On January 6, 2023, the Office of Community Services (OCS) released a notice regarding the 200% Federal Poverty Line (FPL) Provision for CSBG Eligibility.

Per the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328) and section 673(2) of the CSBG Act, states may revise the poverty line not to exceed 125 percent of the official poverty line otherwise applicable under the CSBG Act by substituting "200 percent” for “125 percent” for CSBG funding during FY 2022 (October 1, 2021 — September 30, 2022) and FY 2023 (October 1, 2022 — September 30, 2023).

Virginia is following the guidance from the Office of Community Services, Community Action Agencies are permitted to follow the 200% FPL through September 30, 2023. Any extension beyond September 30, 2023, will depend on future action by Congress.

The official memo can be downloaded for your records.

We are excited to be partnering with the Region 3 Regional Innovation and Performance Consortia (RPIC) to offer a variety of trainings over the next several months. These trainings are open to any staff or board member who may be interested, please forward as needed. There will be two webinars each month between February and August, topics vary each month, so make sure to sign up for any session relevant to your position!

The Office of Community Services (OCS) has released a new video shining a light on the successes of the Whole Family Approach Pilot Project in Virginia. The video highlights Hampton Roads Community Action Program (HRCAP) and the impact the Whole Family Approach has had on their clients. The video also features Erik Johnson, President and CEO of VACAP; Matt Fitzgerald, Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity; and Kevin Otey, Executive Director of HRCAP. The program is unique because it uses a family coaching model providing support to adults and children alike to build a strategy towards economic stability. The video features two families who have utilized the program to make good decisions in their lives with the guidance of the coaches and are now experiencing increased financial security. The Whole Family Pilot Program is a result of an initiative sponsored by The Office of Family Assistance (OFA) and the Office of Community Services (OCS). Through the COVID and Safety Net Innovation (CASI) TA initiative, several Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) agencies in Virginia have a partnership with a federally funded state or local TANF program received training and technical assistance to develop action plans that focused on innovative and responsive strategies to support low-income families that receive services from TANF and CSBG. 

We are excited to announce an upcoming board training opportunity! The Virginia CSBG office will be hosting four regional in- person board training opportunities in early 2023. This training is designed specifically for board members serving Community Action Agencies (CAA) and is a comprehensive review of the board’s roles, responsibilities, and requirements. At this workshop, you’ll learn real life scenarios and challenges and how to solve them, as well as invaluable best practices. This training will also offer opportunities to network with other CAA board members with several small group breakout activities scheduled throughout the day. Make sure to register early - initially, there will be a limit of 5 board members per agency, however, there will be a waiting list. We highly encourage board chairs (who are not in their final year on the board) to attend. If you are a board member who is engaged, passionate, and/or are in leadership positions – don’t miss this training!

RICHMOND/CENTRAL VIRGINIA REGION - Tuckahoe Public Library (9:30am-4pm, Thurs., February 16, 2023)

LYNCHBURG AREA - Central Virginia Community College (9:30am-4pm, Thurs. February 23, 2023)

SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA REGION - Heritage Preservation Center (9:30am-4pm, February 28, 2023)

CSBG funds are unique among federal grants in that their use is guided by the needs of the communities served. CAPLAW recently conducted a new training session where the rules and guidance governing the various ways CSBG funds can be used was discussed, click below to access the materials and webinar link.

Virginia’s Community Action Agencies participating in the Whole Family Approach are already making a tremendous impact across the state. Families who engage with the program experience are building stronger and healthier relationships, financial stability, and child well-being. For the Weatherly and the Artis families, the support they received from their coaches has changed the direction of their lives in dramatic ways. In Southwest Virginia, the program provided the Weatherly family with not only financial and professional guidance, but support for their physical and emotional health as well. In Emporia, single mom Jasmine Artis was able to change her career path and secure housing for her family.