NCAP eNews

May 10, 2024

NETWORK NEWS

June 26 and 27 | St. Paul, MN

NCAP's Executive Director and Board Chair Symposium is a transformative two-day event designed for Executive Directors and Board Chairs committed to elevating the impact and values of Community Action. This annual Symposium, being held this year in St. Paul, MN, on June 26th and 27th, provides a unique platform for dynamic learning, collaborative planning, and revitalization, all aimed at fostering strong nonprofit board governance and organizational vitality.

Midcoast Maine Community Action CEO Claire Berkowitz calls this event, "one of the best professional development experiences that I have had as a leader."

Hear what other past attendees have said:

"I most enjoyed the peer presentation of the Board Chair and Executive Director relationship."
"Communicating with other Executive Directors was the best part of the Symposium for me."
"Thank you to all who presented. I gained so much more information for my agency."

Don’t miss this invaluable opportunity to recharge, refocus, and reignite your commitment to advancing the values and impact of Community Action! Click here to register and learn more.

NOTE: This event is for pairs of attendees from the same agency. You must register both the ED/CEO and the Board Chair/President from your agency.

WAP Memorandum 127: Allowable Use of Training Funds for NCAP's 2024 Annual Convention

NCAP's 2024 Annual Convention will take place August 26–30, 2024, in Seattle, Washington, with pre-convention training opportunities on August 26–27. Attendance at this event is considered an allowable use of the training and technical assistance (T&TA) funds by the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) network organizations.

The Convention features an energy and weatherization track including multiple sessions with Department of Energy (DOE) WAP leadership and other DOE departments, as well as WAP technical experts and national Energy Justice thought leaders.

Click here to read the full memorandum. Click here to register for NCAP's 2024 Annual Convention.

Call for SNAP E&T Office Hours

Are you a current SNAP E&T provider? Join us for office hours!

NCAP is offering two open office hours designed for Community Action Agencies currently serving as SNAP E&T providers. Subject matter experts from the Seattle Jobs Initiative (SJI) will be available to provide technical assistance during these sessions. The purpose of these opportunities is to allow you the time and space to ask questions related to your SNAP Employment and Training journey. While we encourage registration for each meeting, feel free to drop in at any time during the hour that suits you best. Both meetings will be informal and conversational, and we are excited to connect with you.

Interested in becoming a SNAP E&T provider? Please reach out to Hayleigh Rockenback, Senior Associate of SNAP E&T for more information and further opportunities!

Take Part in the Community Action 60th Anniversary Commemoration Video

Are you ready to light up the screen and spread some serious joy? We’re calling all movers, shakers, lip-sync champions, and dance-floor dynamos to join us in commemorating a milestone moment: Community Action’s 60th Anniversary! 🎉✨

Picture this: a dazzling lip sync and dance extravaganza that’ll have hearts racing, smiles beaming, and feet tapping from coast to coast. And guess what? We want YOU to be a part of it! 🎶💃 Whether you're a seasoned performer or just love to bust a move in the comfort of your own office, this is your chance to shine. Let's come together to create something truly unforgettable and show the world the power and spirit of Community Action! 💪🌍

Here's the scoop: We are looking for 10-15 CAAs from across the country to record yourself lip-syncing and/or dancing your heart out to our commemoration song! Agencies will be sent the song with the specifics, and you will have the month of June to get creative, get wild, and most importantly, have FUN! Get ready to see your moves on the big screen as we compile all the submissions into one epic celebration of community and joy to be shared via social media on August 20th for the Anniversary and at the NCAP Annual Convention at the end August.

Ready to rock the rhythm and join the jubilee? Let's make magic happen, one dance step at a time. Together, we'll show the world the power of Community Action! 💃✨ Interested agencies should contact Betsey Andrews Parker, CEO, Community Action Partnership of Strafford County, no later than May 31st. Please email bandrewsparker@straffordcap.org for details and next steps!

We can't wait to see your dazzling moves!

FY 2024 Community Economic Development (CED) Notice of Funding Opportunity

Application Deadline: July 17th, 2024

The FY 2024 Community Economic Development (CED) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is now available. Applications are due on July 17, 2024. The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Community Services (OCS) will solicit applications to award approximately $15.2 million in Community Economic Development (CED) discretionary award funds to Community Development Corporations (CDC) for well-planned, financially viable, and innovative projects to enhance job creation and business development for individuals with low income.

To download the application, select the “Related Documents” tab and then click the File Name (HHS-2024-ACF-OCS-EE-1965-Full Announcement - Full Announcement.zip).

Within the coming weeks, a pre-application webinar will be posted to the CED page of the Office of Community Services (OCS) website. This pre-recorded presentation will provide prospective applicants of the CED program with details about the 2024 grant competition, including:

Information about the CED program;
Eligibility information;
Application requirements;
Application criteria; and
The application submission and review process.

More information about how to access this presentation will be provided once it has been posted.

Championing Change: A Toolkit for Addressing Vaccine Equity Through Community Mobilization

With support from the CDC, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) partnered with NCAP and five Community Action Agencies to increase acceptance and uptake of vaccines among racial and ethnic minority groups in rural communities. To learn more about the Vaccine Equity Project and how the strategies can be implemented to promote health equity, access ASTHO’s latest toolkit, Championing Change: A Toolkit for Addressing Vaccine Equity Through Community Mobilization.

According to the toolkit, “Community Action Agencies are an ideal complement to public health’s mission to address the social determinants of health and achieve greater equity and improved health outcomes.”

Click here for more!

CED Planning Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity Now Available

Application Deadline: July 2nd, 2024

The FY 2023 Community Economic Development (CED) Planning Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is now available. This funding is available to both State Associations and local Community Action Agencies.

The goal of this funding opportunity is to provide community development corporations (CDCs) with financial assistance for administrative capacity building. With increased administrative capacity, CDCs will be better equipped to design a sustainable business project and package a viable competitive application to be submitted in a CED competition within the 12 months of the end of the project period.

Several CAAs and State Associations received CED planning grants in 2023. You can read about those projects here. Here are a couple projects of note:

The North Carolina Community Action Association is developing a CED project to create the Growing Rural Opportunities for Work initiative that will create jobs for individuals with low income in the tiny home industry in Enfield, North Carolina.
Southeastern Community Action Partnership is developing a CED project that will address transportation barriers to employment for individuals with low income by supporting regional public transportation in rural southeastern Utah.

The full announcement is available here.

Weatherization Leadership Community of Practice

NCAP Announces New Weatherization Leadership Development Opportunity

The National Community Action Partnership is pleased to offer the Weatherization Leadership Development Community of Practice (WLDCOP), a unique cohort-based learning experience designed to help Weatherization subgrantees select, develop, and retain the leaders of tomorrow through a comprehensive peer-to-peer cohort model.

The WLDCOP will convene four times during 2024-2025:

NCAP Annual Convention, Seattle Washington: Tuesday August 27th, 2024, 9:00 am -1:00 pm.
Virtual meeting, 2 hours: Thursday, October 17, 2024
Virtual meeting, 2 hours: Thursday, November 22, 2024
Virtual meeting, 2 hours: Thursday, February 20, 2025

In addition, cohort participants enrolled should expect to have ongoing job-embedded “homework” for follow-up virtual sessions such as, but not limited, to case study analysis, personal leadership style exploration, and group presentations with peer participants.

Click here to apply.

Deep Dives: Essential Public Policies in a Community Action Context

In today's rapidly evolving socio-political landscape, Community Action Agencies and State Associations play a pivotal role in advocating for and effecting meaningful change within their communities. To equip CAAs and Associations with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate complex public policy challenges, the National Community Action Partnership proudly presents "Deep Dives": a four-part virtual policy workshop series specifically tailored for Community Action leaders and advocates.

Each session of this intensive workshop series is meticulously designed to delve into a key policy area while providing participants with opportunities for peer learning and actionable insights to amplify their impact. Led by seasoned policy experts and centering emerging analysis, these workshops foster dynamic discussions and collaboration among participants by combining theoretical frameworks with practical application.

Members: $299

Nonmembers: $349

Space is limited to 60 participants, so register today! The workshops are 90 minutes, not available for individual purchase, and will be recorded for subsequent access.

Click here to register and learn more.

Attention CCAP Candidates — Register for the Independent Writing Assignment Today

The CCAP Independent Writing Assignment (IWA) is one of two examination processes required to earn the CCAP Credential. To be eligible to participate in the 2024 IWA, currently enrolled CCAP Candidates must submit a no-cost registration through NCAP’s Member Portal no later than May 13. Early registration is encouraged. Questions about the registration process or the IWA exam process can be sent to CCAP@CommunityActionPartnership.com. Don’t miss out! Register today!

Join us to commemorate 60 years of Community Action during NCAP’s 2024 Annual Convention, taking place August 28th – 30th (Pre-Con: 26th – 27th) in Seattle, Washington!

ABOUT THE EVENT

The Annual Convention is designed to provide Community Action Agency professionals and board members the latest policy and programmatic updates as well as management and governance tools. Special emphasis will be placed on effective strategies for transforming communities and changing the lives of Community Action customers.

HOW TO REGISTER

DRAFT AGENDA

CANCELLATION POLICY: Per our cancellation policy, cancellation requests received in writing to registration@communityactionpartnership.com by 5pm ET Thursday, August 1 will incur a $130 cancellation fee. Refund requests after this time will not be accepted. No shows will be required to pay the full registration fee.

HOTEL INFORMATION

The convention hotel is now full, and the wait list has closed. NCAP is working to secure an overflow hotel. Stay tuned for details.

Nominate a Staff or Board Member for NCAP's Avril Weisman Scholarship

Submission Deadline: Friday, May 10th

The Avril Weisman Annual Convention Scholarship honors Avril Weisman, a longtime employee of NCAP. For more than 28 years, Avril dedicated herself to building the capacity of Community Action Agencies. For many years, Avril’s primary responsibility was the coordination and implementation of the NCAP Annual Convention. These scholarships reflect Avril’s passion for Community Action as well as her dedication to ongoing learning, professional enrichment, and the Community Action brand.

Two scholarships will be awarded. A scholarship will be given to a Community Action Agency or State Community Action Agency Association staff member and a Community Action board member each year. Please note, Executive Directors and Senior Management Team leaders are not eligible for the scholarship.

Click here to learn more and apply.

Shop NCAP's 60th Anniversary Online Store

2024 is here and Community Action Agencies across the country are commemorating our network’s 60th anniversary! Check out our online store for the hottest merch for showing your support for 60 years of Community Action!

Click here to visit the store.

We're Hiring!

NCAP is currently seeking qualified candidates to fill the following positions:

Project Director, Practice Transformation — responsible for the coordination and delivery of projects within the Practice Transformation portfolio, including Whole Family Approach, Social & Economic Mobility, and Equity efforts.
Project Director, Weatherization Infrastructure — supports NCAP’s mission through its engagement with the portfolio of energy-related projects. This includes responsibility for all efforts, initiatives and relationships related to the NCAP Weatherization Infrastructure Act Local Response Project (“NCAP LRP”) as well as research, communications, and network and partner engagement in support of conferences, webinars, meetings, trainings, newsletters, social media, reports, and publications.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Three Part Series: Whole Family Approach 101, 102 and 103

Join the NCAP team for this exciting new webinar series designed for agencies interested in applying a Whole Family Approach (WFA) to serving children and the adults in their lives. Over the course of three interconnected sessions, attendees will be grounded in the foundational concepts of WFA, inspired by success stories from within the Community Action Network, and empowered to begin their own WFA implementation journey. A single registration gets you access to all three sessions, including recordings that can be watched later or shared with colleagues within your organization. All sessions will be hosted live and include time for Q&A. Don’t miss this unique opportunity! Register today!

Session 1 – Whole Family Approach 101: Foundational Concepts

Learn the fundamentals of Whole Family Approach – what it is and how it differs from other service delivery practices – and how it can be used to catalyze social and economic mobility for families and interrupt the intergenerational cycle of poverty. Click here to watch the recording.

Session 2 – Whole Family Approach 201: Moving Toward Implementation

Explore the enabling conditions which demonstrate WFA readiness and learn how to apply NCAP’s open-source tools and resources to design and implement your own WFA. Click here to watch the recording.

Session 3 – Whole Family Approach 301: Blending & Braiding Resources for WFA Sustainability

Join us Wednesday, June 12th, at 2 pm ET / 1 pm CT / 12 pm MT / 11 am PT to learn from seasoned Community Action professionals and WFA practitioners how to effectively blend and braid federal, state, local, and private resources to support your WFA implementation efforts.

Click here to register for the series.

Solar Resources in Weatherization and LIHEAP

Tuesday, May 14, at 2 PM ET | 1 PM CT | 12 PM MT | 11 AM PT

Almost half of U.S. households qualify as low- to moderate-income, but only a small fraction currently have access to solar energy. Join National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the NCAP and National Association for State Community Services Programs to learn more about options and new resources to support solar in the Weatherization Assistance Program and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Click here to register for the webinar.

Collaborative on Economic Mobility (CEM): Regional Listening Sessions

Join NCAP for a series of Regional Listening Sessions to help inform and guide the efforts of the Collaborative on Economic Mobility (CEM). In partnership with the Office of Community Services, the purpose of the Collaborative is to highlight promising practices and expand the capacity of the Community Action Network to deliver services that promote social and economic mobility. The focus areas for discussion will include: Workforce Development, Education, Community Asset Building, Whole Family Approaches, Equity, and Innovation. Participants will have the opportunity to provide insight and perspective from a local context, and learn more about the challenges and opportunities of others in the network. As the Collaborative moves forward, this information will be utilized to help identify and develop high-quality tools and resources for training and technical assistance.

Regions IV, VI, VII – Thursday May 16^th, 3-4pm ET (Includes the Following States and Territories: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Kentucky, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa)

Click here to register.

Regions VIII, IX, X – Thursday May 23^rd, 3-4pm ET (Includes the Following States and Territories: North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Marina Islands, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Alaska)

Click here to register.

Celebrating Community Action Month with a Focus on Results-Oriented Culture

Wednesday, May 29, at 2 PM ET | 1 PM CT | 12 PM MT | 11 AM PT

No matter what change is being considered or the location or size of the Community Action Agency, there is one constant that largely determines success or failure – it is the role and importance of organizational culture. Culture is the beliefs, values, and assumptions that shape behaviors and help individuals understand the organization. Culture is often so strong and so powerful that when there is a discrepancy or inconsistency between the current culture and the objectives of change, the culture will win. For our purposes, we consider how an organization’s culture is related to its success in producing positive outcomes for families, communities, and our agencies. Join us as we identify the building blocks of a “results oriented culture” and come away with ideas on how you, no matter your title or position, can be an advocate for results.

Click here to register for the webinar.

National Community Action Partnership CSBG Annual Report Feedback Forum

Wednesday, May 29, at 4 PM ET | 3 PM CT | 2 PM MT | 1 PM PT

Join us for the National Community Action Partnership CSBG Annual Report Feedback Forum, dedicated to discussing proposed changes to the CSBG Annual Report recently released by the Office of Community Services. This forum is an opportunity to review these changes, listen to the priorities and concerns of Community Action Agencies, and discuss strategies for ensuring that the voices of the Community Action Network are heard. Your input will directly inform the National Community Action Partnership’s response to these proposed changes. Together, we can ensure the CSBG Annual Report reflects the story of Community Action.

Click here to register for the webinar.

Navigating the Complexities of SNAP: Insights and Updates for Community Action Agencies

Thursday, June 6, at 12 PM ET | 11 AM CT | 10 AM MT | 9 AM PT

Join us for an engaging webinar in collaboration with the American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Dive into the fundamentals of SNAP, exploring federal and state policies shaping the program's landscape from a national to local level. Additionally, hear firsthand from CAAs operating SNAP programs, as we uncover the various nuances and components of SNAP. This opportunity will deepen your understanding and stay ahead in navigating SNAP's evolving terrain.

Click here to register for the webinar.

Designing and Registering an Apprenticeship in the Weatherization Assistance Program — Lessons from the Field

Thursday, June 6, at 2 PM ET | 1 PM CT | 12 PM MT | 11 AM PT

This webinar, hosted by NCAP and IREC, will help attendees build their knowledge of Registered Apprenticeship and highlight real-world strategies from weatherization assistance programs. Presenters will share important information on Registered Apprenticeship including required design components, models and approaches, and the different roles partners can play. WAP agencies with existing RAPs will share their individual experiences designing and registering apprenticeships. They will share recommendations and best practices with the audience and will provide an overview of their programs and processes they are using to facilitate training. Attendees will leave the webinar with a strong understanding of what apprenticeship is and how they can engage in and leverage this model to support their agency’s workforce and training needs.

Click here to register for the webinar.

NCAP Data Hub: Overview of Improved Map Room Design and Enhanced Functionality

Tuesday, June 11, at 12 PM ET | 11 AM CT | 10 AM MT | 9 AM PT

Join us for a demonstration of the newly updated Map Room in the NCAP Data Hub. The demonstration will walk through the steps of finding data, making a map, layering, exporting data, and downloading map images. The Map Room in the NCAP Data Hub hosts more than 30,000 mappable layers spanning topics like poverty, education, housing, weather, health, and workforce. Maps from the Data Hub can be used to support community needs assessments, grant applications, infographics, annual reports, strategic plans, and advocacy efforts.

Click here to register for the webinar.

Community Action 60th Anniversary Idea Generator!

Monday, June 17, at 4 PM ET | 3 PM CT | 2 PM MT | 1 PM PT

Many Community Action leaders have been hard at work planning activities to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Community Action. Join this event to hear about some exciting and fun activities from your peers, exchange plans, and soak up some great ideas you can steal with zeal!

Click here to register for the webinar.

Community Action 101

Wednesday, June 26, at 2 PM ET | 1 PM CT | 12 PM MT | 11 AM PT

For nearly 60 years, Community Action has been a crucial force in tackling poverty at its roots throughout the USA, championing community-driven solutions and advancing social and ecomoic mobility. Join us as we delve into the rich history, innovative model, and enduring promise of Community Action. Discover how we cultivate collaboration within communities and ignite movements for change, shaping a future where every person thrives.

Click here to register for the webinar.

Wipfli Stronger to Serve 2024

July 9-12, 2024 | Las Vegas, NV

The Stronger to Serve conference is designed for nonprofits or government agencies focused on providing or supporting human services programming. You’ll gain must-have perspectives on leadership, operational effectiveness, compliance, risk mitigation and talent.

Through dozens of sessions led by top Wipfli trainers, participants come away with new ideas and practical approaches to immediately implement and help their organizations soar.

Click here to register and learn more.

Amazon Business Discounted Purchasing Informational Virtual Meeting Series

The Amazon Business Nonprofit Team will provide an overview of their Community Action Agency LIHEAP pricing program, as well as the NCAP discount program for savings on top Office, IT, and Head Start/Early Head Start products.

These webinars will include a Q&A session and participants will receive contact information from your dedicated Amazon Business Account Executive, who will follow up to assist with account setup customizations, such as establishing organizational guided buying policies, enabling 501. c tax exemptions, activating pay-by-invoice and other features.

Save the Dates for the 2024 Risk Summit!

October 21 and 22 | Reston, VA

The Nonprofit Risk Management Center has announced the dates for the 2024 Risk Summit! This annual gathering designed exclusively for nonprofit risk leaders and enthusiasts will be held October 21st & 22nd, 2024 at the Hyatt Regency in Reston, Virginia.

Click here to register and learn more.