The 2024-2025 CAP Plan is now open and is due May 15, 2024. As you begin working on the CAP Plan, please review the refresher webinar. A 2024-2025 CAP Plan Manual is also available on LearnWorlds.

OEO has sent out emails to each CAA indicating the CSBG and TANF allocation amounts for FY2024-2025. We know you will most likely have not completed the budget process at this time; however, we do need a rough draft/proposed budget submitted in CSBG Reporter, under the 2024-2025 “Budget” tab, to begin the Procurement process as soon as possible. When your budget figures are final, you can modify the 2024-2025 budget in CSBG Reporter to show your actual numbers.

The OEO presented a Fiscal Information Webinar on March 5th to go over information related to getting you under contract for FY2024-2025 and to answer any questions. View the recording of this webinar.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the series. We greatly appreciated the opportunity to learn from each of you and to share valuable information that will assist our network in enhancing its processes for developing comprehensive community needs assessments for our organizations and stakeholders. This series was designed with a collaborative approach in mind. As such, our office has developed a diverse array of resources, including videos, workbooks, and guides. These materials are accessible on LearnWorlds for anyone who was unable to attend our sessions. Click here for access. 

WORKSHOP TITLE: Finding Your WHY through ROMA

Presenters: Jo Nelson and Troy Gusler, ROMA Implementers at Total Action for Progress (TAP)

The Office of Economic Opportunity is excited to announce another informative three-part series this spring: "Bridging ROMA Through the Eyes of Housing, Head Start, and Re-entry." Session I, titled "Finding Your WHY through ROMA," will kick off the series on May 7th at 10 am. Click here to register. See the session description below for more details.



This hour-long workshop will focus on why ROMA principles are important, not only for your agency but for your own understanding and success. Troy and Jo will clarify how Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding, along with their accompanying regulations, form the foundation of your community action agency and influence all its activities, even if your program does not directly utilize these funds. The presenters will guide you through exercises that demonstrates how ROMA processes assist in the development of robust programs that benefit not only the agency but also the community and the participants it serves.



Jo is the Director of This Valley Works at TAP. She has been with the agency 16 years. Troy is the Whole Family Intake and Follow-up Manager and handles “all things database” for the agency. He has been with TAP for 12 years. Together they manage the ROMA standards for the agency and provide CSBG/TANF and Whole Family onboarding training for all new employees as well as ongoing training related to ROMA and data standards.

The ROMA Superheroes Peer Group will be holding its second meeting on Thursday, May 23 from 2:00 – 3:00 pm. The topic, Applied ROMA Tools, Techniques, and Practices. To join, registration is required. Click here to register. Once registered, a meeting access link will be shared with you.

This group is open to anyone interested in delving deeper into the ROMA framework and understanding its relevance to the CAA mission, programs, outcomes, and overall community impact. If you missed the last meeting, click here for access to the recording. 

We look forward to seeing you in building a stronger community through the ROMA Superheroes Peer Group. If you have any questions, please contact Landis Faulcon at Landis.Faulcon@hrcapinc.org. 

Throughout 2024, the Community Action Network will

commemorate its 60th anniversary with national, state, and local events and activities. NCAP has released a helpful toolkit chocked full of ideas and resources to help CAAs and State Associations celebrate this anniversary. The toolkit includes a planning guide, a

starter-pack list of over 60 commemoration activity ideas, a 60th anniversary coloring page, and more. Additional templates and tools will be added to the NCAP website in the coming months.

We encourage you to consider some of the following activities as you plan how your agency will take part in the 60th anniversary event.

• Add the 60th anniversary logo to your website, newsletters, and other branded materials.
• Start using the hashtags #CommunityAction60 and #60YearsStrong on your social media feeds.
• Review the toolkit and consider establishing a 60th anniversary committee.
• Use the tools and resources developed by the OEO and NCAP to come up with creative ways to share the story of community action.
• Make a short video telling the world "What Community Action Means to Your Agency" and use this on your own social media platforms and share with OEO so that we can share widely (see below).

Training Opportunities

The OEO will present a 90-minute webinar addressing CAA Cost Allocation Compliance Challenges on Tuesday, April 9, at 2pm. The training will be presented by Kay Sohl. This workshop has been designed to build understanding of the requirements for charging costs to federal awards in the Uniform Grants Guidance. In this session we will explore specific challenges of CSBG funding, build understanding of the concept of “allocability,” provide examples of compliant cost allocation policies and practices, and offer tools to help CAAs evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of their current cost allocation policies and practices. Additionally, we will discuss common cost allocation pitfalls and develop effective strategies to strengthen your agency’s compliance with cost allocation requirements.

Please register for this training at the below link. There is also a space in the registration form for you to enter any questions you may have.

Registration form: https://forms.office.com/g/rgec1nVsh7

A series of webinars kicked off last month for community action agencies in VA, PA, MD, WV, DC, and DE (Region III). These trainings occur twice a month and are an excellent opportunity for education, collaboration, and networking. You will need to register for each training individually using the links for each session. Some webinars are still in the planning stages, so save the dates on your calendar and check back for registration links. Once you are registered, you will receive a Zoom link to add to your calendar. Recordings are available for previously held webinars for 30 days. Sign up for webinars and view recordings of past sessions on LearnWorlds. 

The Office of Economic Opportunity wants to hear from you! If your agency has training needs throughout the year please let us know. We have created a simple form for you to submit any ideas you may have to support your staff, clients, and board make an even greater impact on your community. You can submit a need at any time and our staff will reach out to you to get more information. This form is also available on the LearnWorlds homepage.