2018 Annual Spring Conference April 30

18 Pages·2017·1.04 MB·English

[Date]

Virginia Association of
Housing Counselors, Inc.
2018 Annual Spring
Conference
April 30 - May 3

Sheraton Virginia Beach
Oceanfront Hotel

“Riding the Waves of Change: Capturing Ways to
Strengthen our Communities”
About the VAHC 2018 Annual Spring Conference
Conference Overview
The 2018 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 two certifications:
Certified Housing Counselor 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
2018 Spring Conference Top Ten Important Reminders

1. Conference Registration Deadline – April 2
2. Hotel Registration Deadline for Conference Rate – March 27
3. 2018 Annual Membership Dues of $50.00 are due by April 30.
4. Scholarship applications will be accepted from January 15 – January 31, 2018.
5. CHC Exam will be Thursday, May 3 from 9:00 a.m.—12:00 noon.
6. Homeless Counseling Certification Exam will be onl ine following conference
7. All Certification Exam Programs Registration Deadline ‐ April 2
8. Annual Membership Meeting & Board of Director Elections will be held on April
30, 2018 at 3:45 p.m. at the Sheraton Oceanfront Hotel. Board of Directors
nominations will be accepted through April 2.
9. Housing Counselor Award nominations will be accepted through April 2.
10. Online registrations can be made at www.vahousingcounselors.org.

Conference Registration Fees are NON‐REFUNDABLE.
2018 Conference Location and Accommodations
Conference Hotel & Location
Sheraton Virginia Beach
Oceanfront
3001 Atlantic Avenue
Virginia Beach, VA 23451

The hotel is holding a block of rooms at the group rate of $99.00 per night, plus
taxes. This rate is good until March 27, 2018. The rooms are limited, so book early.
You can access the site to book, modify, or cancel your hotel reservation or call toll free
888-627-8231 or visit the Sheraton Hotel link below:

Virginia Association of Housing Counselors 2018 (OR copy and paste the following link into a
web browser)
https://www.starwoodmeeting.com/events/start.action?id=1712079886&key=29367952
Be sure to mention “VAHC” to receive the discounted group rate.

For additional information concerning hotel accommodations, contact us
2018 Conference Events
Scholarship Information
VAHC is pleased to offer scholarships to qualified members to attend the 201 8 Virginia Association
of Housing Counselors Spring Conference. These scholarships will be available on a first -come, first-
served basis. Scholarships will only be accepted from January 1 5 through January 31,
2018 by 5:00 p.m. Applications can be submitted through our website at
www.vahousingcounselors.org. Please wait before you register for the conference or lodging until
you have been notified of your scholarship request. All applicants will be notified by February 12.
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: Erica Singleton, Scholarship Chairperson at
Conference Sponsorships
Give your agency or organization maximum exposure at the 2018 VAHC Conference by becoming a
sponsor and VAHC Housing Partner. There are various levels of sponsorship available with valuable
benefits. For more information, contact us at
VAHC 2018 Annual Spring Conference
Certification Exam Programs - Register by April 2
1. Certified Housing Counselor (CHC)
This certification program is designed for housing counselors and housing professionals pursuing an
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. Housing Specialist - Homeless Counseling Certification (HSHCC)
This certification program is designed for housing counselors and housing professionals pursuing an
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 .
VAHC 2018 Annual Spring Conference Policies

Pre-Registration
Regular conference registration runs from January 10- April 2. Late registration is April 3-
April 20th. Registration can be made online or via mail. All registrations must include the
registration form, payment and must be received in our office by the registration
deadline in order to receive the designated registration rate. The conference registration
fee for non - VAHC members is $500.00.

Registration Payments
Payments can be made online at our website www.vahousingcounselors.org or via regular mail
through April 2, 2018. Onsite registration is limited and will be based on conference registration.
Contact us prior to the conference to confirm if spacing is still available. Payment is due wit h your
registration and may be made by check, money order, or credit card via PayPal.

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 con ference 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 at
VAHC 2018 Annual Spring Conference
Sheraton Virginia Beach Oceanfront
“Riding the Waves of Change: Capturing Ways to Strengthen our
Communities”
April 30 – May 3, 2018
Conference Agenda
(Subject to Change)

Sunday, April 29

3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Conference Registration

Monday, April 30
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast

7:30 p.m. – 12:00 p.m. Conference Registration

8:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Opening Session

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Certified Housing Counselor (CHC) - Training Session
Housing Specialist Homeless Counseling Certification (HSHCC) - Training Session

10:30 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Morning Break

10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Certified Housing Counselor (CHC) - Training Session
Housing Specialist Homeless Counseling Certification (HSHCC) - Training Session
Concurrent Workshop
Concurrent Workshop

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Opening Luncheon

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Certified Housing Counselor (CHC) - Training Session
Housing Specialist Homeless Counseling Certification (HSHCC) - Training Session
Concurrent Workshop
Concurrent Workshop

3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Afternoon Break

3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Annual Membership Meeting & Board of Directors Election
6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. VAHC Networking Reception
Tuesday, May 1

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast

8:45 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Certified Housing Counselor (CHC) - Training Session
Housing Specialist Homeless Counseling Certification (HSHCC) - Training Session
Concurrent Workshop
Concurrent Workshop

10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Morning Break

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Certified Housing Counselor (CHC) - Training Session
Housing Specialist Homeless Counseling Certification (HSHCC) - Training Session
Concurrent Workshop
Concurrent Workshop

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Sponsorship & Housing Counseling Awards Luncheon
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Certified Housing Counselor (CHC) - Training Session
Housing Specialist Homeless Counseling Certification (HSHCC) - Training Session
Concurrent Workshop
Concurrent Workshop

3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Afternoon Break

3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Certified Housing Counselor (CHC) - Training Session
Housing Specialist Homeless Counseling Certification (HSHCC) - Training Session
Concurrent Workshop
Concurrent Workshop

6:00 p.m. – Until Membership Night
Wednesday, May 2

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Continental Breakfast

8:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Certified Housing Counselor (CHC) - Training Session
Housing Specialist Homeless Counseling Certification (HSHCC) - Training Session
Concurrent Workshop
Concurrent Workshop

10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Morning Break

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Certified Housing Counselor (CHC) - Training Session
Housing Specialist Homeless Counseling Certification (HS HCC) - Training Session
Concurrent Workshop
Concurrent Workshop

12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. LUNCH ON YOUR OWN

2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Certified Housing Counselor (CHC) - Training Session
Housing Specialist Homeless Counseling Certification (HS HCC) - Training Session
Concurrent Workshop
Concurrent Workshop

3:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Afternoon Break

3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Certified Housing Counselor (CHC) - Training Session
Housing Specialist Homeless Counseling Certification (HS HCC) - Training Session
Concurrent Workshop
Concurrent Workshop

6:00 p.m. – Until NIGHT ON YOUR OWN

Thursday, May 3
8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Closing Session

Certification Exam Training Session Agenda

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Certified Housing Counselor (CHC) Exam Review

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Housing Specialist Homeless Counseling Certification - Training Session
HSHCC (Lunch provided)
VAHC 2018 Spring Conference Registration Form
CONFERENCE REGISTRATION IS NON‐REFUNDABLE.
Conference Registration Deadline Monday, April 2, 2018
Please note that online registration is available at www.vahousingcounselors.org. 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, P. O. Box 36241, North Chesterfield, VA 23235,
804-453-8896. Please complete all information and print legibly . If you are registering for multiple
people, please provide everyone’s full name, emai l address and specify : dues, workshops, CHC or
HSHCC.
Full Name:
Organization:
Address:
City: State: Zip:
Phone:
Email Address:
My contact information has changed. Please update VAHC website.

Please indicate your conference attendance.
Conference Workshops Sessions Certified Housing Counselor Exam (CHC)

Housing Specialist 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 Only $350.00 $
January 15 – April 2,
2018
Conference Workshops Only $500.00 $
for Non- members
January 15 – April 2, 2018
2018 Annual Membership $50.00 $
Dues
Due By April 30, 2018
Certified Housing Counselor $400.00 $
(CHC) Exam & Training
Manual
Last day to Register
April 2, 2018
Housing Specialist – $450.00 $
Homeless Counseling
Certification (HSHCC)
Choose one.
Last day to Register
April 2 2018
Additional Late Fee for $30.00
Registration
April 3 – April 20, 2018
No registrations will be
accepted after April 20th.
Total Enclosed $