May 2025

THANKS FOR MAKING VACAP'S REGIONAL MEETINGS A SUCCESS

More than 200 professionals from across the state attended VACAP's Regional Meetings held in Williamsburg and Wytheville earlier this month! In addition to peer group sessions on a variety of topics including the Virginia CASH Campaign and Whole Family, there was a special Weatherization Leadership Pre-Conference held in conjunction with the Wytheville Regional Meeting.

Lisa Barton, Executive Director of AppCAA and Ann Fisher, Executive Director Virginia CARES were honored with the Mark Grigsby award in Wytheville for their dedication and leadership in Community Action. This award is presented by VACAP each year.

Upcoming Training and Events

Foundations of Self-Care (Webinar June 12, Deep Dive June 18) - This two-part webinar series is designed to provide community action staff with practical self-care techniques to enhance well-being, resilience, and effectiveness in their roles. In the first session, explore the critical role self-care plays in sustaining energy and focus while addressing the unique challenges faced by community action staff. The second session provides an interactive space to discuss role-specific self-care challenges and opportunities, explore real-life application strategies tailored to your work, collaborate with peers, and engage in a Q&A session. Webinar Register | Deep Dive Register

4th Quarter Reporting Refresher (June 24) - This webinar will review the components of the CSBG 4th Quarter Report. We will touch on common mistakes that are made and how to fix those issues prior to submitting the report. Register

Previously-Recorded Training

Fireside Chat Series: Change Makers Designing & Innovating - This three-part webinar series is designed to guide community action agencies in developing and applying a Local Theory of Change that aligns with evolving community needs in a constantly shifting landscape. Watch Now

The Everything ROMA Podcast - Season 1 of our podcast series has wrapped and all episodes are available on demand now! These short, bite-sized episodes reveal ways to enhance processes, apply ROMA principles, and cultivate a culture of performance management essential to your mission of serving communities. Listen Now

For a complete list of upcoming community action training and events, visit https://vacsbg.learnworlds.com/calendar.

Agency Resources

For more resources, visit https://vacsbg.learnworlds.com. Select the Resources Tab and choose from a wide range of subjects including Program Resources, Executive Director Resources, Board Resources, Fiscal Resources, and more! Do you have a great resource you'd like to share? Send an email to gail.doyle@dss.virginia.gov and we'll get the word out!

Toolkit for Increasing Upward Mobility in Your Community - This resource from the Urban Institute offers practical guidance, case studies, and worksheets on building coalitions, using data, engaging communities, measuring impact, and driving lasting, systemic change. critical role that Community Action Agencies play in helping low-income families achieve economic self-sufficiency.

Risk Leadership and Situational Awareness - This article, published recently in the Nonprofit Risk Management Center's e-newsletter, explores how situational awareness can improve decision-making, communication, and empathy using three primary components: Perception, Comprehension, and Projection.

Demystifying Artificial Intelligence for Nonprofits - Nonprofit Tech for Good spells out how our society is at an inflection point when it comes to AI. Workers have the desire to use AI tools, however, management has fears that they lack the planning and vision to implement it properly.

49 Grant Writing Resources: The Ultimate List for 2025 - This updated guide is a compilation of grant writing resources for nonprofits. The resources include online webinars and classes, templates and sample proposals, articles and e-books, grant databases, and services for reviewing and providing feedback.

Nonprofit Risk Management Center's "Avoid Transition Trauma With a CEO Succession Plan" - This simple, straight-to-the-point resource explores how to be prepared for the potential departure of your CEO. Succession planning tops the list of nonprofit board worries and staff concerns, however, often it is overlooked or put off. Leaders who create succession plans and invest in cross-training and back-up plans increase the likelihood that your organization's mission will be resilient during inevitable transitions.

LearnWorlds Virginia CSBG Learning Management System

Virginia Department of Social Services - CSBG Office

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