Scholarships

CHA-Scholarship Program

Supporting HACB's Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Initiatives

At HACB, we believe every homeless individual deserves access to a qualified and compassionate homelessness advocate who can assist in navigating the challenges of homelessness and ensure their rights and needs are respected.

The Homelessness Advocate Certification Board Announces Formation of a Scholarship Program

The HomelessnessAdvocate Certification Board (HACB) has initiated a scholarship program aimed at supporting individuals actively involved in homelessness advocacy within all sector. Here’s an overview of the key features of this program:

Program Objective: The scholarship program is designed to offer financial assistance to individuals dedicated to advocating for the homelessness needs of homeless individuals. By promoting diversity among professionals holding the Board Certified Homelessness Advocate (HACB) credential, the program aims to strengthen efforts to address homelessness within the systems.

Scholarship Benefits:

Recipients of the scholarship receive complimentary access to a practice examination, allowing them to adequately prepare for the certification process.

Additionally, scholarship recipients are provided with the opportunity to apply for the HACB Examination once, with all associated costs covered by the scholarship.

Recipients have a two-year window from the date of the award to take advantage of the scholarship benefits.

To be eligible, recipients must demonstrate compliance with all current eligibility requirements for initial certification at the time of examination application.

Scholarship Value: Each scholarship holds a monetary value of covering expenses related to both the practice examination and the HACB Examination application.

Scholarship Availability: The number of scholarships awarded annually depends on the availability of funds. The program aims to distribute a minimum of two scholarships per year.

Eligibility Criteria:

The scholarship program is open to individuals who have not yet applied for initial certification.

Applicants are allowed to apply for multiple categories, but they can only receive a maximum of one scholarship per year.

Separate applications must be submitted for each category to which an individual applies.

This scholarship opportunity empowers individuals engaged in homelessness advocacy within healthcare settings by providing them with the necessary resources to obtain the HACB credential. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply, ensuring alignment with the eligibility criteria and adherence to the application process outlined by the Homelessness Advocate Certification Board.

Scholarship Categories

Diversity and Inclusion

“Diversity and Inclusion” in the context of homelessness advocacy extends to embracing a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives among patient and healthcare advocates. This includes individuals who reflect various aspects of diversity within the certified population, with a particular focus on addressing homelessness. Here’s how this concept applies:

Scope of Diversity: The term encompasses a broad spectrum of characteristics, such as socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals with disabilities, among others.
Primary Criteria: Individuals seeking certification under the category of “Diversity and Inclusion” must self-identify as such in their application. Additionally, they must fulfill all other eligibility requirements, including submitting two letters of recommendation. Detailed information on eligibility criteria can be found in the Candidate Handbook.

In the context of homelessness advocacy, fostering diversity and inclusion among patient and healthcare advocates is crucial. By embracing a diverse range of backgrounds and perspectives, including those directly impacted by homelessness, advocates can better understand and address the complex challenges faced by homeless individuals. This approach enhances the effectiveness and inclusivity of advocacy efforts aimed at addressing homelessness within healthcare systems.

Under Resourced Populations

“Advocates Working with Under-Resourced Populations” play a crucial role in homelessness advocacy, focusing on addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness. Here’s how this category aligns with homelessness advocacy:

Scope of Under-Resourced Populations: This category encompasses individuals who work with populations that receive fewer healthcare services, encounter barriers to accessing primary needs (such as economic, cultural, or linguistic barriers), lack familiarity with the healthcare system, and face shortages of available supplies. Homeless individuals often fall within this under-resourced population due to the complex interplay of socioeconomic factors contributing to their homelessness.

Primary Criteria: Individuals seeking certification under this category must self-identify as advocates working with under-resourced populations in their application. They must also meet all other eligibility requirements, including submitting two letters of recommendation, as outlined in the Candidate Handbook.

In the realm of homelessness advocacy, advocates working with under-resourced populations play a vital role in ensuring that homeless individuals receive equitable access to healthcare services. By addressing barriers to healthcare access and advocating for the needs of homeless individuals within the healthcare system, these advocates contribute to improving homelessness outcomes and promoting social justice for marginalized populations. Their efforts are essential in addressing the root causes of homelessness and creating a more inclusive and accessible beneficial system for all.

Scholarship and Application Details

Includes:

One-time registration fee for the Certified Homelessness Advocate (CHA) computer-based examination.
Access to the Practice Test.

Scholarship Eligibility:

Can demonstrate equivalent experience (either paid or volunteer). Equivalent experience must be documented and cite as many of HACB’s Knowledge, Skill, and Ability statements as are applicable.
Be a first-time candidate

Submission Process:

Step One: Establish eligibility to sit for the Board Certified Homelessness Advocate Exam. Complete the First-Time Candidate application. Complete instructions for accessing the application are available here including:

Two letters of recommendation.
Narrative demonstrating equivalent experience for applicants that have not earned a Bachelors Degree or higher.
Complete all sections of the application EXCEPT submission of payment.
Save the application and contact HACB’s team of reviewers. The application will be reviewed.

If eligibility is approved, the review team will provide access to a scholarship application form.

Important!

Application for the scholarship is limited to individuals who have completed the required eligibility review. Applicants must submit all recommendation letters through our application system. HACB cannot accept recommendation letters directly from applicants. We encourage applicants to request recommendation letters early in the application process. Letters should provide insight into your character, academic or career and volunteer accomplishments, work ethic, and values. May be written by work or volunteer colleagues, professors, etc., but should not come from a family member.

Step Two: Once eligibility has been approved, complete the online certification scholarship application.

Use the following selection criteria to help describe why you wish to receive the scholarship and how it will assist in supporting HACB’s efforts to enhance Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity in Patient and Health Care Advocacy.

Selection Criteria

30% Experience or progression toward career plans in patient and health care advocacy.
20% Volunteer activity and/or community service.
30% Resiliency and ability to manage adversity.
20% Reference letters

Decisions

Applications are reviewed and scored by PACB volunteers and also reviewed by staff. All decisions are final. Applicants must compile all documentation, including letters of recommendation, before submitting..

Additional Details

HACB does not reimburse for review courses or educational programs, learning system fees, transfer fees, or any associated expenses.
By accepting the HACB scholarship, you are consenting to allow the Homelessness Advocate Certification Board to use without limitation, and in any media, your name, city, state, photos, and captions (if uploaded), and verbiage for marketing and promotional purposes.
For questions, please email admin@hacboard.org.

Note: the following are NOT eligible for a HACB certification scholarship: Members of the HACB board of directors or national office staff and individuals who have previously held (or currently hold) the HACB credential.