TO: CAI FLORIDA CHAPTERS
FROM: CAI EDUCATION DEPT.
RE: UPDATE ON FLORIDA EDUCATION COURSES WITH DEPT. OF BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL REGULATION
DATE: 9/12/08
What is this program?
CAI has had a contract with the state of Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to offer training to condominium and cooperative owners since 2004. These courses have been free to attendees, as the DBPR has funded these courses through the $4 assessment paid by all unit owners in registered condominium and cooperative associations. CAI successfully fulfilled the contract offering educational courses to Florida residents in recent years. CAI Chapters have been a key contributor in making these courses possible.
Why aren’t these courses being offered now?
For the past few years the courses have been offered from September to May. This year the contract was completed, and not renewed. The Florida DBPR decided to revisit how they deliver education. They have put out a new RFP, and CAI is considering its options in responding.
Will the courses be offered again in the future?
The law requires that the DBPR provide education to residents, but does not mandate how that education is delivered. At this point we don’t know enough to comment on what form that education might take going forward, or when it would be delivered.
What do we tell residents who ask about these courses?
Here are a few points:
q The courses CAI has done with the chapters and the state in the past will not be offered this fall, but the state is looking at alternatives for offering education in the future.
q Residents are free to check the DBPR, CAI, and chapter web sites for updates in coming weeks and months.
q Residents can share their ideas and opinions through their normal state representative channels.
q CAI will continue to make available at no cost two online courses and a free publication to the public at http://www.caielearning.org/home/
a. Florida Condominium Association Operations
b. Florida Cooperative Association Operations
c. An Introduction to Community Association Living
q For more information about our Florida education programs, please feel free to refer people to: CAI Florida Condominium and Cooperative Education
Who can we call with questions?
q For questions and comments about the future of Florida education contact Florida DBPR or your state representatives.
q For questions about CAI programs, contact me.
Regards,
Sara
.................................................................
Sara E. Drake
Senior Education Coordinator
Community Associations Institute
225 Reinekers Lane, Suite 300
Alexandria, VA 22314
703.548.8600 main
703.797.6284 direct
www.caionline.org
