Happy Community Action Month! This is particularly fun since it's also a milestone birthday year for Community Action (60 is nifty!). We hope you'll check out some of the tools that the National Partnership has put together. I'll share your social media posts if you share mine! Let's get the word out about the Community Action Promise!

As of this writing - we've had parts of our state that have been deeply impacted by severe weather and tornadoes. I am always amazed by the commitment of Community Action Staff who take such good care of their communities during crisis. We are in a unique position to be able to provide support through the Individual Assistance and Disaster Case Advocacy Grants, but it is also important to acknowledge that our agencies are also impacted by these events - and it takes a toll when you are taking care of others amid your own tragedy. You all are made of strong stuff and I'm so proud of you for navigating through these tough situations.

Speaking of tough situations - the 90th General Assembly has adjourned and there are a couple of bright spots that we'll highlight in our Legislative Update. We need to continue to remind ourselves that advocacy is not winning every fight, but working to change attitudes and minds, one relationship at a time. 

For all my fellow community action colleagues who have been studying for and taking the CCAP exam - we've got this! You can do it! One exam down, one writing assignment to go!

Boards & Commissions: The Commission on Community Action Agencies and the FaDSS Council were both eliminated in SF2385. It is awaiting the Governor's signature.

Guaranteed Income Programs: HF 2319 Prohibits any city or county from enacting a guaranteed income program without express authorization in state law. This gives the Attorney General the power to enforce the prohibition. 

Postpartum Coverage: SF2251 expands the number of months that a mother covered under Medicaid is eligible for postpartum coverage to 12 months but decreases the income level for qualifying for Medicaid coverage.  The Legislative Services Agency estimates the impact on 1,300 women currently eligible for coverage but who have incomes that will make them ineligible under the lower income levels. Some of the women will be shifted over to HAWK-I. Overall, with the cost increases and savings, the bill is expected to cost the state about $3.3 million in FY 2026. Mothers currently receiving postpartum services under Medicaid will be grandfathered into the expansion.

Behavioral Health Realignment: HF2673 will create a new system combining mental health services and substance abuse services into a smaller number of Behavioral Health Service Districts. This is the first set of recommendations that are a result of the System Realignment Study and the corresponding HMA report commissioned by DHHS. We think that this will be a blueprint for how the Department treats other sectors that Community Action may have a connection to.

Childcare Half Day Rates:  HF2658  Requires Iowa HHS to set a 1/2-day reimbursement rate for childcare providers in the childcare assistance program. Requires the rate to be between 65% and 80% of the 2024 market survey rates.

Disaster Declarations:  FH2167  This bill increases the amount of emergency disaster grants to $7,000 and allows HSEMD to implement ongoing contracts with local entities to administer disaster grants. 

Conference Registration Now Open

ICAA's conference webpage is full of everything you need to know for this year's conference, Spark - A Summit for Good. It's Community Action's 60th Birthday so we will be celebrating during our Awards & Birthday Bash on July 24th. We designed July 25th for community partners to join us, so be sure to share this invite far and wide. See the full schedule, register for the event, and book your sleeping room today! Contact Tiffany Keimig with any questions. 

Region VII Regional Performance and Innovation Consortium (RPIC) Webinar Series

One of the high priority training areas identified by our Iowa network included Serving Underserved Areas (including strategies for engaging hard to reach populations and working in areas or communities with limited community services). In response to this, the Region VII RPIC will be hosting a webinar series in May (15^th, 22^nd, 29^th) to highlight impactful service delivery strategies and partnerships happening across the region.

Two agencies from Iowa will be presenting, IMPACT Community Action Partnership will share about their rental assistance and Legal Aid partnership on May 22nd and NEICAC will be speaking about their omnichannel marketing system on May 29th. Register here.

Orientation to Community Action Is Happening

ICAA will offer this webinar Friday, June 14^th at 10am, this is a great opportunity for newer staff and board members to connect and receive an overview of ICAA and the local, state and national Community Action network. Registration is open here.

Click here to see ICAA's Events Calendar for all the latest trainings, network events, and more!