2021 SEACAA Annual Conference
Thank you to all attendees, speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors for a great 2021 annual conference. The conference focused on the unique challenges and problems that we confront as we face economic recovery and growth from COVID. The SEACAA conference delivered the best value in professional development for community action agency professionals in region four. In addition to its content, the conference provided ongoing opportunities to discuss emerging issues and best practices with colleagues, vendors, and consultants across a broad continuum of economic impact issues.
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NCAP new Executive Director and Board Chair training sessions
The National Partnership is hosting virtual executive director and board chair training. These two and a half-day virtual training are designed to help new executive directors or executive directors and their chairs to achieve a deeper understanding of their role, the work of Community Action, and the current operating environment of the Community Action Network. LEARN MORE
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Looking for outreach and program benefits resources? |
- Child Tax Credit
- Emergency Broadband Benefit
- American Rescue Plan
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Speak Up SEACAA!
Regional Stories that Inform, Empower, and Inspire
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The Unicoi NSC was contacted by a local homeless shelter on behalf of Troy Odom. He was in the shelter because he'd lost his job, was unable to pay his rent, and was evicted from his home. He stayed in the shelter for about 10 days before finding a new job and a place to live. He came to Upper East looking for assistance with his electric deposit. When Mr. Odom came to the office, he was surprised to learn that not only could we help with the electric deposit, but he was also eligible for our rent assistance program too. He was excited because he was going to borrow money from friends and family to pay his rent until he received his first paycheck. READ MORE
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The reoccurring contact Family Engagement Specialists have with families is often revealing. Tennesse Association of Community Action received a new application for a child in the Mosheim area. During the second home visit, it was discovered the family’s truck had been repossessed and they were experiencing a serious transportation emergency. Due to the lack of transportation, the child’s parents lost their jobs, and things weren’t looking good.
Working with the classroom staff and bus driver, we were able to arrange for our bus to pick up and drop off the child at Head Start. We hooked up the mom with Martha Dixon, Community Services Manager, to see how we could fix their transportation problem. Four days later, they had their truck back. The dad is now working and mom is trying to figure something out for the summer since her child will be home with her. This family was beyond thankful for the way Head Start and Community Services worked with them.
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SCACAP celebrates the end of the program year with parent and family engagement around the state |
Each of the South Carolina Association of Community Action Partnerships (SCACAP) Early Head Start Child Care Partnerships (EHS-CCP) has brought the 2020-2021 program year to a close. This year, each EHS-CCP was afforded the opportunity to host a celebration for their students, families, and their respective community. SCACAP provides services to thirteen (13) childcare centers in nine (9) rural counties in South Carolina. Each center celebrated its parent and family engagements by bringing parents and the community together through luncheons, distributing educational materials, and other innovative events.
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NCCAA releases study on impact of Covid-19 and low-income families
"Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 on Low-Income Households and Communities in North Carolina"
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Financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic are hitting low-income families in North Carolina especially hard, according to a new report released today by the North Carolina Community Action Association (NCCAA). READ MORE
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Professional Certification Opportunities |
Work in Human Resources, as a Deputy Director or Executive Director, or Financial Officer?...... SEACAA offers a web-based e-learning platform Executive Leaders web-based Certification program, that can be accessed 24 hours/day, 7 days/week to accommodate your schedule so you can work at your own pace.
"SEACAA Certification classes provide high-quality training at reasonable prices. Content is updated regularly to reflect current issues. Register today!" - Ricky Baker, SEACAA Board Member/Executive Director, LKLP Community Action Council, Inc.
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NCAP's 2021 The Promise Action Award
Congratulations
Action Pathways, Inc. (Fayetteville, NC)
&
KCEOC Community Action Partnership (Gray, Kentucky)
on your well-earned successes
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The agencies were recognized by the National Partnership during this year's annual conference. The prestigious Promise Action award celebrates community action agencies that have been diligently caring for the entire community and remain dedicated to helping individuals help themselves and each other amidst a catastrophe.
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NASCSP's Weatherization Day Toolkit Rollout Webinar
Weatherization Day is October 28, 2021. NCAP joined NASCSP and NCAF last week in a webinar to launch this year’s toolkit. NCAP’s Energy Partnerships Director, Aimee Gendusa-English, urged the Community Action Network to highlight COVID-19 struggles and harness the power of hyper-local relationships to tell the Community Action weatherization story.
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COVID Recovery Fund
Much like before, this COVID wave is again highlighting all of the same health inequities. This time, however, the politicization of public safety measures is leaving under-served populations, particularly in areas with low vaccination rates in Southern states, even more, exposed. As such, we strongly encourage rural grassroots organizations to apply for a COVID Recovery Fund grant for up to $25,000, whether it's to keep the lights on or for longer-term community renewal efforts. Groups that have already received a COVID grant are welcome to apply for another.
Feel free to reach out ([email protected]) with any questions or concerns during this process. Apply today!
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Members are the lifeblood of associations. They help fulfill your organization’s mission and propel your organization forward. SEACAA is still your #1 go-to resource for CA practitioners and professions in the southeast, especially during times of crisis and in this era of uncertainty. Support the Association with your regional Agency dues if you have not done so. |
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How safety net programs improve children's performance in school |
Life in the United States can be difficult due to the unequal distribution of resources like housing, healthcare, and education among racial and socioeconomic classes. Survival depends on generational and environmental resources that are not always readily available. A child’s survival is highly dependent on their family for care to keep them healthy and happy. When family support is unavailable, governmental systems step in. Researchers at the Brookings Institute report, “If our capitalist system is going to be fair to children and families—if it is going to hold out any meaningful promise of equal opportunity—then a new social construct is needed.” READ MORE
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Poverty Shaming: What does it really mean?
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Poverty is a social construct based on social and economic factors. To be poor means you have limited resources and opportunities. The American Dream teaches us that upward social mobility is attainable by hard work. We are all born into either the upper, middle, or lower class and grow up learning that the American Dream is to move from a lower class into a higher one, or if you are already in the upper class, to become even richer. It sounds simple enough, but the truth is, the American Dream isn’t as achievable as one might think. READ MORE
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August 31- September 22, 2022
NCAP 2021 Annual Conference
Marriot Marquis Hotel, New York, NY
October 18-21, 2022
SEACAA 2022 Annual Conference
Beau Rivage Hotel, Biloxi, MS
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Remember to send your newsletter submissions to [email protected] for SEACAA Spotlight.
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