Enrollment
Enrollment and Attendance Policy
Review the general Academy policies that apply before enrollment is finalized. The written cohort notice may contain additional session-specific terms.
Available Course Versions and Tuition
Bridging Families Academy offers Live In-Classroom Training for $499 and Live Zoom Training for $499. Both versions include the same 24-hour curriculum, 12 live instructional hours, 12 self-paced hours, required state mandated-reporter training, Academy assessment requirements, and Certificate of Completion.
Live Zoom and Self-Paced Course Delivery
The Academy’s 12-hour live instructional component is delivered through scheduled, real-time, instructor-led Zoom sessions designed to parallel an in-classroom learning environment. Students must remain clearly visible on camera, actively participate throughout each session, complete attendance checks and learning activities, and have their instructional hours verified.
The remaining 12 hours are completed through the Academy’s guided, self-paced learning management system. Self-paced coursework includes assigned lessons, required activities, knowledge checks, completion tracking, and the required state-supported mandated-reporter course.
Local Acceptance of Live Virtual Instruction
Because individual courts, agencies, employers, and provider referral lists may have their own administrative practices, each participant is responsible for confirming that live instructor-led Zoom training is accepted for any jurisdiction, employment, appointment, or provider-list requirement relevant to the participant’s intended work.
Some superior courts require annual declarations, TrustLine proof, qualifying training records, or separate training acceptance. An Academy certificate does not override a local rule or local review decision.
Enrollment Prerequisites
TrustLine registration and completion of Live Scan are not prerequisites for enrolling in the Academy course. They are separate professional-practice requirements that must be satisfied before a person provides paid professional services.
Seat Confirmation and Payment
An inquiry or interest-list submission does not reserve a seat. Enrollment is final only after the Academy confirms availability in writing, identifies the selected course format and cohort, provides the applicable terms and payment instructions, and receives the required registration materials and payment.
Attendance and Personal Participation
The registered participant must personally attend all required live hours. Access may not be shared, transferred, or used by an unregistered person. Identity and attendance may be verified.
Live In-Classroom Requirements
In-classroom participants must arrive on time, remain for the complete scheduled instructional period, follow venue rules, participate professionally, and complete all announced attendance procedures. Meal periods and noninstructional breaks do not count toward the 12 live instructional hours.
Live Zoom Identity, Access, and Attendance Controls
Zoom participants are responsible for reliable internet, compatible equipment, current browser and LMS access, a working camera and microphone, and a private, distraction-free learning environment.
- Government-issued identification may be required before or during the first live session.
- The participant’s Zoom display name must match Academy enrollment records.
- Each paid participant receives individual LMS access and restricted live-session access.
- LMS credentials and Zoom links may not be shared, forwarded, transferred, or used by another person.
- The Academy uses attendance reports, LMS activity, entry and return-from-break roll calls, continuous visible-camera confirmation, timed check-ins, polls, knowledge checks, and participation records.
- The camera must remain on and the registered participant’s face must remain clearly visible throughout live instruction, except during scheduled breaks, an approved accommodation, or a brief instructor-authorized technical interruption.
- Logging into Zoom without remaining visibly present does not establish attendance.
- Participants must promptly report and correct a disconnection. Significant missed time requires an approved make-up or transfer before certification.
Session Recording
Live Zoom sessions or designated portions may be recorded for attendance verification, quality assurance, accessibility, or resolution of an attendance dispute. Participants will receive advance notice, and the Academy will follow any required consent procedure before recording.
Recordings are restricted to authorized Academy personnel or service providers with a legitimate administrative need. They are not provided as course replays, do not replace live attendance, are not publicly distributed, and are retained only for the period stated in the applicable cohort or recording notice.
Self-Paced Work and State Training
Participants in both versions must complete all self-paced assignments and the California Department of Social Services-supported general mandated-reporter training by the stated deadline and provide proof. Prerecorded Academy content is limited to the self-paced component and does not replace required live instruction.
Academy Assessment and Certificate
Bridging Families Academy requires a minimum score of 75 percent on required assessment work. This is an Academy completion policy, not a percentage established by Family Code section 3200.5 or Standard 5.20. A certificate is issued only after all live hours, self-paced hours, state training, written activities, participation, and assessment requirements are successfully completed.
Missed Time and Make-Up Work
Independent work cannot automatically replace required live hours. A make-up, format transfer, or future-cohort option, when available, is governed by the written cohort terms, instructional capacity, and Academy approval.
Changing Course Formats
A request to transfer between the in-classroom and Zoom versions must be made as early as possible. Approval depends on available space, scheduling, technology or venue commitments, and the applicable cohort deadline. A transfer is not complete until confirmed in writing by the Academy.
Cancellation, Refund, and Transfer Terms
The applicable cancellation, refund, transfer, and rescheduling deadlines are provided in writing before payment because venue, format, and cohort commitments may vary. If the Academy cancels a cohort, a participant may elect a refund of Academy tuition paid for that cohort or transfer to a future available cohort.
Conduct, Privacy, and Recording
Participants must communicate professionally, protect other participants’ privacy, follow instructor directions, and comply with recording and copyright restrictions. Disruptive, unsafe, discriminatory, harassing, dishonest, impersonating, or unauthorized recording or distribution may result in removal without a certificate, subject to the written cohort terms.
Technology and Accessibility
Participants are responsible for announced technology requirements. Accommodation requests should be made as early as practical so the Academy can evaluate reasonable options without requiring unnecessary medical or case information.
No Government Endorsement or Automatic Professional Eligibility
Bridging Families Academy is a private training provider and is not endorsed, approved, accredited, or certified by the Judicial Council of California or any superior court. An Academy certificate documents completed Academy education; it is not a state license, government certification, court appointment, employment guarantee, or automatic determination of professional eligibility.
Each participant remains responsible for all applicable qualifications, Live Scan, TrustLine, FL-324(P), insurance, language requirements, local rules, agency or employer requirements, and court-order compliance.