April 6, 2022 | Issue 71
2022-2023 Community Action Plan Due May 1st
The 2022-2023 Community Action Plan opened the first week of March. The Community Action Plan will stay the same for the upcoming year with three small additions.

  1. Agency Contact Information - we have a google form found at this link for agencies to update contact information for their agency. We will be keeping a comprehensive listing of agency contact information that will be updated annually with the Community Action Plan.
  2. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Narrative - within CSBG Reporter a section to describe current and proposed DEI efforts throughout the agency will be required.
  3. Measurement Tools - this year we are requiring agencies submit a sampling of measurement tools used by the agency. We will ask that you submit three measurement tools that we will review and provide feedback on.

Our office conducted two CAP Plan Refresher Webinars in March. The sessions were recorded and are posted on LearnWorlds. Below is the link to the course on LearnWorlds, remember if you don't have an account you will need to create one to access the course. https://vacsbg.learnworlds.com/course/22-23-cap-refresher

Within the course contents, you will have access to the slideshow from today, the CSBG Reporter User Guide, NASCSP Instruction Manual for FNPI's and Community NPI's and the Tips sheet. 
CSBG State Plan - 2nd Comment Period Now Open
The CSBG State Plan is now open for a 2nd comment period. During the first Comment Period suggestions led to two minor changes within the State Plan. 

Change 1:  Organization Name Change - Southeastern Tidewater Opportunity Project, name changed to STOP Inc. 
Change 2: Within the Monitoring procedures the following line was added: For agencies with Sub-grantees, we will allow a 5-business day turnaround for client and fiscal files to be submitted to our office. The intent of the short turnaround for files is to ensure the items pulled from the system are current. For grantees that monitor sub-recipients they would need a similar process to receive the files from sub grantees within 48 hours, that information can then be reviewed by the agency prior to sending to our office within 5 business days. 

New additions to review in the second comment period: 
  1. Added new authorized official contact information 
  2. Added new VACAP Executive Director information 
  3. We have added our monitoring schedule for FY 22 - FY 24 as an attachment for review. 

The second comment period began on March 8th and will run through April 8th. If you have any comments, suggestions or concerns with the State Plan please email Abigail.hanks@dss.virginia.gov by April 8th. 

The third comment period for agencies will occur in May and will include the training plan for the upcoming year as well as allocation amounts for the upcoming year. 

You can download and review the monitoring schedule for the upcoming year, and updated versions of the State Plan, Eligible Entity Contact List, and Monitoring Procedures. 
CSBG Orientation two part series now available!
The Virginia CSBG Office staff has recorded a two-part orientation series for CAA's. Part one covers the history and purpose of CSBG and is intended for any new staff or board members at a Community Action Agency. Part two goes more in depth into the requirements of the Virginia CSBG Office such as the annual Community Action Plan, reporting, and state plan. Part two is intended for those at a Community Action Agency who is responsible for CSBG related activities. The series can be found on LearnWorlds. Any agency staff member or board member can create an account on LearnWorlds and access the trainings.

Community Action Updates
Upcoming Events
  • April 14th - Change Management Training
  • April 21st - VACAP Board Meeting
ROMA Trainer & Implementer Recertification Information
Recertification is now an annual process for all NCRPs. General information to keep in mind:
  • Check the My Info tab for information about your certification or last recertification date and expected next recertification date.
  • Put your date on your calendar so you can remind yourself and are ready to do your annual recertification in 2022. We plan to send a reminder in the month prior to your certification anniversary, but it will be your responsibility to know when you are due!
  • Go to the recertification site for Trainers and Implementers to submit your recertification application. Please plan to complete this prior to the end of the month of your original certification. - That will give you time to make any changes requested by the Review Team to meet approval. Changes and re-submissions are expected within 30 days.
  • Download the invoice for the current year from the Recertification site. If you are making up recertification from 2021 or prior year, an additional invoice will be sent to you. 
  • You will be able to print your recertification certificate after your submission has been approved and the fee is paid.
Racial Equity in Community Engagement Training Registration Now Open!
Virginia Community Voice will be holding its second training with our office on the topic Racial Equity in Community Engagement. This eight-hour course starts with a brief history of systemic racism in America. You will learn how organizations uphold inequitable practices, why change is vital, and be provided tools for doing the work within yourself and your organization. VACV will lead you through how history has led us to this moment, and how progress forward will depend on systemic change. You will also learn to recognize and name norms that impede community engagement in communities of color, and reflect on your personal relationships with those norms. Lastly, you will learn ways of equitably engaging historically marginalized communities, starting with how to listen effectively.

The training will be broken into two parts, Part I will be held on May 25 and Part II on June 1. Both sessions will be held Noon to 4pm. We know that it is a serious commitment of time, but we know you will enjoy the presenters and content shared with all. We are looking to host 20 participants, therefore, if you are interested, register here. Deadline for registration is April 26. The sessions will not be recorded for later viewing.
Community Action Resources
CSBG CARES Spending Network Conversation with OCS, NCAP, NASCSP, CAPLAW, & NCAF
Apr 14, 2022 2:00 ET

CARES Act Supplemental CSBG funds have been critical to supporting family and community needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. In most communities, these funds will need to be fully expended within the next 6 months. With the impacts of the pandemic still very present and uncertainty about additional funding, it is critical that the Community Action Network use any remaining CARES Act Supplemental funds as effectively as possible. Join Community Action’s National Partners – NCAP, NASCSP, CAPLAW and NCAF – as well as representatives from the federal Office of Community Services (OCS) to learn about a variety of effective strategies that CAAs have used and can continue to implement to protect vulnerable families. 

Link to Register:

https://communityactionpartnership.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rfA22LqOTI2ixq__QqUhJg
Change Management, Are you Equipped? Training Information
If you registered for the “Change Management, Are you Equipped?" training on Thursday, April 14, from 10-11:30 am, with Capital Strategy Group, LLC you should have received your registration link. If you did not receive the link and registered, please reach out to Angel at Angel.Ampey@dss.virginia.gov.  

The training will discuss how change is managed in an ever so rapidly evolving workplace landscape. Organizational Change is needed to compete with other industry leaders and attract the right talent for your organization. New and innovative ideas must be introduced to teams in order for the work to thrive within the community.   

Virginia Community Services Block Grant Office