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 HHS EXPANDS HEAD START IN FLINT, MI
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today announced that Head Start and Early Head Start services will expand immediately in Flint, Michigan to help children and families exposed to lead in the city's water supply. The expansion was made possible through one-time emergency funds of $3.6 million and is one of several steps HHS is taking as the agency designated to lead the federal response and recovery effort in Flint.
 "Early education is one of the most important things we can do to help children overcome the effects of lead," said Dr. Nicole Lurie, HHS Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. "This funding for Head Start and Early Head Start will allow Flint's existing Head Start programs to provide enhanced and expanded services, including additional classrooms, home visiting support, and transportation for families who need to visit the doctor." HHS' Office of Head Start is working directly with the three agencies that currently provide Head Start and Early Head Start services to children and families in Flint. These programs provide comprehensive early learning, health, and family well-being services to 1,011 Head Start children and 166 Early Head Start children in the city of Flint.
"Head Start's unique local model allowed us work with the grantees to quickly identify what could be done to respond to certain needs of the community," said Dr. Blanca Enriquez, Director of the Office of Head Start. "These services can begin quickly, serving children for the remainder of this school year and in some cases throughout the next school year. The Office of Head Start is proud to be part of the solution in Flint." Click here to read more.
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NASCSP HAS TWO POSITIONS OPEN
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NASCSP IS HIRING!
Responses accepted through March 24,2016
Energy Services Director
The Energy Services Director provides oversight and management to all NASCSP Energy Efficiency initiatives, including the Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) grants and other energy related projects. S/he will develop a deep knowledge of the Association membership, manage advocacy efforts, T/TA strategies and business plans, relationships with funders, the media, government, and organizational partners. Click here for information. CSBG State Assistance Director
The CSBG State Assistance Director provides oversight and management to all NASCSP CSBG initiatives, including the Health and Human Services (HHS) CSBG grants and other related projects. S/he will develop a deep knowledge of the association's membership, manage NASCSP's CSBG T/TA strategies projects, business plans, and advocacy efforts. Click here for information. |
ECONOMIC POLICY INSTITUTE: THE STATE OF AMERICAN RETIREMENT
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 The Economic Policy Institute (EPI) published a retirement inequality chartbook last week: The State of American Retirement, How 401 (k)s have failed most American workers.
The report includes two sections, 1) "How will working families fare in retirement" and 2) "How are older Americans faring in retirement." With charts and figures created to be downloaded and shared on social media, this chartbook can be used for community needs assessments, advocacy efforts, and awareness campaigns.
The report concludes that, "The trends exhibited in these figures paint a picture of increasingly inadequate savings and retirement income for successive generations of Americans-and growing disparities by income, race, ethnicity, education, and marital status. Women, who by some measures are narrowing gaps with men, remain much more vulnerable in retirement due to lower lifetime earnings and longer life expectancies. Decades after the number of active participants in 401(k)-style plans edged out those in traditional pensions, 401(k)s are not delivering substantial income in retirement, and that income is not equally shared..." Read the report and download the charts here.
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STATE OF THE STATES REPORT FOR 2015
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 In 2014, more than one in seven Americans-46.7 million people-lived below the official federal poverty level of less than $24,000 per year for a family of four. The child poverty rate in the United States was 20.7% in 2014 with state ranges from 12.1% to 29.1% of children living in families surviving under the poverty level. Last month, Center for American Progress released their 2015 State of the States Report that details 2014 state-by-state poverty statistics and state policies that have helped or hindered change. The report highlights specific states that have anti-poverty policy best practices, and those that implemented policies that negatively impacted those in poverty with regards to each social indicator. For example, with a national disconnected youth rate of 16% (share of youth ages 18-24 who were not in school or working), Iowa enacted the Apprenticeship and Job Training Act to increase upward mobility. SNAP lifted 4.7 million Americans out of poverty in 2014, and California made more gains by broadening categorical eligibility, removing the ban for people with felony drug convictions, and linking energy assistance with SNAP eligibility.
Read the full report for state comparisons and the "good, the bad, and the ugly" in anti-poverty policy. Download your state's report to get the best and the worst of your state, the stats on Poverty and Inequality, Jobs and Education, Family Stability and Strength, and Family Economic Security. Share the state report with your partners, use the data for your community needs assessment, and use the statistics and rankings to ground your state advocacy efforts.
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RURAL IMPACT-VISTA LEADER NEEDED
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The Partnership has a wonderful opportunity that it would like CAAs to share with former VISTAs who have served locally in the past. We are in search of a VISTA Leader for the Rural IMPACT Project. Rural IMPACT Project is a one-year project aimed to reduce child poverty in rural and tribal areas using the two-generation approach. This important initiative is a collaboration between the White House Rural Council (WHRC), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Corporation of National and Community Service and other government agencies. The VISTA Leader will work closely with the Partnership team to support systems-level changes which will promote the long-term sustainability of two generation approaches being implemented in 10 Rural IMPACT sites nationally. Additionally, the VISTA Leader will be responsible for supporting the coordination of 20 VISTA volunteers located at the Rural IMPACT lead organizations, engaging in Rural IMPACT Communications management, and facilitating Rural IMPACT data collection and analysis support.
Program benefits include: Living Allowance, Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend , Health Coverage* and Training .
A bachelor's degree and a minimum of one (1) year of experience as a VISTA or AmeriCorps State Volunteer is required to be considered for the VISTA Lead position. MPA or related Master's degree preferred.
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OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR PATHWAYS TO EXCELLENCE INITIATIVE
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The Community Action Partnership is excited to announce the second open enrollment training in the re-launch of its Pathways to Excellence Initiative. Pathways is the Partnership's premier organizational capacity building initiative. Just as the new CSBG organizational standards developed by the Center of Excellence in collaboration with the Community Action Network define the basic minimum requirements an agency must meet, the Standards of Excellence represent the highest level of management and
More information about Pathways, enrollment costs, and the application form are accessible on the Partnership's website here. The next open enrollment training for any interested agency will be offered in New Orleans, LA on May 24-25. Enrollment space in this training is limited, so applications will be processed on a first-come-first-serve basis - contact the Partnershipsoon if you are interested. State-Based Pathways trainings, typically sponsored by the State Association or CSBG Office, can be scheduled year round at the convener's convenience. Both Pathways options typically aim to enroll between four to seven agencies per training to ensure participants receive maximum support from the Partnership staff and consultants.
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PROMISE ZONES UPDATE: FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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 Promise Zones Update: Funding Opportunities | Upcoming Webinars | Promise Zone Spotlight | Promise Zones in the News
Promise Zone Spotlight
Sacramento Promise Zone
On September 28, 2015, HUD Secretary Julián Castro announced that the Housing Authority of the County of Sacramento and the City of Sacramento were awarded a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant to place the River District-Railyards area and its people back into the network of the city -- physically, economically and socially.
* Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service
IRS Accepting Applications for Part-Year Low Income Taxpayer Clinic Grants in Identified Underserved Areas
* U.S. Department of Justice
Second Chance Act Technology-Based Career Training Program for Incarcerated Adults and Juveniles FY 2016 Competitive Grant Announcement
* U.S. Department of Justice
Second Chance Act Comprehensive Community-Based Adult Reentry Program Utilizing Mentors FY 2016 Competitive Grant Announcement
* U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Community Economic Development Healthy Food Financing Initiative Projects
* U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Community Economic Development Projects
Upcoming Webinars
* FY16 Second Chance Act Technology-based Career Training Grant Solicitation Webinar
Wednesday, March 16, 2016, 2 PM EDT
* Webinar To Discuss Outreach for Working with Gang-Involved Clients
Wednesday, March 16,2016, 2-3 PM EDT
* FY16 Second Chance Act Adult Reentry Mentoring Grant Solicitation Webinar
Thursday, March 17, 2016 2 PM EDT
Click below to read the HUD Newsletter with all the information.
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AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS RECOMMENDS PEDIATRICS SCREEN FOR POVERTY RISKS |
The Partnership's Rural IMPACT partner, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), has just released a policy statement and technical report on poverty and child health. The recommendation of AAP is for pediatricians to screen patients for poverty risk factors during check-up. The technical report describes the pervasive threat poverty poses to children's health and development. See the policy statement for further details and share the technical report with your community and partners. Spread the word about this additional strategy to fight child poverty online using the social media toolkit . Learn more about these efforts at aap.org/poverty
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SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE SERVICES PARTICIPATES IN REFUGEE PROGRAM |
Southern New Hampshire Services' Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act program, Manchester Community College and other partners recently provided a training program for immigrants-refugees at Manchester's Radisson Hotel which led to full-time jobs for all "graduates". Holy Cross Family Learning Center is providing ongoing ESOL classes.
From l-r at Recognition luncheon are Johanna Pizarro; Emily Labonte, counselor; Jean Claude Mfataneza; Kayitani Ndutiye; Ginny Hooker, counselor; and Ivonne Vega Llanos.
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DECREASING FAMILY HOMELESSNESS: TELL US WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW! |
Community Action Partnership is pleased to partner with the National Alliance to End Homelessness (the Alliance) to offer the Decreasing Family Homelessness National Webinar Series/Learning Community Group. This webinar series will be designed to improve the effectiveness of Community Action Programs (CAP) agencies working on the frontline of addressing family homelessness. In an effort to tailor the content to the interests of our local partners, the Alliance has asked that CAP members interested in participating in the Decreasing Family Homelessness National Series take a few minutes to complete a brief survey.
The first webinar of the series will be held on April 13, 2016 at 2 p.m. EST.
Link to survey:
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LEARNING COMMUNITIES RESOURCE CENTER HOSTS BUNDLING SERVICES RESOURCE WEBINAR
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The Learning Communities Resource Center, a project of the Community Action Partnership, is hosting a Bundling Services Resource Webinar on March 29th at 2pm ET/1pm CT/ 12 pm MT/ 11am PT. As part of its goal to build the capacity of Community Action Agencies, the Learning Communities Resource Center will be hosting national webinars providing tools and resources on the topics of its Learning Community Groups over the next two years. During this webinar from ICF International, learn about available resources in the field of Bundling Services and gain insights into navigating the Self-Sufficiency Research Clearinghouse. This webinar is free, but registration is required. Register today!
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FIRST OF LEARNING COMMUNITIES RESOURCE CENTER POVERTY TRENDS WEBINARS OCCURRING THIS MONTH
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Social and economic conditions have changed dramatically since the passage of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. Yet 46.7 million people in the U.S. live in poverty, 15.5 million of whom are children. As the U.S. Census Bureau reported in its annual estimates on income, poverty and health insurance coverage, the poverty rate for 2014 was 14.8 percent, unchanged from 2013. This Poverty Trends webinar series will offer in-depth information on the state of poverty in America and will provide participating agencies with resources on how to analyze their community data on the poverty level and provide tools for anti-poverty advocacy on the local and state level.
Join the first webinar in the series on March 30th at 1pm ET/12pm CT/11am MT/ 10am PT with Center for Community Futures. This webinar is free, but registration is required.
Register today!
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CCAP WEDNESDAY WEBINARS -- IS IT FOR ME?
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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 FormWebinar completed December 9 - access a recording hereSTEP 2. Showcase your skills in an Executive Skills PortfolioSTEP 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.
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CAPLAW OFFERS CAA LEADERS LEGAL BOOT CAMP
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SAVE THE DATES
CAA Leaders Legal Boot Camp
CAPLAW
This five-part webinar series and a new resource developed by CAPLAW in collaboration with the national Community Action Partnership, The CAA Leader's Legal Guide, aims to provide new and seasoned CAA leaders with an overview of the many legal requirements that they will work with on a regular basis. We will release the new resource with the first webinar in the series.
Registration opens later in March, but get these dates on your calendar today!
Tues, April 5: Uncle Sam's Money: Fundamentals of Federal Grant Law
Thurs, April 7: The Nuts and Bolts of the Federal CSBG Act
Tues, April 12: Dollars & Sense: Federal Grant Financial Management Rules
Thurs, April 14: In a Nutshell: Tax-Exempt Law for Nonprofit CAAs
Tues, April 19: Public CAA Essentials
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MEMBERSHIP WEBINARS IN MARCH FROM SAFELINK,
PURCHASING POINT AND IRWIN SIEGEL AGENCY
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Community Action Partnership Member Benefits Week
March 23-29, 2016
Please join the Partnership for a series of webinars that will highlight some of the cost-saving benefits that are available to Community Action Partnership members.
On Tuesday, March 22nd we will start the series off with the Purchasing Point webinar. Purchasing Point is one of the nation's most established group purchasing program for nonprofit organizations. Through the Purchasing Point program members will receive 25% discounts for car rentals, office supplies, office equipment, conference call services and more. Because you are a member of the Community Action Partnership Membership is FREE! To learn more about this great member benefit join us on March 22nd at 12:00 noon ET. Register Now!
 Are You Taking Advantage of this Membership Benefit? Tuesday, March 22, 2016, 12:00 noon ET
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Please join us on Wednesday, March 23rd at 12:00 noon ET, as Chloe Raporport, of Irwin Siegel, Inc. discuss Cyber Risk for Community Action Partnership. Irwin Siegel, Inc offers Community Action Partnership members valuable and a cost saving endorsed insurance program and risk management solutions. Join us on this webinar to learn about the benefits that Irwin Siegel Agency offers. Register Now!
Cyber Risk for Community Action Partnership
Wednesday, March 23, 2016 12:00 noon ET_____________________________________ We will end this series of membership webinars on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 with Safelink is a provider of the federal lifeline program that provides free cell phone and airtime each month to its customers. Safelink partners with low-income social services organizations to increase the awareness of their program and to generate additional resources. As a Community Action Partnership member, your agency receives compensation for each enrollment. Join us to hear more about the benefits of the Safelink program. Register Now!  SafeLink and Your CAA Tuesday, March 29, 2016, 12:00 noon ET
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THE PARTNERSHIP IS HIRING!
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Director of Community Economic Development
Under the immediate supervision of the Chief Executive Officer, the Project Director, Community Economic Development (CED), is responsible for coordinating and promoting the Community Action Financial Institute (CAFI), the Community Action Partnership's CDFI. In addition, the individual will be responsible for CED promotion and identification of CED best practices throughout the Community Action Network related organizations. Will work in partnership with the CEO to seek CAFI funding including but not limited to private investments and government grants. Click here for more information.
Deputy Director
National membership association serving the needs of the nation's Community Action Network is seeking a Deputy Director. This position will be responsible for coordination and oversight of agency operations, member services, communications, and events including coordinating the annual National Convention. Reporting to the CEO and a key member of the Leadership Team, the position will have close interaction with the board of directors, local Community Action Agencies, and State Associations that are members of the organization. At least 8+ years of management experience required. Knowledge and experience with membership relations and event planning experience preferred. Background in Community Action or human services and an understanding of the causes and conditions of poverty in America preferred. Send cover letter, resume, and work samples to jobs@communityactionpartnership.com.
Lead VISTA Volunteer
Rural IMPACT is seeking a lead VISTA volunteer to serve in Washington, DC at the Community Action Partnership. A one-year project of the White House Rural Council (WHRC), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other government agencies, Rural IMPACT is a strategy to reduce child poverty in rural and tribal areas using the two-generation approach. Under the immediate supervision of the Partnership's Project Director of the Learning Communities Resource Center, the Lead VISTA Volunteer will be responsible for supporting the coordination of 20 VISTA volunteers located in ten states nationally. Specific responsibilities include VISTA volunteer administration, Rural IMPACT Communications management, Rural IMPACT data collection and analysis support. A bachelor's degree and a minimum of one (1) year of experience as a VISTA Volunteer is required to be considered for the VISTA Lead position. Click here for more information. Contact Tiffney Marley, Project Director at tmarley@communityactionpartnership.com.
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JOIN THE PARTNERSHIP NOW FOR 2016!
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Why Join Community Action Partnership?
Agencies like yours continue to shape the vision and the future of
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Community Action. A strong network puts you in touch with many colleagues across the country and gives your agency a strong and unified voice and a vital communications link to federal agencies and other organizations, both public and private, that share or support the mission and the Promise of Community Action.
Community Action Partnership looks forward to working with you in 2016. We hope that you can take a few minutes to invest in your future during this upcoming, critical year for our network.
Please complete the membership application for the Partnership.
If your agency has already submitted the membership dues for 2016 - "Thank You!" We appreciate your involvement and support. We look forward to launching some outstanding opportunities for membership involvement in the coming year! Your energy and involvement have helped to keep Community Action Partnership responsive to your needs and built the strongest community action network ever. Membership gives you more than ever before ... access to training, publications, educational resources, and management tools which help you run a CAA more productively. Community Action Partnership welcomes like-minded organizations, friends, and affiliates as members - organizations and companies that are like-minded and support the work of Community Action. If you would like to consider membership, you can check "affiliate" in the membership categories. If you have any questions, please contact Sranda Watkins, Membership Coordinator at swatkins@communityactionpartnership.com or by phone at (202) 449-9773.
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SAVE THE DATES FOR THE 2016 ANNUAL CONVENTION IN AUSTIN!
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Click here to register onlineClick here for the 2016 Convention Registration Form Avoid the rush!
Reservations are now open to book your rooms at the JW Marriott Austin for the
2016 Partnership Annual Convention.
Rooms may be booked at the low rate of $199.00 S/D.
Watch this page for additional information in coming weeks.
Click here to book your hotel rooms on-line. ________________________________________ SPONSORSHIP, EXHIBIT, & ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES Support the Community Action Network by becoming a sponsor, buying exhibit space, and purchasing advertising in the Convention Program Book. Click here for complete information. _________________________________________ Call for Workshops is Now Open
Do you have a workshop idea for August 2016? Community Action Partnership wants to hear about it! The Call for Workshops is open now until March 18.
We welcome proposals from Community Action Agencies, State and Regional Associations, national partners, and experts in the field of nonprofit and public administration. We are looking for workshops that relate to our overall theme of Building Resilience as well as fit into our tracks:
* Effective Administration and Governance (such as finance, human resources, technology usage, planning, board governance, leadership, etc.)
* Promising Anti-Poverty Practices (such as program models; approaches to tackling the causes and conditions of poverty; working with special populations such as veterans, children, seniors, etc.)
* Strategies to Increase Visibility (such as branding, marketing, communications, fundraising, etc.)
Research, Policy, and Action (such as big data, setting a policy agenda, education and advocacy, etc.)
* Performance at the Front Line (skill building for intake and case managers such as coaching, human behavior, cultural competency, crisis intervention, customer service, etc.)
Note there are a couple of differences between this year's call for Workshops and years past. Performance at the Frontline is receiving more emphasis as a dedicated track, you are asked how your workshop fits with the theme and track, we are looking for more specificity on the intended audience of your workshop, and you no longer have to put in the biographies of your co-presenters or you're A/V needs at this point in time.
The Call for Workshops is available online at
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ISA is an insurance provider providing property, liability, and risk management services. Click here to learn about the Irwin Siegel Agency alliance with the Partnership or visit their website. |
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