees low by reducing staff time required to follow up with additional billing.

Be sure and note that a couple of locations have changed in certain Regions.  This was done to more centrally locate the site within the Region.  As always, you may attend any one of the 4 Regional updates offered that best fits your schedule and availability. 

If you do not attend and purchased a Vanessa K. Free Act Training program last year, the second module will be distributed and may be picked up and signed for by another Instructor from your department attending the update.  If that is not possible contact us and we can arrange to mail the module to you following the April updates.

It is our intent to make this transition as smooth as possible and at the same time implement changes that makes your training experience more valuable and worthwhile.  Look for more revised program content and better tools to help you deliver effective squad and department level training and the ability to keep track of it in all of our programs in the future.