March 2, 2016 - In This Issue:
ROMA NEXT GENERATION
The CSBG Team has reviewed all documents related to the ROMA Next Gen release, we have discussed these changes and developed a list of comments that we have for NASCSP. As you know the comment period is ending Wednesday, April 13th, we highly suggest that if you have any additional comments to add to our list or have any comments you would like to submit directly, to do so by the April 13th deadline. You can find our comments through this attachment.
We are happy to discuss any specifics from this document or answer any questions we can, please email csbg@dss.virginia.gov or call your program representative in OVCS.

2016-2017 Virginia State Plan 
Virginia will be submitting it's 2-year State Plan in August, 2016. This years State Plan will be submitted via the Online Date Collection System (OLDC). The plan will look very different to most of you, because of use of the new system. For the initial comment period, which is beginning today, April 6, we are asking that agencies review the major changes we have proposed. Those changes include:
  • Updated monitoring tools
  • Updated Organizational Standards tools to reflect the work of the Task Force
  • Updated Communication Plan
  • A two-year Training and Technical Assistance Plan
This initial comment period will end on May 6th, changes and edits will be considered to these documents and the full two-year state plan will be available for comment on May 16th. This 2nd comment period will end on June 13th, so any final changes can be made prior to the Legislative Hearing that will take place in July. The documents for the comment period can be found on our website under the section Comment Period.
You may have noticed we are incorporating some new steps into the process this year, including two comment periods to increase CAA involvement in the final plan. Both the April VACAP Meeting and June VACAP Conference, OVCS will be available to discuss the changes to the State Plan. 

CAPLAW Legal Boot Camp 
CAA Leader's Legal Guide
CAPLAW has partnered with the national Community Action Partnership to develop the CAA Leader's Legal Guide, a new resource aimed to provide CAA leaders with an overview of the many legal requirements that agencies work with on a regular basis. A five part webinar series will address federal grant law; the Community Services Block Grant Act; financial management of federal grants; and general tax-exempt organization requirements. Register for this free webinar series today!
April At A Glance

April 1st- State Plan Comment Period Begins  

April 1st- CSBG Application Due

April 14th-15th- VACAP in Roanoke 

April 28th- Customer Satisfaction Webinar

April 30th- State Plan Comment Period Ends 

Upcoming  Webinars
Customer Satisfaction
OVCS has received several requests for a Customer Satisfaction Webinar. WE have been able to work with both Barbara Mooney, Association of Nationally Certified ROMA Trainers, and Jarle Crocker, Community Action Partnership to develop a regional Customer Satisfaction Webinar. They will be discussing Customer Satisfaction Surveys, not only how to develop the survey, but how to use the results from the survey.  Join us for this important Organizational Standards topic.
 
 Webinar Information 
Thursday, April 28th 2:00pm-3:30pm

1. Click to Join
2. Click "Join Now".

Dial: 1-877-668-4493 
Access code: 666 347 989 
 
Network Highlight
Using Interns to maximize agency efficiency.
Internships are known for giving students an opportunity to apply what they learn in the classroom to real world environments. STEPS Incorporated partners with both Longwood University and Southside Community College's Internship Offices. Typically STEPS benefits from seven interns a semester, one intern for a year long internship, one intern for a semester internship, and a group project internship which is typically comprised of 5 students.
Last year an intern worked with STEPS on their Needs Assessment, the intern helped with everything from the field work of collecting surveys to tabulating the results. This intern also helped with the election of board members. Another intern is currently assisting with the screening of energy share calls. The group internship project this year is to design a playground at a new Head Start site. Interns bring a desire to be involved in all processes at STEPS and support the mission daily.
Utilizing interns not only supports the organization it gives valuable experience to students looking to advance their career. If you would like to learn more about STEPS internship program please contact Amy Beatson at abeatson@steps-inc.org.

Request for Resources 
The Training and Technical Assistance Taskforce is developing a Resource Bank for the network. It will include a list of trainers and the areas of their expertise, in order to have a widespread and comprehensive directory, they need your assistance. Resources could include state or federal partners, localities, local educational institutions, for-profit corporations, etc. who have provided training at your agency or a conference you attended. You may submit someone within your agency, but only do so if they would be comfortable and have the ability to provide assistance throughout the network. Please provide the trainer's full name, subject area(s) of expertise, contact information and what training you attended to Kia Holder at Kia.Holder@dss.virginia.gov.   

 
csbg@dss.virginia.gov

801 E. Main Street
15th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219