Become a Leader in Dementia Care with a PAC™ Certification
Education and certifications based on the Snow Approach help you improve care outcomes and earn recognition as a leader in your field.
Become certified in proven methods to train and build skill
Improve your care results and guide others in achieving the same goal.
With a PAC certification, you gain the skills and confidence to help others succeed. Assist in changing the culture of care, one mind at a time.
Over 90% of Participants rate their PAC Certification
5 out of 5 Stars!
Choose the PAC Certification Track Below that Best Suits Your Goals
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Transform Dementia Care
Start with a PAC Certification
Across the world, professionals in healthcare, education, and community services are facing a growing challenge: dementia is on the rise, and most systems still lack the essential education and skill training needed to provide quality, person-centered support.
At Positive Approach to Care® (PAC), we’re changing that.
Our certification programs provide professionals with practical, evidence-informed skills to connect, communicate, and support others with compassion and confidence—wherever they work.
Unlike many programs that rely on theory alone, PAC Certifications include hands-on skill demonstrations, guided practice, and mentor feedback—so you can feel confident applying what you learn.
With on-demand courses, interactive workshops, and specialty certifications led by PAC Mentors, you can start your learning journey at any level and grow your impact step by step:
- Build your foundation with core skills and understanding of brain change.
- Learn to teach, lead, and guide others using PAC methods in your organization or community.
- Strengthen team culture and retention through compassionate leadership.
Whether you’re new to dementia care or ready to deepen your expertise, PAC Certifications make it easy to learn at your pace with on-demand learning, live online, or in-person options available throughout the year.
Together, we can create a world where everyone living with brain change is understood and supported.
Start your PAC Certification today and join a global community transforming dementia care.
Online Learning - Basic Knowledge Courses
Teepa Snow Inspired Certifications
Improve your dementia awareness and be inspired by Teepa’s Snow Approach™ techniques. Select from online courses that help you see what’s possible in dementia care when connection and person-centered support is at the core. Have you already attended a course led by a PAC Mentor or PAC Certified Community Member? Great! Select this option to demonstrate and certify your knowledge.
Select from a list of PAC online videos and facilitator-led courses on a wide variety of topics.
Or, attend a live online Care Partner Support Series to broaden your awareness of dementia and Snow Approach™ techniques.
Then demonstrate your knowledge through an online quiz with a score of 80% or higher to earn your Teepa Snow Inspired Certification. You’ll have three quiz attempts per purchase.
- Learn online, on your own time.
- Select the course topics of greatest interest to you.
- Improve your awareness and knowledge of dementia and be inspired by Teepa Snow’s message and methods.
PAC-TSIC Cost
Cost of course + $15 per Certificate + $15 Annual Fee
Live, Online Course
Champion Courses
Start your PAC journey with the foundational Champion Courses, designed to help you build confidence, skill, and connection in every interaction.
Each course combines Teepa Snow’s signature techniques, engaging videos, and interactive learning to help you better understand and support individuals living with brain change.
Next Steps
After attending the Champion Courses your next step would be completing Champion Check Offs as part of becoming a Certified Dementia Champion (Tier 1), a Certified Dementia Educator (Tier 2- In Person Track only), or a PAC Certified Practitioner (Specialty Cert).
Champion Courses 1 + 2
Learn practical physical and communication skills that transform everyday interactions. Discover how simple, respectful techniques can reduce distress, build trust, and enhance connection with those experiencing brain change.
Focus Areas:
- Positive Physical Approach
- Hand-under-Hand Support
After registering, learners will be mailed a Champion Course Workbook and a Understanding the Changing Brain book.
Champion Courses 3 + 4
Explore how to recognize and adapt your approach for each GEMS State of Brain Change, using remaining strength and abilities to create more meaningful, supportive relationships.
Focus Areas:
- Learn Teepa’s GEMS States of Brain Change model
- Identify a person’s changing GEMS State and how you adapt your skills for the best support in the moment
After registering, learners will be mailed a Seeing the GEMS workbook, and a Dementia Care Partner Guide book.
On-Demand and Self-Guided
Specialty Certifications
Advance your skills anytime, anywhere with PAC’s Specialty Certifications.
Flexible, self-paced programs are designed to help you deepen your understanding, strengthen your practice, and expand your impact in dementia care. Specialty certifications acknowledge your focus area of PAC skills.
PAC Certified Practitioner (PAC-P)
Benefits:
- Strengthen everyday interactions using evidence-informed skills.
- Build confidence and consistency through step-by-step video practice.
- Demonstrate commitment to quality dementia care with recognized certification pins.
PAC Certified Acceptor – Accepting the Challenge (PAC-ATC)
Benefits:
- Gain new perspective on how stress and life changes affect communication.
- Build emotional resilience for complex care situations.
- Strengthen empathy and self-reflection to improve teamwork and connection.
PAC Certified Pin Evaluator (PAC-CPE)
Equip participants to assess learner competencies through a structured rubric and certify PAC Champion skill achievements with confidence.
Benefits:
- Develop evaluation skills grounded in PAC’s Snow Approach techniques.
- Gain confidence in a structured rubric for approving Champion skill videos or referring learners to PAC for skill-focused mentor coaching or skill coaching by a Tier 2 and above PAC Certified Community member.
- Expand your leadership capacity within your organization or community.
PAC Certified Navigator (PAC-N)
Guide your community with confidence. Share PAC’s exclusive Goodson Library videos and help others discover practical, compassionate care techniques.
Benefits:
- Access and share powerful PAC video content with approved licensing.
- Enhance education programs, staff training, and caregiver workshops.
- Strengthen your professional credibility as a trusted facilitator.
PAC Positive Approach to Leadership (PAL)
Note: This is a live in-person course only and does not have an on-demand option.
Lead with purpose. Radically transform your organization’s culture by integrating PAC’s Six Pieces of the Puzzle to create responsive, relationship-focused care systems.
Benefits:
- Assess and strengthen organizational health using PAC’s Six Pieces of the Puzzle.
- Shift from reactive problem solving to responsive, intentional leadership.
- Identify and align staff strengths with purpose, roles, and outcomes.
- Build long-term sustainability through the integration of PAC certifications and tools.
Tier 1 On-Demand
PAC Certified Dementia Champion
(PAC-DC/L)
Build your foundation in dementia awareness and communication as a PAC Certified Dementia Champion.
Learn and demonstrate essential Snow Approach skills, including the Positive Physical Approach™ and Hand-under-Hand® support, to improve daily interactions and connection with people experiencing brain change.
You’ll Learn To:
- Apply practical Snow Approach techniques to enhance understanding and reduce distress in care situations.
- Recognize changing abilities and adjust your approach for better outcomes.
- Build confidence in supporting individuals and peers through evidence-based communication.
You Will Be Licensed To:
- Demonstrate and explain the why behind Snow Approach techniques using Care Partner Skill Cards and other PAC-approved visual resources
- Support team learning through modeled interactions.
- Represent PAC in your role or organization as a Certified Dementia Champion.
Tier 2 On-Demand or In-Person
PAC Certified Dementia Educator
(PAC-CDE/L)
Develop your ability to teach and inspire others as a PAC Certified Dementia Educator.
This certification equips you to lead inservices, facilitate group discussions, and share PAC content effectively within your organization or community.
Must be a PAC Certified Dementia Champion to register for this tier, unless attending in-person option
In-Person option is located in Hillsborough, NC and includes all Tier 1 courses, quizzes, and materials.
You’ll Learn To:
- Teach foundational Snow Approach Skills using engaging, hands-on methods.
- Facilitate small-group sessions that strengthen understanding and empathy.
- Promote a positive, relationship-focused culture within your workplace or care setting.
You Will Be Licensed To:
- Deliver PAC-approved inservices using PAC’s licensed Educator materials.
- Present PAC core content for internal staff education.
- Represent PAC as a Certified Dementia Educator within your organization or region.
- Support curiosity-based solutions with Teepa’s Six Pieces of the Puzzle rather than quick fixes.
Tier 3 Live, Online
PAC Certified Dementia Trainer
(PAC-CDT/L)
Take your professional impact to the next level as a PAC Certified Dementia Trainer.
Learn to deliver dynamic, Teepa Snow Inspired workshops that help participants build skill, confidence, and compassion.
You’ll Learn To:
- Teach Snow Approach™ principles and techniques effectively in large or small group settings.
- Demonstrate advanced communication and care skills through live modeling and feedback.
- Foster deeper understanding and practical skill use among diverse learners.
- Use specific consulting cycles for proactive and responsive challenging moments to support a problem-solving approach.
You Will Be Licensed To:
- Lead PAC advanced training sessions and workshops using licensed Trainer materials.
- Facilitate structured skill-building sessions including role playing and in-the-moment coaching.
- Gain effective communication techniques and strategies to connect with people and know how to provide the right resources at the right time for care partners and people living with brain change.
- Represent PAC as a Certified Dementia Trainer and mentor new learners.
Tier 4 Live, In-Person
PAC Certified Dementia Coach
(PAC-CDC/L)
Become a trusted guide as a PAC Certified Dementia Coach.
This advanced course focuses on real-time observation, feedback, and support to help care partners and teams apply Snow Approach skills in practice.
You’ll Learn To:
- Provide individualized coaching using PAC’s positive, strengths-focused approach.
- Identify and respond to different GEMS States of Brain Change in real-world care settings.
- Guide others toward meaningful and sustainable skill growth, confidence, and engagement through Champion Courses and more.
You Will Be Licensed To:
- Offer Champion Courses and/or Brain Connection Café engagement sessions to your organization or community.
- Support learners’ certification journeys by observing, evaluating, and providing PAC-informed feedback.
- Represent PAC as a Certified Dementia Coach and collaborate with PAC Mentors to advance training in your region.
Included with Your PAC Certification
Showcase Your Accomplishment(s) with a Digital Badge from PAC
All current and new PAC Certified Community Members in good standing will receive a digital certification badge to showcase their achievements in email signatures or digital resumes, and on social media sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.
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