Masthead photo: At the National Community Action Conference (NCAP) in Atlanta: Dr. Landon Mason, Executive Director of the Economic Improvement Council in Edenton, NC; Sharon Goodson, Executive Director of the NCCAA, and Dionne Adkins Tate, Executive Director at Salisbury Rowan Community Action. | | |
 
NCCAA Welcomes Two New Employees!
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EDI PALAU
Director, Housing & Energy Programs
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ROSE LEWIS
Director, Special Projects
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More about Ed and Rose in our next newsletter | | |
 
News From the NCAP Conference
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Congratulations to NCAP Board of Directors, 3rd Vice-Chair, Bryan Duncan (Back row, center), CCAP of I-CARE Inc. in Statesville, NC, for his reappointment to the board of directors!
North Carolina is proud of your service!
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Recent Poverty Simulations a Success | |
NCCAA recently hosted our popular Poverty Simulations at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock and at NEW Community Action in Rocky Mount. Thank you to all who helped and participated! | |
Poverty simulation at NEW Community Action | |
Poverty simulation at Blue Ridge Community College | |
Poverty Simulation Doll Upgrade! | |
NCCAA recently upgraded the dolls used in their NC Poverty Simulation Experience. The ready-or-not-tots are heavy, cry, and are typically used in high schools to give students some insight into the challenges of caring for a baby. They've brought an added element of realness to the Poverty Simulation experience. From left to right, you can see how we've grown! | |
Next Month is Energy Awareness Month! | |
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Community Action weatherization and energy services are valued at $123 million in anticipated utility savings each year. Next month is Energy Awareness month. Promote the month through your social media platforms using the resources available through the National Community Action Partnership at this link.
Please send us information about the weatherization programs at your agency to share in our October newsletter!
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Community Action News From Around State | |
Governor Visits Perquimans County
Pictured with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is NCCAA Board Member, Dr. Landon Mason, Executive Director of the Economic Improvement Council, which recently hosted the Governor.
"It was a great visit" said Dr. Mason. "Rural North Carolina doesn't get enough visibility in Raleigh and for the governor to be in our community speaks volumes."
"The Governor's message was clear: Our early childhood education programs need urgent investment."
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Charlotte Area Fund to Hold Information Session Friday | |
The Charlotte Area Fund, Inc. (CAF) is a trusted agency helping Charlotte area residents and their families realize their dreams with the help of our Success Coaches.
Charlotte Area Fund offers training and certification in fields such as Fiber Optic, HVAC, Apartment Maintenance, entry level medical, and much more. We also offer coaching where our Success Coaches walk with you through your process.
CAF will hold an information session Friday, September 8, 2023 at 12 noon to give details about our upcoming programs.
Interested community members can learn more here
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EISR Continues its Popular Family Empowerment Series | |
The Road To Empowerment (R2E) financial series was created to empower EISR clients to pursue financial goals through career enhancement, financial literacy, and asset building.
The series teaches budgeting, along with several topics that can profoundly affect clients' financial situation, including banking services, renter’s skills, and career readiness. Each session provides detailed information about the topic of the day and how it affects your budget and your overall financial health.
The next session, with a "Job Readiness” theme, is September 11 at 6pm.
Learn more here.
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Passage Home Hosts "Support A School" Drive
Passage Home collected much-needed supplies for Walnut Creek Elementary School and Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School during its annual Support A School drive.
Passage Home's REACH Program is designed to assist families through educational advocacy, holistic case management, and comprehensive social-emotional and developmental assessments and activities. By partnering with schools throughout the year, Passage Home assists in providing vital support for low-income families in Wake County.
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The Mountaineer
Foster Grandparents Program at Mountain Projects
Volunteer Foster Grandparents establish mentor relationships with students who have exceptional, emotional and special needs. The program makes a huge difference in the lives of the children, according to Sherry Tabor, Mountain Projects Foster Grandparent program director. Read More
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"Life Ain't No Crystal Stair” Angel Boone's Path to Recovery | |
After a troubled childhood and struggles with addiction and time in prison as an adult, Angel Boone's path led her to Community action Opportunities' Life Works program. She has repaired her credit, completed probation, worked for two years at Goodwill, and is studying to become a community health worker
Read her story here!
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Annual Report Training Opportunity this Thursday | |
RPIC Region IV-B (Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee) would like to extend the opportunity for your agency to participate in the “Back to Basics” webinars that will be held on September 7, 2023! We are excited to have Muska Kamran, NASCSP Director of Research, and Tiffany Jarvis, NASCSP Senior Analyst, as the facilitators for these sessions.
What will be reviewing?
The Annual Report! We will learn valuable information pertaining to how the report should be completed and how the data should be used!
Topics Include
Module 2: CSBG Eligible Entity Expenditures, Capacity, and Resources
(September 7 – 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time)
Background: Module 2 of the CSBG Annual Report collects information on CSBG eligible entity expenditures, capacity, and resources and is comprised of three sections (Section 2A – CSBG expenditures, Section 2B – CSBG Eligible Entity Capacity Building, and Section 2C – Allocated Resources). Module 2 is based on the State reporting period.
Module 3: Community Level
Background: Module 3 of the CSBG Annual Report collects information on Community Level Initiatives, including National Performance Indicators and Community Strategies. Module 3 is comprised of three sections.
Module 4: Individual and Family Level
(September 7 – 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time)
Background: Module 4 of the CSBG Annual Report collects information on Individual and Family NPIs, Services, and Characteristics. Module 4 is comprised of three sections (Section A – NPIs, Section B – Services, and Section C – All Characteristics Report).
Intended Audience: Finance Directors (Module 2), CSBG Program Directors and it is always a best practice that outreach staff be involved to understand the importance of the work that they do daily (Module 3 and Module 4).
To Register
Annual Report Refresher – Part I (Module 2 and Module 3) Click to Register
Annual Report Refresher – Part II (Module 4) Click to Register
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Member Highlight
NEW Community Action Hosts U.S. Rep. Don Davis
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U.S. Rep. Don Davis (top) is helped to his feet after a reading session at Old Carriage Road Head Start recently. “We are now preparing our children at the earliest levels for their future,” Davis said. “You are at the forefront of us bringing forth an even brighter future for North Carolina.”
Below, Rep. Davis with NEW Community Action staff members.
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Member Highlight
Community Action Opportunities Economic Development staff retreat
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15 CAO Economic Development staff members held a three day, two host location retreat in July. It kicked off at the Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity, moved to the Weaverville Community Center for day two, and closed with trips to Board and Brush Asheville and to the Weaverville B.E.A.R. Closet to volunteer. | |
Member Highlight
Back to School Fun in Burke, Caldwell and Rutherford counties!
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This little one in Ms. Connie and Ms. Melanie’s classroom with BRCA was excited to be back to school! Things got off to a great start with a "piggies in the mud" sensory activity, free play, and outside time got things off to a good start. Presumably there was a nap in there too. See more BRCA Head Start Back to School images at this link.
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In 2023, the NCCAA launched the Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot (DDDRP) through grant funding from the Office of Community Services (OCS). This initiative has been branded for NC as The D.I.A.P.E.R. Project (Demonstrating Innovative Approaches to Promote Economic Resiliency). In partnership with the Diaper Bank of NC, five of our local community action agencies work to provide needed diapers and diapering supplies to qualified families. Participating families are waitlisted from Head Start/Early Head Start and receive 100 diapers/month, as well as wipes and ointment. Wraparound supportive services are offered to families, as well as referrals to promote economic self-sufficiency. NCCAA is excited to continue to offer this incredible program to not only ensure children have access to clean diapers, but also families are provided support as they work to improve their economic mobility. | |
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Choanoke Area Development Association (CADA)
Bertie, Halifax, Hertford, Northampton
Economic Improvement Council (EIC)
Martin, Chowan, Pasquotank, Tyrell, Hyde
Franklin-Vance-Warren-Opportunities, Inc.
Vance, Warren
Greene Lamp
Lenoir, Greene
WAGES, Inc
Wayne
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Certificate Program Classes Scheduled for the First Quarter of 2024 | |
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The NCCAA, in partnership with Southern University, continues to offer popular certification courses in Case Management and Head Start Family Engagement.
Class start dates have been set for the first quarter of 2024. Please reach out if we can provide fliers for your distribution.
Read More About the Certificates at These Links:
Head Start
Case Management
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Federal Student Loan Public Service Announcement from Game Time Budgeting | |
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Al Riddick from Game Time Budgeting with helpful advice about student loans.
Follow this Link
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Action Item
Congress: Leave Head Start Alone! Sign the Petition
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The House Labor/HHS Appropriations Subcommittee has proposed cutting Head Start by $750 million for the next fiscal year! Help tell them not to. | |
Career Opportunities within our Network: | |
Share your community action career opportunities on our web page and have them distributed to 7000+ emails through the NCCAA newsletter! Send your job listings to communications@nccaa.net. | |
In Case You Missed It ... | |
NCCAA Annual Conference in Review | |
Working together to share the impact of Community Action
Does your Community Action Agency have impactful content to share? Let's collaborate. The NCCAA develops creative content year-round to celebrate, educate and inform. Let's amplify the voices of organizations in our network! Let's share the impactful work of community action and tell the stories of our clients! Reach out for collaboration: communications@nccaa.net.
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“I Am” Community Action Video
Please share this video in your social media!
The purpose of Community Action agencies is to provide a broad range of activities and services that help individuals move the needle towards self sufficiency. Our programs help and encourage children and youth, support the working poor, support individuals and households in crisis, sustain and honor the elderly, strengthen families and work to strengthen the entire community. #CommunityAction #NCCAA
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Share Community Action News with a Friend | |
As a member of the NCCAA community, we work to empower low-income families, change people's lives for the better and improve the communities we serve. We are all dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other. Please take a moment and forward this news to a co-worker and grow the community of professionals dedicated to this important work. | | | | |
