Continuing Education Provider Policies

Sunshine Mountain Ventures (SMV)

ASHA-Aligned Continuing Education Provider Policies Manual

This manual has been developed in alignment with the Standards for ASHA Continuing Education Providers and related ASHA Continuing Education policies to support high-quality, evidence-based, accessible, inclusive, learner-centered, and ethically delivered continuing education activities.

These policies are established to support compliance with the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Continuing Education Board requirements and to ensure ethical, accessible, transparent, evidence-based, and learner-centered continuing education activities.

Standard 1: Eligibility and Responsibilities of an ASHA Approved Continuing Education Provider

Organizational Eligibility and Continuing Education Responsibilities

Sunshine Mountain Ventures (SMV) is a legally recognized organization that maintains the fiscal, human, technological, and operational resources necessary to support the development, delivery, evaluation, reporting, and continuous improvement of continuing education activities.

SMV has identified personnel responsible for the oversight and administration of continuing education activities, including the ASHA Continuing Education Administrator (CEA) and any designated Continuing Education Content Consultant, when applicable.

The continuing education program supports SMV’s organizational mission by providing high-quality professional development opportunities that advance evidence-based practice, professional competence, leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and improved outcomes for individuals with communication and hearing disorders.

SMV maintains documented internal review procedures, operational policies, and workflow processes to ensure compliance with current ASHA Continuing Education Standards and related policies.

SMV regularly reviews and updates continuing education policies and procedures and provides training and guidance to personnel involved in course planning, implementation, reporting, marketing, learner support, instructional design, and evaluation.

Relevant continuing education documentation and operational procedures are maintained and may be made available during compliance reviews or audits when requested.

SMV demonstrates efforts toward continuous program improvement through:

  • Review of needs assessment data

  • Learner assessment outcomes

  • Course evaluations

  • Participation and engagement data

  • Feedback from presenters, planners, and learners

  • Ongoing review of professional trends and regulatory changes

SMV ensures the privacy, confidentiality, security, accessibility, and appropriate back-up of learner, instructor, planner, and reporting records in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards.

SMV maintains policies addressing intellectual property rights, copyright protections, accessibility, inclusion, learner participation, and ethical conduct.

All records related to ASHA CE compliance, learner participation, reporting, disclosures, evaluations, complaints, appeals, and course documentation are retained for a minimum of four (4) years or longer when required by law or organizational policy.

Record retention timelines are based on the conclusion of the final course offering or participant reporting period, as applicable.

SMV maintains systems to ensure that authorized personnel can access records when needed and that back-up records are available in the event of loss, corruption, or unavailability of original documentation.

SMV ensures that continuing education experiences reflect participants’ varied backgrounds and needs, support equitable participation, and foster a respectful, inclusive, and supportive professional learning environment.

SMV expects all personnel, instructors, planners, vendors, volunteers, and learners associated with the continuing education program to uphold high standards of professional conduct and nondiscrimination.

When partnering with organizations that are not approved ASHA CE Providers, SMV maintains significant and direct involvement in the planning, implementation, evaluation, promotion, reporting, oversight, and compliance monitoring of cooperative educational activities.

1. Professional Conduct and Inclusion Policy

Sunshine Mountain Ventures (SMV) is committed to fostering a professional, respectful, inclusive, and welcoming learning environment for all participants, presenters, exhibitors, volunteers, and staff.

SMV prohibits discrimination, harassment, bullying, intimidation, or retaliation based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, socioeconomic status, language, or any other protected characteristic.

All participants are expected to:

  • Engage respectfully and professionally

  • Support inclusive dialogue and diverse perspectives

  • Refrain from disruptive, discriminatory, or inappropriate behavior

  • Follow event and platform rules during live, virtual, and on-demand activities

SMV reserves the right to remove participants, presenters, or attendees from any educational activity without refund if conduct is determined to violate this policy.

2. Accommodation and Accessibility Policy

SMV is committed to providing accessible educational opportunities in accordance with applicable federal and state accessibility laws and ASHA CE requirements.

Reasonable accommodations may include:

  • Closed captioning

  • Accessible digital materials

  • Alternative communication formats

  • Mobility accommodations

  • Dietary accommodations for in-person events

  • Additional support services when feasible

Participants requesting accommodations should contact SMV as early as possible, preferably at least 14 days prior to the event.

SMV will make good-faith efforts to provide reasonable accommodations that do not fundamentally alter the nature of the educational activity.

3. Transparency and Disclosure Policy

SMV is committed to transparency in all continuing education activities.

Prior to the start of each course, learners will be informed of:

  • Course objectives and learning outcomes

  • Target audience

  • Instructional level

  • Agenda and schedule

  • Speaker credentials

  • Relevant financial and non-financial disclosures

  • Commercial support or sponsorship

  • ASHA CEU information when applicable

  • Requirements for satisfactory course completion

  • Fees and cancellation policies

Presenters, planners, and individuals in control of content are required to disclose any relevant financial or non-financial relationships that could create a conflict of interest.

SMV will mitigate identified conflicts prior to the educational activity.

4. Refund and Cancellation Policy

Registration fees are non-refundable unless otherwise specified in writing for a particular event or course.

If SMV cancels an event, participants may receive:

  • A full refund

  • Credit toward a future educational activity

  • Transfer to an alternative format

Participant cancellation requests must be submitted in writing.

Virtual and on-demand educational activities are typically non-refundable once access has been granted.

SMV reserves the right to modify speakers, schedules, delivery formats, or event logistics when necessary.

5. Privacy and Security Policy

SMV respects participant privacy and is committed to protecting personal information collected through educational activities.

Information collected may include:

  • Name and contact information

  • Professional credentials

  • Licensing information

  • CE participation records

  • Payment information

  • Accessibility requests

Participant information will be used solely for legitimate educational, operational, accreditation, and communication purposes.

SMV will not sell participant personal information to third parties.

Reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards are implemented to protect participant data.

6. Intellectual Property Policy

All educational materials, recordings, handouts, slides, graphics, assessments, and related content provided through SMV educational activities are protected by copyright and intellectual property laws.

Participants may:

  • Use materials for personal educational purposes

  • Download materials when permitted

  • Reference content with proper attribution

Participants may not:

  • Reproduce or distribute materials without written permission

  • Record sessions without authorization

  • Share login credentials or restricted content

  • Modify or commercially use educational materials

Presenters retain ownership of their original intellectual property unless otherwise agreed upon in writing.

7. Record Retention Policy

SMV maintains continuing education records in accordance with ASHA CE Provider requirements and applicable legal standards.

Records maintained may include:

  • Participant registration information

  • Attendance verification

  • Course completion documentation

  • CEU reporting records

  • Learning assessments

  • Promotional materials

  • Financial disclosures

  • Conflict of interest documentation

  • Course agendas and instructional materials

  • Presenter qualifications

Records will be securely maintained for a minimum of seven (7) years or longer if required by applicable accrediting or regulatory agencies.

8. Compliance and Ethical Standards Policy

SMV is committed to compliance with all applicable:

  • ASHA Continuing Education Board requirements

  • Federal and state laws

  • Anti-discrimination regulations

  • Accessibility standards

  • Copyright laws

  • Privacy and data protection standards

  • Ethical continuing education practices

All educational activities will be developed independently and designed to:

  • Promote evidence-based practice

  • Maintain educational integrity

  • Avoid commercial bias

  • Support professional competence and ethical practice

SMV reserves the right to deny participation, revoke CE credit eligibility, or remove individuals from activities for violations of provider policies, ethical standards, or applicable laws.

For questions regarding these policies, accommodations, CE records, compliance concerns, or complaints please contact:

Continuing Education Complaint Resolution Policy

Sunshine Mountain Ventures (SMV)

Sunshine Mountain Ventures (SMV) is committed to providing high-quality, ethical, accessible, and learner-centered continuing education experiences. SMV values learner feedback and has established a formal process for addressing complaints related to continuing education programs, services, accessibility, instructor conduct, course delivery, reporting, or other CE-related concerns.

This policy is communicated to learners through:

  • Registration materials
  • Event websites and learning platforms
  • Course materials and learner communications
  • CE instruction emails
  • Participant support documentation

Submitting a Complaint

Learners who are dissatisfied with any aspect of SMV continuing education services or programs may submit a formal complaint in writing.

Complaints should include:

  • Learner name and contact information
  • Course title and date
  • Description of the concern or complaint
  • Relevant supporting documentation if applicable
  • Desired resolution, if known

Complaints may be submitted through the following methods:

Email: info@sunshinemountainventures.com
Website Contact Form: Sunshine Mountain Ventures Contact Page

Complaint Review Process

Upon receipt of a complaint:

  1. The complaint will be acknowledged within approximately 5–10 business days.
  2. The Continuing Education Administrator (CEA) and/or appropriate organizational leadership will review the complaint.
  3. Additional information may be requested from involved parties if needed.
  4. SMV will evaluate the concern in relation to organizational policies, ASHA CE requirements, and applicable laws or ethical standards.
  5. When appropriate, corrective actions or resolutions will be implemented.

Potential resolutions may include:

  • Clarification of policies or procedures
  • Correction of reporting or attendance records
  • Technical assistance or learner support
  • Review of instructional or operational practices
  • Process improvements or additional staff training

Confidentiality and Non-Retaliation

SMV will make reasonable efforts to maintain confidentiality throughout the complaint review process to the extent permitted by law and operational requirements.

Learners submitting complaints in good faith will not face retaliation, discrimination, or adverse treatment as a result of raising concerns.

Documentation and Record Retention

SMV maintains documentation of:

  • Complaints received
  • Investigative or review actions taken
  • Correspondence related to the complaint
  • Final resolutions or corrective actions

Complaint records are retained in accordance with SMV record retention policies and applicable ASHA Continuing Education requirements.

Sunshine Mountain Ventures (SMV)
Email: info@sunshinemountainventures.com
Website: Sunshine Mountain Ventures

Standard 2: Needs Assessment Used in Planning Continuing Education

Needs Assessment

SMV determines the educational needs of speech-language pathologists and audiologists through multiple data collection methods designed to reflect current professional practice trends, regulatory changes, member feedback, and identified competency gaps.

Needs assessment strategies include systematic analysis of one or more data sources, including:

  • Post-course and post-conference evaluations

  • Member and attendee surveys

  • Requests submitted by association members and stakeholders

  • Review of emerging trends within the professions

  • State and national legislative and regulatory updates

  • Analysis of workforce and clinical practice challenges

  • Collaboration with association leadership and committees

  • Review of ASHA practice resources and evidence-based priorities

Information gathered is documented, reviewed, revised, and updated as needed.

Needs assessment findings are used to:

  • Identify priority educational topics

  • Inform educational design and instructional methods

  • Guide course content development

  • Determine learning outcomes and assessment methods

  • Select qualified presenters and planners

  • Evaluate the effectiveness of educational activities

  • Ensure educational offerings align with current professional needs and evidence-based practice.

Standard 3: Transparency in Continuing Education

Transparency, Disclosure, and Independence

SMV ensures that continuing education activities remain independent, evidence-based, and free from inappropriate commercial influence.

SMV prohibits the promotion or sale of products and services during instructional time associated with ASHA CE activities.

SMV ensures that:

  • Course content and related materials do not promote specific products or services

  • Learners are informed when specific products or services will be discussed

  • Learners are notified prior to registration if the purchase of materials, products, or services is required or recommended for participation

  • Advertising, exhibits, and promotional activities remain separate from instructional activities

  • Learners are never required to engage in promotional or sales activities

SMV requires all planners, presenters, instructors, and individuals involved in course development to disclose relevant financial relationships, professional affiliations, personal perspectives, and non-financial relationships that could influence educational content.

SMV reviews disclosures, implements mitigation strategies when needed, and communicates relevant disclosures to learners prior to the educational activity and at the beginning of the course.

Individuals who refuse to participate in the disclosure process may be disqualified from involvement in course planning, implementation, instruction, or evaluation.

Organizations providing financial or in-kind support may not influence course content, instructor selection, learner participation, course planning, implementation, evaluation, reporting, or educational outcomes.

SMV discloses all financial and in-kind support to learners prior to the educational activity.

Standard 4: Content Validity in Continuing Education

Content Validity

SMV ensures that course content is current, accurate, evidence-based, and relevant to professional practice through a structured content review process.

Educational content validity is ensured through:

  • Review by qualified subject matter experts

  • Review of current peer-reviewed research

  • Alignment with ASHA practice standards

  • Review of laws, regulations, and clinical standards

  • Ongoing review and updating of recurring course materials

  • Identification and disclosure of the levels and types of evidence supporting clinical recommendations

  • Discussion of both potential benefits and risks associated with clinical recommendations when applicable

Presenters and content developers must actively engage in ongoing professional development to remain current within their area of expertise.

Educational content must:

  • Focus on the science and contemporary practice of audiology, speech-language pathology, and/or speech, language, and hearing science

  • Reflect current best practices

  • Be relevant and responsive to identified learner needs

  • Be balanced, culturally responsive, and evidence-based

  • Incorporate, when appropriate, clinical expertise, patient/client/caregiver perspectives, and internal and external evidence

Presenters are required to provide current references, disclose levels of evidence when applicable, and avoid commercial bias.

Standard 5: Quality of Educational Design in Continuing Education

Educational Design

SMV is committed to designing continuing education activities that are accessible, inclusive, learner-centered, and grounded in sound instructional design principles.

Educational activities are developed by individuals with knowledge, skills, competency, and experience in adult learning, instructional design, accessibility, learner engagement, and continuing education.

Educational design considerations include:

  • Clearly defined learning outcomes

  • Alignment between outcomes, content, and assessment

  • Use of adult learning strategies

  • Accessible presentation materials

  • Multiple instructional formats

  • Consideration of diverse learning styles and professional backgrounds

  • Educational formats and techniques appropriate for the intended goals and outcomes

  • Learner-centered, engaging, inclusive, and reflective educational practices

  • Opportunities for thoughtful reflection and translation of learning into professional practice

Presenters are provided guidance regarding accessibility, engagement strategies, and inclusive educational practices.

Learner Outcomes

SMV develops measurable learner outcomes for continuing education activities to define the expected knowledge, skills, or competencies participants should gain upon completion.

Examples include:

  • Participants will identify evidence-based strategies for literacy development.

  • Participants will differentiate workload and caseload approaches.

  • Participants will apply principles of interprofessional collaboration.

  • Participants will describe current ethical considerations in professional practice.

Standard 6: Outcomes From Continuing Education

Learner Assessment and Educational Outcomes

SMV assesses learner achievement of course outcomes using methods appropriate to the instructional format and objectives.

Courses offered for ASHA CEUs include one or more assessment methods appropriate to the intended outcomes of the course.

Assessment methods may include:

  • Course evaluations

  • Knowledge checks and quizzes

  • Interactive polling

  • Case study activities

  • Attendance verification

  • Post-tests

  • Completion attestations

Assessment methods are selected to align with the stated learning outcomes and educational goals and may measure:

  • Improvements in learner knowledge

  • Skills and competencies

  • Intent-to-change professional practice

  • Changes in learner performance

  • Changes in service delivery practices

  • Patient/client outcomes when applicable and feasible

Standard 7: Satisfactory Completion of Continuing Education

Satisfactory Completion Requirements

SMV establishes satisfactory completion requirements for each continuing education activity and communicates those requirements prior to the course.

SMV maintains systematic processes for:

  • Calculating ASHA CEUs

  • Identifying learners who satisfactorily complete courses

  • Verifying learner intent to earn ASHA CEUs

  • Collecting and maintaining required participant reporting information

  • Correcting reporting errors when necessary

  • Managing participant questions, complaints, and appeals related to continuing education participation and reporting

Requirements may include:

  • Attendance thresholds

  • Completion of evaluations

  • Participation in learning activities

  • Completion of assessments or post-tests

  • Electronic attendance tracking

  • Completion within designated timelines for on-demand learning

Satisfactory completion requirements are communicated in writing to learners prior to the educational activity through registration materials, promotional materials, learning platforms, emails, and course instructions.

Only learners who meet all stated requirements and indicate intent to earn ASHA CEUs are awarded continuing education credit.

SMV maintains procedures for reporting participant completion information accurately and within required reporting timelines.

Program Improvement

SMV is committed to continuous quality improvement of its continuing education program.

Program improvement and personnel feedback efforts include:

  • Collection and review of learner feedback

  • Analysis of participation trends

  • Monitoring educational outcomes

  • Review of presenter effectiveness

  • Updating policies and procedures

  • Accessibility and inclusion improvements

  • Strategic educational planning

  • Providing feedback to instructors, planners, instructional designers, customer service personnel, marketing personnel, and others involved in continuing education activities when appropriate

Feedback and evaluation data are used to improve future educational activities and enhance learner experience.

Cooperative Continuing Education Policies

SMV may collaborate with professional associations, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, or other entities in the development and delivery of continuing education activities.

For all cooperative educational activities, SMV will maintain:

  • Signed cooperative agreements

  • Documentation of learner needs assessments

  • Disclosure and conflict-of-interest documentation

  • Learning outcomes and time-ordered agendas

  • Documentation of financial or in-kind support

  • Promotional materials

  • Satisfactory completion procedures

  • Compliance monitoring records

Educational content must remain independent, evidence-based, and free from commercial influence regardless of sponsorship or support.

SMV maintains responsibility for ensuring that cooperative educational activities comply with ASHA CE Provider requirements, organizational policies, and all applicable reporting and documentation expectations.

SMV recognizes that ASHA CE may conduct compliance monitoring activities including documentation review, online access review, course observation, self-assessment processes, and corrective action procedures when necessary.

SMV will respond to requests, questions, documentation inquiries, and compliance communications within required timelines and maintain operational continuity procedures when key continuing education personnel are unavailable.