ACAPcommunity is growing! Conversations are either scheduled or being planned for areas in Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Virginia! If you are interested in helping begin an ACAP chapter in your area, please let us know! We will be happy to talk with you!
Establishing an ACAPcommunity Chapter
What is an ACAP chapter?
ACAPcommunity offers an array of services that support adult-child caregivers as they care for their aging parents and for themselves. ACAP chapters are just one of our unique services. If you are an adult-child caregiver or other family caregiver, a professional serving people who are aging, or any other community and aging advocate, you may establish an ACAP chapter!
Begin by confirming that ACAPcommunity is a model of interest to you and the adult-child caregivers in your community. Please pay special attention to ACAP Guiding Principles.
How do I Begin?
- After confirming that ACAPcommunity is of interest to you and adult-child caregivers in your community, contact ACAPcommunity through our website (www.ACAPcommunity.com), email (info@ACAPcommunity.com) or telephone (toll-free, 1-877-599-ACAP / 1-877-599-2227) to become familiar with the application process. ACAPcommunity staff is available to answer your questions and guide you through the application process.
- Click on this link to complete the application on-line and e-mail it to us at info@ACAPcommunity.com . If you prefer, you may mail your completed application to us: ACAPcommunity, PO Box 8278, Morganton, NC 28680-8278
- Talk with adult-child caregivers and professionals in your community. Where do adult-child caregivers go for information, resources, support, and community? What are their most pressing needs? Does the ACAPcommunity model of face-to-face meetings appeal to them? Is there a need and is there support for an ACAPcommunity chapter?
- Identify a chapter coordinator. Is there one person who is prepared to dedicate approximately 15 hours a month to operate and maintain an ACAP chapter? For information about this role, click here to download an ACAP Chapter Coordinator description.
- Identify a chapter steering committee. Who are the community leaders who will help you establish an ACAP chapter?
- ACAPcommunity requires $5,000 to launch a chapter. Of this amount, $2,500 will remain in your community to launch your chapter. The remaining $2,500 will provide you with chapter development materials and support.
- Once accepted as an ACAP chapter, your community will be listed as an ACAP chapter-in-development for your first year of offering programs. After your first year of successfully offering programs, your community will be asked to participate in an evaluation process to ensure that ACAPcommunity and your chapter are working together to offer a viable and well-respected resource in your community.
- Following a successful evaluation process, you will be considered to be an ACAP chapter in good standing for three years. ACAPcommunity will require an evaluation at the end of the three-year period, then annually, thereafter, to maintain your status as an ACAP chapter.
How do I Submit a Successful Chapter Application?
Please keep in mind that ACAPcommunity staff is available to help you! To submit a successful ACAP chapter application, you must:
- Identify at least one champion to guide the chapter’s establishment
- Establish a diverse group of leaders to serve on a steering committee
- Raise the funds necessary to launch a chapter
- Complete the application and send to ACAPcommunity