To get started on your “Certified Aging In Place Specialist (CAPS)” designation, or to complete it if you already have begun the program but need a class or two to complete it. There are new dates and locations added throughout the year (and some that were already conducted this year will be added back into next year's calendar), so if you don't see one at the time of year you'd like to take it, or you want one a little closer to you, contact Steve to see if anything might be in the works to help you. You can also discuss the possibility of having a course scheduled for your organization or area by contacting Steve and discussing this directly with him.

Each course that you register for is $335 for non-members of NAHB and $300 for NAHB members – regardless of where they are held, but a discount is available for all three classes when they are selected at the same time, making them $900 or $865, respectively.

All three classes are required for your CAPS designation although you can take any of the classes at any time, even out of order although this is not recommended. Any CAPS I or CAPS II classes that have been taken at an earlier time do not need to be repeated (however, if it's been more than two years since you took them, it is recommended that you take them anew for a refresher and updated information as well as the 6 hours of CEU credit for each).

After completion of the coursework, it takes up to 6 weeks or so (occasionally a little longer – especially considering events such as the Covid-19 which is affecting office time) to get the official notification from NAHB and then you can apply for your actual designation. This application (“graduation”) process is a one-time $75 (downloadable paper certificate) or $110 (framed certificate and lapel pin) for NAHB members and $145 or $218, respectively, for non-members. There is no difference in which you pick – both give you the same standing. There is an annual renewal fee of $55 for members and $83 for non-members as well as a CEU requirement of 12-hours every three years.

In the past couple of years, Steve has conducted classes in many cities, including Bath, ME; Baton Rouge, LA; Braselton, GA; Charlotte, NC; Chattanooga, TN; Cincinnati, OH; Danvers, MA; Davenport, IA; Des Peres, MO; Dothan, AL; Euless, TX; Gainesville, GA; Kalamazoo, MI; Kenosha, WI; Knoxville, TN; Manassas, VA; Manhattan, KS; Mason, OH; Morgantown, WV; Murfreesboro, TN; New Orleans, LA; North Canton, OH; Palm Coast, FL; Pittsfield, MA; Rochester, NY; Sarasota, FL; South Prince George, VA; Springfield, MA; Springfield, MO; St. Peters, MO; Tampa, FL; Waterloo, IA; and West Palm Beach, FL; and Wilmington, NC.

Other noteworthy dates and observances for Aging In Place professionals:

January – “National Bath Safety Month” | “National Glaucoma Awareness Month”

February – “AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month” | “National Burn Awareness Week” (February 2-8, 2020)

March – “International Listening Month” | “World Plumbing Day” (March 11th annually) | “Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month” | “Brain Injury Awareness Month” | “Save Your Vision Month” | “National Nutrition Month” | “American Diabetes Alert Day” (March 24, 2020 – 4th Tuesday of March) | “National MS Awareness Week” (March 8-14, 2020) | “Brain Health Awareness Week” (March 16-22, 2020) | “National Doctor’s Day” (March 30th annually)

April – “National Occupational Therapy Month” | “National Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month” | “National Public Health Week (April 6-12) | “National Autism Awareness Month” | “Distracted Driving Awareness Month” | “National Pet Day” (April 11th annually)

May – “National Remodeling Month” | “National Mobility Awareness Month” | “National Older Americans Month” | “Building Safety Month Week One: ‘Building Solutions for All Ages'” | “Better Hearing & Speech Month” | “National Nurses Week” (May 6th-12th annually) | “National Stroke Awareness Month” | “ALS Awareness Month” | “Arthritis Awareness Month” | “Healthy Vision Month” | “National Senior Health & Fitness Day” (May 30th annually) | “World MS Awareness Day”( May 30th annually) | “National Critical Care Awareness & Recognition Month” | “National Mental Health Awareness Month”

June – “National Home Safety Month” | “National Safety Month” | “National Men’s Health Month” | “National Home Ownership Month” | “Hand Therapy Awareness Week” (June 7-13, 2020) | “National Nursing Assistants Week” (June 18–24, 2020)

July – “UV Safety Month” | “Americans with Disabilities Act Day” (July 26, South Dakota).

August – “National Cataract Awareness Month” | “National Children’s Eye & Safety Month” | “Safe & Sound Week” (August 12-18, 2020) | “National Senior Citizen Day” (August 21, 2020)

September – “Falls Prevention Month” | “Falls Prevention Awareness Day” (September 23, 2019) | “Massachusetts Universal Design & Assistive Technology Month” | “National Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month” | “National Women’s Health Month” | “Healthy Aging Month” | “National Grandparents Day” (September 13, 2020) | “National Assisted Living Week” (September 13-19, 2020) | “National Tradesmen Day” (September 18, 2120) | “World Alzheimer’s Day” (September 21, 2019) |  “National Coffee Day” (September 29, 2019)

October – “National Physical Therapy Month” | “Disabled Awareness Month” | “National Kitchen & Bath Month” | “National Aging in Place Week” (National Aging In Place Council, October 10-16) | “Active Aging Week” (October 5-11, 2020 / October 4-10, 2021) | “Emergency Nurses Week” (October 11-17, 2020) | “National Gerontological Nursing Week” (October 1-7, 2020) | “Pediatric Nurses Week” (October 7-11, 2019) | “World Occupational Therapy Day” (October 27, 2019) | “World Stroke Day” (October 29, 2019)

November – “American Diabetes Month” | “COPD Awareness Month” | “National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month” | “National Family Caregivers Month” | “National Home Care & Hospice Month”

December – “International Day of Persons with Disabilities” (December 3rd annually) | “Older Driver Safety Awareness Week” (December 3-8, 2018) | “Good Riddance Day” (December 28th annually)