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 IS AMERICA ENGAGED IN A VICIOUS CYCLE OF JAILING THE POOR |
According to a report by the Vera Institute for Justice, there are more than 3,000 local jails in America, holding more than 730,000 people on any given day. Nancy Fishman, a project director at the Vera Institute, tells Fresh Air's Terry Gross that jails "have impacted a huge number of Americans ... many more than are impacted by state prisons." The Vera Institute's report documents that there are almost 12 million admissions to local jails each year, representing about 9 million people. Most of those jailed, she says, are being held for low-level offenses, such as drug misdemeanors, traffic offenses or nonviolent property crimes. And, she adds, the majority are poor. Fishman notes that most of the people in jail are pretrial, which means that they have not yet been convicted of anything. "They are legally innocent," she says. "One of the great travesties, frankly, of jail admissions right now is that we have people sitting in jail for long periods simply because they can't afford to pay [bail]."
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| ROMA NEXT GENERATION MYTH-BUSTER |
By National Association for State Community Service Programs May 12, 2016
"Thank you all again for your detailed feedback that you shared with NASCSP over the ROMA Next Generation initial comment period. OCS and NASCSP are hard at work modifying the ROMA Next Gen framework to incorporate and respond to your comments. We have heard from over 50 percent of the community action agencies, state agencies, and state associations across the nation, and have read all of the thousands of survey comments, emails, and letters. We will be posting national trends we've seen in both the survey numbers and the written comments soon. As we worked through your feedback, we noted areas of possible misinterpretation, so we created this myth-buster blog to help demystify ROMA Next Generation.
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TWEET OF THE WEEK: @BrookingsEcon "THE INTERSECTION OF RACE, PLACE AND MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY"
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For many poor people in the United States, narrow income measures of poverty fail to reflect the multiple barriers and challenges that complicate their path out of poverty. Disadvantages beyond (although often related to) low incomes-such as lack of training and skills, unemployment, poor health, and living in a distressed and high-poverty community-can make it harder for poor individuals and families to work their way out of poverty over time.
May 10, 2016
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| TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE: A PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH |
On April 18, at Cuesta College, Gabriella Grant, director of the California Center of Excellence for Trauma Informed Care and an innovative reformer of publicly provided services, presented Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) to nearly 300 professionals from SLO County's public health and correctional agencies. She described a powerful, low-cost, effective transformation of our services to provide a dramatic solution to thousands of people who struggle with mental health problems, drug abuse, domestic abuse or trapped in low-level crime.
Public Health of San Luis Obispo, Center for Family Strengthening, Cuesta College and Community Action Partnership of San Luis Obispo County sponsored the event to reach a large core group of professionals representing all publicly funded social service organizations, including local behavioral and mental health organizations, criminal justice agencies, and public health departments in standing-room-only Cuesta auditorium.
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COMMUNITY ACTION LOSES A PIONEER
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Community Action has lost one of their pioneers. Daryl Mack Andrews, CCAP, 81, living in Neosho, MO passed away at home on April 27, 2016.
Daryl was born July 23, 1934 in LaRussell, Missouri, the son of Jack and Arzilla (Meador) Andrews. He was a 1952 graduate of Sarcoxie High School and following graduation he served in the U.S. Army for two years. After his service, he returned home and attended Pittsburgh State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree. In 1966, Daryl was hired by Economic Security Corporation and within six months became CEO, a position he held for 33 years. He also served as President and Vice President of the Missouri Association of Community Action Directors. Daryl enjoyed ranch life and spent many years raising registered Brangus cattle and quarter horses. He also enjoyed reading western books and watching western movies. He loved spending time with family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Daryl married his wife of 36 years, Flora Mae Tadych, on June 21, 1979 and she survives. Also surviving are three step children, Steve Tadych and wife, Kandy of Talala, OK, Glen Tadych and wife, Elizabeth of Vinita, OK and Gina Peper and husband, Doug of Chelsea, OK; five grandchildren, Michael, Josh, Jason, Jake and Lindsey; nine great grandchildren, Hunter, Nathan, Brooklynn, Hailey, Titus, Kiera, Addison, Weston and Londyn; sister, Mary Margaret Gardner of Duncan, AZ; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Read the full memorial statement from Economic Security Corporation of Southwest Area Missouri here.
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COMMUNITY ACTION MONTH 2016: IN ACTION |
May 2016 Marks Annual Community Action Month!
Scenes from Week 2 of Community Action Month - #BeCommunityAction!
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| | Photo from Mid-Kansas Community Action Partnership |
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Indiana State Senator Mark Messmer visited Pace Community Action Agency for #WeCareWednesday of #Community ActionMonth! Agencies were encouraged to invite local elected officials for a site visit to #TalkPoverty. Also on site was Greg Jones, Pace board member and SIDC Executive Director
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| Community Action Month Proclamation from
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe |
Be sure to include #BeCommunityAction on all Community Action Month 2016 tweets and posts!
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COMMUNITY ACTION MONTH 2016: WE NEED YOUR HELP
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Many Agencies were involved with last year's CAM efforts and now we're looking to have even more participation for 2016! Take to Twitter and Facebook to post about your CAA's outstanding program participants. Write a blog or upload photos to Pinterest and Instagram of your staff and volunteers in action, helping people and changing lives. Issue an op-ed on why it's important to help your community's most vulnerable citizens with food, housing, job training, and childcare assistance. Explain in a news release how services like Head Start, food banks and the Earned Income Tax Credit have helped your program participants strengthen their families and increase their economic security.
We ask that you share photos from your 2015 Community Action Month efforts. We're hoping to feature them in our weekly eNewsletter and through social media. Please send your photo submissions to Joi Ridley, Director of Communications, at jridley@communityactionpartnership.com
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CONVENTION 2016: WE'LL SEE YOU IN AUSTIN! 2016 ANNUAL CONVENTION
AUGUST 30 - SEPTEMBER 2
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NOTE: The Partnership is temporarily unable to accept Convention registration by fax. We ask your continued patience as we transition into our new office space. Our new address is 1020 19th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036. Thank you!
Hotel Filling Fast and Early Bird Cutoff Date Quickly Approaching
Do you love a deal? We all do so, don't delay - get your 2016 Community Action Partnership Annual Convention discount today!
The deadline for registrants to receive the special "early bird" registration rate is rapidly approaching. Register for the Annual Convention by Friday, May 27th to receive nearly 20% off the regular convention registration fee.
Also, be sure to book your hotel room at the JW Marriott Austin for the special convention rate of $199/night.
Convention Highlight: Afternoon Plenary with Vu Le
This year's Convention will feature a plenary session with Vu Le, talented nonprofit expert and executive director of Rainier Valley Corps, a Seattle-based organization. Rainier Valley Corps aims to bring more leaders of color into the nonprofit sector.
Vu is also the writer behind the humor blog nonprofitwithballs.com and is a humor writer for Blue Avocado. He was recently recognized by the Chronicle of Philanthropy as a "Writer with Attitude."
Pre-Convention Events
Convention week activities start well before the event's opening session! The Partnership will host high impact learning and service opportunities from August 29-30, 2016, so make plans to arrive to Austin early and participate!
Board Elections: Meet the Candidates August 30: 2016 is an election year for the Partnership's Board of Directors. This means participation in regional caucuses and the "meet the candidates" forum are a vital opportunity to have your voice heard and shape the work of your national membership organization.
Leadership Day
August 30: Join your colleagues for Leadership Day - a half-day event focused on emerging leaders and new executive directors. Both groups will begin with a joint lunch event and then break into their separate tracks.
Sessions include content presentations, as well as discussions, sharing, and networking - a great opening for convention week! Agenda details will be posted soon, but past Leadership Day topics have included "must-know" financial concepts, working with the tripartite board, ROMA and use of data, advocacy, and history of the Community Action movement. Pathways Peer Reviewer Training August 29-30: Pathways to Excellence is Community Action Partnership's premier capacity building initiative for CAAs. The program is built around a self-study that is peer reviewed and turned into a feedback report. This two-day training will prepare you to be a certified Pathways to Excellence peer reviewer. This is a development opportunity for the individual as well as a way to bring organizational assessment capacity into your agency. While the Pathways to Excellence process is about Standards of Excellence, the knowledge gained by peer reviewers can also help you assess and connect the CSBG Organizational Standards.
In-Depth Training on OMB's Uniform Guidance August 29-30: Presented by Wipfli, this two-day dive into 2 CFR Part 200 - Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (also known as "Uniform Guidance" or "Super Circular") gives an overview of the regulations as well as practical tips for implementing in your organization.
This event requires separate registration, click here. The course may be counted for up to 14 CPE credits. Be on the lookout for an upcoming email with a special pricing code for Community Action Partnership members!
Community Service Day - Plan to Serve
August 30: Let's show Austin how to #BeCommunityAction! Join your colleagues for Community Service Day and participate in a hands-on service activity that will demonstrate Community Action's commitment to helping people and changing lives. Space is limited, so register today to secure your opportunity to serve.
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| CONVENTION 2016: SARGENT SHRIVER AND JAYNE THOMAS AWARD NOMINATIONS |
Our volunteers and clients are our heart, our champions. As mentioned in the activities calendar, we encourage your agency to celebrate excellence with awards ceremonies at the local level. National Community Action Month is also a great time to consider those celebrated individuals as potential nominees for the Community Action Partnership's Sargent Shriver Achievement Award and Jayne Thomas Grassroots Volunteer Recognition Award.
Take time to nominate a new candidate, or re-nominate individuals who have been previously submitted, but have not yet won this award. To ensure your candidate's eligibility, be sure to only submit complete nomination packets with the official nomination form, narrative, and a letter of support.
Download Sargent Shriver Recognition Award form here
Download Jayne Thomas Recognition Award form here
The executive director or CEO of the Community Action Agency for which the award recipient serves will be notified at least one month before the 2016 Annual Convention. The award will be presented during our Awards Gala on Thursday, September 1, 2016. The spirit of hope lives in each and every member of your team and that is why the national awards are not just a reason for a gala, or a simple plaque. They are an opportunity spotlight the most important aspects of Community Action: that it works, and that together, we are making America a better place to live.
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| COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERIES |
These sessions of the Community Economic Development Webinar Series are hosted in partnership with the
California Community Economic Development Association ( CCEDA). Learn more about CCEDA here.
Each session is $20, plus a $1.99 service fee.
Community Reinvestment Act: Can the Law Help Me Get Money for My CED Project?
May 25, 2016, 2pm ET (1pm CT/12pm MT/11am PT)
Level: Introductory
Presented by Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) banking regulators, learn what the regulations are, how they  are measured, and how you can use this information to assist you and your organization. This session will summarize the key aspects of the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 that essential forced financial institutions to meet the credit needs (lend, invest and serve) of all communities to which they take deposits (especially low income communities). The Act instructs the appropriate federal financial supervisory agencies to encourage regulated financial institutions to help meet the credit needs of the local communities in which they are chartered, consistent with safe and sound operation. To enforce the statute, federal regulatory agencies examine banking institutions for CRA compliance, and take this information into consideration when approving applications for new bank branches or for mergers or acquisitions.
What is the Office of Community Services' CED Program: Use $800,000 to Create Jobs
June 29, 2016 2pm ET (1pm CT/12pm MT/11am PT)
Level: All
The purpose of the Community Economic Development discretionary grant program is to promote and support projects that address economic self-sufficiency for low-income persons and distressed communities by awarding funds to community development corporations (CDCs) to create employment and business development opportunities. Each year approximately 40-45 grants are awarded with a maximum grant award level of $800,000. Grants are awarded to cover project costs for business start-up or expansion and the development of new products and services. The grants serve as catalysts for attracting additional private and public dollars; for every CED dollar awarded, $3-5 is leveraged. Types of projects funded include business incubators, shopping centers, manufacturing businesses and agriculture initiatives. Funded projects are to create new employment or business opportunities for low-income individuals.Learn how your project could benefit from this source of financing from the federal Office of Community Services. In this session you will be presented with several CED projects funded with OCS-CED grants. You will hear what works (and what has not worked) and how the funds could be used in many innovative ways. Get insight into the funding RFP process.
Assessing the Use of Debt (Loans) in Community Development: Upsides and Downsides July 27, 2016 2pm ET (1pm CT/12pm MT/11am PT) Level: Intermediate This is an intermediate session for those organizations that are considering using debt in a proposed CED project or are thinking of taking out a note (debt) on existing properties. Many projects can afford to fill project financing gaps with debt, but should you? This session will focus on the considerations you should make before taking on debt. You will learn basic underwriting from experienced lenders who have financed many community development and related commercial projects. What types of projects and tenants can best withstand debt? Where are the best sources for obtaining debt? How much debt could I afford or will be limited to? These are some of the questions that will be answered during this session. Learn more and register!
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| WEBINARS AND ONLINE TRAININGS | |
The National Webinar Series - sponsored by the Learning Communities Resource Center - focuses on themes related to the specific anti-poverty approaches and is a way to showcase innovative strategies to the broader CSBG network. All presentations are free.
Bundling Services Resource Webinar
June 7, 2016 2pm ET (1pm CT/12pm MT/11am PT)
Presenters from ICF International will outline evidence-informed tools and resources for implementing integrated services in Community Action agencies. Bundled 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 a 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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OVERTIME RULES FOR NONPROFITS
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Hosted by Independent Sector
Part 1 - Tuesday, May 24, 1:00-2:00pm ET
Part 2 - Tuesday, May 31, 1:00-2:30pm ET
Online | Free
Federal overtime rules for nonprofits can be confusing, but they are of critical importance to organizations' budgets, operations, and staff members. Independent Sector invites you to join a two-part digital learning series about how to comply with federal overtime rules and how to prepare for potentially major changes on the horizon.
Part 1 | Tuesday, May 24, 1:00-2:00 pm ET
Is your organization in compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act?
If you're unsure, this is your opportunity to find out exactly what you need to know. Officials from the U.S. Department of Labor will lead an exclusive training session for the charitable community that will clarify overtime rules, help you determine which employees they may affect, and provide you information for determining if your organization and its affiliates are in compliance.
Part 2 | Tuesday, May 31, 1:00-2:30 pm ET
What would it mean for your organization if the federal overtime threshold doubles?
Currently, nonprofit organizations are required to pay overtime to certain employees that work more than 40 hours a week and receive a salary of $23,660 or less. The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed raising the salary threshold to $50,440 - an increase that would cause both practical and compliance issues for many organizations. A final rule is expected soon, and it is critical that the sector has the information and tools to be prepared. A panel of sector experts will lead a strategy session that will help your organization manage the proposed expansion of overtime coverage.
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