January 6, 2016 - In This Issue:
What is New in 2016?
This marks the beginning of a new communication tool for us, the  Virginia CSBG Monthly Newsletter ! Sent the first Wednesday of each month, the newsletter will include upcoming deadlines/events, tools/tips/resources, stories and samples from the network, and important policy/process/procedure updates. We are hoping the newsletter can replace some of the emails sent throughout the month. Please send us story ideas, samples to share, or items to address in the newsletter at

Reflecting Back and Looking Forward

2015 was a big year for the Virginia CSBG Office. We hired three new staff members,  provided two regional  trainin g oppo rtunities, Logic Model training in the spring and Board Training in the fall, and we were one of the first states in the nation to implement the Organizational Standards Self-Assessment across the network and in turn work with each agency to develop an Organizational Standards Training and Technical Assistance Plan.   There is even more to look forward to in 2016.  2016 will be the year of Organizational Standards. With the help of the Organizational Standards Taskforce we will be launching a Resourc e Toolkit outlining documentation needed to meet the standards as well as provide the network with the new monitoring tool we will be using to assess the standards. We will be finalizing our 2016-2018 Model State Plan and hope to get feedback and suggestions from agencies across the network. Our staff will continue to conduct monthly calls with agencies, offer monthly webinars and provide training and technical assistance as needed across the Commonwealth. We look forward to working with you throughout 2016! 
January at a glance
  • January 13- Virginia General Assembly Session Begins
  • January 15- Lee Jackson Day; State Offices Closed
  • January 18- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; State Offices Closed
  • January 19-21- VACAP, Richmond, VA
  • January 28- Application Webinar; call-in information below
  • January 29- EITC Awareness Day
2016 Applications
 2016 Applications will be released in mid-January. We will be discussing the applications at the Roundtable during January VACAP (1/19), and will be hosting a webinar on Thursday, 1/28 at 10:00 am to go through application changes and clarifications. 

 

Application Webinar Information
 

Thursday, Jan. 28th at 10:00 am
 

https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/350749629

 

You can also dial in using your phone:

(312)-757-3121

Access Code: 350-749-629 
CAPLAW Case Studies
Two new CAPLAW Case Studies just released.  
This month attendees at VACAP will have the opportunity to attend two trainings by Veronica Zhang, Esq., Staff Attorney with CAPLAW. The trainings will expand upon two of the newest case studies that CAPLAW just released. CAPLAW's newest Merger Case Study, is part of an ongoing series of merger case studies, this study details the merger of two nonprofits in Mesa, Arizona. Click here to learn more about the implementation of this CAA merger. CAPLAW also published the first three case studies in a new series, "Raising the Low-Income Voice: Case Studies in Democratic Selection Procedures". To read more about the ways that CAAs are meeting the CSBG Act's requirement that the low-income sector of the tripartite board be selected in accordance with "democratic selection procedures," click here.
The Promise of Community Action 
   Community Action changes people's lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

 

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