Volume 6, Issue 18

January 31, 2023

In This Issue...
Announcements | Upcoming Events | Resources | Capella/Strayer University Partnership

Announcements

2023 MCA Legislative Day

Don't Forget to Submit Your Nominations


Legislator of the Year (1 winner will be chosen

Client of the Year (5 winners with be chosen)

Volunteer of the Year (5 winners will be chosen)

Deadline to submit nominations is March 24, 2023


Find additional information about Legislative Day, including the preliminary agenda here.


New This Year - Be a Legislative Day Sponsor!

Want to support Legislative Day as a Sponsor?

Learn more here

MCA Summer Conference

Upcoming

Events

February 13, 2023 ED ED Only Meeting

1:30 PM ET

February 15, 2023 Legislative Committee Meeting

9:30 AM ET

February 20, 2023 - MCA office closed - Presidents Day

March 1, 2023 - Training Committee Meeting

10:00 AM ET

March 13, 2023 - Finance Committee Meeting

10:30 AM ET

March 13, 2023 - Board of Directors Meeting

12:00 PM ET

March 13, 2023 - Directors Council Meeting

1:30 PM ET 

March 15, 2023 - Legislative Committee

9:30 AM ET

March 23, 2023 Legislative Committee Meeting

10:00 AM ET




For a full list of events,

visit MCA’s calendar

The Michigan Community Action Update is a round-up of important information for members of Michigan Community Action.
We may send more
frequent updates when
important information breaks
that impacts the
Community Action network.
We welcome your input and feedback.
Please send your comments and ideas here.

Call for Presenters - MCA 2023 Summer Conference

Is your agency using an innovative approach to providing services, has a success story, area of expertise, or innovation that would benefit other agencies to learn about? Share your knowledge and experiences at the MCA Summer Conference.


RFP Guide

Submit a Proposal


For questions or support submitting your proposal please contact Michelle Stevens at [email protected]


Hotel Registration Link is Live

Space is limited so reserve your hotel room today!

Book Online Here

Keynote Speaker Announcement

We're excited to announce that David Bradley will be joining us in Crystal Mountain and will provide a keynote address and breakout session. There will also be a fundraiser held on Tuesday evening to benefit NCAF.

From The Network

Kent County Community Action Welcomes a New Director



Join us in welcoming Gustavo Perez as the new Executive Director of Kent County Community Action. According to a press release, he joined the Kent county department on November 30, 2022. Mr. Perez comes to Community Action from the Heart of West Michigan United Way where he was the Director of Programs and Services and oversaw the COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program, resource management, 2-1-1 operations, assistance program departments, and more.


Read the full article here

Share Your Walk for Warmth Stories and Pictures!



MCA would like to highlight agencies Walks for Warmth on our social media pages and website. If you would like to be highlighted send pictures and/or stories to Nicole Caroen at [email protected] We can also share information about your upcoming events.

Join us in congratulating OLHSA's Executive Director, Susan Harding on the completion of her Ph.D. Kudos on this monumental accomplishment!

Upcoming Events

NCAF Annual Conference - March 14-17, 2023



Registration is now open for the National Community Action Foundation's Annual Conference, held in Washington D.C. Bothe in-person and virtual options are available.


Click here to learn more or to register

Save the Date - Board Training Series (Public and Private CAAS)


Mark your calendars for the following Board Training dates. Registration will open soon. Information abut how to register will be sent out to CAAs.


April 4, 2023 - 6:30 PM - 7:45 PM EST - Public CAA's

A Step-by-Step Guide to Maximize the Tripartite Board Structure in Public Community Action Agencies

The training discusses the roles and responsibilities of tripartite advisory councils and how public community action agencies can more effectively utilize these well-rounded groups to better serve agencies.


April 6, 2023 - 6:30 PM - 7:45 PM EST - Private CAA's

Back to the Basics in Community Action Governance: Legal Roles and Fiduciary Responsibilities

The training goes back to the basics of governance in community action agencies. The session provides a detailed analysis of the tripartite board structure, while also examining board legal roles and fiduciary responsibilities.


April 13, 2023 - 6:30 PM - 7:45 PM EST - Both Public and Private CAAs

Helpful Tips for Intentional Governance and Oversight in Community Action: Enhancing Capacity, Effectiveness, and Performance

The training discusses strategies for intentional governance and oversight that will enhance the capacity and effectiveness of Community Action tripartite boards and advisory councils.


April 20, 2023 - 6:30 PM - 7:45 PM EST - Both Public and Private CAAs

Teamwork Makes the Board Work

The training compares a regular board to a high-performing board. Board members will examine the five characteristics of a high-performing board and determine how those characteristics help community action boards and advisory councils become better equipped to provide strong governance and intentional oversight.

Resources

Beyond Temporary Relief for Families: Lessons from ARPA's Investment in Child Care & the Child Tax Credit


Watch the Center for the Study of Social Policy and a panel of parents and stakeholders discuss the impact of temporary investments made in families last year by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and hear a discussion about what’s needed now: permanent investments in families. The event will synthesize CSSP’s recent research with 45 Black and Latinx families in Michigan, Mississippi, and North Carolina on the impact of ARPA’s short-term investments in the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and child care.


Watch here


Michigan Community Action, Capella University
& Strayer University Partnership
Back to school savings with education built for real life

Ready to go back to school to gain the skills and knowledge you need to reach your career goals with access to education that works with your busy life? Capella University understands this. That’s why our bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and certificate programs in human services, behavioral health, business, IT, and leadership & administration leverage what you already know and are grounded in real-world application. 

Through our partnership with Capella, you and your immediate family have access to high-quality, online education and tuition savings that make it possible to earn a degree or certificate at a significantly lower cost and at your own pace. Capella offers you:  

· Exclusive scholarships, grants, and other savings including a 10% tuition discount.  

· 50% off the first FlexPath session if you begin your program by June 2022. 

· Two learning formats - FlexPath and GuidedPath - that are flexible, affordable, and supportive.  

· A student-centered approach, including support teams to help you be successful and persistent. 

Ready to learn more and get started?  

Visit Capella.edu/MichiganCommunityAction to find a degree program that’s right for you and to see special tuition offers.  

Check out this PDF for information on programs offered. 
Save on your degree at Strayer University

Michigan Community Action and Strayer University have partnered to offer eligible employees of their member agencies access to flexible, affordable associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. If you’re thinking of earning a degree, we invite you to take advantage of special offers designed to help you meet your educational goals.

Special offers and scholarships available now

$5,000 scholarship for new or returning Strayer students to apply toward a bachelor’s or master’s degree

• 10% tuition discount for the duration of your program*
  * Tuition discount upon receipt of documentation of employment and eligibility.

Why Strayer?
At Strayer, you’ll get a modern, online degree that gives you the confidence to change your future. Our programs are built for working adults and our student services coaches offer support at every step. We believe in educational access, academic quality, student success and customer service.
MCA Officers/Board Members 2021-2023
Lisa Evans
President
Community Action of Allegan County

Morghan Boydston
Urban Officer
Washtenaw County Office of Community & Economic Development

Lisa Bolen
Lower Peninsula Rural Officer
Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency

Michelle LaJoie

Upper Peninsula Officer

Community Action Alger- Marquette


Toby Berry

At-Large Officer 

Community Action Agency


Kerri Duff 
Secretary Treasurer
Gogebic Ontonagon CAA

Mary Ann Neopolitan
CAA Governing Board Officer
Monroe County Opportunity Program

Susan Harding
Directors Council Chair
Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency


MCA is continuing to observe CDC guidelines encouraging remote work practices and following local public health guidelines. The office remains physically closed to anyone outside of immediate staff. We are accessible by phone and email during normal business hours Monday through Friday, 8:30AM-5PM ET.
Be well and stay safe everyone. .
Facebook  Twitter  Linkedin  Instagram