As many of you may have heard by now, within the next few months NCHM will roll out COS Advanced, the next generation of COS (Certified Occupancy Specialist). As NCHM President Glenn Stevens says in our summer newsletter (look for it in 2-3 weeks), the timing is right, and the need certainly exists for advanced occupancy training.
I’ve been around our industry for a long time now. One of the things I’ve noticed over the past few years is the speed – and frequency – with which HUD (and others) put out information on the Internet. As a result, housing management organizations are constantly trying to separate the wheat from the chaff and ensure that they are up-to-date on the latest wrinkles in HUD rules and guidance.
NCHM’s COS course is justly regarded as the “gold standard” by many housing management professionals. The skill sets provided in that course are absolutely, 100 percent essential. But there is so much more we can explore and discuss in connection with compliance, and it is that reality we seek to address with COS Advanced.
The new course will not focus on things already taught in COS, which is why a COS certification will be a prerequisite for admission to COS Advanced. We presume you already know how to calculate income, assets, allowances, TTP and assistance. And that presumption extends to knowing how to use and cite from the HUD Handbook 4350.3, Rev. 1.
While the new program will cover some topics that could not be shoehorned into COS (such as lease requirements and resolving TRACS-related issues), for the most part we’ll be addressing major compliance issues that have arisen both inside and outside the confines of HUD Handbook 4350.3. COS Advanced will emphasize problem-solving, analysis, and policy development.
In developing COS Advanced, NCHM consulted with many housing management organizations and industry executives. They gave unstintingly of their time, and provided important feedback on what they believe are the pressing needs of housing management organizations. We deeply appreciate their efforts.
I hope to see you at one of our COS Advanced training programs.