Greetings Missouri Community Action Network,
I hope this edition of Network Connection finds you healthy and safe as we continue to navigate a pandemic that remains a daily presence in our communities. As I write this, over 7 million people have contracted COVID-19, and sadly over 200,000 have died from the virus. Both numbers are truly staggering to consider. No one could have imagined back in January what lay ahead for this year.
2020 dealt us a public health crisis and has proven to be difficult for many other reasons. This year has become synonymous with drastic change, chaos, instability, and uncertainty.
In my last letter, I wrote about making peace with all of this uncertainty, which is easier said than done on some days. At Missouri CAN, we have experienced our share of additional uncertainty with some big and some small changes that I want to share with you.
We are entering a new season in many ways at Missouri CAN. As autumn begins, we are embarking on new opportunities. In July, the Board of Directors approved the purchase of a new building for the Missouri CAN office. We are excited to move to this new location soon and cannot wait to host in-person trainings for the Network as soon as we are able. You will receive a formal announcement once we relocate.
Also, in July, Missouri CAN was informed by the State of Missouri that it would not contract with our association directly, but rather would open up CSBG Training and Technical Assistance for bid in FFY21. At the time, the state was still interested in contracting with Missouri CAN for the MIS IT services, which would include LIHEAP and CSBG MIS support. Throughout August and September, Missouri CAN developed multiple proposals for those services through a negotiation process with the State. Ultimately, the State of Missouri informed Missouri CAN on September 11 that it would not accept our final bid.
What does this mean for the Network and you as a member of Missouri CAN?
Although Missouri CAN is not providing technical support or training for the MIS or technical assistance for CSBG or LIHEAP reporting, we are still here and supporting the Network in new, innovative and exciting ways! We will release FFY2021 training calendar within the coming weeks.
Training and technical assistance, advocacy, and membership services are three areas we are fortunate enough to be able to rededicate our energy to fully. We are excited to focus on Network trainings based on your responses to the recent Training and Technical Assistance survey. We are currently holding virtual focus groups with members and non-members to increase membership and improve the member experience. Our advocacy efforts have not and will not stop.
Missouri CAN is still here for you. We are here for individual members and member agencies! We are devoted to strengthening the Community Action Network and advocating for low-income Missourians. And that's what we're going to keep doing.