2018-2019 Contracting Process Update
The 2018-19 CSBG Contracting process has been a time of transition. New rules at the state level initiated a requirement to enter all contracts/subrecipients into eVA. Processes at VDSS have also been updated  and require additional documentation and actions. Contracts were final and were   executed in mid-August by our procurement office (you will see that contracts have a revised date written on them). Please note that Section VIII of the contract clearly states that compensation is still for July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019, and I believe all (or at least most) agencies have submitted for and received reimbursement for July and August already. Thank you for your patience during this transition. We will conduct a webinar with procurement staff in the next few months to prepare for next year's process. The goal will be to have all agencies registered  with a free account in eVA, so  you will be able to see the entire contracting process and documents in real time next year.   
Reminder: Summer Feeding Webinar - October 4th
Summer feeding site information is available through this easy to use interactive map. Check out the map to find information on sites in your communities. We are asking that you reach out to sites in your community to learn more about being a summer feeding site and try to identify any gaps in your service area. The CSBG Staff has put together an informational webinar on October 4th at 2pm with information on how to be a summer feeding site and/or sponsor in the future.

Please join the webinar! 
                             A ccess Code:  719-629-341  
CSBG State Office Seeking Fiscal Program Officer 
The Virginia State CSBG Office in Richmond is seeking a Fiscal Program Officer. This position works with five team members to support, guide, and monitor compliance of the 31 statewide community action agency sub-grantees, which are primarily nonprofit organizations. For more information about the position please visit: https://www.connectva.org/job/fiscal-program-officer/. 
What does it mean to be designated as a CAA? What does a CSBG Monitoring Look Like? 
Do you have new staff, or seasoned staff who need a refresher on what it means to be designated as a Community Action Agency? Are you interested in learning more about CSBG Monitoring? If so, the Virginia CSBG Staff will be hosting a webinar on November 27th at 10am to review the structure and uniqueness of Community Action. We will also cover the CSBG Monitoring process and review the changes to the monitoring structure. 

Please join us for this informative webinar. 

Dial: +1 (872) 240-3212 
Access Code: 912-291-765 
October and November At A Glance
  • October 1 - 4th Quarter Reports Due
  • October 4 - 2pm - Summer Feeding Webinar 
  • October 8 - Columbus Day State Offices Closed
  • November 13 - 1st Quarter Reports Due 
  • November 22-23 - Thanksgiving State Offices Closed
  • November 27th -10am - CAA Designation Webinar
Community Action Highlight
STEPS, Inc., Piedmont Health District, the Piedmont Health Coalition, the Prince Edward Office of the Virginia Cooperative Extension, Longwood University, FeedMore, FACES, and Southside Virginia Family YMCA have developed a new initiative called Living Healthy in the Heart of Virginia Program (LHHV). This is a nine-month program, to begin September 21, 2018, where six families will participate in activities intended to determine the positive influence of healthy lifestyles and eating habits. This is all possible due to the desire to have a positive impact on the citizens of their community. To learn more about this new initiative contact Amy Beatson at STEPS, Inc. 
Resources for Community Action 
Working with an Elected Public Official's Representative on the Tripartite Board. 
From CAPLAW: Elected public officials serve a crucial role on a Community Action Agency's (CAA) tripartite board. Not only do they raise awareness of poverty in the community and at various levels of government, they are also integral in fostering close coordination between local public agencies and Community Action efforts. Recognizing the often overwhelming demands elected public officials regularly face, the federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Act gives a public official invited to serve on the tripartite board the option to have a representative serve in his or her place. This FAQ addresses a variety of questions received by CAPLAW about the selection and management of representatives serving in place of elected public officials on tripartite boards. The answers to these questions often depend on the requirements in a CAA's bylaws. While this FAQ discusses the federal CSBG Act's requirements and offers recommended practices, CAAs should note that they must continue to follow their bylaws as currently written until they are amended pursuant to the applicable bylaws provisions and/or state or local laws.

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