4th Quarter Report Update
We are still experiencing a few minor issues with the 4th quarter report module in CSBG Reporter. We will push the deadline for the report back but we are waiting until the system is fully ready for data entry to select the new due date. Be on the lookout for a special email from your program consultant in the next week with more information on the 4th quarter report. In the meantime we encourage you to collect the data needed and have it ready to input into the system when it is open.

Thank you for your patience as we work to launch this new system.
Intro to ROMA Training - October 30, 2019
The CSBG Team is hosting an Introduction to ROMA Course on October 30, 2019 from 9am - 4pm at the Downing Gross Cultural Arts Center in Newport News, VA. The Introduction to ROMA course covers topics such as developing mission statements and needs assessments, writing and implementing outcome measures as well as the use of outcome scales in Community Action Agencies. The training is open to board or staff members.

The trainers for this session will be Angel Ampey, VA CSBG Office, Will Weeks, Eastern Shore Area Agency on Aging/ CAA, and Michelle Bryant, STOP Inc.

The training will cost approximately $40 and will include the materials and lunch. We can accommodate up to 30 people at this training on a first come first serve basis. Please register by Friday, October 4th . Once registration closes we will collect lunch orders and send any additional information.
Whole Family/Two-Generation Pilot Project Update
Our office has selected Community Action Partnership as the consultant to work on the Whole Family Pilot Project. We are currently finalizing contracts this week and will begin development of the Request for Applications (RFA) immediately thereafter. We hope to issue an RFA before the end of September. Please refer to our past discussions in newsletters the information from the Whole Family Input Session. We will be including the things from that discussion in our RFA (having a whole family case manager; conducting family assessments; using the Aspen/Ascend, Urban Institute, Annie E. Casey philosophies/outcomes on two-gen as guides, etc.). You can still be preparing for the release of the RFA well in advance by ensuring you have a clear idea of the partners in your community that will be important to connecting families to outputs/outcomes that will bring them to self-sufficiency. Your Agency Representative will be notifying when the RFA is ready to be released through eVA, and will be sending out the links by email to you. 
FY 2019-2020 Training and TA Plan
The CSBG Team has been working to develop our combined Training and Technical Assistance plan with VACAP. We reviewed the surveys completed by agencies in the spring and have developed a training plan for the next several months. Our next large regional training will cover Program Evaluation. Gail Harris is currently designing the curriculum that will be used for this training. The training will cover tools that can be used for both staff and board to analyze and evaluate program data. We are aiming to conduct this training in February 2020. We are also developing an Intro to Community Action Webinar, where we will cover what it means to be a Community Action Agency. This webinar will be recorded and is intended to be used as an orientation tool for new staff or board members. We will also be kicking off a ROMA In Real Life Series in December. This series will highlight agencies who are using the components of ROMA in their everyday work. Another exciting training being developed is a board orientation toolkit. We will be working with the VACAP Board Peer Group to develop recorded webinars, templates and resources agencies can use when new board members join your board. We will also be developing a toolkit for Public CAP boards to become advocates for their organization. VACAP will be developing a cohort for agencies interested in learning more about two generation approaches to poverty. This cohort will receive special training's and opportunities throughout the year. 

This is just a snapshot of a few trainings and resources we are developing there are many more webinars and resources we will working on in the next several months.  
Congratulations to Hampton Roads Community Action Program
The Hampton Roads Community Action Program (HRCAP) has received the SunTrust Foundation's 2019 Lighting the Way Award and a $75,000 grant. The  SunTrust Foundation recently announced the winners of the 2019 Lighting the Way Awards, giving a total of $2.7 million in grants to 36 nonprofit organizations across the South and Midwest. The awards support the work of the organizations to build self-sufficient families and more financially confident communities through financial education, financial counseling, career readiness/workforce development and small business/entrepreneurship. Each nonprofit was awarded a $75,000 grant. Congratulations to HRCAP for this prestigious award!
Tri County Launches New Website
On August 26th Tri County launched their new website. The new website features all of the agency programs to include Head Start, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Healthy Families, Mentor Role Model Program, Weatherization, USDA, Virginia Homeless Solutions Program, Emergency Food and Shelter, Energy Share, Community Cannery and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. The website offers easily accessible information such as board and management contact information, online donations, program guidelines and application forms, agency highlights and community events, and more information about how to become a TCCAA sponsor and/or volunteer. The site is user friendly in all platforms including tablets/computers/cell phones/etc. Check out their new website today!
DSS Softball Team Champions!
As you may know Matt Fitzgerald is an avid softball player and this year he was the team captain for the DSS softball team. DSS did not have a softball team for several years and this year he recruited 20 DSS employees to join the new team. One of those players was Angel Ampey, CSBG Program Consultant. The DSS Defenders had a great season and ended up winning the state tournament! Next time you see Matt or Angel be sure to congratulate them on a winning season!
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