March 3, 2021 | Issue 58
Update on CAP 2021-2022 CAP Plan
The 2021-2022 Community Action Plan is due May 1, 2021. The 2021-2022 Plan will be open mid- March for entry into CSBG Reporter.

The following sections on CSBG Reporter are all part of your Community Action Plan and are due May 1, 2021.

  • Community Action Plan Tab
  • Needs
  • Gaps and Linkages
  • Strategic Goals
  • Program
  • ROMA Workplan
  • Financial Section
  • Budget (Federal, TANF, Agency Budget, Additional File Uploads)
  • Board Information
  • Board Roster
  • Board Meeting Schedule

All information in the Community Action Tab along with the board roster will transfer over to the new program year you will just need to edit all sections as needed and re-submit. The Financial section and board meeting schedule will not transfer over and will need to be entered with the new information.

A user guide for CSBG Reporter is available, this contains information on how to complete the plan in CSBG Reporter. Also available is a tip sheet which contains helpful information in order to complete the CAP.
Community Action Updates
Upcoming Events
  • March 8-12 - NASCSP Virtual Conference
ACSI Survey
On February 22nd, OCS released Action Transmittal CSBG-AT-2021-02 announcing that the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) Survey for CSBG Eligible Entities will be made available online on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 and will remain open through Tuesday, March 23, 2021.

Completing the survey should take less than 20 minutes. Please be on the lookout for the survey, check their spam files, if necessary, and complete the survey as soon as possible.

The Eligible Entities will receive official notification via email from the CFI Group on behalf of OCS with the email address of: noreply@invite.cfigroup.com. The subject line will read: Office of Community Services Survey of CSBG Eligible Entities.
ROMA Training
The Virginia Community Action Network is offering an Introduction to ROMA training April 13-15. This virtual training will cover three days of content such as developing a comprehensive mission statement, needs assessment, identifying and implementing services, outcome measures, and measurement tools, all while building a ROMA Logic Model. The training is open to new staff, board members, or community partners interested in the work of community action agencies.

Trainers for this session will be Angel Ampey, VDSS, and Brandi Day, People Inc. Training will be held from 8:30 am to 11:30 am over three consecutive days due to the level of content presented. The training will cost approximately $14 to cover the cost of book materials (subject to change if price of book increases). Due to the nature of a virtual platform, we can accommodate 10 people on a first come first serve basis. There will be additional Intro to ROMA training offered throughout the remainder of the year. Information regarding those dates will be released over the summer and fall. 
If you are interested in registering for the Intro to ROMA training, April 13-15 click here.

Register by March 5, 2021. Once registration closes, our office will send additional information as it becomes available. 
Virginia Community Action Leader Selected for NASCSP's Ann Kagie CSBG Award
Our own Terry Smusz, CEO of New River Community Action, Inc., has been selected as the recipient of a special CSBG-network leadership award, the Ann Kagie CSBG Award! The National Association for State Community Service Programs (NASCSP) Board presents this award each year to recognize outstanding and significant contributions to the Community Services Block Grant program, dedication and commitment to the constituencies we serve, and leadership and advocacy for the network. Terry is being recognized for her 32 years of leadership to New River Community Action and the Virginia Community Action Network. The Virginia State CSBG Office would like to thank Terry for all of her service, including countless time spent assisting our office on task forces and working groups that have helped us to develop plans and policies for the network. Terry’s leadership style and abilities, within her agency and within the network, will be missed as she retires this year.
 
The awards ceremony will be held during the NASCSP Winter Training Conference, during the Opening Session on March 8th. Please congratulate Terry on her award!
The Virginia Volunteerism and Service conference is the Commonwealth's leading event for organizations and individuals making a difference in their communities! Presented by the Virginia Office on Volunteerism and Community Services and the Virginia Service Foundation, the 2021 conference will be a highly-interactive two 1/2-day VIRTUAL event with a diverse array of instructional workshops and networking events. Early bird registration is now open! The registration fee is $100 through March 12th!
Nominate Someone Today for the Governor's Volunteerism and Service Awards
Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2021 Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Awards, an annual program that recognizes the outstanding contributions of individual volunteers and organizations across the Commonwealth. The nomination period ends at 5:00 PM EST on Friday, April 23, 2021.

The Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Awards annually recognize the significant contributions of Virginia citizens to the life and welfare of the Commonwealth and its people. One award is presented in each of 10 categories. These outstanding award winners represent the millions of generous Virginians who offer their time and talents to others each year. Nominate someone today!
Community Action Resources
Keeping the ‘Human’ in Human Services: Tips for Implementing User-Centered Design
Community Action Partnership Webinar
March 24 - 12pm-1pm

The COVID-19 pandemic, and the various challenges of the last year, have left us stressed, anxious, and spread thin. The same is true for the people we are trying to serve. Join the National Community Action Partnership and U.S. Digital Response in a conversation about incorporating user-centered design elements into your workflows and services to more effectively reach and serve your communities. During this webinar, you’ll hear about USDR’s partnership with the Empire Justice Center and how user-centered practices enabled delivery of financial services to low-income families throughout the pandemic. You’ll leave with a clearer vision for how to design your work with a distinct focus on the end user and with tangible tips, takeaways and recommendations to humanize your processes.