In 2010, at the height of the housing crisis, the Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas, in conjunction with the Commission on Economic Opportunity, adopted an administrative protocol establishing a Mortgage Foreclosure Diversionary Program.   Lenders filing a foreclosure action involving residential owner-occupied properties must file a copy of the Complaint with the Court. The Court then refers the homeowner to the Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO), a Housing Counseling Agency certified by the US Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and PA Housing Finance Agency (PHFA). Once the referral to the Counseling Agency is made, a Practice Order is issued by the Court requesting the lender not to proceed with foreclosure and to appoint a representative with the authority to make decisions to participate in mediation. The CEO Housing Counselor prepares a financial statement and proposed plan to negotiate a settlement with the lender. The proposed plan includes the resources available under Federal Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), PHFA's Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (HEMAP) and other NeighborWorks program guidance and protocol. Under the direction of the Honorable Lesa S. Gelb, a mediation conference is scheduled to discuss possible settlement if a prior agreement is not reached by the parties. The results of the mediation are put in writing and case is closed; if a settlement is not achieved, the case can be continued.   The CEO handles approximately 55 cases each month with 5 Certified Housing Counselors.

Seated above are Kym Salter, CEO Housing Counseling Supervisor and The Honorable Lesa S. Gelb, Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas. Standing: Dave Ritter, CEO Director of Housing Counseling and Kristyn Tokash, Judicial Assistant to Honorable Lesa S. Gelb.

Results Oriented Management and Accountability, or ROMA, is a performance-based initiative designed to preserve the anti-poverty focus of community action and to promote greater effectiveness among state and local agencies receiving Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds.

CAAP coordinates day-long ROMA sessions for Community Action Agency staff. There are two ways to access ROMA training. Training can be held at an onsite location of an agency's choosing or an agency's staff can attend a statewide training held twice a year in Harrisburg. The next statewide ROMA training is scheduled for April 21st, the day before CAAP's Annual Conference, at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg-East Hotel. The training will cost $35 which includes the manual, room rental, and breakfast/lunch. A second ROMA statewide training is scheduled for October. Contact Dan Leppo at 717-233-1075 about the April 21 training. CLICK HERE to visit the CAAP Annual Conference webpage.

CAAP can also set up joint trainings with other nearby CAAs or sub-recipients. Typical onsite training costs include arranging a meeting space and lunch. There is also a fee charged to help cover the Introduction to ROMA manuals and the trainer's travel expenses. If you are interested in scheduling an onsite ROMA training, please contact Dan Leppo at CAAP.

During the last 6 months, CAAP conducted trainings at Scranton-Lackawanna Human Development Agency (pictured below) and the Bucks County Opportunity Council. There are staff and board trainings coming up over the next few months at Warren-Forest Economic Opportunity Council and the Community Action Partnership of Mercer County, Inc.

On February 18, the Better Choices for PA coalition held a press  

conference in the Capitol rotunda to announce their 19 recommendations for making Pennsylvania's tax system fairer. Our very own Alan Jennings, CEO of the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, gave a rousing speech highlighting some of the coalition's tax system viewpoints. Pictured on the right is Mr. Jennings addressing the press.

On February 24th, attendees from the Pennsylvania Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities (PAHRA) participated in a Poverty Simulation at their annual conference in Harrisburg. The Simulation was organized, hosted and facilitated by Tri County Community Action (TCCA). The Simulation helped participants experience some of the challenges faced by low-income families in our communities and in many of their public housing facilities statewide. Through this role-playing experience, participants manage every-day tasks, such as paying bills, reporting to work and ensuring kids get to school. While lighthearted at times, the Simulation is no game. Many of the families "simulated" are real families enrolled in TCCA's self-sufficiency programming and the rest represent typical families living in our communities. By the end, participants gained a unique vantage point and an extended range for compassion for low-income families and what they experience as their normal lifestyle. To learn more, or to host a Poverty Simulation in your community, please contact your local Community Action agency. 

CLICK HERE to register for two days of conference greatness! Posted on the conference webpage is a downloadable agenda and workshop course descriptions. The conference is scheduled for April 22-23, 2015 in Harrisburg, PA.

February 19 - March 31: Advanced Registration Rates 

April 1 - April 23: Standard Registration Rates

Amanda Myers (Community Action Southwest) has been preparing volunteer teachers as they get ready to start their adult education and computer literacy classes to increase employability for clients.

Samantha Stanko (Community Action Partnership of Mercer County) continues to engage non-profits that work with veterans to create lasting relationships and develop a comprehensive source of information for veterans who need support.

Susie Hinz (CASA of Lancaster) continues working on press releases to increase the visibility of CASA of Lancaster. As she prepares for her next day of service for AmeriCorps Week, the other employees in her office agreed to serve with her just as they did on MLK Day. What a great example of support to their VISTA and their community!

Dani Motze (United Way of Berks County) will be attending the Philadelphia Social Innovations Journal's Special Edition Launch Event on Literacy Innovations, "A Look at the Innovations Needed to End Philadelphia's Literacy Crisis & Assure a Successful Read By 4th Grade Campaign". There, Dani will discuss the work she has done with Ready.Set.Read! and learn from other professionals focused on increasing youth literacy rates.

Balinda Raimondo (Berwick Area United Way) continues to work with local farmers to increase access to fresh produce. She is currently working on organizing a farmer's market in downtown Berwick as well as a market that will operate in the winter months.