Online Courses

Introduction to the Baker Act

This introduction to the Baker Act covers the basic issues involved with voluntary and involuntary provisions of the law. Identify who is protected by the Baker Act. Define mental illness as stated in the Baker Act. Learn the criteria for voluntary admission. Learn three criteria for initiation of involuntary examination.

Emergency Medical Conditions

Developed for Emergency Room staff but available to anyone interested in taking this course. After this lesson, you will be able to define an emergency medical condition and its relationship to the Baker Act.

Individual Rights

Persons are legally entitled to individual dignity and all constitutional rights while held in a mental health facility. Learn when a person can or cannot consent to mental health treatment.  Discuss several rights guaranteed under the Baker Act.

Law Enforcement

Developed for Law Enforcement but available to anyone interested in taking this course. Learn the legal steps that officers must, may, or should take in a potential Baker Act initiation. Define and discuss the benefits of C.A.F.  Learn several de-escalation techniques. Learn what procedures officers must, may, and should follow when dealing with the Baker Act and criminal charges.

Long Term Care

Developed for individuals working in a long term care facility but available to anyone interested in taking this course. Learn the criteria for voluntary admissions and involuntary examinations. Learn when transfers are appropriate and when not appropriate. Learn how psychotropic medications are regulated in nursing homes.

Minors

The Florida Legislature established guiding principles for the development and implementation of publicly funded mental health services for children and adolescents. Learn to identify the two exceptions the Baker Act makes between the treatment rights for adults and minors. Learn who may consent to mental health treatment for a minor when a parent or guardian is not available or when the minor is in the custody of the Department of Children and Families or Department of Juvenile Justice.

Suicide Prevention

Learn the risk factors, warning signs, and protective factors for suicide. Learn several environmental precautions that can minimize risk of self-harm. Learn two types of safety plans.

Trauma Series

Understanding Trauma and Effects, and Trauma-Informed Care. Learn the origins and history of trauma-informed care (TIC). Learn descriptions the physical and psychological effects of trauma on people in general and on vulnerable populations in particular.

Why People Die by Suicide

In his new theory of suicidal behavior, Thomas Joiner proposes three factors that mark those most at risk of death: the feeling of being a burden on loved ones; the sense of isolation; and, perhaps chillingly, the learned ability to hurt oneself. He tests the theory against diverse facts taken from clinical anecdotes, history, literature, popular culture, anthropology, epidemiology, genetics, and neurobiology--facts about suicide rates among men and women; white and African-American men; anorexics, athletes, prostitutes, and physicians; members of cults, sports fans, and citizens of nations in crisis.

Baker Act & Marchman Act Comparison and Co-Occurring Disorders

Learn the Baker Act and Marchman Act voluntary and involuntary examination criteria. Identify the differences between the Baker Act and the Marchman Act. Review common presentation of co-occurring disorders.

Seclusion & Restraint

To ensure that behavioral health staff working in Florida's service system fully understand the issues surrounding the use of coercion and the implications regarding violence and the use of Seclusion and Restraint as these affect both clients and staff. Second, to present an evidence based best practice model to reduce coercion, violence and the use of SR in mental health settings.