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 CONGRESS DIGS IN FOR A TURF WAR OVER POVERTY | |
From The Atlantic, March 22, 2016
Democrats have always thought of Paul Ryan as a friendly foil.
Long before he became speaker of the House, Ryan was the face of conservative policy in Congress, and he had earned the respect of President Obama and leading Democrats on Capitol Hill for, if nothing else, putting forward serious ideas and having the political courage to stand by them.
Respect, yes. But not fear.
Ryan may have been young, smart, and telegenic, yet Democrats never felt he posed a real threat for the simple reason that his policies were toxic to a majority of American voters. Partially privatizing Medicare. Block-granting Medicaid. More tax cuts for the wealthy. Steep reductions in discretionary spending. Every year, Ryan would release his annual budget proposal with fanfare, and every year Democrats relished the opportunity to eviscerate it in television ads (which only worked to a limited degree). Now as speaker, however, Ryan is mounting a new policy push on an issue Democrats have owned for decades: poverty. The Wisconsin Republican has been developing his own anti-poverty agenda for years, believing that the maze of federal programs-and trillions in associated spending-that date back to Lyndon Johnson's Great Society have, on the whole, failed to significantly reduce the ranks of the nation's poor. As the Republican budget chief in 2014, he released a 200-page audit of federal anti-poverty programs. (Spoiler: It was not glowing.) And since his elevation to the top job last year, Ryan has made combating poverty and increasing upward mobility one of the six pillars of House Republican policy in 2016. He has even tried to focus the party's presidential hopefuls on the issue, though as Michelle Cottle wrote last month, it didn't really take.
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THE GROWTH OF CONCENTRATED POVERTY SINCE THE RECESSION
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From The Atlantic - City Lab, March 31, 2016
Concentrated poverty is arguably the biggest problem U.S. cities face today-and it's only getting bigger.
The number of American poor living in depressed neighborhoods-those with at least 40 percent of residents below poverty line-has been on the rise since the 1990s. And according to a new analysis of Census data by the Brookings Institution, the recession further accelerated this upward trend.
Elizabeth Kneebone and Natalie Holmes at Brookings' Metropolitan Policy program analyzed fresh American Community Survey five-year estimates for the post-recession period (2010-2014), and compared it to data between 2005-2009-the period during which the recession was in full swing. Here's how the researchers summarize their findings:
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LAUNCHES NEW
DATA-SHARING TOOL KIT FOR COMMUNITIES
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The U.S. Department of Education (ED) recently launched its first-ever Data-Sharing Tool Kit for Communities. This 18-page online guide provides schools and partner organizations with user-friendly tips and tools for responsible data-sharing that can lead to positive student outcomes while respecting individuals' privacy. Education, civic and community leaders nationwide have frequently asked ED officials for guidance to create effective data-sharing practices that fully meet the requirements of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other privacy laws. In response to that feedback, advisors in the Secretary of Education's immediate office and the Department's Place-Based Initiative Pilot Team, part of the Office of Innovation and Improvement, led efforts that produced the toolkit. The tool kit defines three types of data that may be permissibly shared and the rules associated with each. It also contains real-life vignettes about communities that have integrated responsible data-sharing into effective practices. There is also a FERPA Mythbusters page, sample consent forms and a Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) page.
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JOIN THE PARTNERSHIP FOR THE 2016 ANNUAL CONVENTION
AUGUST 30 - SEPTEMBER 2 IN AUSTIN, TX!
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The Convention brochure is now available to download!
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 Community Action Partnership Annual Convention.
Rooms may be booked at the rate of $199.00 S/D.
Watch this page for additional information in coming weeks.
Click here to book your hotel rooms online. ________________________________________ SPONSORSHIP, EXHIBIT, and 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. _________________________________________
- 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.)
PLUS - specially designated sessions for SSVF programs as well as for Tribal CSBG grantees.
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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 will invest in your future during this upcoming, critical year for our network.
If your agency has already submitted 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. Please contact Sranda Watkins, Membership Coordinator at swatkins@communityactionpartnership.com or by phone at (202) 449-9773 with any additional questions.
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NEW HAMPSHIRE LEADERS MEET WITH US SENATOR AND STATE OFFICIALS
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New Hampshire's Community Action leaders made the most of their recent visit to the nation's capital. The group seized the opportunity to meet with U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) during the recent National Community Action Foundation (NCAF) Legislative Conference in Washington D.C. In addition to meeting the senator, the delegation held bipartisan Hill meetings aimed to inform the congressional representatives of community action initiatives in their area.
From left, Donnalee Lozeau, Michael O'Shea and Deborah Gosselin, all of Southern New Hampshire Services; Tina Roy of Southwestern Community Services; Senator Shaheen; Brian Hoffman of Belknap-Merrimack Community Action; John Manning of Southwestern Community Services; and Betsy Andrews Parker of Community Action Partnership of Strafford County.
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NEW ADDITIONS TO NATIONAL CAP STAFF | |
Please join us in welcoming the newest additions to the Partnership's National Staff!
Jovita A. Tolbert, Deputy Director
With a passion for increasing the economic mobility of America's most vulnerable citizens, Jovita A. Tolbert joined the Community Action Network, working with the National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP), shortly after graduating college. During her ten-year tenure at NASCSP, Jovita gained a wealth of experience providing management support and technical assistance to all levels of the Community Action Network. More specifically, she provided policy guidance and advocated for the preservation and advancement of CSBG. Jovita coordinated and provided local, state, and national trainings with the goal of increasing the Network's capacity and effectiveness. She also worked with Community Action to document and disseminate best practices from within Network and the anti-poverty field as a whole.
Jovita holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Public Policy, Management, and Planning from the School of Policy, Planning, and Development at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, CA. She is also a Nationally Certificated Results Oriented Management and Accountability Trainer (NCRT). During this time of transformation for the Network, Jovita is excited to join with the Community Action Partnership "...to assure that the issues of poverty are effectively presented and addressed."
Joi Ridley, Director of Communications and Branding
Joi Ridley's passion lies in working with groups that are disenfranchised or unfairly stereotyped, while inspiring innovative ways of addressing social ills through media outlets. She brings a diverse perspective on social justice issues, molded by her experiences as a Chicago native and extended stay in the District of Columbia.
The intersection of social justice and journalism has led Joi to roles as communications director for a national non-profit, press secretary for a decades-old educational organization, and Young Professionals Advisor to the National Newspaper Publishers of America. Prior to joining the Partnership, she worked in national communications for UNCF (the United Negro College Fund) and on the executive communications team of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) headquarters. Joi's media works have been featured in Congressional Quarterly Magazine, Money Magazine, BET.com, and Harvard Business Review.
Joi holds Bachelors degrees in Journalism and Political Science, and also a Masters in Public Administration. "I am excited to be surrounded with like-minded individuals and ideals. I am excited to implement integrated communications approaches that will facilitate the expansion of the Partnership's already-noteworthy impact. This is not just a job, this is my life's work," she says.
Brenda Smith, Grants Compliance Monitor
Brenda Smith's passion is working with community-based organizations assisting citizen's in need of services to better their lives.
Brenda holds a Bachelors in Accounting and has more than 10 years of Grants Management experience. A former employee of the District of Columbia's State-Administering Agencies, Brenda specialized in local, state, and federal grants compliance for DC Public and Charter Schools Elementary and Secondary Education (formerly the No Child Left Behind Act) and Justice Grants Administration, managing federal grant funds related to juvenile and criminal justice. She has also worked with the Office of Victim Services, which funds programs that serve crime victims, prevent crime, and improve the administration of justice for victims and offenders.
Brenda is originally from Buffalo, NY has lived in Washington, DC for 19 years. She is very active in her church and enjoys watching movies. Being from Buffalo, she loves the DC summer months and its fairly light snowfall during the winter.
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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, Community Economic Development (CED) Project Director is responsible for coordinating and promoting the Community Action Financial Institute (CAFI), the Community Action Partnership's CDFI. The individual will also be responsible for CED promotion and identification of CED best practices throughout 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 information.
Lead VISTA Volunteer, Rural IMPACT
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 or contact Tiffney Marley, Project Director at tmarley@communityactionpartnership.com. Program Associate, Learning Communities Resource CenterUnder the immediate supervision of the Project Director of the Learning Communities Resource Center, the Program Associate of the Learning Communities Resource Center (LCRC) is responsible for planning, implementing, and supporting the Partnership's Learning Community Resource Center resources. Specific responsibilities include Learning Community support and facilitation, conducting needs assessments/evaluations, developing scope and requirements for new training and tools, data and policy analysis, and managing projects to ensure quality and timely completion. Click here for more information. Send cover letter and resume to tmarley@communityactionpartnership.com.
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COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WEBINAR SERIES -- SAVE THE DATES!
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DECREASING FAMILY HOMELESSNESS: TELL US WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW! |
The 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 is designed to improve the effectiveness of 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 this series to complete a brief survey ( https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZHPLNJC).
The first webinar of the series will be held on April 13, 2016 at 2pm EST.
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WEBINARS FROM THE LEARNING COMMUNITIES RESOURCE CENTER
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The National Webinar Series
Sponsored by the Learning Communities Resource Center, The National Webinar Series focuses on themes related to the specific anti-poverty approaches and is a way to showcase innovative strategies to the broader CSBG network. Please join us. All presentations are free.
Uplifting the Family: A Two Generation Approach
April 6, 2016 2pm ET
(Garrett County Community Action Committee and CAP Tulsa)
This presentation will provide CAAs with information on what 2Gen is and the potential benefits of the approach. Additionally, the goal is to provide agencies with case studies of CAP Tulsa (an urban agency) and Garrett County Community Action Committee (a rural agency) to help CAAs conceptualize how to think about implementation within their own agencies.
Decreasing Family Homelessness National Series Session 1
April 13, 2016 2pm ET
(National Alliance to End Homelessness)
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 is designed to improve the effectiveness of Community Action Programs (CAP) agencies working on the frontline of addressing family homelessness.
Also, in an effort to tailor the content of the series of webinars please take a few minutes to complete a brief survey.
Start saving for your future with myRA
Thursday, April 14, 2016 2:00 pm ET
Do you want to start saving, but don't have access to a retirement savings plan? Now there's an easy way to start saving for the future: the U.S. Department of the Treasury's myRAź is a new retirement savings option that's simple, safe, and affordable. myRA was designed especially for people who don't have access to employer-sponsored retirement savings plans or who haven't found an easy way to get started. It costs nothing to open an account, there are no fees, and myRA carries no risk of losing money. Join the U.S. Treasury and Community Action Partnership for an informative session on myRA and the simple steps you can take to start your savings journey.
Register
Two Generation Resource Webinar
April 19, 2016 2pm ET
(ICF International)
Research demonstrates that children born into poor families are more likely to experience poverty as adults and, in turn, raise their own children in poverty. Programs have started serving parents and children through two-generation approaches designed to meet both the child development and parental economic security needs of a family to effectively mitigate challenges and support positive outcomes for all its members. Presenters from ICF International will provide an overview of the theory behind two-generation anti-poverty, highlight resources on two-generation programs, and provide tips on translating the research into effective practice.
Tools and Strategies for Helping Clients Build Financial Capability
April 20, 2016 2pm ET
(CFED)
Financial well-being affects, and is affected by, every other aspect of life. Recent research suggests that improving a person's financial stability not only addresses material needs but also frees mental energy for parenting, job performance, and other important pursuits.
During this webinar, two community action agencies will share how they have helped clients build financial capability and improve their financial well-being. Webinar participants will also learn about Building Financial Capability: A Planning Guide for Integrated Services(the Guide), an interactive roadmap from the Office of Community Services with tools that walk organizations step-by-step through the process of developing a plan to incorporate financial capability services into existing programs. The presenters will discuss how organizations can use the tools in the Guide to gain a deeper understanding of clients' financial lives, determine which financial capability services would be most effective, and assess the resources (both in-house and external) available for delivering financial capability services. If you want to learn more about the Guide before the webinar, check out these 5 five-minute videos that contain instructions, tips, and examples.
Trauma Informed Approaches: A Guide to the Resources May 11, 2016 2pm ET (ICF International)
There is a growing understanding in both the Child Welfare and TANF fields about the short- and long-term effects of maltreatment and other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on child and adult functioning. Recent findings relating to brain research and toxic stress suggest that prolonged and unmitigated exposure to trauma in childhood can alter brain function well into adulthood--affecting school, work, and health outcomes. Presenters from ICF International will provide research around trauma-informed case management and offer participants promising strategies around trauma-informed care utilizing the research available.
Bundling Services Resource Webinar June 7, 2016 2pm ET (ICF International)
Presenters from ICF International will outline evidence-informed tools and resources for implementing integrated services in Community Action agencies. Bundle service approaches align services to fit a family's diverse needs, but collaboration and partnerships across agency lines can be a challenge. Presenters will provide an overview of the challenges around creating bundled service approach and provide participants with resources to address those challenges and foster integrated solutions to build family self-sufficiency.
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SAFELINK UPDATE
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Quick refresher...SafeLink provides your eligible clients the opportunity to apply for a free cell phone and free monthly minutes through the Federal Lifeline program. These cell phones may prove helpful in the event of an emergency and they also assist in clients seeking and retaining employment. SafeLink is currently available in 40 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Individuals can apply via paper application or online.
In addition to this valuable service, through SafeLink's collaboration with the Community Action Partnership, Community Action Agencies will be compensated for successful enrollments into the program. Agencies will be compensated for successful enrollments based on the scale below. As with last year the commission checks will come from the Partnership and for 2016 commission payments will move back to a quarterly payment structure.
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QUARTERLY COMMISSION RESTRUCTURE
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Range
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1-90
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91+
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Rate per Approved Enrollment
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$10.00
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$20.00
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Webinar
On March 29, 2016, SafeLink participated in the Partnership's Membership Benefits Spotlight week by hosting a webinar. If you missed this webinar or would like to see it again, the recording and slides are available at https://youtu.be/ZW5n6gsz80k or on the Partnership's website here.
If you have questions about SafeLink including the commission structure, contact us at info@safelinkagencies.com or 1-855-296-4764.
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CAPLAW OFFERS CAA LEADERS LEGAL BOOT CAMP
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SAVE THE DATES
CAA Leaders Legal Boot Camp
CAPLAW
The CAA Leaders' Legal Guide, a new resource developed by CAPLAW in collaboration with Community Action Partnership, is geared for both new and seasoned CAA leaders. The five-part webinar series provides an overview of the many legal requirements that these leaders will encounter on a regular basis.
Registration is now open!
Tuesday, April 5: Uncle Sam's Money: Fundamentals of Federal Grant Law
Thursday, April 7: The Nuts and Bolts of the Federal CSBG Act
Tuesday, April 12: Dollars & Sense: Federal Grant Financial Management Rules
Thursday, April 14: In a Nutshell: Tax-Exempt Law for Nonprofit CAAs
Tuesday, April 19: Public CAA Essentials
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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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