In This Issue...
Announcements | Upcoming Events | Resources | Capella/Strayer University Partnership
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Legislative Day and Community Action Awards 2022 |
Join us for the MCA Community Action Awards that will be held in person at the Capitol on Thursday, May 19 at 1:00 PM (EDT). We will be honoring the recipients of the 2022 Clients and Volunteers of the Year. We will celebrate Community Action Month by recognizing their contributions.
We encourage members to schedule meetings with your state and federal representatives on the morning of May 19th and to tell them your agency’s community action story. An MCA guide with tips on how to talk to legislators is here.
If help is needed to set up an appointment with your Legislator, you can reach out to Robb Kennedy at robert@capaffairs.com, or a member of one of our staff.
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Governor Whitmer appoints Justin D. Hodge Chair of the Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity
Justin D. Hodge, of Ypsilanti, is a county commissioner for Washtenaw County and a clinical assistant professor of social work at the University of Michigan. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Asian Studies and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. The Governor has designated Commissioner Hodge to serve as Chair of the Commission for a term commencing April 26, 2022, and expiring at the pleasure of the Governor.
The Commission on Community Action and Economic Opportunity was created to provide opportunity for low-income persons to actively participate in the development of policies and programs to reduce poverty and serves as a statewide forum to address the needs and concerns of low-income people in the state of Michigan.
MCA is excited to share that Mr. Hodge will be a featured speaker at the upcoming MCA Awards, along with Commissioner "Mama Shu" Harris.
Please join us in congratulating Mr. Hodge on his appointment.
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May 16, 2022 - Finance Committee Meeting
10:30 AM ET
May 16, 2022 - Board of Directors Meeting
1:00 PM ET
May 16, 2022 - Board of Directors Meeting
3:00 PM ET
May 19, 2022 - Legislative Day
at the Capitol Awards
1:00 PM ET
For a full list of events,
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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.
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2022 MCA Hybrid Summer Conference
Early Bird Registration Open!
Don't forget to register for the MCA Hybrid Summer Conference, which will be held virtually and in person at Boyne Mountain Resort, July 25 - 28, 2022.
To learn more about the conference and to register, click here.
As a reminder, please remember to reserve your hotel rooms. For detailed descriptions of the accommodations at Boyne Mountain, click here. The cut-off date for group rate reservations ends June 24, 2022.
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Wayne Metro Community Action Agency Receives Grant to Establish Children’s Savings Account Pilot Program |
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Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced an award of $500K to support Wayne Metro Community Action Agency’s Children’s Savings Account (CSA) pilot program.
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MCA Finance Roundtable on May 17, 2022, at 10:00 AM EST.
We hope you'll join us for the next MCA Finance Roundtable meeting. We’ll be joined by Maner & Costerisan to talk 990’s – the Basics and Beyond. Bring your ideas and questions!
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MCA HR Roundtable on May 24, 2022, at 10:00 AM EST.
We’ll be joined by Alissa Parks of Human Resource Management Services to discuss employee recruitment and retention. Bring your ideas and questions!
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Register Now for this New Peer to Peer Networking Opportunity |
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The first meeting will be held virtually, on June 23, 2022, 10:00-11:00 EST
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Reminder: Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP) Recertification (NCAP)
This is the recertification year for CCAP’s who received the Community Action Professional (CCAP) Certification for the following years: 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018. The deadline for submitting recertification documentation is July 31, 2022.
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Strengthening the Social Safety Net
The Safety Net Innovation Lab, a new Code for America initiative, has a bold vision for remaking America’s safety net so that it is accessible, equitable, and easy for people to use. Learn more about the initiative by visiting their website or watching this newly released TED Talk delivered by Code for America CEO Amanda Renteria.
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What the End of the Public Health Emergency Means for People with Low Incomes
This recent blog post from The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), outlines the impact that ending all the provisions of the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE) will have on people with low incomes and how these provisions showed that we can use policy change to improve the lives of those who are struggling to make ends meet.
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Top 10 Ways to Improve Health and Health Equity
This newly-released report from the Center for American Progress (CAP) details policies that will strengthen the nation’s health, ensuring that individuals and communities are healthy, thriving, and inclusive through long-term sustained investments.
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Community Action Month Resources
NCAP has just released the 2022 Community Action Month toolkit which includes templates of social media posts, press releases, government proclamations, fundraising ideas and more so you can promote your Community Action Agency and to raise awareness of Community Action Month this May. A recorded webinar that provides an overview of the resources and how to use them this May is also available.
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Michigan Community Action, Capella University
& Strayer University Partnership
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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?
Check out this PDF for information on programs offered.
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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.
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MCA Officers/Board Members 2021-2023 |
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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
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Michelle Williamson
Vice President
Community Action
Michelle LaJoie
Upper Peninsula Officer
Community Action Alger- Marquette
Toby Berry
At-Large Officer
Community Action Agency
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Kerri Duff
Secretary Treasurer
Gogebic Ontonagon CAA
Judge Gregory Pittman
CAA Governing Board Officer
Muskegon-Oceana Community Action Partnership
Mary Ann Neopolitan
CAA Governing Board Officer
Monroe County Opportunity Program
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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. .
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