The VACAP Conference in January included another installment of the ongoing OVCS roundtable discussions. As part of the roundtable, OVCS expanded on the Transforming Virginia's Community Action Network conversation that began last June. Previously the network had discussed nine large, long-term, transformative goals, and agreed on some ways that each could be better defined and worked towards. At this session, one goal was prioritized and identified as the 2017 Goal of the Year. OVCS will be working throughout the year to find resources and develop/identify trainings for the network that will move us closer to accomplishing this goal. The 2017 Goal of the Year selected is: CAA includes staff with strong expertise in community problem solving, collective impact models, convening and leadership. We will be conducting a brief webinar on March 3rd to kick-off the year of learning and thought on this topic, and look forward to involvement from many in the network as we work collaboratively to move Virginia's Community Action Network forward! Ideas for training's and resources can be sent to [email protected] throughout the year, and we will be reaching out for some input as more specific needs are identified.

• February 3rd- Application Documents Available
• February 8th-  Board Training (Roanoke- Pre-Registration Required) 
• February 20th- Presidents Day- State Offices Closed
• February 22nd-23rd- Facilitation Training (Wytheville- Pre-Registration Required)
• February 27th-29th- Facilitation Training (Richmond-Pre-Registration Required)
• March 3rd- Transforming Virginia Webinar (10am)
• March 16th- Training/TA Taskforce Meeting (1pm)

Information on application process for the 2017-2018 Virginia CSBG VISTA Program is now available. There will be a two-step application process for the VISTA Program. Please see the timeline below and participate in the webinar on Feb. 3rd for more information. 

February 3rd - Letter of Interest information released after informational webinar (webinar information below) 

February 13th - Mandatory Letter of Interest due 

February 15th - Application available to those who submitted a Letter of Interest

April 1st - VISTA application due by 5pm 

VISTA Informational Webinar 

February 3rd - 10am 

As you know Virginia has been working on Organizational Standards Compliance for the past 2 years, with the formal review process starting this past July. Letters have been, or are in the process of being, sent to notify agencies of the number of standards they are meeting. On March 31st we will be reporting to OCS in the Annual Report where Virginia Agencies are in compliance with the standards. We have compiled that information to date and wanted to share where we stand today. Keep in mind that our results are in line with other states and knowing these results will allow us to focus our resources and attention on the unmet standards. There are also many of these standards that can be met at the next board meeting, or through submitting additional documentation. You will be working with your assigned agency representative to develop a Technical Assistance/Training Plan based on the unmet standards and a plan for beyond compliance. You should prioritize the items that can be accomplished in the short-term first. 

Private Community Action Agencies (22 total):

Public Community Action Agencies (6 total):

The Federal Office of Community Services received Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for a new CSBG Annual Report on January 12, 2017. Following the approval, Office of Community Services released IM 152 to provide guidance to states on the implementation and timelines for online submission of the CSBG Annual Report. As mentioned during the OVCS Roundtable at the recent VACAP Conference, there are some immediate actions Virginia will need to take, and some long-term planning and changes that will be required.  The first submission date of parts of the new CSBG Annual Report will be March 31, 2017 for Module 1: State Administration only. This module will include reporting on the status of compliance with Organizational Standards for Virginia Community Action Agencies, by total percentage and within each of the 9 categories.  The remainder of the reporting changes will be for the 2018-19 CSBG Program Year.  Continue Reading. 

ACF's Two-Generation Approach Webpage 

 

ACF just recently unveiled their  Two-Generation Approach webpage . The webpage has three key components: 1) It discusses how ACF brings a two-generation philosophy their efforts, 2) It is a place where you can learn about strategies for implementing a two-generation approach in your state, locality, or program. Resources include webinars, toolkits, and more from ACF program offices and external partners, 3) You can dive into the several research projects that the Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation is carrying out for ACF related to two-generation approaches.