The Office of Economic Opportunity extends its gratitude to all agencies that participated in our annual FY23-24 Training and Technical Assistance survey in July. We received responses from 19 agencies, making it a valuable and informative exercise. The survey revealed five key areas of interest for the upcoming year: Analysis of Causes and Conditions of Poverty, Developing and Enhancing Cross-Sector Stakeholder Partnerships, Performance Targeting and Tracking Outcomes, Implementing Effective Practices, Caring for Employees' Mental and Emotional Well-Being, and New Technology Practices to Enhance Agency Capacity. If you'd like to explore more insights from the survey, please click here to download the full document. We are excited to share that OEO and VACAP will collaborate to delve deeper into these topics throughout the year. Stay tuned for forthcoming training dates.

Whether you're a newcomer to the world of community action or a seasoned professional seeking fresh avenues to connect with colleagues across the state, the ROMA Peer Group is designed with you in mind. This collaborative initiative serves as a central hub for all members of the Virginia community action network, providing them with the tools to harness the power of ROMA principles and methodologies, ultimately elevating the impact of Community Action Agencies (CAAs) within their communities. Through the exchange of knowledge, empowerment, and cooperation, the group strives to overcome barriers and showcase the inherent value of ROMA in the context of CAA work, thus leading to improved outcomes for the individuals they serve. It's important to note that this group is open to all, not exclusive to certified ROMA professionals. Therefore, if you have an interest in planning, implementing programs, services, strategies, or analyzing and evaluating data, please reach out to the ROMA Peer Group Leadership, led by Dr. Landis Faulcon, Assistant Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Hampton Roads Community Action Program. You can contact her at Landis.Faulcon@hrcapinc.org.

The October VACAP Summit marked a significant milestone with the first in-person ROMA session in quite some time. Titled "Unlocking the Power of ROMA: Navigating Best Practices, Logic Models, and Data Analysis for Transformative Impact," this event provided practitioners with a platform to engage in discussions about their current organizational practices. Moreover, it facilitated interactive activities aimed at finding solutions to enhance data collection that aligns with the services and outcomes agencies pursue daily. The summit also celebrated newcomers to the community action field and their introduction to the ROMA framework. Notably, we recognized Pittsylvania County Community Action Agency for having the highest number of representatives at the session. Check out some photos that were captured, thanks to Will Weeks of Eastern Area Agency on Aging/CAA. We eagerly anticipate another successful gathering next year.

The Virginia Office of Economic Opportunity has created several new one-page factsheets, available now on LearnWorlds learning management system. The fact sheets can be downloaded and shared with board and staff members as well as community members who are looking to learn more about CSBG and Community Action. The fact sheets can be found in the Fact Sheet section of the resources tab on LearnWorlds. For the latest news and an archive of the Virginia CSBG newsletter, registered users can click on the News tab. You’ll also find client success stories updated regularly. For those who aren’t registered, they can still access this information by clicking on the About Us tab. Of course, LearnWorlds is where you’ll find countless online training opportunities on a wide range of subjects – from ROMA to working with boards. Be sure to bookmark LearnWorlds and stop by frequently to stay on top of the latest news on community action in Virginia!

The CSBG Office will be hosting a Reporting Webinar on November 9th at 2pm. This webinar will review some of the most common mistakes on the 4th quarter reporting. We will also look at items to review throughout the year to help ensure data quality on the 4th quarter report. This webinar is intended for anyone who completes the agencies CSBG reports. Please register for this webinar by November 2nd. Call in details will be sent after registration closes.

The Virginia CSBG Office is introducing our exciting new webinar: "Is Becoming a ROMA Implementer or Trainer Right for You?"

Are you intrigued by the idea of becoming a ROMA Implementer or Trainer? Are you passionate about making a difference in your community and helping individuals reach their full potential? If so, we have something special in store for you! Join us for our upcoming webinar, on November 28, 2023, at 10 am.

This webinar is designed to provide valuable insights and information to individuals who are contemplating increase their professional development as an Implementer or Trainer in the realm of ROMA.

What You'll Discover:

•       Role Insights: Learn about the responsibilities and impact of Implementers and Trainers.

•       Requirements: Find out what it takes to excel in these positions.

•       Support: We're here to guide you.

•       Networking: Connect with peers.

This webinar will help you decide if ROMA Implementer or Trainer is in your ideal career path. Click here to register. Deadline to register is November 20th.

The Virginia Community Action Network showed incredible support for VACAP's Racial Healing Tour Event in October. This event provided a remarkable conclusion to the VACAP Summit, offering a day of mutual respect, care, and the opportunity to step away from the daily routine of emails, calls, and problem-solving. National Community Action Partnership's Tiffeny Marley and Jennifer Gregory led engaging and profound discussions with the participants. The day also featured a self-guided tour of historic Jackson Ward, focusing on history, healing, and joy. The event concluded with laughter and connections over a delightful meal provided by Mama J's Kitchen in downtown Richmond, VA. For a glimpse of the event, you can view candid photos taken by Angel Ampey from the Office of Economic Opportunity.

As I’ve been working on an online economic empowerment toolkit, I’ve been looking at other online toolkits. If you've been diligently crafting your own online toolkit, you're likely aware of the power of these resources in enhancing productivity, creativity, and efficiency. In this handpicked selection, I’ve gathered a diverse range of toolkits to complement your existing set of digital tools. Whether you're focused on project management, design, coding, or personal development, our list provides fresh insights and resources. Discover new tools, strategies, and inspiration to supercharge your online endeavors as you explore this carefully curated compilation of online toolkits.

• Your Money, Your Goals toolkit (https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/educator-tools/your-money-your-goals/toolkit/): This toolkit provides essential resources to engage in meaningful money conversations with individuals seeking assistance. With 43 practical tools and handouts, easy-to-follow directions, and tailored recommendations, this toolkit empowers users to make informed spending decisions, manage credit reports, navigate debt repayment, and stay on top of their finances. It's a valuable resource for achieving financial goals and overcoming challenges. Access the full toolkit to help individuals build a brighter financial future.
• Tools for Effective Advocacy (https://bolderadvocacy.org/resource-library/tools-for-effective-advocacy/): This toolkit is a versatile resource center designed to empower nonprofits of all sizes and areas of focus, be it health, education, immigration, criminal justice, the environment, or other critical issues. The toolkit includes a suite of organizational capacity assessment tools that enable organizations to evaluate their current advocacy and organizing efforts, fostering adaptability, strategic thinking, and resilience. The Advocacy Capacity Tool (ACT) and ACT! Quick tools assist in assessing an organization's advocacy skills, resources, knowledge, and practices. Additionally, the PowerCheck and PowerCheck Quick tools aid community organizing groups in effective preparation and planning, systematically covering the essential aspects of community organizing theory and practice to empower and engage community members effectively.
• Tools for Integrating Credit-Building Services (https://prosperitynow.org/resources/tools-integrating-credit-building-services): This toolkit provides essential resources for organizations seeking to integrate credit-building services into their programs. Designed to aid in selecting the right services, finding providers, and creating service delivery plans, these tools are adapted from the Administration for Children and Families' guide. Originally designed for youth transitioning from foster care, they are applicable to other populations with credit-building needs. The toolkit includes a chronological set of tools for early planning and flexible resources for later stages.
• A new toolkit for social services providers (https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/a-new-toolkit-for-social-services-providers/): This online anti-poverty toolkit, known as "Your Money, Your Goals," addresses the challenges faced by low-income consumers in managing their finances. Recognizing the crucial role of front-line caseworkers as a source of financial information for struggling individuals, the toolkit was developed based on insights gathered from programs training social services staff in financial education. It aims to equip case managers with the confidence, knowledge, and skills to engage in productive "money talk" with their clients, helping them understand financial basics and navigate topics like budgeting, credit, debt, and choosing financial products. The toolkit was field-tested through a 25-site pilot project, and it is intended to be accessible to social services staff and the consumers they serve, providing valuable resources to help individuals achieve their financial goals.

The preceding list represents a unique and powerful blend of tools for both community action agencies and their clients. These tools are just a few of the ones that will be featured in my toolkit.