Program Guidelines and Application for 2024
Virginia AIRS (VAIRS) encourages the professional development of its members and offers an Inform USA Certification Scholarship Program to encourage Information & Referral specialists to become Inform USA certified. Inform USA Certification is a professional credentialing program for individuals working within the I&R sector of human services. Certification improves the professionalism of the I&R field and the quality of service provided to the public. Inform USA Certification benefits I&R specialists, the agencies where they work, and the communities they serve. Certification validates I&R skills and knowledge, provides a transferable qualification, and recognizes the professionalism of I&R practice. Visit Inform USA Certification for more information.
Virginia AIRS is pleased to offer scholarships to I&R professionals in the state of Virginia to cover the cost of the application fee for a new Inform USA certification (Community Resource Specialist; Community Resource Specialist – Aging/Disabilities; and Community Resource Specialist – Database Curator). Recertification and exam retakes are not covered under this program. Scholarships are available for specialists from VAIRS member organizations (including individual members); scholarships are not available for non-members. We strongly encourage interested non-members to join VAIRS by becoming a member of Inform USA, click here for more information.
The scholarship will also cover the cost of the online Proctor fee where an applicant will use remote proctoring to take their certification exam.
Under the VAIRS Certification Scholarship Program, applicants awarded a scholarship will complete their certification application online through Inform USA and will be provided with a special discount code to use at checkout.
Scholarships will be awarded on a rolling basis until funds have been expended or the end of the calendar year (December, 2024). VAIRS reserves the right to limit the number of scholarships offered to individual organizations to help ensure that this opportunity is available to members throughout the state.
If you have questions about this opportunity, please contact Nanette Relave, VAIRS president, at nrelave@advancingstates.org. Early submission of scholarship applications is encouraged.
General Eligibility Criteria:
Applicant must be a VAIRS member (platinum, gold, silver, or individual member) in good standing. Commercial associates are not eligible for a certification scholarship.
Applicant must work in an agency/organization that provides I&R services.
Applicant’s current position must include at least one of the following tasks:
- I&R or I&R/A Provision.
- Resource Database management or development.
- Management or supervision for above tasks.
Requirements:
Applicant must complete the online VAIRS Certification Scholarship Application.
Following award of a certification scholarship, applicant will need to complete the certification exam application online through Inform USA. A discount code will be provided to use at checkout.
Please note:
Award of a certification scholarship does not constitute registration for the Inform USA Certification exam. If you are interested in testing, all certification materials, including the certification exam application and supporting documentation, must be submitted to Inform USA and must be submitted 30 days prior to the exam date.
Submit the application online; visit Inform USA for details. DO NOT SEND your application for Certification to VAIRS. If an application is submitted to an organization other than Inform USA, it will not be processed, and the applicant will be unable to sit for the exam.
Applicant must plan to take their certification exam by December 31, 2024.