Course Financial and In-Kind Support Disclosure
Course attendees love their coffee and “swag.” To ensure transparency, Providers must make it clear to learners when outside organizations provide support for these benefits.
What It Looks Like
Financial support is money given by another organization used to pay all or part of the costs of a continuing education (CE) course. In-kind support includes contributions besides money—such as products, materials and equipment, volunteers, professional or other services, or publicity.
Examples of disclosures for various types of support and courses are included below.
Financial support for a live, group course
This webinar, "Clinical Examination of Voice Disorders," was funded in its entirety by the Computer Voice Analysis Company of St. Louis, manufacturers of computer-based voice analysis equipment.
Financial support for an asynchronous course
This self-study online course was written by Dr. Boyd-Hester. Partial funding to develop and deliver this course was provided by Hilyer Pharmaceutical Company.
In-kind support for a live, group course
We want to thank Greensburg General Hospital for the use of its online registration services and its auditorium for today’s course.
Speech Made Easy, Inc., provided the refreshments for today’s event.
In-kind support for an asynchronous course
The Hearing Health Education Company provided sign language interpreters for today’s course.
When It Happens
There is no required format or location for financial and in-kind disclosure statements; however, this information must be shared before the course begins. Options include disclosing the names of those who contributed financial or in-kind support on:
- Promotional materials
- Registration materials
- Materials distributed prior to the course
- Session descriptions
How It Supports Compliance
Standard 3.3 describes what Providers must do to ensure that their courses are not influenced by organizations providing financial or in-kind support, including what information must be shared with learners. The financial and in-kind support disclosure policy explains how Providers should make decisions about any support provided and what information they must document about this support.
Why It Matters
CE Providers must share information about organizations that provide financial or in-kind support with learners. This not only supports transparency but also assures learners that these external organizations are not determining course content or design.
There may be situations where course sponsors receive a course session as part of their sponsorship package. In addition to disclosing the sponsorship relationship, Providers must also ensure that the content is free from promotion and sales and that it meets ASHA CE Standards and Policies.
Bottom Line
Support from outside organizations can help offset costs and can benefit attendees. This support, however, must not influence course content or design.
