Empowered Newsletter | December 2023 | Issue 12 | |
On November 27 the NCCAA was proud to welcome Khari Garvin, Director, Office of Head Start, Dr. Lanique Howard, Director, Office of Community Services, and Jeff Hild, Acting Assistant Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary with the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to North Carolina and to our partner agency, WAGES, Inc. in Goldsboro. | |
Our 2024 Conference in Cherokee will celebrate the
NCCAA's 60th Anniversary!
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Visitors
Federal and State Officials Visit WAGES, Inc., Goldsboro
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Community Action is a collaboration! Our DIAPER Project efforts wouldn't be nearly as successful as they are without the wraparound services that are part of the program. All of these services combined create economic mobility!
On Monday, Nov. 27, the NCCAA was pleased to welcome Jeff Hild, Acting Assistant Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary with the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Dr. Lanique Howard, Director, Office of Community Services, Khari Garvin, Director, Office of Head Start, and other members of the federal team to North Carolina. We were thrilled to visit one of our five DIAPER Program partners, WAGES, Inc. (Goldsboro, NC) to share the transformational impact of diaper provision, coupled with wraparound supportive services. We thank each of you for your leadership and commitment to helping people and changing lives!
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(l to r), Chris Egan, NC Dept. of Health and Human Services; Patrice West, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Office of Community Services; Khari Garvin, Director, Head Start, USDHHS; Dr. Lanique Howard, Director, USDHHS Office of Community Services; Sharon Goodson, Executive Director, North Carolina Community Action Association; Marionna Poke Stewart, Director, NCDHHS Office of Economic Opportunity; Verna Best, Branch Chief, CSBG, NCDHHS; Jeff Hild, USDHHS Acting Asst.Secretary & Principal Deputy Asst. Secretary, Administration of Children and Families; Patricia Beier, Director, WAGES, Inc. | |
December 1 was the day!
Medicaid Expansion in North Carolina
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"Medicaid Expansion is the working families bill of the decade for North Carolina, and its impact on peoples' health, combating the opioid crisis, saving rural hospitals, and boosting our economy will be life-changing for families in our state,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “I am particularly grateful for the federal signing bonus that President Biden signed into law that was a major part of our successful effort to finally expand Medicaid. I encourage anyone who thinks they might qualify to visit medicaid.nc.gov to learn more."
Research has overwhelmingly established that Medicaid expansion increased health care coverage, access, and utilization among low-income Americans.
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Holiday Donations Provide Gifts for Youth in Foster Care | |
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We all know that foster care is a challenge in North Carolina, and for another year NCCAA will provide a memorable holiday for 40 youth in a Raleigh-area foster home. With your help, we'll reach our $5,000 goal and make a special Christmas for the kids that includes gifts, gift cards, and a field trip.
Every little bit moves us closer to our goal!
Follow this link for more information: https://conta.cc/46QSkWt
Follow this link to donate: https://www.nccaa.net/donate
Please share so others can join our effort!
To contribute by mail: Send your check to 4428 Louisburg Road, STE 101, Raleigh NC 27616, payable to the North Carolina Community Action Association.
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MPP WIOA Participant Earns Two Degrees
Success Story: Murphy's Abernathy Wins Governor's NCWORKS Outstanding Adult Award of Distinction
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Murphy resident and Macon Program for Progress client Amanda Abernathy was awarded the 2023 Governor’s Award of Distinction for Outstanding Adult in the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Program at the October Governor’s Award Banquet in Greensboro.
After losing her job in 2020 Abernathy was referred to the Macon County WIOA, where she met case manager Lisa Penland. Penland supported Abernathy through a challenging time during which she earned two degrees, while maintaining a 3.5 GPA.
After Penland nominated her, Abernathy was selected for the Governor’s award, and also to speak at the October banquet. She is continuing her education and working full-time at Cherokee County Department of Social Services. Everyone at Macon Program for Progress, Southwestern Commission, and Tri-County Career Center is proud of her accomplishments!
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Agency Spotlight: Southeastern Community Action Partnership
Unity Day!
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Our Hoke County Head Start Center celebrated Unity Day by wearing orange
Here are photos of the staff and kids. Unity Day serves as a reminder to prevent bullying and foster a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. By wearing orange, we stand together against bullying and promote kindness and respect.
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Community Action News From Around State | |
Mountain Projects Blanket Drive a Success | |
Mountain Projects' Annual Haywood County Blanket Drive, led by the Waynesville Rotary Club in collaboration with other service clubs and financial institutions, was held during the month of November. The drive, which is well supported each year, quickly surpassed its goal of 300 blankets for 2023! | |
WAMY Supports “Shop With a Cop” in Boone | |
WAMY partnered with several community organizations and a Watauga County Walmart to provide shopping sprees for 11 Boone area children recently. | |
Diaper Needs Skyrocket in WNC | |
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“Sharon Goodson, president of the NCCAA, said she is excited by what could come out of the Diaper Distribution Pilot, and sees it as a form of economic mobility for families who are struggling.
‘We’re grateful to have a pilot,’ she said. ‘We know that there’s an impact, with diapers keeping babies healthy and also ensuring parents don’t have to miss work. We believe this pilot can help link people to jobs and other opportunities so they can not just survive, but thrive.’”
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Energy Savers Network Helps Fill Needs in Buncombe | |
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Since 2017, Energy Savers Network has helped some 1,000 households cut down on energy waste by tightening air seals, adding DIY storm windows, and performing other upgrades at no cost to occupants.
Designed to help complement, not supplant, federal weatherization funds, the project’s success is due in part to its speed and simplicity. And its track record has earned it a prominent place in Buncombe and Asheville’s plans for 100% renewable energy.
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Agency Spotlight: Gaston Community Action | |
Male Involvement Day, “Show and Tell Dad Edition” at Cherryville Head Start! | |
Anniversary Celebration Note
NCAP 60th Anniversary Poster Contest
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The year 2024 will mark 60 years since the birth of Community Action! To commemorate this important milestone, the National Community Action Partnership (NCAP) is sponsoring a poster contest. Open to Community Action staff, board, volunteers, and their family members, the contest challenges competitors to visually demonstrate the important role of Community Action in fighting the conditions of poverty. | |
February Opportunity
2024 Management & Leadership Conference
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NCAP’s Management and Leadership Training Conference (MLTC) is targeted to board and staff leaders at Community Action Agencies. In addition, Weatherization providers and other nonprofit human services are welcome to attend and engage. MLTC 2024 will take place February 14–16 in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the JW Marriott Las Vegas. The event will feature intensive training, structured roundtable discussions, and networking opportunities. Whether you’ve been leading and managing for years, or you’re looking forward to that promotion into management, you’ll become your best at NCAP’s Management and Leadership Training Conference! | |
Agency Spotlight: Macon County Program for Progress | |
Macon Program for Progress staff get ready for the Franklin Christmas Parade! | |
In 2023, the NCCAA launched the Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot (DDDRP) through grant funding from the Office of Community Services (OCS). This initiative has been branded for NC as The D.I.A.P.E.R. Project (Demonstrating Innovative Approaches to Promote Economic Resiliency). In partnership with the Diaper Bank of NC, five of our local community action agencies work to provide needed diapers and diapering supplies to qualified families. Participating families are waitlisted from Head Start/Early Head Start and receive 100 diapers/month, as well as wipes and ointment. Wraparound supportive services are offered to families, as well as referrals to promote economic self-sufficiency. NCCAA is excited to continue to offer this incredible program to not only ensure children have access to clean diapers, but also families are provided support as they work to improve their economic mobility. | |
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Choanoke Area Development Association (CADA)
Bertie, Halifax, Hertford, Northampton
Economic Improvement Council (EIC)
Martin, Chowan, Pasquotank, Tyrell, Hyde
Franklin-Vance-Warren-Opportunities, Inc.
Vance, Warren
Greene Lamp
Lenoir, Greene
WAGES, Inc
Wayne
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Learn More About the DIAPER Project | |
The Wheels on the Bus ... | |
WAGES, Inc. Executive Director Patricia Beier with Meals on Wheels Director Kristin Alexander. | |
Certificate Program Classes Scheduled for the 1st Quarter of '24 | |
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The NCCAA, in partnership with Southern University, continues to offer popular certificate courses in Case Management and Head Start Family Engagement.
Class start dates have been set for the first quarter of 2024. Please reach out if we can provide fliers for your distribution.
Read More About the Certificates at These Links:
Head Start
Case Management
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Health Note
Free Covid Tests Available this Fall
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Featured Career Opportunities | |
Jobs Spotlight: Weatherization Openings | |
Links to Career Pages in Our Network | |
(Link goes to home page when career page isn't offered) | |
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Far West
Blue Ridge Community Action, Morganton
Blue Ridge Opportunity Commission Inc., N. Wilkesboro
Catawba County, Hickory
Community Action Opportunities, Asheville
Four Square Community Action, Inc., Murphy
Macon County Program for Progress, Franklin
Mountain Projects, Waynesville
WAMY, Watauga, Avery, Mitchell and Yancey Counties
West
Charlotte Area Fund, Inc., Charlotte
Davidson County Community Action, Lexington
Experiments in Self-Reliance, Inc., Winston-Salem
Gaston Community Action, Inc., Gastonia
I-Care, Inc., Statesville
Salisbury-Rowan Community Action, Salisbury
Sandhills Community Action Program, Southern Pines
Union County Community Action, Monroe
Yadkin Co. Economic Development District, Boonville
Central
Alamance Co. Community Services Agency, Burlington
Central Piedmont Community Action, Durham area
Franklin-Vance-Warren Opportunity, Inc., Henderson
Johnston Lee Harnett Community Action, Inc., Smithfield
Passage Home, Wake Co.
Southeastern Community Action Partnership, Lumberton
Telamon, Raleigh
Welfare Reform Liaison Project, Greensboro
East
Action Pathways, Fayetteville
Choanoke Area Development Assoc., Rich Square
Coastal Community Action, Newport
Economic Improvement Council, Edenton
Eastern Carolina Human Services Agency, Jacksonville
Greene Lamp, Inc., Kinston
NEW Community Action, Rocky Mount
Wayne Action Group for Economic Solvency (WAGES), Inc., Goldsboro
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Share your community action career opportunities on our web page and have them distributed to 7000+ emails through the NCCAA newsletter! Send your job listings to communications@nccaa.net. | |
Working together to share the impact of Community Action
Does your Community Action Agency have impactful content to share? Let's collaborate. The NCCAA develops creative content year-round to celebrate, educate and inform. Let's amplify the voices of organizations in our network! Let's share the impactful work of community action and tell the stories of our clients! Reach out for collaboration: communications@nccaa.net.
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“I Am” Community Action Video
Please share this video in your social media!
The purpose of Community Action agencies is to provide a broad range of activities and services that help individuals move the needle towards self sufficiency. Our programs help and encourage children and youth, support the working poor, support individuals and households in crisis, sustain and honor the elderly, strengthen families and work to strengthen the entire community. #CommunityAction #NCCAA
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Share Community Action News with a Friend | |
As a member of the NCCAA community, we work to empower low-income families, change people's lives for the better and improve the communities we serve. We are all dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other. Please take a moment and forward this news to a co-worker and grow the community of professionals dedicated to this important work. | | | | |
