In This Issue...
Announcements | Webinars/Trainings | COVID-19 Resources | Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Resources | Capella/Strayer University Partnership
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President Biden Signs
American Rescue Plan Act
President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill on March 11. The colossal package known as the American Rescue Plan allocates money for vaccines, schools, small businesses and anti-poverty programs such as an expanded Child Tax Credit. As of March 17, 2021, the IRS has disbursed 90 million Economic Impact Payments from the American Rescue Plan.
Read the details on this historic legislation here.
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The American Rescue Plan extends Voluntary Employer Families First Coronavirus Response Act payroll tax credit through September 30, 2021
- FFCRA leave remains voluntary for employers
- Employees can take FFCRA leave to get the COVID vaccine and to recover from any related side effects
- Employees can take FFCRA leave to get the COVID test or is awaiting results
- FFCRA tax credits continue to be available only to employers with fewer than 500 employees through Sept 30, 2021
- If employers offer FFCRA leave, they cannot discriminate in favor of highly compensated, full-time, or tenured employees
- There is an increase in the limit on the tax credit for family leave wages to $12,000
- Employers can claim credits on their federal employment tax returns (Form 941) or by reducing federal employment tax deposits
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National Community Action Partnership Provides Resources to Promote the Importance of Getting Vaccinated
As the vaccinations efforts across the country are ramping up quickly and with vaccination distribution rapidly increasing in the next few weeks, NCAP has put together this list of resources from the CDC and FEMA. CAAs and state associations can use these materials in your efforts to support and promote the vaccination movement. This list includes websites for more detailed information, printable posters and other factual resources. We encourage the use of factual information as you create materials to use when reaching out into local communities and within an agency.
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March 23, 2021 - 2173 Holding Company Meeting
10:00 AM ET
April 20, 2021 - Managing Conflict in the Workplace
12:00-2:00 PM ET
April 21, 2021 - Legislative Committee Meeting
10:00 AM ET
For a full list of events,
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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.
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SAGINAW COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION CENTER WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Saginaw County Community Action Center is excited to announce and welcome Hurley J. Coleman, III as the new Executive Director. Hurley will set strategies and vision for SCCAC to follow while working with the lead management team to help continue to build the culture of the agency.
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Tax Filing Deadline Extended Until May 17, 2021
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Michigan Taxable Wage Base Increases to $9,500
Michigan’s Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity recently announced that all employers covered under the Michigan Employment Security (MES) Act will be assessed an unemployment tax on a wage base of $9,500 for 2021.
What does this mean for your business?
Contributing employers must pay unemployment insurance taxes on the first $9,500 of each employee’s wages in the 2021 calendar year.
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Managing Conflict in the Workplace | April 20, 2021 at 12:00-2:00 PM EST | 11:00-1:00 CT
Team members will learn the top Five Conflicts in the workplace and how to resolve conflicts/disputes using the Conflict Management process. This course is designed to assist HR professionals and leaders/management in identifying, addressing and removing conflict in the workplace. Group discussion and a Case Study will be presented.
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Michigan Announces all adults will be eligible for the vaccine starting
April 5, 2021
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan announced Friday, March 12 that all residents age 16 and up will become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine on April 5, nearly a month before the May 1 date pledged by President Joe Biden.
People age 16 to 49 with certain medical conditions or disabilities will qualify starting March 22, when 50-64-year-olds can begin getting shots under a previous announcement. Two days later, March 24, a federally selected regional mass vaccination site will open at Detroit’s Ford Field to administer an additional 6,000 doses a day for two months.
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Beware of Scams and Fraud Schemes related to Small Business Administration
COVID Relief Loans
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The Office of Inspector General recognizes that we are facing unprecedented times and is alerting the public about potential fraud schemes related to economic stimulus programs offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration in response to the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic (COVID-19). The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the largest financial assistance bill to date, includes provisions to help small businesses. Fraudsters have already begun targeting small business owners during these economically difficult times. Be on the lookout for grant fraud, loan fraud, and phishing.
The scams can include using an employees Social Security number to apply for a loan under the business name. Visit this website to learn more & report instances of fraud. SBA Programs - Scams and Fraud Alerts
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Resources
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National Community Action Partnership Equity Summit April 19-21.
The national Community Action Partnership will be hosting its first ever Equity Summit. Our theme for this virtual event is “Centering in Truth, Activating Community Healing & Resiliency“. We deeply believe that “othering”, particularly racism, rests at the nucleus of poverty in America. We also believe that equitable opportunities can only be built and sustained by centering ourselves in this truth. To that end, the Equity Summit will showcase voices and expressions that activate healing and resiliency in local communities.
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Michigan Community Action, Capella University
& Strayer University Partnership
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Your ambitions are important. Through our partnership with Capella University, you and your immediate family are eligible for significant educational benefits,* each designed to help you reach your goals.
These include:
- 50% off your first 12-week session tuition through Capella’s FlexPath learning format plus an additional
- 10% tuition discount on all subsequent sessions
- $3,000-$20,000 scholarships on eligible bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs through
- Capella’s GuidedPath learning format plus an additional 10% tuition discount
- Opportunity to save on general education courses through Sophia Learning, Capella’s affiliate
- Support throughout your academic journey, including advising support and career counselling
Explore Continuing Education content
We understand the demands of a typical workday. That’s why Capella has teamed up with EliteHealthcare to provide access to courses eligible for CE credit. This content is available on demand, on us.
Learn more about Capella
Capella offers an online, flexible education and a variety of bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs. Available areas of study include nursing, health administration, business, information technology and more.
*Eligible programs only. Connect with your HR team for details. Books, supplies, and other fees apply.
Check out this PDF for information on programs offered.
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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.
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MCA Officers/Board Members 2019-2021
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Jill Sutton
President
Mid Michigan CAA
Toby Berry
Urban Officer
Community Action Agency
Lisa Evans
Lower Peninsula Rural Officer
Community Action of Allegan County
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Michelle Williamson
Vice President
Community Action
Michelle LaJoie
Upper Peninsula Officer
Community Action Alger- Marquette
Melinda Johnson
At-Large Officer
Blue Water Community Action
Dennis McShane
Directors Council Chair Chippewa-Luce-Mackinac Community Action Agency
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Kerri Duff
Secretary Treasurer
Gogebic Ontonagon CAA
Doug McFadden
CAA Governing Board Officer
EightCAP
Mary Ann Neopolitan
CAA Governing Board Officer
Monroe County Opportunity Program
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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. .
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