ACSI Survey Results Now Available!

Thank you! The Office of Economic Opportunity greatly appreciates the participation of our CAA's and state association in the 2024 ACSI Survey, conducted between December 3, 2024, and February 6, 2025. Your feedback on our office is vital for enhancing services and ultimately improving outcomes for the CSBG network and the communities we serve.

Our office is proud to announce that we have received excellent scores in all categories, and scores higher than the national average in all categories. All scores have increased since 2015. Two areas that we will be focusing on over the next year include Use of Discretionary Funds and Linkages. Both of those categories had slight decreases since the 2021 ACSI survey. Our team will be focusing training and conversations around those areas over the next year. Check out all of our scores on this infographic.

Community Action Plans - Review Status

Thank you for submitting your 2025-2026 Community Action Plans. The plans are currently in review by the OEO team. You will receive feedback on plans over the next few weeks. You can check the status of your plans within CSBG Reporter, as items are reviewed the status will change to approved or needs attention.

Toolkit for Increasing Upward Mobility in Your Community

Economic mobility rates in the United States have stagnated, with only half of all children in the US today growing up to earn more than their parents. Many local leaders across the country have committed to dismantling barriers and building systems supporting residents' upward mobility.

To help community organizations, local policymakers, and residents working to advance long-term social mobility and economic prosperity, the Urban Institute created the Toolkit for Increasing Upward Mobility in Your Community.

The toolkit offers practical guidance, case studies, and worksheets on building coalitions, using data, engaging communities, measuring impact, and driving lasting, systemic change.

NCAP: Best Practices Using Secondary Data to Support Grant Writing and Stakeholder Engagement

Tuesday, May 13, at 2 PM ET 

In this webinar, attendees will learn best practices for using secondary data to support grant writing and stakeholder engagement. Specifically, attendees will learn to find and interpret secondary data in the NCAP Data Hub to demonstrate their agency region’s needs, strengths, and shifting capacities for poverty fighting. They will then practice combining these data findings with narrative to craft compelling needs statements for grant writing and elevator pitches.

To register, please click here. 

Virginia Volunteerism Summit

There is still time to register for the 2025 Virginia Volunteerism Summit, taking place virtually May 14-15. Hosted by Serve Virginia, the Summit offers volunteer engagement professionals, nonprofit leaders, students, and community organizers invaluable opportunities to get inspired by nationally known keynotes, learn best practices through hands-on workshops, network with others across the state, and share resources. Community Action Agency staff can use the code "CAA" for $10 off registration.

Learn more at https://servevirginia.org/summit.

Stay Connected - VACAP Federal Update Calls

We encourage all agencies to stay connected with the bi-weekly VACAP federal update calls. These calls provide an opportunity for agencies to connect with VACAP and OEO on the latest federal updates. OEO will issue guidance and interpretation on any new federal information issued in a timely manner. We are coordinating with VACAP to ensure consistent messaging on all new federal information.