The President's Budget will be released in February.  The Office of Management and Budget has released a Fact Sheet in light on the State of the Union that addresses issues that Community Action will want to pay attention and look for in the eventual budget.  This includes a project to help families in crisis gain stability and move to self sufficiency.  This would help stabilize families in crisis and position them to move towards self-sufficiency- the Budget will propose Emergency Aid and Service Connection Grants, a new $2 billion initiative to test innovative State and local approaches to aid families facing financial crisis.  Granted this and the other items in the Fact Sheet will be budget proposals, it is exciting to read about potential new initiatives to increase economic mobility, opportunity and community revitalization! 

From the Office of Management and Budget:

The Fact Sheet starts....In the days immediately following the State of the Union, Cabinet officials are embarking on the "State of the Union: Cabinet In Your Community" road tour to engage Americans in small towns, big cities and Indian country about the advancements the Administration has made on the most important issues facing the American people, as well as the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. As the President made clear in his State of the Union address, the true test is not the challenges we face, but how we approach those challenges. That's why the President and his Cabinet will use this last year to continue driving toward solutions that will move this country forward for generations to come, while highlighting the progress that has been made over the past seven years.

As we settle in to the New Year, many Americans are already keeping an eye on their mailbox for tax forms. January means tax season is just around the corner. As you begin to make a plan for gathering the information you need to file your taxes, it's important to remember that, just like last year, information about your health coverage is now a part of the tax filing process.

Having health insurance when you can afford it is the law. If you had coverage in 2015 - either through the Health Insurance Marketplace or another source like your employer, Medicare or Medicaid - you'll need to indicate that when you file your tax return. If you could have afforded health insurance, but you chose not to enroll in coverage for 2015, you may be required to pay a fee when you file your federal income tax return.

Click below to read this whole article:

Blog link (English): http://blog.cms.gov/2016/01/08/getting-ready-for-tax-season/
Blog link (Español): http://blog.cms.gov/2016/01/08/preparese-para-la-temporada-de-impuestos/

An anti-poverty initiative in New York is using many principles shared by Community Action to reduce poverty and increase self-sufficiency in the Greater Rochester area. The goals and background of the Initiative, including the recently released report and partner organizations can be found here.

Members of the initiative, including the CEO of Action for a Better Community, Inc, James Norman, have published opinion pieces in the Democrat & Chronicle discussing the three overarching themes of the initiative: Community Building, Trauma, and Structural Racism. View the pieces below.

When:
Part One: January 21, 2016 at 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST

Part Two: February 4, 2016 at 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST

Sponsor: Stanford Social Innovation Review

What are the implications of the U.S. Financial Diaries and other research and how can they provide insights to help families escape poverty, build stability, move up the ladder, and invest in the future? These webinars will provide a look at innovative policies, products, and programs that seek to help households make ends meet, build security and stability, and invest for the future. Presenters will also share innovative efforts in all sectors of society-from financial tech start-ups, to new policy approaches at all levels of government, and everything in between.

Are you a candidate for Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP)?  Think you may want to pursue CCAP and looking for information?  Then the CCAP Wednesday Webinar series is a great place to start.

Becoming a CCAP is a three step process in which your peers assess your experience, skills and knowledge about Community Action. CCAPs have met the challenge to embody Community Action vision and values and to acquire the management and leadership skills it takes to be keepers of the Community Action Promise.

If you become a candidate, you will be asked to:

STEP 1. Chronicle your experiences in the Candidate Data Form
Webinar completed December 9 - access a recording here

STEP 2. Showcase your skills in an Executive Skills Portfolio
STEP 3: Demonstrate your practical knowledge about Community Action in the national examination
Webinar March 30, 2:00 ET/1:00 CT/12:00 MT/11:00 PT

Register for the next webinar here.

• To learn more about the benefits of membership, click here.
• To download a membership form, click here.
• To apply online, please click here.