Virginia Association of Housing Counselors

Transcription

1 Virginia Association of Housing Counselors 2016 Annual Spring Conference May 2 - May 5 Chesapeake Marriott and Chesapeake Conference Center Housing Counselors: Meeting the Challenge

2 About the VAHC 2016 Annual Spring Conference Conference Overview The 2016 Annual Spring Conference is sponsored by the Virginia Association of Housing Counselors. This annual conference offers a variety of sessions for both new and experienced counselors. VAHC offers workshop sessions for continued education credits and housing counseling certification exams. We will offer four certifications: Certified Housing Counselor, Homeownership Counseling Comprehensive Certification, Housing Specialist - Rental Counseling Certification and Housing Specialist- Homeless Counseling Certification. This annual conference aims to bring together housing providers from across the state as well as other surrounding states that are passionate about preserving and creating affordable opportunities for all citizens. Who Should Attend The following organizations and groups are welcome to attend: Housing Authorities, Non Profit Organizations, Housing Advocacy Groups, Program Managers, Affordable Housing Advocates, Lenders, Social Workers, State & Local Government Agencies, Real Estate Agents, and Financial Counselors 2016 Spring Conference Top Ten Important Reminders 1. Conference Registration Deadline April 8 2. Hotel Registration Deadline for Conference Rate April Annual Membership Dues of $50.00 are due by April Scholarship applications will be accepted from January 11 January 29, CHC Exam will be Thursday, May 5 from 9:00 a.m. 12:00 Noon. 6. All Certification Exam Programs Registration Deadline March Annual Membership Meeting & Board Director Elections will be held on May 2, 2016 at 3:45 p.m. at the Chesapeake Convention Center. Board of Directors nominations will be accepted through March Housing Counselor Award nominations will be accepted through March Online registrations can be made at Conference Registration Fees are NON REFUNDABLE.

3 Conference Location and Accommodations Conference Location Chesapeake Conference Center 700 Conference Center Drive Chesapeake, VA Conference Hotel Marriott Chesapeake 725 Woodlake Drive Chesapeake, VA The hotel is holding a block of rooms at the group rate of $89.00 per night, plus taxes. This rate is good until April 5, The rooms are limited, so book early. To make a reservation, visit this link: Book your group rate for VAHC 2016 Spring Conference For additional information concerning hotel accommodations, contact us [email protected].

4 2016 Conference Events Scholarship Information VAHC is pleased to offer scholarships to qualified members to attend the 2016 Virginia Association of Housing Counselors Spring Conference. All applicants will be notified by February 15, Scholarships will only be accepted from January 11, 2016 to January 29, 2016 by 5:00 p.m. Applications can be submitted through our website at Please wait before you register for the conference or lodging until you have been notified of your scholarship request. Scholarship funds can be used for the following: certification exam training session, conference registration fees and conference hotel accommodations. Membership dues must be in good standing. For more information contact: Shelley Woods, Scholarship Chairperson at 2016 VAHC Board of Directors Elections We are looking for a renewal of fresh ideas, experience in the housing industry, and a desire to serve your fellow association members. Consider nominating yourself or one of your colleagues. Elections will be held Monday, May 2 during our annual membership meeting. Submit your nominations by March 25. For more information contact: Erica Singleton, Governance Chairperson at [email protected]. Elections will be held for the following offices: President (1 year term) 1st Vice - President 3rd Vice - President Treasurer Member At Large (Central, Western) VAHC Awards of Excellence Each year VAHC honors individuals throughout the state of Virginia that have demonstrated their commitment to improving the lives of families and the well-being of communities. Nominations are now being accepted for the following housing counseling awards: Rising Star of the Year, Housing Specialist of the Year, Outstanding Community Service, Mountain Mover and Agency of the Year. Individuals are encouraged to nominate themselves or other VAHC Counselors for their exemplary service. The winners will be honored during the Sponsorship & Awards Luncheon. Send your nomination form to Shelley Woods, Awards Chairperson at [email protected] by March 25. Conference Sponsorships Give your agency or organization maximum exposure at the 2016 VAHC Conference by becoming a sponsor and VAHC Housing Partner. There are various levels of sponsorship available with valuable benefits. For more information, contact Lydia Millington, Sponsorship/Fundraising Chairperson at [email protected].

5 VAHC 2016 Annual Spring Conference Certification Exam Programs - Register by March Certified Housing Counselor (CHC) emerging level of housing counseling skills for clients. This course equips new housing counselors with basic tools and techniques for housing counseling, adhering to code of conduct and ethics, identifying resources and referral opportunities, case management plans for credit and financial management; and comprehending fair housing laws. Exam required. Prerequisite for CHC Certification: Three to six months of experience as a Housing Counselor. Recommended within 6-12 months of employment. 2. Homeownership Counseling Comprehensive Certification (HCCC) intermediate level of housing counseling training skills by providing one-on-one pre-purchase counseling to clients. This course provides the key fundamentals, best practices, and techniques for working with firsttime homebuyers. The training components will address the core competencies in preparing clients for homeownership, budgeting and credit management, financing a home, selecting a home, maintaining a home, sustaining homeownership, and avoiding delinquency and foreclosure. Additional webinar training & exam required. Prerequisite for HCCC Certification: Six months of experience as a Housing Counselor. Recommended within 18 months of employment. 3. Housing Specialist - Rental Counseling Certification (HSRCC) advanced level of housing counseling training skills by providing key fundamentals for rental housing programs and resources to clients. This course provides key components that will address core competencies in preparing clients to search for rental housing, types of rental housing, fair housing, key provisions in the VA Landlord Tenant Act, reasonable accommodations/modifications, public housing, tenant based subsidies, project based subsidies, and rental delinquencies. Additional webinar training & exam required. Prerequisite for HSRCC Certification: Two years of experience as a Housing Counselor. Candidate must be a VAHC Certified Housing Counselor and provide two professional references. 4. Housing Specialist - Homeless Counseling Certification (HSHCC) advanced level of housing counseling training skills by providing key fundamentals for homeless housing programs and resources to clients. This course provides key components that will address core competencies in the history of homelessness, overview of a best practice homeless system, outreach and engagement, coordinated assessment, prevention and diversion, emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing, and the role of transitional housing. Additional webinar training & exam required. Prerequisite for HSHCC Certification: Two years of experience as a Housing Counselor. Candidate must be a VAHC Certified Housing Counselor and provide two professional references.

6 VAHC 2016 Annual Spring Conference Policies Registration Conference registration runs from January 1 - April 8, Registration can be made online or via mail. All registrations must include the registration form, payment and has to be received in our office by the registration deadline in order to receive the designated registration rate. Registration Payments Payments can be made online at our website or via regular mail through April 8, Payment is due with your registration and may be made by check, money order, or credit card. Refund/Cancellation Policy Registration and Certification Testing fees are non-refundable. We will offer a credit voucher to use within one year towards another VAHC conference or training event. Substitution Policy Substitution requests will be reviewed on a case by case basis for conference registration only. Not applicable to scholarship awards. Requests should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the conference. Special Needs If you have any special needs that should be addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act, contact us no later than two weeks prior to the conference. Attendance and CEU Credits Policy Please arrive promptly each day at the designated times for the conference sessions. CEU credits are awarded to participants who attend 100% of the workshop sessions. Each concurrent workshop offers 2 CEUs. VAHC will offer a maximum of 26 CEUs for the workshop sessions for this year s conference excluding certification testing participants. CEU credits for certification participants will be addressed during the certification training sessions. For additional questions about the Annual Spring Conference Contact us at [email protected]. Conference Registration Fees are NON REFUNDABLE. Conference Registration Deadline is Friday, April 8.

7 VAHC 2016 Spring Conference Registration Form CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS NON REFUNDABLE. Conference Registration Deadline Friday, April 8, 2016 Please note that online registration is available at If paying by check, you may submit this form along with your check made payable to Virginia Association of Housing Counselors and send to VAHC Treasurer c/o VHDA 601 S. Belvidere Street Richmond, VA Please complete all information and print legibly. Full Name: Organization: Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: Address: My contact information has changed. Please update VAHC website. Please indicate your conference attendance. Conference Workshops Sessions Certified Housing Counselor Exam (CHC) Homeownership Comprehensive Counseling Certification (HCCC) Housing Specialty: Rental Counseling Certification (HSRCC) Housing Specialty: Homeless Counseling Certification (HSHCC) Special Accommodations, Dietary Requests All registrations must include the registration form, payment and has to be received in our office by the registration deadline in order to receive the designated registration rate. Registration Summary Conference Fees Amount Enclosed Conference Workshops $ $ 2016 Membership Dues Due By April 30, 2016 Certified Housing Counselor Homeownership Comprehensive Counseling Certification Housing Specialist - Homeless Counseling Housing Specialist - Rental Counseling $50.00 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Total Enclosed $