October 13, 2016

PARTNERSHIP NEWS

2017 Management and Leadership Training Conference
New Executive Director's Bootcamp
Partnership Remains Committed to Veterans
Apply For or Renew 2017 Partnership Membership - Discount Available
New ROMA Trainers at the Partnership
Stay Engaged with the Partnership Through Social Media

NEWS YOU CAN USE

North Carolina Community Action Association Rapid Response Team
National Weatherization Network Celebrates 40 Years
An Executive Director's Guide to Financial Leadership
"Billion Dollar Bets" To Create Economic Opportunity For Every American

TRAININGS AND WEBINARS

Head Start Program Performance Standards Webinars
CCAP Webinar Wednesday Series
October Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Training Series
Live Event and Webinar: Reconnecting Justice

PARTNERSHIP NEWS

2017 Management and Leadership Training Conference (MLTC)

Registration is now open!

Please join the Partnership for our

2017 Management and Leadership Training Conference (MLTC)

January 10 -13, 2017

Hotel Maya, Long Beach, California

Whether you're a newcomer to Community Action or a long-serving colleague in our Movement, you know that one major value of this training conference is that it provides multiple formal and informal opportunities to get new ideas; re-think and share experiences; ask questions; swap business cards; and even brag a little about your agency and its accomplishments. These three days will be as rewarding and productive as you choose to make them...and the Partnership board and staff believe we are putting together a high-quality package of diverse topics and learning opportunities.

Register online for a chance to win a pair of Beats by Dre headphones, complimentary dinner in Long Beach, or a 2017 Annual Convention registration discount!

Fillable PDF registration form available here

Reserve your hotel room Now!

NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S BOOTCAMP

PARTNERSHIP REMAINS COMMITTED TO VETERANS

CAP Remains Committed to Veterans Despite

VA's Non-Renewal of SSVF Grant

Over the past three years, the Community Action Partnership has collaborated with six Community Action Agencies to reduce veteran homelessness in Michigan, Missouri, Maine, North Carolina, Florida and Ohio through its Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. Following successful evidence-based practices, the Partnership's SSVF program utilized a "housing first" approach to permanently house over 900 veteran families each year. To achieve these outcomes, veteran families received a combination of housing identification services, rental and/or move-in assistance, case management and other supportive services. The Partnership's SSVF program also offered veteran focused training for the broader Community Action Network through the annual convention and State Association trainings. Funding for this program ended September 30, 2016, however the commitment to address the unique challenges that veterans face will continue to remain a priority for the Partnership.

The mission of reducing veteran homelessness will continue within the Community Action Network as 45 CAAs continue as SSVF FY17 grantees. As a result, the Partnership plans to continue to support grantees within the Network by offering trainings and highlighting successful evidence-based practices.

The Partnership's full time SSVF staff have transitioned to other assignments within the agency. Cherita Newman, former Program Associate for SSVF, will transition to Event and Program Associate. Barbara Ledyard, former Project Director for SSVF, will transition to Project Director, Training and Technical Assistance Special Projects.

APPLY FOR OR RENEW 2017 PARTNERSHIP MEMBERSHIP - DISCOUNT AVAILABLE

Agencies like yours continue to shape the vision and future of Community Action. A strong network puts you in touch with your colleagues across the country and gives your agency a 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.

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.

Take an active part in your network. Complete your application and become a member of Community Action Partnership today. Completed forms that are submitted to the Partnership by October 31, 2016 are eligible for a discounted rate.

We look forward to serving you in 2017 and working even harder to strengthen the Community Action Network.

Click here to download the 2017 membership form.

NEWLY CERTIFIED PARTNERSHIP ROMA TRAINERS

STAY ENGAGED WITH THE PARTNERSHIP THROUGH
SOCIAL MEDIA

NEWS YOU CAN USE

North Carolina Community Action Association Rapid Response Team

The North Carolina Community Action Association (NCCAA) Rapid Response Team is working with agencies to identify local community needs to inform and maximize their relief efforts. They are accepting cash donations to purchase needed items and meet service gaps.

Donations support the Rapid Response Fund which provides emergency support for agencies/communities in need.

Please make checks payable to the NC Community Action Association

Mail to: Community Action Rapid Response Team

c/o NC Community Action Association

4428 Louisburg Rd., Ste. 101

Raleigh NC 27616

NATIONAL WEATHERIZATION NETWORK CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF SERVICE

The Energy Department's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing energy efficiency in their homes, while ensuring their health and safety.

Congressional leaders recently joined the national weatherization network to commemorate WAP's 40 years of excellence in service. Energy Department officials, nonprofit leaders, and members of Congress attended the Capitol Hill event. Community Action Partnership and Economic Opportunity Studies were on hand to discuss the accomplishments of the program to which Community Action plays a key role.

Read More

AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S GUIDE TO FINANCIAL LEADERSHIP

By Kate Barr and Jeanne Bell, Nonprofit Quarterly

There is an important distinction between financial management and financial leadership. Financial management is the collecting of financial data, production of financial reports, and solution of near-term financial issues. Financial leadership, on the other hand, is guiding a nonprofit organization to sustainability. This is the job of an executive director. He or she is responsible for developing and maintaining a business model that produces exceptional mission impact and sustained financial health. To do that successfully, the executive director has to be ever mindful of essential nonprofit business concepts and realities. The following is a guide to this way of thinking.

Read More

"BILLION DOLLAR BETS" TO CREATE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERY AMERICAN

TRAININGS AND WEBINARS

HEAD START PROGRAM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS WEBINARS

Given the complexity of the topic and to ensure we cover all the issues, this will be a two part webinar series. We ask everyone planning to attend the webinar to:

Register for each of the webinars below. Sessions are free, but we do ask you register;
Use the links at the end of this announcement to visit the Office of Head Start's Home Page and download materials beforehand;
Review the preamble and sections of the Head Start Program Performance Standards specific to the webinar(s) you are attending in advance; and
Submit questions to the Partnership at the email provided below to help us focus on high priority issues.

Note, these sessions are not meant to be an introductory review. We ask that attendees come prepared and provide questions in advance if possible. We will also take questions during the webinar.

The first webinar was held October 3, 2016 and covered:

1301. Governance
1302. Subpart B Program Structure
1303. Financial and Administrative Requirements

To view a recording of the first webinar please click here

The second webinar will be held on Monday, October 24th from 2:00-3:30 PM ET/1:00-2:30 PM CT/12:00-1:30 PM MT/ 11:00-12:30 AM PT. To register, click here. This webinar will cover:

Subpart C Education and Child Development Services
Subpart D Health Program Services
Subpart E Family and Community Engagement Program Services
Subpart F Additional Services for Children with Disabilities
Subpart G Transition Services
Subpart H Services to Enrolled Pregnant Women
Subpart I Human Resources Management.

To access the HSPPS, click here.

To access the Preamble, click here.
To access the OHS Fact Sheet on the HSPPS, click here.
To access CAPLAW's recent enews on the HSPPS, click here.

If you would like to have specific questions or issues addressed during the webinars, please email your questions to Jarle Crocker, Director of Training and Technical Assistance, at jcrocker@communityactionpartnership.com and remember to indicate which webinar the questions apply to. We are excited to provide such extensive discussion of the Performance Standards just for the Community Action Network and we hope you join us on both events.

CCAP WEBINAR WEDNESDAY SERIES

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CCAP?

TUNE IN FOR THE CCAP WEDNESDAY WEBINAR SERIES: http://bit.ly/CCAP2017

All webinars are held 2-3 pm ET/1-2 pm CT/12-1 pm MT/11 am-12 pm PT

CCAP Orientation

(Wednesday, October 26, 2016):

In this webinar you can learn about the basics of the national Certified Community Action Professional program (CCAP), who it is for, how it is organized and the steps in the process of becoming a CCAP. When you finish the webinar you will better understand how CCAP can fit into your professional future as a leader in Community Action.

Candidate Data Form

(Wednesday, December 7, 2016):

Completing the Candidate Data Form (CDF) is the first step in the process of becoming a Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP). It is in a formatted for you to document your learning and experiences in the field of Community Action. In this webinar you can explore the parts of the CDF in great detail. You will gain valuable insights on how you can complete your own first step toward national recognition as a CCAP.

Executive Skills Portfolio

(Wednesday, January 4, 2017):

Submitting the Executive Skills Portfolio (ESP) is the second step in the process of becoming a Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP). The ESP is your chance to showcase your skills in doing the work of Community Action. It gives you a vehicle to show that you are a leader who understands Community Action's vision and values. In this webinar you will get a comprehensive look at what is expected of candidates in this step toward CCAP. And you will gain insight into what the ESP evaluators address when they examine candidates' ESP submissions.

Certification Examination

(Wednesday, April 5, 2017):

The national CCAP certification examination will be administered this cycle on Wednesday, June 14, 2017, in various locations around the country to candidates who were successful in their CDF and ESP submissions. In this webinar you will learn how the exam is constructed, what kinds of questions are asked, and how best to prepare for the exam. Once you pass, you are nationally recognized as a Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP).

October Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Training Series

PREPARING YOUR VITA SITE FOR TAX SEASON

Webinars from Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

Virtual Training Series
Volunteer Recruitment & Retention

Wednesday, October 12 and 19

As you prepare for the tax season, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities' Get It Back Campaign will present a training series on how VITA sites can effectively recruit and retain tax prep volunteers.

Part I: Valuing Volunteers, 3:00 - 4:30 PM

Patrice Beverly, Director of Volunteer Maryland, will share how to craft a recruitment message that attracts committed volunteers.

Part II: What Really Works, 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Experienced VITA programs will share what recruitment strategies work for them and how they manage volunteer relations.

Presenters:

Keely Andrews, Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. - Cleveland, OH
Lauren Schwanz, Uintah Basin Association - Roosevelt, UT
Sharon Baldwin, Baltimore CASH Campaign - Baltimore, MD

If you cannot join the live trainings, register anyway to get the recording. Get more details and register for the training series here

LIVE EVENT AND WEBINAR: RECONNECTING JUSTICE

On October 28, 2016 join the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) for "Reconnecting Justice: Pathways to Effective Reentry though Education and Training," a public forum exploring the intersection between criminal justice reform and postsecondary education and employment.

This event, the second in a series on criminal justice, will include a keynote address by Nicholas Turner, president of the Vera Institute of Justice, as well as expert discussions connecting policy trends in correctional education and training with reentry opportunities that promote economic success.

Incarcerated individuals are disproportionately people of color as well as adults with low educational attainment. More than 650,000 ex-offenders are released from prison each year, and recent research shows that two-thirds of them will be rearrested within three years of release. However, research also shows that access to correctional education can significantly reduce recidivism. If we're serious about breaking the cycle of incarceration, it's essential to invest in robust education and training opportunities for incarcerated people and to connect them to continued education and employment opportunities once they rejoin society.

Providing these opportunities is cost-effective for states and has significant community and economic benefits. For individuals and families, coupling education and employment with reduced collateral and systemic barriers leads to economic self-sufficiency and improved life outcomes. CLASP's forum will examine promising policy options as well as lessons from state and federal initiatives.

Speakers will include:

Nicholas Turner, President & Director, Vera Institute of Justice;
Sean Addie, Director, U.S. Department of Education Office of Correctional Education;
Fred Patrick, Director of Sentencing and Corrections, Vera Institute of Justice;
Brant Choate, State Superintendent of Correctional Education, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation;
Bianca Vanheydoorn, Director of Educational Initiatives, Prisoner Reentry Institute at John Jay College of Criminal Justice;
Rev. Vivian Nixon, Executive Director, College and Community Fellowship; and
Will Heaton, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Center for Employment Opportunities.

This event is part of CLASP's commitment to racial justice and anti-poverty policies and strategies, as well as our focus on the intersections of employment, education, and criminal justice. Last summer, CLASP's forum "Realizing Youth Justice: Advancing Education, Employment, and Youth Empowerment" highlighted effective policies and practices that can help youth avoid the criminal justice system, access employment, achieve stability, build on their innate assets, and realize their full potential.

For those who cannot attend in person, the event will be webcast live.

Community Action Partnership
1020 19th Street, NW, Suite 700
Washington, DC 20036
www.communityactionpartnership.com