September 2021
Welcome to IACAA News!
This e-newsletter will come to you regularly to provide you with information you need to support your agency.
Register for the 2021 NCAF Virtual Conference
Join NCAF at our 2021 Virtual Conference to hear David Bradley and guests discuss pivotal legislative topics that impact the Community Action network.

This year the virtual conference features a Pre-Conference session as well as three days of General Conference sessions. Like last year we will also have a Virtual Fly-In Day. All days will be limited to two hours (Zoom fatigue? We completely get it.). 
AGENDA AT A GLANCE
-Tuesday, Sept. 28, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM ET | CAP-PAC Club 199 Brunch
-Monday, Oct. 25, 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM ET | Pre-Conference
-Monday, Nov. 1, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM ET | General Conference
-Monday, Nov. 8, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM ET | General Conference
-Monday, Nov. 15, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM ET | General Conference
-Wednesday, Nov. 17 | Fly-In Day
What is Digital Inclusion and Navigation?
IACAA is working with Rural LISC to bring digital navigation to the Illinois network. Digital navigators are “trusted guides who assist community members in internet adoption and the use of computing devices. Digital navigation services (can) include ongoing assistance with affordable internet access, devices, technical skills and application support.” 

As noted in H.R. 5129 – Community Service Block Grant Modernization Act – Broadband Navigation is fast becoming a vital resource for low-income family and individuals seeking digital inclusion. As noted by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance, “Digital inclusion has not yet been fully woven into our social support systems and community institutions.” This means that not everyone has access or the ability to connect to the internet and get online and/or may lack the confidence and trust in online platforms and systems. And yet, during this time, digital participation has become increasingly more important to attend school, participate in community events, visit health care professionals and visit with friends and family.

What does this mean for Community Action Agencies? First, agencies are already assisting families and individuals with internet access and have transitioned to online practices for applications and check-ins. Many Head Start programs were able to create remote learning opportunities. Moreover, we know that many CAA customers – seniors, adults living with a disability, adults without a high school diplomas and employed adults with low wages - who may not have access or the digital literacy skills. IACAA has launched a pilot program, using RPIC funding and collaborating with Rural LISC joining the Midwest Digital Navigator Cohort with CEFS agreeing to participate. To help us learn more about these programs, we have invited the FCC to provide more information about the Emergency Broadband Benefit on November 16 and Rural LISC to share more insights into how Digital Navigation works and how agencies can become involved (date TBA). 

Digital navigation is a part of our new normal and through trainings and support, we can possibly provide more opportunities to our CAA customers that lead to jobs, improved healthcare, higher educational attainment and increased connections with family and friends. 

For more information, contact cwesterlund@iacaanet.org.
CHICAGO 2022 CCAP STUDY GROUP MEETING OFFICIAL NOTICE
RESCHEDULED
WHEN: Wednesday, October 13, 2021
WHERE: CEDA, 567 W. Lake Street, Suite 1200
TIME: 10:00 AM

The Chicago Certified Community Action Professional has officially been rescheduled. Attendees are not required to have officially enrolled as CCAP candidates with the national Partnership. All national Partnership and local COVID-19 protocols will be followed. Meetings will employ Herman Melville’s six guides for understanding difficult material. All CCAP candidates and prospects are invited to attend. Charles H. McCann, CCAP Emeritus, will chair the meeting.

Meeting Agenda:
1. Rationale for CCAP Program.
2.  Benefits of CCAP Program to Individual and to Agency.
3.  Brief Introduction of Process.
4.  Questions and Answers.
5.   Introduction of Community Action Body of Knowledge.
6.   Identification of Melville’s Guides for Understanding Difficult Material.
7.  Review of Candidacy Enrollment Form.
8.  Understanding Community Action: What is it All About?
9.  Ethics Check: Making the First Line of the Second Ethic Real.
10. Introduction of Candidate Data Form.
11. Questions and Answers.
12. Schedule for Year.
13. Adjourn at 3:00 p.m.

Expectations are that everyone will BRING this notice and the documents attached to the email transmitting this notice:
     1.Understanding Community Action Workbook (Except pages 9, 15-20, 24).
     2.Community Action Code of Ethics.
     3.Community Action Body of Knowledge.
4.Enrollment                                               
AND BRING the following document downloaded AFTER THE BOSTON CONVENTION from the national Community Action Partnership website. Path: Programs/Initiatives; CCAP.

Candidate Data Form (CDF). (Not necessary to complete.)

AND BRING your computer.
AND CONTRIBUTE: Be prepared to contribute to the discussion of agenda item nine. 
AND FINALLY, BRING YOUR OWN SACK LUNCH. 

If you intend to participate in the CCAP program, please contact Christine Westerlund at cwesterlund@iacaanet.org.
Additionally, should you opt to participate virtually, please contact Christine Westerlund for options.
 
Friday, November 4, 2021. Focus: Executive Skills Portfolio.
Gov. Pritzker announces assistance programs and home energy assistance at Peoria Citizens Committee for Economic Opportunity (PCCEO)
Illinois. Gov. J.B. Pritzker was outside the Peoria Citizens Committee for Economic Opportunity (PCCEO) building Monday morning to promote major community assistance programs for low-income families and home energy assistance available to every state citizen.

The two programs, the Low-Income Household Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Community Services Block Grant Program (CSBG), offer expanded services to support Illinois’ most vulnerable residents with rent, utilities, food and other household expenses regardless of immigration status.

As a result, $327 million in Help Illinois Families assistance is now available.
Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace (IDHR Compliant for all employees)
Oct 13, 2021 at 3:30 PM CDT. 
Please join Donna Rogers Skowronski, M.Ed., SPHR, SHRM-SCP, IMPA-CP for this required webinar. Donna is a familiar presence for the the Illinois CAA network and we welcome her expertise. This webinar will cover the mandated Illinois Department of Human Rights training. Please note that the official certificate with the Illinois statute citation required for compliance will be sent to you within one week after the conclusion of the webinar. You must attend the full webinar to receive, which will be verified by an attendee report. This certificate must be submitted to your agency HR staff as proof of attendance and completion. 
The Institute for Regulatory Policy Studies Virtual Conference
October 29, 2021
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. central time
Registration is now open for the IRPS Virtual Conference October 29, 2021
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. central time
 
The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act: What’s in it and How do we Implement it?
 
·     All registrants will receive an email the week of the conference with their own unique zoom link.
 
·     CLE credits will be offered for Attorneys. You will be able to add the choice for credits in your cart at checkout, after you fill in your registration information.
 
·     Illinois Commerce Commission members: your registration will go through Gayle but you will pay for CLE credits needed online using the ICC option on the Registration page.
Dr. Dalitso Sulamoyo, CEO of Champaign County Regional Planning Commission, to Speak at an Online Launch Event
Tomorrow, Oct 2, 2021 at 2:00 pm-5:00 pm (Malawian time)
Tomorrow at 7:00 am CST, Dr. Dalitso Sulamoyo will be sharing insights about the Community Action network with Her Excellency, Madame Monica Chakwera, First Lady of The Republic of Malawi and a group of Malawian women from around the the world. You don't want to miss it!