In This Issue...
Announcements | Webinars/Trainings | Capella/Strayer University Partnership
|
|
Lori Johnson selected as EightCAP, Inc. President
ORLEANS — A community action agency serving four central Michigan counties has named a new president, who has been with the nonprofit for 12 years.
Lori Johnson began as president of EightCAP, Inc. on Oct. 18, according to a press release. She replaces John Van Nieuwenhuyzen, who is retiring after returning to the nonprofit in March 2020 for his second stint. Johnson was selected by the EightCAP, Inc. Governing Board.
EightCAP, Inc. is a community action agency providing services to Gratiot, Ionia, Isabella, and Montcalm counties. Johnson has been a Montcalm County resident for more than 40 years, according to the release.
Johnson began with EightCAP in 2009 as a summer youth program coordinator, according to the release. She then managed data collection and performance measures before being named business services director in 2015.
|
Your nonprofit organization may qualify for the Employee Retention Tax Credit
Enacted with the CARES Act legislation, the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) was implemented to help employers bear financial distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) subsequently enhanced the ERTC.
You may qualify for the ERTC for either or both of the 2020 and 2021 tax years. In general, you are eligible if your nonprofit organization:
- Was required to fully or partially suspend operations due to a government order
- Experienced a decline of more than 20% of gross receipts in any quarter in 2021 compared to the same quarter in 2019
Wipfli can help by working with nonprofits to determine their ERTC eligibility and maximize available credits, we have helped clients obtain refunds in excess of $500,000, per quarter.
Please reach out to your Wipfli representative, or to Rob Kane, to assist you in determining whether you qualify for the credit.
|
|
November 8, 2021 - Finance Committee Meeting
10:30 AM ET
November 8, 2021 - Directors Council Meeting
1:00 PM ET
November 8, 2021 - Board of Directors Meeting
3:00 PM ET
November 17, 2021 - Legislative Committee Meeting
9:30 AM ET
November 25-26, 2021 - MCA Office Closed in Observance of Thanksgiving
For a full list of events,
|
The Michigan Community Action Update is a round-up of important information for members of Michigan Community Action.
We may send more
frequent updates when
important information breaks
that impacts the
Community Action network.
We welcome your input and feedback.
Please send your comments and ideas here.
|
CAPLAW Updates Resource Library
CAPLAW’s remodeled and revamped online resource library is a new, one-stop hub for the entirety of CAPLAW’s collection of resources, including publications, trainings, webinars, and more. In addition to a more streamlined user interface, the library includes a sophisticated and intuitive new search engine, making it easier than ever to navigate the library, narrow your search, and find the right resource to address your questions and concerns.
|
|
FROM COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP: Countdown for CTC- Let's Do It Together
The time is here to get families signed up for the Advanced Payment Child Tax Credit (CTC). We have 12 days (Nov. 15) for families to sign up and get their advanced CTC payments for 2021. Data tells us households who did not file taxes have not signed up for CTC, thus they are not getting the automatic payment tax filers have been receiving since July.
Here is a Social Media Toolkit that we can use to make this easy. Share the social posts in this toolkit to your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to help families access and get the Child Tax Credit to support them with the high cost of raising children. Partner Social Media Toolkit # 3 found on page 17 has the best tools for us to use now as it focuses on the urgency for families to sign up to get their CTC and maybe their stimulus checks as well.
|
|
LIHEAP Initial Release - FY22 Funds |
Monday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Community Services (OCS), Division of Energy Assistance (DEA) announced the release of nearly $3.37 billion of Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 regular block grant funding to Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) recipients.
The funding is provided under the continuing resolution, formally known as the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act (Public Law 117-43), signed into law by the Administration on September 30, 2021. This release reflects 90 percent of the total amount of funds available.
A table detailing the allocations to state and territory grantees can be found here. The table detailing tribal allocations is here.
The Dear Colleague letter from HHS with the full announcement from HHS can be found here.
|
|
This Monday marked the start of Homeless Awareness Month. Get involved and use this great social media guide template from Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness (MCAH) when sharing to your feed. The guide includes graphics, sample copy and more to help you spread the word about #HAM2021! .
MCAH will be sending out a new social media guide weekly. To sign up for these emails send an email to Khal Malik here.
|
|
New Tool: Schedule a FACSPro Training (office365.com) for your Agency Staff
MCA is pleased to announce that we have a new online tool to assist you with scheduling a FACSPro Training (office365.com) for your agency staff. Bookmark this link in order to schedule a live, online training led by MCA Director of IT and FACSPro Super-User Keith Schafer.
Topics available are: System Administrator Training, Congregate Pro Training, FACSPro from Logic Model to Annual Report, Ad-Hoc Reporting Training, Intro to FACSPro Training (Intake 101), or a 30-minute consultation on a variety of FACSPro related questions and topics.
|
|
Michigan Community Action, Capella University
& Strayer University Partnership
|
|
 |
Back to school savings with education built for real life
Ready to go back to school to gain the skills and knowledge you need to reach your career goals with access to education that works with your busy life? Capella University and Strayer University understand this. That’s why their Associates, Bachelor’s, Certificate and Graduate programs in human services, behavioral health, business, IT, and leadership & administration leverage what you already know and are grounded in real-world application.
Through our partnership with Capella, you and your immediate family have access to high-quality, online education and tuition savings that make it possible to earn a degree or certificate at a significantly lower cost and at your own pace. Capella offers you:
· Exclusive scholarships, grants and other savings for both universities, including a 10% tuition discount.
· Three learning formats—FlexPath, GuidedPath, and On-Campus that are flexible, affordable, and supportive.
· A student-centered approach, including support teams to help you be successful and persistent.
· Accredited and nationally recognized universities that meet the highest standards for quality.
Check out this PDF for information on programs offered.
|
|
|
|
Save on your degree at Strayer University
Michigan Community Action and Strayer University have partnered to offer eligible employees of their member agencies access to flexible, affordable associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. If you’re thinking of earning a degree, we invite you to take advantage of special offers designed to help you meet your educational goals.
Special offers and scholarships available now
• $5,000 scholarship for new or returning Strayer students to apply toward a bachelor’s or master’s degree
• 10% tuition discount for the duration of your program*
* Tuition discount upon receipt of documentation of employment and eligibility.
Why Strayer?
At Strayer, you’ll get a modern, online degree that gives you the confidence to change your future. Our programs are built for working adults and our student services coaches offer support at every step. We believe in educational access, academic quality, student success and customer service.
|
|
|
|
MCA Officers/Board Members 2021-2023 |
|
Lisa Evans
President
Community Action of Allegan County
Morghan Boydston
Urban Officer
Washtenaw County Office of Community & Economic Development
Lisa Evans
Lower Peninsula Rural Officer
Community Action of Allegan County
|
|
Michelle Williamson
Vice President
Community Action
Michelle LaJoie
Upper Peninsula Officer
Community Action Alger- Marquette
Toby Berry
At-Large Officer
Community Action Agency
Dennis McShane
Directors Council Chair
Chippewa-Luce-Mackinac Community Action Agency
|
|
Kerri Duff
Secretary Treasurer
Gogebic Ontonagon CAA
Judge Gregory Pittman
CAA Governing Board Officer
Muskegon-Oceana Community Action Partnership
Mary Ann Neopolitan
CAA Governing Board Officer
Monroe County Opportunity Program
|
|
|
MCA is continuing to observe CDC guidelines encouraging remote work practices and following local public health guidelines. The office remains physically closed to anyone outside of immediate staff. We are accessible by phone and email during normal business hours Monday through Friday, 8:30AM-5PM ET.
Be well and stay safe everyone. .
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
