GENTLE SLEEP COACH CERTIFICATION STANDARDS
Gentle Sleep Coach® Certification
The Gentle Sleep Coach® training program and certification process are designed for individuals interested in coaching families using the methods developed by Kim West, LCSW-C (a.k.a. The Sleep Lady®). Anyone seeking certification as a Gentle Sleep Coach® must complete successfully all steps of the training program and certification. Certified coaches have met the requisite levels of experience and knowledge in the field of sleep coaching, and in particular, The Sleep Lady® methods, demonstrating in accordance with the holistic philosophy and competency in the time-tested approach to improving sleep behaviors of infants and children.
I. Requirements for Initial Certification.
Applicants for Gentle Sleep Coach® certification must successfully complete the Gentle Sleep Coach® training program. In order for an Applicant to obtain certification, the Applicant must:
□ Submit the participation agreement within the first week of class.
□ Complete all components of the Gentle Sleep Coach® training program within one month of the last week of class. Demonstrated completion of the training program involves attendance at or listening to recordings of all classes, completion of required readings and timely completion of open book home examination within 30 days of the last class.
□ Obtain a grade of 90% or better on the training program home examinations.
□ Maintain enrollment and participation in the Advanced Mentorship Program.
□ Identify and work with three (3) families with babies over the age of 6 months as a Gentle Sleep Coach® trainee, log a minimum of 10 coaching hours and arrange for the families to complete and submit a written evaluation within six months of completion of the Gentle Sleep Coach® training program.
□ Agree to terms of certification licensing agreement governing use of certification marks and maintain ongoing compliance with certification standards.
Upon meeting all of these criteria and successfully completing the Gentle Sleep Coach® training program, Applicants will obtain the certification status of Gentle Sleep Coach®. In order to qualify for ongoing certification after the first year, Applicants must continue training and mentorship through the Gentle Sleep Coach® Advanced Mentorship Program. Applicants must meet ongoing requirements and renew annually to maintain certification.
II. Annual Certification Maintenance
A. Certification Requirements for Advanced Mentorship Program.
After successfully completing the requirements for the initial training program and obtaining certification, certified coaches must complete ongoing education and training with mentorship to maintain certification, as follows:
□ Within the first year of certification, fully participate in and complete the Gentle Sleep Coach® Advanced Mentorship Program, which starts 1-2 weeks after the Basic Training exam is due and the exam has been passed.
□ Complete six (6) hours of continued education a year either through the courses offered in the Advanced Mentorship Program or thru other educational resources offering Child and Family health and wellness education. Please submit a brief description of the program and the program provider for classes taken outside of the Advanced Mentorship Class.
□ Maintain membership in good standing in the Gentle Sleep Coach® Advanced Mentorship Program.
B. Ongoing Certification Requirements
After the first full year of Gentle Sleep Coach® certification and completion of the Advanced Mentorship Program, certified coaches must maintain professional certification on an annual basis. To maintain certification, certified coaches must:
□ Complete six(6) hours of continued education a year either thru the Gentle Sleep Coach® Advanced Mentorship Program or thru other educational resources offering child and family health and wellness education. Upon application for renewal, certified coaches must submit a brief description of the program and the program provider for any classes taken that were not offered by SLS.
□ Pay the annual certification fee.
III. Fees
The certification fee may be paid monthly in the amount of $97 a month, totaling an annual fee of $1164, or as a single annual payment of $1000 at the beginning of each new certification year.