At Spring Board we had the privilege of having Brian Bixler, CAPS, from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provide an update on the VA’s efforts reach out to our CAPS members through the Specially Adaptive Housing Program.

The Veterans Administration has increased funding for disabled vets to help make their homes safer and easier to live in. For any of our CAPS contractors who have not worked with the VA in the past, the time to do so is now. The administration is interested in CAPS remodelers because of our expertise in home modification and our inherent ability to solve problems. The VA has been streamlining their procedures to make the process more user-friendly, which has been an obstacle for some of us in the past. Satellite offices are set up across the country to assist our vets in obtaining funding and helping find suitable contractors for their necessary projects. CAPS designees are encouraged to seek out the VA office in their area to become a service provider for this worthwhile cause. Often by building this relationship with the VA your company can become a go-to company.  

In this same vein, CAPS contractors should still be looking to strengthen their alliances with local Occupational Therapists and Physical Therapists. Numbers show an increase of these professionals attending the CAPS courses. Many are looking to understand the contractor’s role and how it can be implemented in the care of others. These dedicated professionals often look to help patients in all aspects of their lives. Contractors can be the problem solver willing to assist. As a CAPS contractor you have the expertise to aid and execute modifications needed to increase quality of life for someone.

Fall Board is right around the corner and will be held in Chicago, September 30 – October 2. Registration information can be found at www.nahb.org/fallboard.

I invite anyone interested in becoming part of the process to attend this event. For members who have not attended in the past you will be able to see how your National Association of Home Builders works for you, attend committee meetings, meet builders and remodelers from across the country and get to know some of the national leadership.  

For those unable to make Fall Board, the Remodeling Show will also be held in the Midwest this year in Indianapolis on October 28 - 30. More information can be found at www.nahb.org/remodelingshow. Besides discovering new products, you can attend classes and events, and meet with some of the best remodelers in the country. We look forward to seeing you there.

One final opportunity is the future possibility of other CAPS courses. 2008 CAPS Board of Governors Chair Sherry Schwab had asked another former Chair, Bill Owens, to look into the feasibility of developing advanced classes. The need exists to fill the continuing education commitments for our members and to bring more professionals into the fold. We have already seen the increase of professionals outside the building community and we need to help bridge this gap. As Chairman of this Board I look forward to an update on these and other opportunities for all our CAPS members in the future.

Best Regards,

Daryl Kemp, CGR, CAPS, GMB   [ return to top ]