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CAAP Update provides regular information on items of interest to Community Action agencies in Pennsylvania. |
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Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Coordination
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Volunteers are key to the success of the Union-Snyder Community Action Agency's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Collaboration with CORE Susquehanna, AmeriCorps supports Union-Snyder CAA's efforts to recruit and train certified volunteers, schedule appointments, assist in tax preparation, and create partnerships in the community.
Union-Snyder CAA first offered the VITA program nine years ago, with the executive director coordinating the service and preparing most of the tax returns himself. Because of the director's belief in the value of and need for the project, Union-Snyder CAA continued to offer VITA through a partnership with AmeriCorps. Each year, an AmeriCorps member is identified to coordinate the project. Laura LaGrave, a CORE Susquehanna AmeriCorps member, enrolled for a third year of service to assist with coordination and provide continuity for our low-income participants and community tax volunteers. Ongoing CAA staff oversight supports the Project Manager/AmeriCorps member with building skills in project management, outreach education, volunteer recruitment and training, as well as data collection and input.
The success of the VITA program is a reflection of the relationships created in the community including low-income program participants, volunteers, and partner sites. CAA acknowledges that AmeriCorps members as well as community volunteers are critical to the growth of the project. Each year the project has increased the number of tax appoint ments, tax returns, rebates, and additional dollars brought into the local community. Customers express gratitude for and satisfaction with the project.
CAA recognizes the value of AmeriCorps members and community volunteers who coordinate and provide VITA for Snyder, Union, Mifflin, and Juniata County residents. |
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Keystone Hope Development
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Three nonprofit Community Action Agencies in Southwestern Pennsylvania have formed a new development corporation called Keystone Hope Development to expand affordable housing for low-income populations in the region. Community Action Southwest, Fayette County Community Action Agency, and Westmoreland Community Action are partnering to gain access to federal tax credits for low-income housing and to share their expertise with other Community Action Agencies across the state and region.
The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) awarded two grants totaling $135,000 for startup costs including business plan development and market studies. Keystone Hope Development Corporation will be introduced at the Community Action Association of Pennsylvania's (CAAP) Annual Conference April 22-23 in Harrisburg. As a developer, KHDC will assist local agencies with market studies, concept development, partnership building, leveraging financial support from public and private resources, construction management, and arranging for post-occupancy support services. For more information visit www.KeystoneHopeLLC.com.
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CSBG Reauthorization Bill H.R. 1655
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On March 27, 2015, a CSBG reauthorization and modernization bill was introduced in a bipartisan effort in the U.S. House of Representatives. The lead sponsors are Pennsylvania's Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA-8) of Bucks County and Rep. Betty McCollum (D- MN). Rep. Fitzpatrick was not alone from Pennsylvania in recognizing the need to reauthorize CSBG for the critical works of ou r Community Action Agencies; other bill sponsors include Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA-11), Rep. Charles Dent (R-PA-15), and Rep. Glenn Thom
pson (R-PA-5).
The bill will be the first reauthorization of the Community Services Block Grant since 1998. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce for initial review and consideration. The text of the bill is now being processed through the Library of Congress as usual practice and has not yet been posted.
Pictured above, Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick visits with the Pennsylvania Community Action contingent during the National Community Action Foundation's Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. on March 26, 2015.
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Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
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Based on the severity of the winter, DHS and the Governor's office have decided to extend the LIHEAP season (both the Cash and Crisis programs) until May 1, 2015 to allow Pennsylvania's vulnerable households extra time to apply for LIHEAP assistance.
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| IM 138 Update
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On January 26, 2015, the Federal Office of Community Services released its Final Informational Memorandum (IM) on the Community Services Block Grant Organizational Standards. IM 138 outlines the Establishment and Implementation of Organizational Standards. The IM addresses State CSBG Lead Agency oversight, assessment, corrective action, the role of the State Plan and CSBG Annual Report, and exceptions for limited-purpose agencies and other special circumstances. It touches on the impact of the State Accountability Measures and the OMB review process of the Model State Plan and Annual Report.
Most notably, IM 138 finalizes the Center of Excellence (COE) Developed Organizational Standards. These include 58 Standards for Private/Nonprofit Community Action Agencies/CSBG Eligible Entities and 50 Standards for Public Community Action Agencies/CSBG Eligible Entities. CLICK HERE to read the full IM 138 details.
During the coming months, each CAA will need to identify what will be done to implement the standards so compliance may be achieved during 2016. Pennsylvania agencies have had the opportunity to complete a self-assessment on the COPOS system to help in this effort. DCED representatives will be working with our agencies to help achieve compliance.
Recently, through CAAP's efforts as the lead agency in U.S. Region III, a webinar was offered on IM 138, conducted by the Community Action Partnership. CLICK HERE to watch the full webinar.
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| CAAP Annual Conference: Only Two More Weeks To Register!
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There are only two weeks left to register for CAAP's Annual Conference. 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.

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| About Us |  |
Community Action Association of Pennsylvania
222 Pine Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
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This newsletter is financed, in part, by a CSBG grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development. |
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