October 6, 2021 | Issue 64
CSBG State Plan Information - New Workgroup Opportunity
The CSBG State Plan process is kicking off in October. The next CSBG State Plan is due September 1, 2022, however we try to have a draft released by January, 2022 to allow for multiple comment periods.
This year in addition to comment periods we are also offering an opportunity to join a workgroup to help develop the 2022-2024 State Plan. If you are interested in joining the workgroup, please email Abigail.Hanks@dss.virginia.gov by October 15, 2021. This year we have developed a State Plan Infographic and have recorded a webinar for agencies to learn more about the State Plan process.
Organizational Standards Review Update
Last month, the Virginia CSBG office conducted a webinar regarding Organizational Standards, we covered a brief history of the standards, our review process and we shared a few new resources that may be beneficial. This webinar was recorded and is now available on LearnWorlds, the resources are also available as part of the LearnWorlds course. You will need to create a LearnWorlds account if you have not already done so, in order to access the course. 

A few key takeaways: 
  • Our office will be reviewing Organizational Standards for each agency by October 31st. Note: this is a slight change, we have extended our window for review as we will be confirming and adding due dates to each standard. The system will be sending notifications in the coming months, in order for this functionality to work we need to ensure correct due dates for each standard are in the system. 
  • We have revised our review schedule - there are now some standards that will be reviewed every three years with monitoring vs. annually. Please review the webinar and attachments to learn more about the review schedule. 
Community Action Updates
Upcoming Events
  • October 7 - VACAP Board Meeting
  • October 11 - State Offices Closed
  • October 15 - State Plan Workgroup Deadline
  • October 20 - 2pm- Lead Paint Week Informational Webinar
  • October 20 - 10am - ROMA Peer Group Meeting
ROMA Peer Group - Community Needs Assessment Data Gathering: Tools and Resources
Join the ROMA Peer Group on October 20, 2021 at 10am via Zoom for a discussion on various tools your agency can use when gathering and collecting data for the Community Needs Assessment process. Participants are encouraged to bring and share any tools, resources, or ideas that would assist in this collaborative conversation. 

ROMA Peer Meeting - Oct 20, 2021 10:00 AM

Meeting ID: 846 4363 7273
Passcode: ROMA@2021!

Dial by your location
    +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 846 4363 7273
Passcode: 4965189609
Community Action Agency Spotlight
Bay Aging Named to Develop Statewide Community Integrated Health Network for Virginia
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) has selected Bay Aging to lead the development of a statewide Community Integrated Health Network (CIHN) for Virginia. The two-year project will be directed by Beth Bortz, President & CEO of the Virginia Center for Health Innovation (VCHI), and Kathy Vesley, President & CEO of Bay Aging, and funded by a federal No Wrong Door Community Infrastructure Grant.

ACL tasks a statewide coalition, led by Bay Aging and VCHI, to develop a fully integrated, interoperable approach to healthcare that embraces key social services in cooperation with healthcare entities. To this end, Bortz and Vesley will convene stakeholders consisting of health care partners, community-based organizations, and social service/behavioral health specialists.

Several regional, state, and national organizations have already pledged to support Bay Aging and VCHI in building out Virginia’s CIHN, including Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association, Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, Health Quality Innovators, Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging, AARP, Unite Us/Virginia, Virginia Community Action Partnership, Riverside Health System, Telamon Corporation, The Planning Council, VCUHealth and more.

Bay Aging, through its healthcare arm of VAAACares®, has served as a Network Lead Entity with ACL in the Commonwealth for several years. VAAACares® acts a one-stop shop for health systems and health plans that want a statewide provider of aging services and other specialized interventions and supports to improve patients’ outcomes while reducing healthcare costs. This approach has proven very effective in reducing unnecessary readmissions and emergency department visits while increasing health literacy for the members they serve. Their role will be greatly expanded in the new CIHN to include other social service providers, additional health care providers and more health plans. Bay Aging also provides Financial Management Services for the VA’s Veteran Directed Care program in seven states.

Established in 1978, Bay Aging is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) Area Agency on Aging that has its home base of services for residents of the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck. Through its comprehensive transportation, housing, community living and health services programs, Bay Aging is committed to providing programs and services people of all ages need to live independently in their communities.
Community Action Resources
The Richmond Fed: The Pandemic’s Toll on Minority Women in the Labor Force
After a sudden and severe contraction in economic activity last year, economic recovery is well underway, with real GDP now exceeding its pre-pandemic level. The economic recovery has led to strong overall demand for labor. However, the employment recovery is lagging the rebound in real GDP. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of August, national payroll employment is down 5.3 million jobs compared to before the pandemic, despite a record number of job openings. Many individuals who were employed prior to the pandemic have left the labor force altogether. The labor force, which counts the employed plus the unemployed actively looking for work, is down 2.9 million from its pre-pandemic level.

Labor force recovery is occurring at different paces for subsets of the population. Overall, since the pandemic began, the number of women participating in the labor force is down more than the number of men participating in the labor force. Among Black and Hispanic populations, this gender disparity is especially large. This post examines the disparities in labor force participation between men and women of color, both nationally and within the Fifth District.

National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is October 24-30, 2021
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week is October 24-30, 2021. Each year, National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week brings together federal, state, and local governments, nonprofit organizations, community groups, and individuals to bring awareness to lead poisoning prevention. The 2021 National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week themes are Get the Facts, Get Your Child Tested, Get Your Home Tested. This week we are highlighting two Commonwealth of Virginia programs that work to reduce childhood lead exposure, and fight to bring awareness to childhood lead poisoning prevention. Please see below for information on the Department of Housing and Community Development's Lead Hazard Reduction Program (LHR), and the Virginia Department of Health’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP).

Virginia Department of Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
Childhood lead poisoning is considered the most preventable environmental disease among young children. In 2020, blood lead testing decreased by over 34% due to the COVID pandemic. The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (CLPPP) within VDH's Division of Surveillance and Investigation at VDH's Central Office is a CDC-funded program. The program provides:
  • Surveillance and analysis of reported blood lead levels in children less than 16 years of age
  • Education and outreach to parents, communities, and health professionals about childhood lead poisoning and prevention, and
  • Oversight to providers and local health department staff on screening, testing, and case management for children exposed to lead

The CLPPP aims to ensure that children at risk for lead exposure are identified, tested, and connected to additional services. Through collaboration with local health department staff, health care providers, environmental health specialists, and public health partners, the VA CLPPP aims to make our state a Lead Safe Virginia. Please visit our LeadSafe website for more information. For educational materials or additional education opportunities, please reach out to our program staff.   

The Lead Hazard Reduction program (LHR) is the statewide resource for income-eligible families to address the lead-based paint hazards in their homes. It is a grant program that operates with no charge to participating homeowners, tenants, and landlords. 
  • Applications will be managed by local nonprofit partners
  • Eligible homes will receive a full lead inspection and risk assessment to determine the location and condition of the lead-based paint. 
  • All lead-based paint hazards will be addressed through a combination of interim controls and abatement by a lead abatement contractor. 
  • Families may need to be temporarily relocated (for up to 10 days) while the remediation work is completed.  
  • All homes must pass clearance at the end of the project.

Please visit the LHR website or contact LHR@dhcd.virginia.gov to learn more about the program.

There will be an informational webinar for CAA's to learn more about the Lead Poisoning Prevention Program on October 20th at 2pm.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82251207115
Meeting ID: 822 5120 7115
Passcode: Lead2021**

Dial by your location
    +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 822 5120 7115
Passcode: 4155098311
CAPLAW New Case Studies: Leadership During Crisis: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic
CAPLAW and the National Community Action Partnership have developed two case studies focused on the ability of CAAs to respond to unique challenges and effectively govern themselves during difficult times.

Virginia Community Services Block Grant Office