Network Connection
July 2018
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Advocacy -
A voice for low-income Missourians
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The Federal Farm Bill and the Future of SNAP
While the 2018 state legislative session may have concluded in mid-May, our advocacy work on behalf of low-income Missourians is more important than ever. Debate on the federal Farm Bill is currently underway in the United States Congress. In mid-June, the House version of the bill passed by a narrow margin of just two votes, and on June 28, the Senate passed their own version of the bill by a vote of 86-11. The Senate version of the bill is a significant improvement from the House bill for these key reasons:
- Unlike the partisan House bill, the Senate Farm Bill builds on Missourians' shared responsibility and bipartisan commitment to keep our neighbors and community members from going hungry.
- The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is our nation's most effective tool to combat hunger, helping more than 750,000 Missourians in over 350,000 households stretch their budgets to afford a basic diet.
- SNAP not only reduces hunger, but also promotes school success, improves health outcomes for children, and supports work for the many Missourians working in low-wage jobs with irregular schedules and limited benefits.
- A strong bi-partisan Farm Bill helps protect Missouri’s budget by maximizing use of federal funds for the health of Missourians, while generating $1.70 in economic activity in our local communities for every $1 in SNAP benefits spent.
The Senate bill affirms that SNAP is one of our nation’s most powerful and effective poverty-reduction programs, and it builds on the strong history of SNAP by dedicating more funding for states to try innovative solutions to help SNAP participants get and keep a job.
Both Senators McCaskill and Blunt voted in support of the bill, and we encourage you to contact them to thank them for their support:
Senator McCaskill
503 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-6154
Senator Blunt
260 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-5721
The Farm Bill is now expected to move to conference negotiations between the House and Senate, so our advocacy must continue. In addition to thanking Senators Blunt and McCaskill, we urge you to contact Missouri members of the U.S. House of Representatives and ask that they work toward a final conference agreement that incorporates the Senate’s strong bipartisan SNAP provisions.
For the latest updates and action alerts related to the Farm Bill, check out
https://www.foodformo.org, hosted by Empower Missouri. You’re also welcome to attend the Resource Development Professional Alliance (RDPA) meeting on July 17, where Jeanette Mott Oxford of Empower Missouri will be providing a session focused on the Farm Bill. Please contact Jessica Hoey at
[email protected] if you’re interested in attending this session and are not already a member of the RDPA.
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Nearly 40 Community Action staff participated in a professional development opportunity with The Bob Pike Group on June 26-27. Participants learned about trainer-led/participant-centered techniques for more engaging and interactive sessions.
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Network Capacity -
Helping you help others
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Your Opinion Matters!
The Training and Technical Assistance Survey is Headed Your Way
The annual training and technical assistance survey from Missouri CAN will be emailed to the Network on Monday, July 16. ALL staff at your agency are invited to complete this survey. We use our annual T/TA survey to plan trainings--statewide, regional and agency specific--for the coming fiscal year.
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MIS Update and Upcoming Administrator Team Training
The 2018 MIS Administrator Team Training will take place in August. This three-day, interactive training will cover all aspects of MIS support for agencies. Training will include time for peer discussions about best practices, individual agency set-up, and program changes in preparation for the new federal fiscal year. Topics are:
- Agency configuration and set-up, including outcomes, referrals, and security Manager
- Year-end tasks and preparation for new fiscal year (contract or program changes)
- System reports (management report and ad-hoc queries)
- User training
- Q&A and peer discussions
We have three training dates available:
- Session 1: August 7-9
- Admin Training: Tuesday (1 pm-4 pm) and Wednesday (9 am-12 pm)
- User Training: Wednesday (1 pm-4 pm) and Thursday (9 am-12pm)
- Session 2: August 14-16
- Admin Training: Tuesday (1 pm-4 pm) and Wednesday (9 am-12 pm)
- User Training: Wednesday (1 pm-4 pm) and Thursday (9 am-12pm)
- Session 3: August 21-23
- Admin Training: Tuesday (1 pm-4 pm) and Wednesday (9 am-12 pm)
- User Training: Wednesday (1 pm-4 pm) and Thursday (9 am-12pm)
Please rank your preference of session dates according to your availability and send to James Rogers,
[email protected]. A schedule of agency trainings will be distributed after all requests have been received on July 25. Submit your preferred dates ASAP to secure your first choice.
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CAPNCM staff enjoy a challenge of bean bag toss during the agency's all staff picnic on June 28.
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Missouri CAN Capacity -
Helping us help you
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We've Been Everywhere: Missouri CAN's Recent Travels
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- Mary Mullins completed her summer travels across the state to visit all 19 Community Action Agencies and help with MIS setup. These are the agencies she visited in June with Brian Valentine:
- June 5 - Jefferson Franklin Community Action Corporation
- June 13 - West Central Missouri Community Action Agency
- June 14 - Economic Security Corporation of Southwest Area
- June 24 - South Central Missouri Community Action Agency
- June 25 - Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corporation
- June 26 - Ozark Action, Inc.
- June 27 - Missouri Valley Community Action Agency
- Sarah Hackman visited Hillsboro, MO on Monday, June 18 for Jefferson Franklin Community Action Corporation's advocacy event. JFCAC and several of its partner organizations came together for a BBQ lunch with both state and local elected officials in attendance.
- Chris Small attended and presented at the Region VII Head Start and Early Head Start Conference in Overland Park, KS on June 28. His session, "Who's Driving the Bus: Leading with Your Head, Heart, and Hands", focused on leadership development. More than 40 Head Start site directors, aspiring directors and agency-level leaders attended the session.
- Mary Bifulco visited Trenton, MO for Community Action Partnership of North Central Missouri's annual all-staff picnic on Thursday, June 28. Mary joined the CAPNCM staff for cornbread and corn hole on this sunny day.
Do you have an upcoming event for us to attend or training you'd like Missouri CAN to facilitate?
Let us know!
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New Contact Information for Missouri CAN Membership
Administrative Assistant and Membership Coordinator Jennifer Perkins has moved to a new position with another non-profit organization, and we wish her well. Please direct questions about Missouri Community Action Network membership to
[email protected] until a replacement for the position is filled.
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Upcoming Events for Missouri Community Action Network
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July is packed with Professional Alliance meetings at the Missouri CAN office in Jefferson City. See the slate of meetings for this month listed below, and check the Network's calendar for future planning.
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Missouri Community Action
Directors Association Meeting
Wednesday, July 11
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Missouri CAN Board Meeting
Thursday, July 12
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Resource Development
Professional Alliance Meeting
Tuesday, July 17
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Energy and Housing Professional Alliance Meeting
Wednesday, July 18
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Information Technology
Professional Alliance Meeting
Tuesday, July 24 - Wednesday, July 25
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Finance Professional Alliance Meeting
Thursday, July 26
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Outreach Managers
Professional Alliance Meeting
Wednesday, July 25 - Thursday, July 26
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You made it to the end and are now well informed! "On the Road Again" within the agency visit headline was the reference in the previous Network Connection. Did you catch the song reference this time? Reply to this email with the correct artist and title of song referenced in this email
for a chance to win a Missouri CAN padfolio.
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