News from CCAP

As always, if you have anything you would like to share with us like news, a success story or your opinion, let us know by emailing communications@ccap-inc.org.

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Tax Season is Once Again Upon Us

Consumer Credit Counseling Service will open its VITA Site on February the 4th this year. Yes this is a late start due to Congress and the fiscal cliff tax changes. The IRS will start processing taxes on January 30th. All CCAP employees can start making appointments to have their taxes filed early on January 30th and 31st as well as February 1st. The VITA Site will open to the public on February 4th.

If you earn less than $55,000 per year our volunteer tax preparers will help you prepare your Federal and State tax returns and file them electronically. All volunteers are IRS-certified to provide free basic income tax returns and electronic filings to qualified individuals in our communities. They can inform you about special tax credits for which you may qualify such as Earned Income Tax Credits, Child Tax Credits, and Credit for the elderly or Disabled.

This year in addition to the face to face tax preparation, the IRS is offerings self-assistance services at our VITA Site. If you have a simple tax return and need a little help or do not have access to a computer, you can visit our site and an IRS volunteer will guide you through the process.

To have your tax return prepared at our VITA Site you need to the following information with you:

Proof of Identification-Picture ID-
Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents or a social security Administration verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration or
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) assignment letter for you, your spouse and dependents
Proof of Foreign status, if applying for an (ITIN)
Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return
Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-Mis from all employers
Interest and dividends statement from banks (forms 1099)
A copy of last year's federal and state returns if available
Proof of bank account routing numbers and account numbers for direct deposits, such as bank check
Total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider's tax identifying number (the provider's Social Security Number or the provider's business Employer Identification Number)
To file taxes electronically on a married- filling -joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign required forms

It is extremely important that each person use the correct Social Security Number. The most accurate information is usually located on your original Social Security Card. If you do not have an SSN for you or a dependent, you should complete Form SS-5, Social Security Number Application. This form should be submitted to the nearest Social Security Administration Office.

To make an appointment contact CCCS at 910-323-3192. Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. On Saturdays you can walk in and have your taxes prepared from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Remember tax help is FREE.

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CSBG and the Weatherization Assistance Program Celebrate their Employees

Stephanie Ashley, Director presenting Alicia McLean with the Congeniality Award

CSBG and the Weatherization Assistance Program decided to add a little celebration to the December staff training. Instead of sitting through the usual agenda, Mrs. Ashley decided to take this opportunity to show her staff how much they are appreciated and praise them for their personal accomplishments.

Congratulations to the following employees for your accomplishments:

Chanda Mitchell, Employee of the Year

Maria Newland and Amanda Wood, Star Awards

Alicia McLean, Congeniality Award

Shaquna Johnson, Customer Service Award

Sandra Sutton, Motivator

Shelia Ashley, Organizer

Sonya Oates, Most Helpful

Myrtis Chipman, Volunteer of the Year

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Congratulations Head Start

Donna Barnette, Head Start Director

Please join me in congratulating Donna and her team for the selection by PNC of CCAP Head Start centers for PNC's Grow Up Great Program!

The program encourages PNC employees to volunteer with approved agencies--and the following email announces CCAP Head Start is on the "approved" list. The PNC recognition is spurring thinking among Donna and her Management Team of the various activities that volunteers can perform, coming at a great time as the team looks at expanding ways of attracting in-kind services. PNC's approval comes with the potential, after 12 months of volunteer participation, of a monetary award.

Way to go Donna Barnette--on multiple levels!

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SHFB Mobile Food Pantry Heads to St. Pauls, NC

St. Pauls High School sponsor the Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina's Mobile Food Pantry to help feed local community members in need.

For more information on how to sponsor the SHFB Mobile Food Pantry, contact Ron Pringle at (910) 485-6923.

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Head Start Reinforces School Readiness through the SOUNDS OF MUSIC

Sound of Music

Head Start children are invited to experiment musical instruments in the "petting zoo" activity offered in the final session of the Sounds of Music workshop made possible by the Fayetteville Symphony and the Arts Council of Cumberland County.

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ASPIRE Hosts Family Holiday Celebration

One Happy Child!

A day filled with joy, laughter and tears;these were the emotions seen on the faces of both the children and the ASPIRE participants as they were opening presents.

This holiday season the ASPIRE program sponsored 10 participants and their families. With the help of 30 organizations and individual sponsors, the ASPIRE holiday celebration was a success. One parent expressed her gratitude by saying, "Thank you so much to everyone for this generous gift. If it weren't for these gifts, my kids wouldn't be receiving anything. I cannot express how much this program has helped me and my family." Every child was given one gift during the event, but was allowed to take the rest home to put under the Christmas tree.

Thank you to everyone who made this event such a success, we couldn't have done it without you.

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CCAP Encourages Employees to Pursue Education Opportunities CCAP Logo

As an agency, CCAP believes in fostering an environment where success and the realization of goals are rewarded. Just as we push our clients daily towards these aspirations, we encourage our staff to do the same. Six individuals employed by CCAP are currently pursuing higher education in degree programs with financial contributions towards their tuition, a benefit of employment at CCAP. We would like to acknowledge these individuals and wish them well in their studies:

Deborah Culbreth	Head Start
Pauline West	Head Start
Felicia Boyer-Smith	Corporate Finance
Adrienne Brown	Second Harvest Food Bank
Elizabeth McNeill	Head Start

If you are an employee and would like to go back to school, contact HR for more information

on options available to you.

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Seventh Annual Transition Planning Committee Meeting 2013

Annual Transition Planning Committee Meeting

On January 18, 2013 Head Start staff and community partners gathered for the Seventh Annual Transition Planning Committee Meeting. This interactive meeting hosted by Sandra Shambley, Assistant Manager of Collaborative Services centers on brainstorming and establishing new innovative ways of transitioning children from Preschool to Kindergarten.

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Latest CCAP News...

Check out the latest news about CCAP and our programs by visiting the pressroom page on the CCAP web site: CCAP PRESSROOM

WANT MORE OF CCAP OR OUR PROGRAMS?

Verizon Employee Discount

You can save 8% off your Verizon Wireless bills as a CCAP employee! There is no need to start a new account, existing customers can take advantage of this discount too!

Contact the local representative, Robert Bowden at

Robert.bowden@verizonwireless.com

or register your current account at

Verizon Discount. You will need to enter your CCAP email address to apply the discount to your plan.

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Weatherization Assistance Program

WAP Community Channel Ad If any employees are interested in receiving FREE Weatherization Assistance, please contact the Weatherization program for more information. You may be eligible to receive assistance.

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Head Start leads the way in the RACE TO THE TOP

Head Start recently welcomed Ar-Nita Davis, Family Engagement Manager to facilitate the NC TQRIS Family Engagement Standards Project, a newly acquired grant opportunity geared toward the implementation of several key initiatives to improve early learning and development programs. The Race to the Top ELC grant initiative is focused on assisting licensed providers in engaging families in their child's education.

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Human Resources Conducts New Hire Orientation

New CCAP Employees during their orientation.

In most organizations new hire orientation consists of receiving a handbook and piles of paperwork for the employee to review at their own time. Employees are expected to find most information on their own and aren't given a lot of explanation. The goal of CCAP is to change this. The Human Resources department will be conducting new hire orientation for ALL new hires. This will allow new employees the opportunity to learn more about CCAP and the other programs/services we offer. It's also a great opportunity to ask any questions or bring up any concerns they may have.

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Golden LEAF Scholarship Available

Golden LEAF Scholarship applications are now available at CFNC.org/goldenleaf and are due on Friday, March 1, 2013. A total of 215 awards will be offered to first-time recipients to assist with tuition at participating institutionsfor the 2013-14 academic year. The awards are valued at $12,000 ($3,000 per year for up to four years) for students from qualifying counties attending a participating North Carolina campus. The scholarships are funded by a grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation.

Candidates must submit a Golden LEAF scholarship application, available at CFNC.org/goldenleaf; a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), available at www.fafsa.gov; and a current high school or community college transcript no later than March 1.

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New hires

The greatest asset in the CCAP family is the staff and volunteers. Every employee comes to the table with the specific skills necessary to bring about the change in the lives of those we touch through the various programs and services. CCAP welcomes our most recent new employees:

Cherie David,Substitute
Qua'neisha Stephens, Substitute
Crystal Gibbs, Substitute
Ar-Nita Davis, Head Start Family Engagement Manager
Vanessa Durden, Corporate Program Support Aide
Shannon Head, Head Start Program Support Aide
Kenyatta Postage, Teacher Assistant/Bus Monitor
Quantessa Al-Amin, Teacher Aide

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Coming Events of Interest

Stay involved with CCAP and your community! We will post upcoming community events we think may be of interest to you here. Do you know of something that you would like us to publicize for free? Let us know by emailing the event information to communications@ccap-inc.org.**

First -time Homebuyers' Workshop, February 23, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm at Seabrook Resource Center. Call CCCS at (910) 323-3192 to reserve your spot today!
Pupil Holiday/Staff Workday, February 18

**CCAP reserves the right to screen all events for appropriateness. CCAP additionally retains editorial rights for all information submitted and published through this medium.

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This newsletter is a service of CCAP, for editorial comments or suggestions, retractions, permissions or reprints please contact CCAP Communication Department at communications@ccap-inc.org.

Editorial Staff:

Editor

Jodi Phelps

Design, Layout, Copyrighting, Photography, Graphics

Krista Guin

Courtney Otero

Miranda Teel

Cumberland Community Action Program Inc.

316 Green St.

Fayetteville, NC 28301

www.ccap-inc.org