Sheila Lemon has joined the Virginia CSBG team as a Senior Fiscal Officer. Leveraging 25 plus years in managing administrative functions, she will help the team steer financial excellence and implement strategic initiatives to drive organizational growth and success. Sheila is skilled at maximizing resources, optimizing budgets, and ensuring unwavering fiscal compliance. She spent her formative years in Queens, NY, where she completed her secondary education. She made the move to Virginia in 1991 to embark on a new life chapter. Beyond work, Sheila’s interests encompass traveling, crocheting, dancing, reading, and cherishing quality moments with her family -- especially her grandchildren. Welcome Sheila!

Save the Date for the Fiscal Officer Meet and Greet on September 18th at 3pm. Join using Microsoft Teams.

We are entering September, and talks of a Government Shutdown are in the media. Our office is awaiting official guidance regarding CSBG and TANF fund availability if a shutdown were to occur, we hope to issue more information to the network by mid-September. In the meantime, CAPLAW has developed this tip sheet with 10 tips to help prepare for a Government Shutdown.

The Virginia Office of Economic Opportunity is excited to release the new Measurement Tools Toolkit. This toolkit contains information on outcome measurement and contains examples of measurement tools for each CSBG Outcome.

The toolkit is available on LearnWorlds under the Program Resources section in the ROMA folder. You will need to create a free account to access the resource. If you have questions on the resource please email Abby at Abigail.hanks@dss.virginia.gov.

The Virginia Office of Economic Opportunity has created the LearnWorlds learning management system as not just a destination for training, but a one-stop resource for information, news, and connections with your peers. 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. Registered users should also frequently check out the Resources tab for the latest tools, articles, and publications. 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!

A huge thank you goes out to Virginia's dedicated ROMA professionals for their invaluable support of the August Regional meeting held in Winchester, VA. This event served as a pivotal opportunity for federal, state, and local community partners to congregate and engage in discussions about optimal practices nationwide that bolster the efforts of community action. The topics covered were diverse, ranging from data collection, evaluation, and assessments to identifying the fundamental needs of our residents.

During this gathering, the Virginia state office took the initiative to unveil upcoming tools and resources that will be made available to the network. These include the Revised ROMA Recertification Process, the Measurement Tools Toolkit, and the ROMA E-Course on LearnWorlds. We deeply appreciate your involvement, as we recognize that without your contribution, achieving our goals would not be possible.

The VA State CSBG Office and the Office of Trauma and Resilience Policy [OTRP] are collaborating to offer a comprehensive overview of the Virginia Heals Initiative. This initiative aims to provide various resources to prevent and mitigate trauma by implementing a trauma-informed model of service delivery for families across our Commonwealth.

Virginia HEALS, a groundbreaking cross-systems initiative dedicated to preventing and mitigating childhood trauma through the implementation of a trauma-informed model through a variety of resources. OTRP will lead discussion on how individuals, organizations and communities can work together in this viable work.

Registration Details

You have two options to participate in this workshop.

Tuesday, September 19^th from 10- 11:30 am

Thursday, September 21^st from 10- 11:30 am

Secure your spot today by clicking here to register. The deadline for registration is Monday, September 11^th. 

We are excited to introduce a new E-course now available on LearnWorlds! This course is centered around the principles of performance management using ROMA (Results-Oriented Management and Accountability), and is for anyone in your organization (i.e., leadership, staff, or board members). By enrolling in this course, you'll have the opportunity to enhance your understanding or refresh your memory through five quick comprehensive learning modules.

Title: ROMA Training Series

Modules:

1.           What is ROMA? A Snapshot

2.           Quick Check on the ROMA Cycle: Assessments

3.           Quick Check on the ROMA Cycle: Planning

4.           Quick Check on the ROMA Cycle: Implementation

5.           Quick Check on the ROMA Cycle: Achieve Results and Evaluation

Successful completion of the course entails achieving a minimum of 75% in each learning module. Upon successfully finishing all modules, you will be awarded a certificate of completion. Click on enroll now and elevate your skills to new heights, while deepening your knowledge of performance management.

Over the next few months, our office will continue to share key areas organizations may utilize to ensure that they are promoting equitable practices within their communities for fostering an inclusive and just environment. Here are two key areas to jump start conversations for the month of September:

1. Leadership Commitment and Accountability: Establish clear accountability mechanisms for promoting equity, such as setting measurable goals, tracking progress, and holding leaders accountable for results.
2. Cultural Competence and Training: Provide ongoing training and development opportunities for staff to enhance their cultural competence and understanding of equity issues. This can include workshops, seminars, and resources that promote awareness and sensitivity to diverse backgrounds and experiences.