February 3, 2016 - In This Issue:
2016 Application
The 2016 CSBG Application is now available to download under the guidance and procedures tab on our
website. The application is due on April 1st. Please mail one hard copy application. You will also submit one electronic copy to us. Further guidance on submitting the electronic version will be released soon. Please view the recorded application webinar which explains the new and revised application documents.
Network Spotlight 
This month we want to recognize Anna Leavitt and Ann Angert for going above and beyond. Anna and Ann co-chair the Organizational Standards Taskforce, and have led the Taskforce in developing resources to help all agencies meet the Standards in 2016.   Ann is also on the Data Management VACAP committee and  Anna is helping Powhatan transition to a more traditional Public model with subrecipients and monitoring.
What we learned at VACAP.
Democratic Selection Procedures for the Low Income Sector of Your Board.
Many of you attended VACAP last week, and several people including the OVCS staff attended the session: "Raising the Low-Income Voice: Democratic Selection Procedures for the Low-Income Sector of the Tripartite Board" presented by Veronica Zhang. Throughout this session Zhang presented several suggestions and recommendations for seating the low income sector of the board. By law, Community Action boards are comprised of at least 1/3 low-income consumers (or their representatives), 1/3 elected officials (or their appointees), and the remainder private-sector community members. There were 3 points made that we wanted to reiterate. 1. Unless your bylaws state differently, you do not need a low income representative for specific service areas, but if the member is selected to represent a specific area, they must live in that area. Continue Reading.
 
The Opportunity Index 
Where does your community rank?
T he Opportunity Index is an annual composite measure at the  state and county levels of economic, educational and civic factors that expand opportunity. The 2015 Opportunity Index provides Opportunity Scores for all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, and Opportunity Grades for 2,673 counties and county equivalents, comprising 99 percent of the nation's population. Learn More.
From Emergency Response to Community Response
Powhatan Community Action Agency has worked hard over the last year to expand the scope and impact of their CSBG program. The seeds of change were planted with creation of the Powhatan Resource Council by Powhatan County DSS Director Cathy Pemberton in late 2014. The Resource Council was developed to bring together varied sectors and types of organizations to find ways to better share resources and align services. In February of 2015, Continue Reading.

February At A Glance

Feb. 5th- Roma Implementer Conference Call, 10:00am

Feb. 15th- 2nd Quarterly Report Due

Feb. 15th- George Washington Day; State Offices Closed

Feb. 16th- Organizational Standards Webinar, 2:00pm

Feb. 18th- TANF Webinar, 10:00am

Feb. 22-26- NASCSP Conference Arlington, VA

Upcoming OVCS Webinars
Organizational Standards Webinar
The Organizational Standards Taskforce has completed several resource documents, those are in draft form and will be sent to the network for feedback on Feb. 5th. The comment period will last until Feb. 26th, the purpose of this webinar is to review the documents and answer any questions before the documents are put into final form.

 Webinar Information 
Tuesday, February 16th at 2:00pm 
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/430574173
You can also dial in using your phone:
Dial +1 (571) 317-3112
Access Code: 430-574-173
 
ROMA Implementer Information Session
OVCS will be hosting a webinar this FRIDAY, February 5th at 10am
to discuss the ROMA Implementer Process. It it is important that all agencies have a representative on this call. For information regarding the ROMA Implementer Process click here.

 Webinar Information
Friday, February 5th at 10:00am
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/839590053 
You can also dial in using your phone:  
Dial +1(408) 650-3123
Access Code: 839-590-053  
TANF Webinar
OVCS will be hosting a webinar regarding TANF Funds. This webinar will focus on ways to use TANF effectively within your agencies. We hope finance staff are able to join in on this important webinar.

 Webinar Information 
Thursday, February 18th at 10am
You can also dial in using your phone:
Dial: +1(571) 317-3112
Access Code: 877-131-149

Training and Technical Assistance Taskforce Seeks Resources
The Training and Technical Assistance Taskforce is developing a Resource Bank for the network. It will include a list of trainers and the areas of their expertise, in order to have a widespread and comprehensive directory, they need your assistance. Resources could include state or federal partners, localities, local educational institutions, for-profit corporations, etc. who have provided training at your agency or a conference you attended. You may submit someone within your agency, but only do so if they would be comfortable and have the ability to provide assistance throughout the network. Please provide the trainer's full name, subject area(s) of expertise, contact information and what training you attended to Kia Holder at Kia.Holder@dss.virginia.gov  
 
csbg@dss.virginia.gov

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