In This Issue...
Announcements | Webinars/Trainings | COVID-19 Resources | Technology Resources | Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Resources | Capella/Strayer University Partnership
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CERA: Indirect Costs for Emergency Rental Assistance are allowable
MCA is thrilled to report that our efforts to use our collective voice as a network and get US Treasury and other decision makers to make the much-needed change to the Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance programs has been successful!
Please See FAQ 29 issued by US Treasury on Friday, March 26th. The grant terms with the state offices have been amended in several favorable ways.
Many thanks to all of you who called, emailed, and helped to make our case to our elected representatives and others. CAPLAW and National Community Action Partnership were extremely helpful in organizing our efforts nationally and deserve our thanks as well.
Even if this issue did not directly affect your agency, this win is a win for all agencies—it shows that when mobilized and acting together as an association, we can influence state and local government to make necessary changes in regulation and policy to provide needed relief for our agencies and those we serve.
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Community Action Partnership launches Customer Cohort
NCAP is seeking CAA customers to help advise the community action network regarding what makes for good, effective programming and the building of strong relationships. They can tell us what the most important issues facing families are and what should be done about those issues. They will also help us identify what agencies do that is helpful and effective.
This advising would be done in Customer Cohort meetings. Approximately five such meetings would be held between March and September 2021.
These meetings will be virtual, so they would need to be able to access some basic equipment and the internet- but we can help figure that out if you need us to do that. It is anticipated meetings would average 60 to 90 minutes in length.
Members will be reimbursed for their participation. If you have a customer who would like to participate please provide their contact information to Lana Shope, CARES T/TA Director.
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April 20, 2021 - Managing Conflict in the Workplace
12:00-2:00 PM ET
April 21, 2021 - Legislative Committee Meeting
10:00 AM ET
May 7, 2021 - MDHHS - Michigan Commission on Community Action
10:00 AM ET
For a full list of events,
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The Michigan Community Action Update is a round-up of important information for members of Michigan Community Action.
We may send more
frequent updates when
important information breaks
that impacts the
Community Action network.
We welcome your input and feedback.
Please send your comments and ideas here.
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Tax Filing Deadline Extended Until May 17, 2021
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COVID Relief Fund helps get running water into homes of rural low-income residents
FiveCAP, Inc., a rural Community Action Agency serving residents in four Michigan counties, rolled out a life-changing Water/Plumbing Assistance Program.
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Managing Conflict in the Workplace | April 20, 2021 at 12:00-2:00 PM EST | 11:00-1:00 CT
Team members will learn the top Five Conflicts in the workplace and how to resolve conflicts/disputes using the Conflict Management process. This course is designed to assist HR professionals and leaders/management in identifying, addressing and removing conflict in the workplace. Group discussion and a Case Study will be presented.
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Learning Communities Resource Center 2021 Kick-Off Wednesday, April 7 at 2 PM ET | 1 PM CT
Join the National Partnership team to learn more about how to get involved with the Learning Communities Resource Center (LCRC) as we launch the next cycle of sharing and learning opportunities for the Community Action CSBG Network. LCRC is an innovation hub that works with CAAs to identify effective, promising, and innovative practice models that combat the causes and conditions of poverty. Participating individuals and agencies are given the opportunity to develop innovative anti-poverty approaches, improve programs, and sharpen service-delivery strategies specific to the needs of local communities. Join a network of organizations and leaders who have been given the tools to launch impactful and lasting transformations through participation in these sharing and learning cohorts! During the webinar we will discuss upcoming events, cohort topics, new resources, and application process questions.
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PPE to prevent spread of COVID-19 are tax deductible
The IRS issued an announcement stating that personal protective equipment (PPE) purchased with the primary intention of preventing the spread of COVID-19 is tax deductible. The amounts paid for sanitizing wipes, gloves, face masks and other PPE will be considered deductible medical expenses and are also eligible to be paid or reimbursed under health flexible spending accounts, medical savings accounts, health reimbursement arrangements or health savings accounts.
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USDA Announces Extension of Pandemic Resources to Ensure Access to Healthy Meals During School Closures
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the nationwide extension of several waivers that allow all children to continue to receive nutritious meals this summer when schools are out of session. These flexibilities are now available through Sept. 30, 2021.
These waivers help program operators to prepare for the summer months ahead, when many children don't have access to the school meals they depend on during the academic year.
To get more details about the Summer Food Service Program Center, follow the link for the for Center for Civil Justice’s April 1st newsletter.
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How Nonprofits Use WhatsApp to Stay in Touch with Their Communities
If your organization is looking for a way to stay in touch with members, donors, and the community in general, there are many messaging apps available to choose from. In this post, we'll be taking a closer look at WhatsApp, which is popular in the U.S. but even more popular around the world. As of February 2020, WhatsApp had over 2 billion users globally.
The free mobile phone messaging app features text, call, video, voice memos, and picture and file sharing capabilities, most of which can be also used via desktop through a web browser extension called WhatsApp Web.
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Free TechSoup Technology Offerings
Microsoft Excel Training for Nonprofits
The Excel for Nonprofits training starts by giving you a foundation of skills to build upon and gradually advances to cover more complex topics like worksheet design, how to use functions, and the most effective ways to analyze charts.
Word for Nonprofits - Creating Compelling Documents
In this four-part track, you will learn how to use Word to create compelling documents that can best tell your organization’s story.
Teams for Nonprofits - Collaboration Tools
This three-course track includes a free Getting Started course, an advanced course and a special Ask the Expert session.
Pivoting to Remote Work — COVID-19 Response Course Track for Nonprofits
To continue serving your community during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may find the need to quickly transition to remote work. To help you, TechSoup created a free track of courses to provide information and tools as you make this transition.
Upgrade Your Nonprofit’s Technology in 2021
With the landscape of technology constantly changing, it’s important to get back to the basics and refresh your knowledge of hardware setup.
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Resources |
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ICYMI: Practice Transformation Resource Tour
During this webinar, participants learned more about the National Partnership’s Practice Transformation Resources. These resources will help organizations apply evidence-based anti-poverty practices to better serve families. The Practice Transformation team supports organizations to transform their agencies and communities through the integration of services, ongoing training and technical assistance, and resource dissemination. We will tour training materials, reports, guides and upcoming opportunities to help you improve outcomes and identify effective, promising, and innovative practice models that alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty. Some of the content covered will include COVID-19 publications, guides for developing a Whole Family/2-Gen Approach, and tools for strengthening equity.
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Michigan Community Action, Capella University
& Strayer University Partnership
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Your ambitions are important. Through our partnership with Capella University, you and your immediate family are eligible for significant educational benefits,* each designed to help you reach your goals.
These include:
- 50% off your first 12-week session tuition through Capella’s FlexPath learning format plus an additional
- 10% tuition discount on all subsequent sessions
- $3,000-$20,000 scholarships on eligible bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs through
- Capella’s GuidedPath learning format plus an additional 10% tuition discount
- Opportunity to save on general education courses through Sophia Learning, Capella’s affiliate
- Support throughout your academic journey, including advising support and career counselling
Explore Continuing Education content
We understand the demands of a typical workday. That’s why Capella has teamed up with EliteHealthcare to provide access to courses eligible for CE credit. This content is available on demand, on us.
Learn more about Capella
Capella offers an online, flexible education and a variety of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs. Available areas of study include nursing, health administration, business, information technology and more.
*Eligible programs only. Connect with your HR team for details. Books, supplies, and other fees apply.
Check out this PDF for information on programs offered.
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Save on your degree at Strayer University
Michigan Community Action and Strayer University have partnered to offer eligible employees of their member agencies access to flexible, affordable associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. If you’re thinking of earning a degree, we invite you to take advantage of special offers designed to help you meet your educational goals.
Special offers and scholarships available now
• $5,000 scholarship for new or returning Strayer students to apply toward a bachelor’s or master’s degree
• 10% tuition discount for the duration of your program*
* Tuition discount upon receipt of documentation of employment and eligibility.
Why Strayer?
At Strayer, you’ll get a modern, online degree that gives you the confidence to change your future. Our programs are built for working adults and our student services coaches offer support at every step. We believe in educational access, academic quality, student success and customer service.
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MCA Officers/Board Members 2019-2021 |
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Jill Sutton
President
Mid Michigan CAA
Toby Berry
Urban Officer
Community Action Agency
Lisa Evans
Lower Peninsula Rural Officer
Community Action of Allegan County
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Michelle Williamson
Vice President
Community Action
Michelle LaJoie
Upper Peninsula Officer
Community Action Alger- Marquette
Melinda Johnson
At-Large Officer
Blue Water Community Action
Dennis McShane
Directors Council Chair Chippewa-Luce-Mackinac Community Action Agency
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Kerri Duff
Secretary Treasurer
Gogebic Ontonagon CAA
Doug McFadden
CAA Governing Board Officer
EightCAP
Mary Ann Neopolitan
CAA Governing Board Officer
Monroe County Opportunity Program
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MCA is continuing to observe CDC guidelines encouraging remote work practices and following local public health guidelines. The office remains physically closed to anyone outside of immediate staff. We are accessible by phone and email during normal business hours Monday through Friday, 8:30AM-5PM ET.
Be well and stay safe everyone. .
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