June SEACAA Newsletter... Speak Up SEACAA!, Other News You Can Use, Certifications, and MORE!

June 2022

Call for presentations and registration now open for 2022 SEACAA annual conference

The 2022 annual SEACAA conference will be held October 18-21 at the Beau Rivage Hotel, Biloxi, Mississippi. Register now! Interested in sharing your experiences, ideas, or case studies of your work? Submit a presentation proposal by no later than Friday, July 15, 2022.

Speak Up SEACAA!

Regional stories that inform, empower, and inspire

KCEOC CAP named one of the "Best Nonprofits to Work For"

The NonProfit Times has named KCEOC Community Action Partnership as one of the "Best Nonprofits to Work For" in the nation. Paul Dole, president and CEO of KCEOC, said, "I truly believe we are the Best Nonprofit to Work For because we have the best people working for KCEOC CAP." READ MORE

Northwest Tennessee Economic Development Council celebrates Don Ridgeway's retirement after 20 years of service

After 20 years with the Northwest Tennessee Economic Development Council, Don Ridgeway has retired. His staff celebrated with a surprise retirement party, with nearly 50 family members, friends, staff, board members, and local officials taking part, either in-person or virtually. READ MORE

SEACAA announces changes to its board of directors

The composition of the SEACAA board of directors has recently changed. Following the North Carolina Community Action Association's May board elections, Patsy Davis, executive director, Mountain Projects, replaces outgoing NCCAA President Dr. Landon Mason. Darrick Horton, executive director, Davidson County Community Action, replaces Bryan Duncan. In Mississippi, Steve Gaines, executive director, Northeast Mississippi Community services, replaces Ron Collier. Elnora Littleton, executive director, Bolivar County Community Action Agency, replaces Pam Gary.

From poverty to success in six months: La ‘Donna’s story

La ‘Donna struggled to find living-wage work or a career in which she could advance. She completed Charlotte Area Fund’s (CAF) work readiness program in December, which helped prepare her for the workplace. Wanting to do more, she enrolled in CAF’s computer classes while continuing to work on her goals. READ MORE

Region IV Initiatives

RPIC showcases Region IV-B HCCT initiatives

RPIC recently released its Region IV-B Highlighted Initiatives Showcase document. RPIC Region IV-B includes Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Each local CSBG-eligible entity that had met at least 90% of the Organizational Standards had the ability to submit an initiative to be highlighted. Access the document HERE.

NCCAA installs 2022-2024 board of directors

The North Carolina Community Action Association installed its 2022-2024 board of directors on Friday, May 13 at the closing of its annual three-day conference.“NCCAA exists to uplift our state’s most vulnerable families,” said Executive Director Sharon C. Goodson. “We welcome these new board members, whose passions are deeply rooted in our statewide network’s anti-poverty mission of empowering low-income people to help themselves and each other while growing strong communities for all." READ MORE

SC Association of Community Action Partnerships seeking annual conference presentations

The South Carolina Association of Community Action Partnerships is seeking presenters for its 2022 Annual Statewide Mid-Fall Training to be held October 31-November 4 in Greenville, SC. The deadline to submit presentation proposals is June 30. Submit your proposal HERE.

Community Action of Kentucky to manage mental health and addiction services, including $3.4 million in tornado aid

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear recently announced more than $39.3 million in federal funding has been awarded to Kentucky for mental health services and opioid crisis response, including a $35.9 million grant for statewide efforts and $3.4 million specifically for mental and behavioral health care for victims of the December 2021 tornado outbreak. The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services will contract with Community Action of Kentucky to manage and coordinate the program for tornado survivors. In turn, Community Action of Kentucky will contract with Community Action Agencies to deliver services. READ MORE

Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission opens affordable housing apartment units

Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission has opened a new affordable housing apartment complex. The Farmview Apartments offer 64 high-quality, energy-efficient apartments in a neighborhood close to shopping, dining, and access to a major highway. READ MORE

Have a story to match these? Please share with the network. seacaa.org@gmail.com

Other News You Can Use

HHS leaders urge states to maximize efforts to support children's mental health

Agencies across the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a joint letter to states, tribes, and jurisdictions encouraging them to prioritize and maximize their efforts to strengthen children’s mental health and well-being. The letter outlines HHS' plans to support and facilitate state-level coordination across federal funding streams to advance and expand mental health services for children. READ MORE

LIHWAP: A Primer for the Community Action Network

CAPLAW has developed a Low-Income Home Water Assistance Program primer on the new Low-Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) and the different ways in which CAAs may facilitate its benefits in their communities. A webinar about the primer highlights how three CAAs have implemented the LIHWAP program, including negotiating vendor agreements with water utilities to provide LIHWAP payments. READ MORE

Punching out: The dire state of worker mental health

From February 2020 to February 2022, Google searches for same-day mental health services and centers for workplace mental health each grew by 1,300%, and searches for “how to ask for a mental health day” grew by 1,000%, according to marketing platform Semrush. Searches for mental health strategies increased by 133%, mental wellness by 52%, and emotional well-being, by 23% during this same pandemic period. READ MORE

Economic pessimism is growing in the United States

Currently, 14% of U.S. adults rate economic conditions as either "excellent" or "good," while 46% say they are "poor," with another 39% rating them as "only fair." The Confidence Index takes into account the net of excellent and good versus poor responses, which is -32 this month. In April, 20% of Americans rated the economy positively and 42% said it was poor, a net of -22. READ MORE

Blogs and Other Thoughts

Food insufficiency in families with children increased after expiration of Child Tax Credit monthly payments

Amidst the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and increased inflation, 15% of households with children reported food insufficiency in March–April 2022. The reports of food insufficiency—sometimes or often not having enough food to eat in the past week—are from the nationally representative Household Pulse Survey (HPS), an internet survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. READ MORE

Four things our leaders can do for our kid's mental health

Parents and policy-makers alike are struggling to support our children’s mental health. Citing staggering data about the rise in emergency department visits for children and youth experiencing mental health issues, as well as rising rates of suicide and self-harm, clinicians are sounding the alarm. READ MORE

Membership

Members are the lifeblood of associations. They help fulfill your organization’s mission and propel your organization forward.

SEACAA is still your #1 go-to resource for Community Action practitioners and professionals in the southeast, especially during times of crisis and in this era of uncertainty. Support the Association with your regional agency dues, if you have not already done so. RENEW HERE