What is the MAT Program?

The MAT Program trains and certifies Virginia child day program providers and private school employees to safely give medications to children (ages infant through high school graduation) in their care.

The MAT Program DOES NOT certify providers who work in a residential care setting or who provide care for adults.

Medical Home Plus administers the MAT Program under contract with the Virginia Department of Social Services.

Who Must Have MAT Certification?

The Code of Virginia (Section 54.1-3408) states that providers or staff members who work in licensed or regulated child day programs and who administer prescription medication must satisfactorily complete the MAT course.

The regulations for licensed child day centers and family day homes contain a standard that goes beyond the requirements of the law and require medication administration training for anyone who administers prescription or non-prescription medication.

During 2013, the Code of Virginia was revised to include individuals who work in private schools accredited by the Virginia Council for Private Education to the list of individuals who must successfully complete the MAT course prior to administering prescription medication to children. Code of Virginia Section 54.1-3408 provides more information on this requirement.

How to Register for MAT Training

1) Complete any prerequisite MAT courses that are required for the course you wish to take

2) For Online Courses: MAT IS, MAT Renewal, EMAT and MAT Diabetes have an online Part 1 and a classroom Part 2. MAT Auvi-Q and MAT Rectal are completely online.

All the online MAT courses are found on the MAT Online Learning Center. To find the Online Learning Center link, click the How to Register button.

To instantly enroll in any MAT online course, go to the Online Learning Center, log in if you already have an account or create an account and then log in, then scroll down to the course you need and click the name of the course to enroll yourself in it.

3) For Classroom Training: Register with an approved MAT Trainer for the full-day MAT course, Part 2 of the MAT IS, MAT Renewal, EMAT and Diabetes classes, or the EpiPen Only course.

How to Become a Certified MAT Trainer

Who can become a MAT Trainer? The Code of Virginia specifies that a MAT Trainer must hold a current, valid Virginia license as an RN, LPN, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, medical or osteopathic doctor, or pharmacist. Applicants must also have experience teaching adult learners, knowledge of the child care population and/or experience working with adults employed by child day programs.

What are the responsibilities of MAT Trainers? MAT Trainers must: Facilitate MAT classes, enter provider data after each class, comply and stay current with MAT Program guidelines, market their training services, locate and, if necessary, pay for training sites, arrange for audiovisual equipment, and provide customer service to their training customers.

How do I become a MAT Trainer? Becoming a MAT Trainer requires time, money and effort. Applicants must: Download the MAT Trainer Application and informational documents, click the Register Your Interest link and register, so that you will be notified of upcoming MAT TOT classes, complete and sign the application, attaching a resume and three signed letters of recommendation, and submit their application package to Medical Home Plus by mail at 8719 Forest Hill Ave, Bon Air, VA 23235, by email at info@medhomeplus.org, or by fax at 804.330.5032. If your application is approved, you must successfully complete a MAT Training of Trainers (TOT) class (cost - $300). These classes are held three times a year.