July 2021
Welcome to IACAA News!
This e-newsletter will come to you regularly to provide you with information you need to support your agency.
SB265 Has Been Signed Into law!
Governor Pritzker has signed SB265 into law. SB265 will expand access to and improve the Percentage of Income Payment Program (PIPP). This is a huge win for the agencies and most importantly the low-income energy assistance customers that they serve. Here’s what SB265 will do:

·  Increase funding for the program by 1/3 after each year until the funding is double the current amount.

·  Remove utility territory restrictions on funding giving all eligible applicants an equal chance at participating in PIPP, since some utility customers in Chicago are prevented from taking part due to artificial limits on participation imposed by utility territory restrictions

·  Permanently increase the income eligibility threshold to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (or 60% of area median income), since the eligibility for PIPP is not in sync with companion programs like the federal LIHEAP and Weatherization which increases the reach and impact of these programs

·  Split benefits evenly between gas and electricity to more accurately reflect average utility expenses throughout the year, since the current emphasis on heating services with 2/3 of the benefit going to gas overlooks high electric bills that accrue during summer months

·  More fairly compensate community action agencies that to ensure PIPP customers’ successful participation in the program, since Managing PIPP clients requires triple the time and effort as LIHEAP, yet Agencies are compensated the same for both.

·   Adds families with small children (under 6 years of age) to the priority period group with seniors and people with disabilities

·   Remove barriers to participation keeping non-citizens who contribute to the energy assistance fund from gaining access
Family and Community Development Specialist Recertification Training

When: August 24th & August 25th
10:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M.
Cost: $250 per participant
Calling All FCD Specialists – FCD Specialist Recertification will be held via GoToWebinar platform.

August 24, 2021
· Exploring the fixing mindset and resetting yourself
·  Coaching skills and the value of focus
·    Pandemic leaning and learning

August 25, 2021
·  Trauma and relationships
·  Bundled services – beyond central intake
· ROMA reminders

All candidates are required to submit a reflective practice journal to complete the credential renewal. 

Cost: $250 per participant

Attendance is capped at 40 participants. If there is sufficient interest, a second session will be scheduled. 
Professional Development Updates
This past year, we have learned many lessons – especially when moving all trainings to remote formats. Thank you for your willingness to participate and share in these lessons with us!
As we move forward in 2021, we are working on several fronts to bring professional development opportunities to the Illinois network. 

1)     We are exploring the possibility of bringing back the Certified Public Manager training. Ball State University is the potential provider. The training will be offered remotely over a two-year period in two phases, with monthly live sessions. There are pre and post assignments related to the topics covered and designed to give candidates an opportunity to apply the learning in a work setting. An important part of the credential includes the submission of a capstone project that improves the efficiency and/or the effectiveness of the agency. 
The current cost is Phase I (year one) is $1495. Phase II is $1595.

2)     We are finalizing the training and technical assistance contract with DCEO. Some of the highlights will include the ongoing webinar series (look for some changes), trainings focused on organizational leadership (IM 138), and an examination of equitable practices. Stay tuned for announcements and registrations. We anticipate offering both in-person and remote training over the next several months.



3)     CCAP is starting back up again with gratitude for the intrepid Charles McCann, CCAP emeritus. He is offering hybrid sessions, i.e. both in person and remote. This will start up in the fall. More information to follow.

4)     Do not forget about ROMA! ROMA allows CAAs to examine, manage, improve and report on performance. As a performance management system, ROMA bring opportunities for quality improvement throughout the entire agency. Contact IACAA to schedule a ROMA training or to learn about becoming a certified ROMA professional.

5)     Data! Carli Wiltsie is IACAA’s data wiz. Please reach out to her for assistance and guidance with your data questions, needs and technical assistance. 

6)     Finally, IACAA does offer board trainings (both public and private), learning opportunities focused on poverty awareness, trauma informed practices and whole family. Keep us in mind for your training needs.  
Interested in Sharing A Job Posting With the Illinois Community Action Network?
Our job posting page is updated frequently with current featured job offerings. To share your agency's job posting on the IACAA website and newsletter, please send your job posting to Haley Wilson at [email protected].

Check out our job posting page today!
IACAA Chats with Tami Foley, The New Executive Director of Mid Central Community Action
Mid Central Community Action (MCCA) Board of Directors has announced the unanimous approval of the appointment of Tami Foley as MCCA’s new Executive Director (ED) effective August 2, 2021.

Following the sudden loss of Executive Director, Deborah White, IACAA sat down to have a candid conversation with Tami on continuing a legacy as the successor of Deborah White:

Q. What are you looking forward to the most in your new role?

A. I have worked in many collaborations to ensure the community is aware of our mission and to strengthen partnerships that will enhance our mission. I look forward to expanding this work and bringing new partnerships to the organization.
 
Q. What plans do you have to continue the legacy of Deb White in the future?

A. I knew Deb’s vision for the future of MCCA and had worked by her side for years to start many of the initiatives and bring those initiatives to life. I will continue to lead this organization to fulfill her and the boards’ vision. 

Q. What do you enjoy the most about your new role?

A. I love that MCCA is a hand up and not a hand out. The fact that we educate clients, tenants, or residents of our programs, then we equip them with resources to make the change and empower them to go and achieve their goals. The vast special programming we have here allows us to help so many more in our community reach their life goals whether it is healthy relationships, finances, homes, or neighborhoods; we are here to walk through their journey together reminding them they are not alone.  

Congratulations on your new position Tami!

Tami has over 15 years of experience in Human Resources and Organizational Compliance. Leaving corporate America to join the non-profit sector in 2015, she has since earned her SHRM-CP (Society of Human Resources Management Certified Professional). She has worked with all departments at MCCA to ensure MCCA is also compliant with all grant regulations.

Tami encourages and assists leadership and staff towards their professional development goals. She is a member of the League of Women Voters, has served on Heartland Head Start’s Policy Council, and has been the staff representative to MCCA’s Board Bylaws and Membership Committee and Board Housing Committee.
CAPLAW EVENT:
Uniform Guiding Light:
Introducing New Leaders to the Uniform Administrative Requirements and
Cost Principles for Federal Awards

Part 1: Tuesday, August 10, 2021
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm ET
Part 2: Thursday, August 12, 2021
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm ET
You’re a new community action agency leader. You’ve spent your first days, weeks, and months deciphering countless acronyms and learning about strange new concepts such as tripartite boards. You finally think you grasp all you need to know, and then it hits you like a block grant. Someone at a meeting utters the words “Uniform Guidance.” Your eyes dart around the room. Colleagues act calm and relaxed. They reference some code, “2 CFR 200,” and smile. You start to sweat. Did you miss a memo? Guidance for what? Financial operations? Allowable costs? Careful not to cause a scene, you quietly exit the room and sneak back to your desk. You face your computer and type in the search terms “community action,” “uniform guidance,” and “training.” Suddenly you see it:

CAPLAW is hosting a two-part webinar series for new leaders just like you!

Join Denes Tobie, a CPA from the accounting firm Wipfli who has spent countless hours assisting the Community Action network with all things financial, for this series intended to help orient new leaders.