Last Chance to Register! VACAP Legislative Conference and Weatherization Symposium

The deadline to register is Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

February 2-5, 2026 | Richmond Downtown Marriott

You won't want to miss the 2026 VACAP Legislative Conference. We have a new Governor's Administration, new General Assembly members and big state funding challenges and opportunities to discuss and share. Be there for the latest training on core topics facing the Community Action network.

Monday, February 2:  Weatherization, Energy, and Whole Family Pre-Conference

Tuesday, February 3: VACAP Board Meeting, Updates from Leadership on New Governor's Administration, CSBG and other Community Action Trainings, Wx Peer Group, General Assembly Update, Advocacy Training

Wednesday, February 4: VACAP Advocacy Day

Learn more and register today: https://cvent.me/7BQr74

Save the Date: VACAP May Regional Meetings

Join VACAP and your Community Action peers in May 2026 for regional meetings as we gather leaders in your respective subject matter area and strategic sponsors for a day of networking and training. Tentative timing for each meeting is 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM.

May 13: Join us in Williamsburg at the College of William and Mary's School of Education

May 18: Weatherization Pre-conference at Wytheville Meeting Center

May 19: Regional Meeting at Wytheville Meeting Center

Registration and additional details will be available soon. You are welcome to attend either or both meetings. Please add the date and location to your calendar and we'll see you in May!

Virginia Mercury: In Statewide Survey, Employers Say Virginia Child Care Crisis Negatively Impact Businesses

Virginia’s employers say the lack of affordable, high-quality child care is hurting businesses, with 88% of survey respondents reporting employee lateness or absences, and 65% reporting reduced work hours, according to results published last month by the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, the Richmond Fed and the Virginia Chamber Foundation. 

Learn more and read the full article here: https://virginiamercury.com/2026/01/09/in-statewide-survey-employers-say-virginia-child-care-crisis-negatively-impacts-businesses/

Virginia Mercury: Here's what Virginia is doing so far to reduce its SNAP error rate

As 850,000 Virginians (and millions nationwide) went without food stamps this fall during the federal government shutdown, the giant reconciliation bill Congress passed this summer set off a timer for states to reduce their error rates in computing the disbursement of funds to recipients. States that don’t comply risk losing their funding.

That means Virginia must drop its error rate from where it hovers now around 11% down to 6% by 2027. Otherwise, the state could be on the hook for $270 million annually. 

Learn more and read the full article here: https://virginiamercury.com/2026/01/05/heres-what-virginia-is-doing-so-far-to-reduce-its-snap-error-rate/

WVTF: Virginia Democrats to focus on renter aid during upcoming session

Members of the Virginia General Assembly are about to consider a number of bills aimed at what they are calling an affordability agenda. That includes some efforts aimed at helping renters.

Two months’ rent in advance is often a requirement to move into a new place. Jay Speer at the Virginia Poverty Law Center says laying down two months of rent just to be able to move into a new place is a barrier for many low-income people.

Learn more and read the full article here: https://www.wvtf.org/news/2026-01-03/virginia-democrats-to-focus-on-renter-aid-during-upcoming-session

Axios: Virginia's minimum wage rises due to inflation - again

For the second year in a row, Virginia is raising its minimum wage due to inflation, the state labor department announced this week.

Why it matters: Minimum wage workers in the state will see their pay bump up to $12.77 an hour, a 36-cent hourly increase, in 2026.

Learn more and read the full article here: https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2025/07/31/virginia-minimum-wage-increase-2025-cpi-inflation

Virginia Mercury: As federal shifts bump up Virginia social service workloads, a bill proposing tech upgrades could help

As state lawmakers prepare to reconvene in Richmond for the 2026 legislative session next week, Virginia is also working to reduce its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) error rate or risk losing its federal funding, while also now verifying recipients’ eligibility — which levies more work onto already-strained health and social service systems. They also must contend with forthcoming changes to Medicaid eligibility.

Social services staffers around Virginia have for years grappled with outdated technology and are now preparing for extra workloads; a new bill could spur upgrades that might help.

Learn more and read the full article here: https://virginiamercury.com/2026/01/07/as-federal-shifts-bump-up-va-social-service-workloads-a-bill-proposing-tech-upgrades-could-help/

Commonwealth Council on Aging Best Practices Awards Nominations Are Open

The Commonwealth Council on Aging is excited to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 Best Practices Awards. For over 20 years, the Best Practices Awards have recognized unique programs of excellence in aging services. The awards recognize programs that meet community needs and impact, promote and support healthy aging, are innovative and inclusive, and are cost-effective and sustainable. Nominations are open now through Friday, February 6, 2026 at 5pm. The Council will provide three awards with cash prizes, and three Honorable Mentions.

Learn more and submit your nomination here: https://www.vda.virginia.gov/boardsandcouncils.htm

Upcoming Meetings and Webinars

• CAPLAW Webinar: Legal Implications of the Administration's Recent Moves: The executive actions taken during the first year of the second Trump administration have garnered a great deal of attention and raised numerous questions for CAAs. Through a series of Executive Orders, policies, and memos, the administration has issued broad directives potentially impacting grantees around the use, review, and availability of federal funding. What's more, legal action has been taken to challenge many of these actions and ongoing litigation is generating much uncertainty about what's to come. This webinar will help CAAs understand these actions and the related legal issues. Available for VACAP members.
• January 22, 1pm ET
• Learn more and register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AtLTfI7OTbO1ZBGqIMBepw#/registration
• Virginia Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) How-to-Apply Workshop: Virginia DHCD is hosting two in-person how-to-apply workshops for the 2026 Virginia ARC grant program.
• February 12, 9am-noon, in Abingdon, VA
• February 13, 9am-noon, in Radford, VA
• Learn more and register here: https://dmz1.dhcd.virginia.gov/dhcdevents/registration.aspx?EID=631
• TechSoup Webinar - The Nonprofit Leadership Trifecta: Discover how the functions of HR, marketing, and grant writing come together to strengthen organizational impact and long-term sustainability.
• February 24, 1pm ET
• Learn more and register here: https://events.techsoup.org/events/details/techsoup-events-at-techsoup-presents-the-nonprofit-leadership-trifecta-hr-marketing-and-grant-writing/
• Virginia Housing Community Impact Session Series: Save the date for six opportunities to join an in-person overview of Virginia Housing programs and how the organization supports communities in developing affordable and workforce housing. Registration will open soon.
• February 24 - South Kilmarnock
• February 25 - Chesapeake
• February 26 - Warrenton
• March 3 - Lexington
• March 4 - St. Paul
• March 5 - Boston/Southside