VACAP News
September 2026
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Inside this Issue
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Register Today! VACAP Pathways from Poverty to Prosperity Summit
- Governor Spanberger Convenes First Meeting of Commission on Unlocking Housing Production
- CAPLAW Webinar on Digital Content Regulations and Catchafire Resources
- VA Executive Order 20 establishes the Keep Virginia Covered policy
- Grant Opportunity: Help Older Adults Enroll in SNAP
- Virginia Rural Health Transformation Grant Application
- Dashboard shows maternal care gaps across Virginia
- New legal assistance website for Virginians
- Upcoming Partner and Member Events
- VACAP and Virginia CASH Campaign Bonfire and Lands' End Stores
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Register Today!
VACAP Pathways from Poverty to Prosperity Summit
Now Featuring Weatherization Symposium
October 5-7, 2026
New location:
Hilton Richmond Hotel & Spa, Short Pump
12042 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23233
We are pleased to announce the the Pathways from Poverty to Prosperity Summit 2026 is now open and featuring the Weatherization Symposium. The event is designed to meet the training priorities of the VACAP member CEOs and senior leaders, program managers, data managers, planners, fiscal and HR staff and now Weatherization providers. In addition to the Virginia CASH Campaign and Head Start Leadership Collaborative, there are more breakout sessions, one-on-one training opportunities and two networking reception opportunities.
You will not want to miss the key state and federal updates from our funders and partners. Speakers include Secretary of Education Dr. Jeffrey Smith, VDSS Commissioner Duke Storen, DHCD Director Tamarah Holmes, Virginia Housing CEO Tammy Neale, Virginia Energy Director Vince Maiden, Deputy Director Virginia Energy Bettina Bergoo, VECF President Susanne Bell, Deputy Superintendent of Early Childhood Education Erin Carroll, (Invited) VDOE State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jenna Conway, Director CRA Community Development at Truist Mark Johnson, ODEC VP Strategic Electrification and Member Services Alison Kaufman, Virginia Housing Grant Programs and Initiatives Director Kelly Gill-Gordon, and Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade Kristen Dahlman.
Please click below for the full agenda, hotel information, list of sponsors who make this event possible, pricing information and of course, registration.
We hope to see you there!
After September 25, registration will increase to $500 for VACAP Members.
Event information: https://cvent.me/wVwzRw
Registration: https://cvent.me/Kr9b4z
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Governor Spanberger Convenes First Meeting of Commission on Unlocking Housing Production
Governor Abigail Spanberger today convened the first meeting of the Commission on Unlocking Housing Production to guide her Administration’s work to increase housing supply, open more pathways for first-time homebuyers, and make housing more affordable for families across the Commonwealth.
VACAP Board President, Bryan Phipps, and VACAP CEO Erik Johnston were appointed to the commission in recognition of Community Action's critical role in helping to address affordable housing challenges.
Learn more here: https://www.governor.virginia.gov//newsroom/news-releases/2026/september-releases/name-1123226-en.html
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CAPLAW Webinar on Digital Content Regulations and Catchafire Resources
CAPLAW Webinar | Monday, September 28, 2026 | 1:00-2:30pm EDT
Recent legal requirements governing the accessibility of websites, mobile apps, and kiosks are calling for CAAs to evaluate and update their digital presence. Although deadlines for compliance were recently extended, CAAs should start taking steps soon. This webinar will cover the basics of online accessibility as well as the requirements of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) incorporated into the Department of Health & Human Services and Department of Justice regulations. Learn from CAPLAW and expert Erin Mastrantonio, Chief Operating Officer and Accessibility Director at Elevation Web, about what steps your organization can take to comply with the new rules—no tech experience necessary.
Register for the CAPLAW webinar here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HrwQtcWASbWh8vBzwi-Mww#/
Catchafire Resources
VACAP Members have free access to a volunteering platform called Catchafire, which connects nonprofits with experienced professionals who donate their expertise. Skilled volunteers support real organizational needs, such as strategic planning, fundraising support, marketing and communications, technology, finance, leadership development, and more.
VACAP Strategic Partner Dominion Energy offers a Website Accessibility Audit on Catchafire that may assist with compliance for the new web content requirements detailed in the CAPLAW webinar.
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Virginia Executive Order 20 Establishes the Keep Virginia Covered Policy
Governor Spanberger's new Executive Order 20 establishes the Keep Virginia Covered policy to help mitigate the impacts of the federal H.R. 1 bill by preventing gaps in coverage, improving statewide coordination, promoting economic mobility, keeping families safe and healthy, and prioritizing affordability.
The Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (HHR) has created resources to help Virginians maintain coverage despite federal changes.
VA HHR state and local partners are also convening regional workshops across Virginia this fall to provide practical information and resources to community partners who will be working with Virginians to help maintain coverage. Register for a workshop in your area HERE.
Learn more about the Executive Order here: https://www.whro.org/2026-08-25/spanberger-issues-new-executive-order-seeking-to-help-virginians-keep-health-insurance-coverage
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National Council on Aging Grant Opportunity: Help Older Adults Enroll in SNAP
The National Council on Aging (NCOA), has launched a new grant initiative to strengthen SNAP outreach and enrollment for older adults. Nine community-based organizations in Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia will each receive a $50,000 grant, along with technical assistance, peer learning opportunities, and access to shared tools, to become SNAP Enrollment Centers. Over an 18-month period, from December 2026 to May 2028, the initiative aims to support approximately 15,000 adults aged 60+ in accessing and staying enrolled in SNAP.
This opportunity offers senior service providers a chance to expand their impact by addressing food insecurity and improving nutrition among older Virginians. Grant-funded organizations will conduct targeted outreach, assist with SNAP applications and recertification, build partnerships with state and local SNAP agencies, and use data-driven strategies to tackle administrative barriers. Applications are due by October 14, 2026, and there is an informational webinar on September 21 at 3pm, offering guidance on eligibility, workflows, and best practices. Senior service professionals interested in applying or supporting local partners should take advantage of this timely opportunity to help more older adults secure the benefits they need to thrive.
Learn more here: https://www.ncoa.org/article/new-grant-opportunity-to-support-senior-snap-enrollment/
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Virginia Rural Health Transformation Grant Applications
Virginia has obligated $122 million of the $189.5 million in the Rural Health Transformation Fund to support rural providers, expand access to care, strengthen the health workforce, and invest in innovation. The program serves more than 1.5 million Virginians across 76 rural localities. Multiple RFAs are currently open under this initiative.
Learn more and apply now: https://www.ruralhealthtransformationva.virginia.gov/
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Dashboard Shows Maternal Care Gaps Across Virginia
Virginia Health Information has released a dashboard showing where maternal care gaps are widest across the Commonwealth, based on factors like staffing and distance. This kind of data will help identify where needs are greatest and make sure resources and solutions reach the communities that need them most.
View the dashboard here: https://www.vhi.org/report/distance-to-delivery/
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New Legal Assistance Website for Virginians
The Virginia Poverty Law Center has launched VirginiaLawHelp.org, a new statewide website designed to make clear, easy to understand legal information accessible for Virginians facing common civil issues. The site offers step by step guides, FAQs, and practical tools covering high need topics such as eviction, rental repairs, custody, domestic violence, debt and consumer protection, and public benefits like SNAP and health coverage. While it does not provide legal advice, the site helps residents understand their rights and options, empowering them to take informed action. The site also includes a "Get Legal Help" tool that connects users directly with their local legal aid organization, making it easier to find timely support before problems escalate.
Learn more here: https://www.virginialawhelp.org/
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Upcoming Partner and Member Events
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October 5-7: VACAP Pathways from Poverty to Prosperity Summit, Richmond, VA
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October 14-15: Governor's Summit on Rural Prosperity, in Lexington, VA
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January 25-27, 2027: VACAP Legislative Conference, in Richmond, VA
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March 9-12, 2027: NCAF Washington Conference and Fly-In, Washington, DC
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May 19, 2027: VACAP Regional Meeting, in Williamsburg, VA
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May 24-25, 2027: VACAP Regional Meeting (25th) and Weatherization Peer Group and New Emotional Intelligence Training Pre-Meetings (24th)
Do you have an event, job posting, or RFP you'd like to share with the VACAP network in this monthly newsletter? Let us know at info@vacap.org.
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