Network Connection
January 2018
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Advocacy Update - Welcome to 2018!

The new legislative session is underway in Jefferson City, and we are gearing up to ensure the voice of low-income Missourians and Community Action is heard at the Capitol.

The first weekly legislative bill status report from our lobbying firm includes 78 bills filed, many of which impact our priority areas. A few bills are ones carried over from last year, while a number of the 78 bills have similar goals. Some of the bills will receive the lion's share of attention on the debate floor and in the news, and other bills will never make it out of committee. 

While it is impossible to say at this time what potential legislation will have real movement, this may be another year in which we play defense to protect against harmful legislation, but there are opportunities for positive action. 

Please be sure to complete our legislative relationship survey, as we'll be closing the survey soon. This helps us identify on whom we can call to help with specific conversations on key topics. It will take all of us, Network-wide, to raise our voices collectively if we are to make a positive impact on policies and programs for Missouri families and communities. I look forward to working with you and on your behalf in 2018!
Kurt Brewer, Missouri CAN Executive Director
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Advocacy - A voice for low-income Missourians
Advocacy Week: March 19-23

In lieu of the Annual Advocacy Day the Network traditionally holds at the State Capitol during each legislative session, Missouri CAN is encouraging agencies to conduct in-district events and meetings for state senators and representatives during the 2018 legislative spring break, which is scheduled for the week of March 19. For more information, please check with your agency's Executive Director/CEO or your agency Advocacy Point of Contact. If you are not sure who your Advocacy Point of Contact is, please feel free to reach out to Jessica Hoey . We also encourage you to check out our Virtual Advocacy Center, which is full of helpful hints for talking to your local legislators.
Network Capacity - Helping you help others
FDC One Day Update: February 1

We are hosting a Family Development Credential 'One Day Update' meeting on Thursday, February 1 in Jefferson City. This ‘One Day Update’ meeting is required for FDC instructors to attend once in a three-year period. Join us for a lively, educational day to learn the about updates in the FDC program, curriculum ideas for FDC courses, and best practices in early childhood programs. Lunch will be provided. 
Missouri CAN University

MCAN's online Moodle courses are available for all CAA staff. May we suggest "Introduction to Community Action"? This course is a great way to refocus on the Promise of Community Action at the start of this year.

Read more
www.communityaction.org
Poverty Simulation Facilitator Training: March 19-20
Have you participated in the Poverty Simulation yet? Whether your answer is yes or no, you could soon be the one  facilitating  this powerful program for your community! Missouri CAN is holding the CAPS facilitator training March 19-20 in Kansas City, MO. Learn all the skills necessary to plan, promote, and direct the Poverty Simulation during this interactive 2-day event. Register by February 23 to secure your FREE spot as a Community Action Agency staff member. Please note that all CAA employees should first login to their NEON account in order to receive the discount.
MCAN CON 2018: May 15-17

SAVE THE DATE for Missouri Community Action Network's 2018 conference! This year's conference will be held May 15-17 at Lake of the Ozark's Tan-Tar-A Resort. Conference registration will open soon. In the interim, nomination forms for the Outstanding Community Action Service Award and Charles Braithwait Leadership Award will be sent to Community Action Agencies in mid-January.
Missouri CAN Capacity - Helping us help you
December Agency Visits
Chris Small visited CAASTLC on December 15 to present a Time Management/Stress Management workshop at the agency's all staff holiday meeting. This is a new training offered by MCAN to interested agencies. Need this or another training? Contact us.
Kurt Brewer and Jennifer Perkins visited EMAA for its all staff day on December 7 and gave a presentation about Missouri Community Action Network membership.

Chris Small and Brian Valentine attended the Steps to Success graduation at CAPNEMO on December 12. Graduates gave a speech about how the program impacted their lives and also received a laptop and stipend for completing the program.

Do you have an upcoming event at your agency? Let us know! We like knowing when your agency has a special event on the horizon, and we make our best effort to attend.
Upcoming Events: Resolve to Be Involved

Several Professional Alliances are meeting at our office in Jefferson City during the first few months of the year. CCAP classes are underway, and Leadership Academy is starting soon. (We are accepting Leadership Academy applications now!) Check our calendar of upcoming events to stay up-to-date on events relevant to you.
Membership Benefits

We recently received several questions about the AT&T membership benefits. Perhaps you have the same questions, too.

Members receive 17% off the primary group fee on the Mobile Share Value plans with AT&T (the discount is not available on other plans/services or prepaid), device trade in credit, free activation and no upgrade fees. As a member of Missouri Community Action Network, you can enroll for this discount following these steps:

  1. Visit the AT&T website via this special link.
  2. Enter your work email address and cell phone number to apply the discount.
  3. Click "Register for Discount".

Note: Community Action Agency employees with Hotmail or Gmail work email addresses must present their MCAN membership card in-person at an AT&T store. If you have additional questions, contact MCAN.
ENJOY
17% OFF
Missouri Community Action Network Members receive a 17% discount on the Mobile Share Value plan.
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