|
|
Greetings Community Actioners!
Happy Fall! It is timely that the opening quote to this season's book club book, "Parable of the Sower," is "All that you touch you Change. All that you Change changes you. The only lasting truth is change." In this newsletter, you'll get updates on changes at ICAA (wishing Mary all the best in her upcoming endeavors and welcoming Kyrstin), at the state (a new leader, Boards & Commissions recommendations), and nationally (well hello Government shutdown!).
Yet, in the midst of all these changes, we remain steadfast in our values: Commitment, Compassion, Connection, Creativity, and Competence. ICAA strives to demonstrate these values in support of this network so that you may continue to do the vital work of serving families experiencing economic hardship. Let's not let the change be a distraction but an opportunity to learn more about ourselves, and draw on the strength of our successes and the power of our network.
Yours in service, advocacy, and learning,
Katherine
| |
|
Check out ICAA's First Annual Report
Extra extra! Hot off the digital presses, ICAA has published our first annual report.
Read all about the Community Action Network's impact throughout the state!
| |
|
|
|
|
ICAA's Book Club
It's never too late to jump in on Book Club! We are currently reading "Parable of the Sower" by Octavia Butler. This is our first novel and it's fabulous! Our next-in-line book is "Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers."
Book Club meets on the following Thursdays from 12:15 - 1:15pm
- Sept. 28
- Oct. 12
- Oct. 26
- Nov. 9
- Nov. 16
Please visit this website to sign-up to receive updates about and/or join ICAA's Book Club!
| | | |
|
If you can't join this time around,
be sure to come back for the next book,
"Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers."
| |
|
Congratulations, Director Easter!
Congratulations to Lorie Easter on her promotion to Director of the Community Action Agency Unit within the Department of Health and Human Services. Lorie has taken over leadership of this Community Action State Staff after Bill Brand's retirement this summer. Check out some fun facts about Lorie!
Tell us about yourself: I have worked for the State since December, 1999. Prior to accepting my current position as the Director of Community Action Agencies on September 1, I worked in FaDSS and CSBG programs. I have my Social Work degree from Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids and am originally from Decorah. I currently live in Ankeny with my husband Don, our 14-year-old daughter Grace, and our dog Jaxson. I also have 2 stepsons, Tim and Chad, who live in the Des Moines area as well. I am a soon to be a Grandma with baby girl Easter set to join our crew in early October.
One of my favorite quotes is "In a world where you can be anything, Be Kind." – Unknown
What is your ideal vacation? My ideal vacation is somewhere at an all-inclusive resort lounging by a pool with a good book. However, any time with my family around water whether it is a lake, river or ocean works just as well. I love the downtime to boat, swim, and read.
What is your favorite fall beverage? Spiced Chai Tea
Favorite sports team? Iowa Hawkeyes and the Green Bay Packers
What is the most recent new thing you've learned? Since I have been in my new role, I am learning something new every day. I am busy getting up to speed with the LIHEAP and
Weatherization programs. I have recently learned about limits on administrative cost and
carryover in the LIHEAP program. Also, Grace recently helped me figure out the GameChanger app on my phone so that I won’t miss any of her softball and volleyball games.
| |
|
Welcome to the ICAA Team, Kyrstin!
Kyrstin will be joining the ICAA team in early October as our new Program Manager. Check out some fun facts about Kyrstin!
Tell us about yourself: I live in Des Moines with my husband, Jordan, and our two cats, Dumptruck and Artie. I spend my free time volunteering with various organizations, playing board games and Dungeons & Dragons with friends, reading, and doing crafts like crochet and cross stitch. My husband and I enjoy camping, traveling, and trying our hand at new recipes in the kitchen.
What is your ideal vacation? An ideal vacation would combine some nature preferably near or on the water, a chance to visit a local museum, try some new foods, and relax.
What is your favorite fall beverage? I loved salted caramel mochas, caramel cider, and mulled wine.
Favorite sports team? I'm a pretty casual sports fan, but I love a good I-Cubs game in the summer or reading on the couch when my husband watches the Packers.
What is the most recent new thing you've learned? I took a quilting class earlier this year, and I'm currently working on crocheting my first sweater. We watched a cat documentary last night, and it was fun to learn all about the ways cats are social and motivated.
| |
|
Lyceum Lounge Recording
The most recent ICAA Lyceum Lounge featured guest speaker, Amber Wallingford, with Disability Rights Iowa. Amber shared about the services DRI provides that can be a resource for Community Action customers. View the presentation here and use Case Sensitive Passcode: HDW99?Mt
| |
|
A Busy Disaster Season
Since the beginning of April, Iowa has had nine disaster declarations due to severe weather, tornadoes, flooding, and a partial building collapse in Davenport.
To date, 35 counties have received declarations (some more than once) across twelve Agencies.
Throughout the course of these declarations, Community Action Agencies have provided over $577,000 in assistance and received over 850 applications to date. The network has already more than doubled the dollars distributed during last year's disaster season and the work isn't done yet. Many thanks to the Agencies who have responded to this large amount of activity the past few months!
| |
|
Diaper Distribution in Full Swing
At the end of September 2022, ICAA was notified that it was one of seven applicants selected for the Diaper Distribution Demonstration & Research Pilot. ICAA was awarded $1.2M.
The Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot (3DRP) is the first federally funded diaper distribution pilot.
Since then, four partner Agencies/Organizations have distributed nearly half a million diapers and a million wipes, saving the 350+ participating families an estimated $150,000 over the last eight months. Thank you to Sieda Community Action, HACAP, and Operation Threshold for your work on this pilot program!
| |
|
Embrace Iowa 2023-2024
As the weather starts to cool down, as social service organizations, we start to gear up for increased needs in our communities. To help combat this, ICAA has partnered with the Des Moines Register to administer the Embrace Iowa program to help families with essential needs. Last year, we raised over $343,000 from 1,303 donors that went directly to Iowa's 16 Community Action Agencies. Embrace Iowa dollars can help Iowans with anything from rent and utilities to car repairs and new appliances. We hope to raise $400,000 this year to provide more assistance to your local communities.
Stay tuned for more information about the Embrace Iowa 2023-2024 Campaign!
| |
|
ICAA CCAP Study Group
ICAA will be facilitating a CCAP Study Group for those enrolled to become Certified Community Action Professionals. Classes are held via Zoom November - May.
Learn more about the CCAP program by watching a recent webinar What to Expect as a CCAP Candidate and by visiting NCAP's CCAP webpage.
RSVP by November 3th to participate in the ICAA Study Group by contacting Tiffany Keimig (tkeimig@iowacommunityaction.org).
If you know you are going to enroll to CCAP, you may be able to access a discounted NCAP CCAP enrollment fee by purchasing your CCAP enrollment through ICAA. Let Tiffany know by October 20th if you would like to be part of ICAA's bundled enrollment (participation in ICAA’s CCAP Study Group is not required in order to access the bundled enrollment).
| |
|
ELITE
Emerging Leaders’ Institute for Training and Excellence (ELITE) is a great opportunity for Community Action staff looking to grow their understanding of, and leadership in, Community Action. From Community Action’s rich history to the role we play in performance management and advocacy. ELITE covers key modules of core content with lots of peer-to-peer learning and engagement. There is a five month commitment and participants meet approximately monthly via on-line Zoom meetings.
The 2024 Application is available here.
| |
|
High Impact Leadership
ICAA offers an exceptional leadership series in partnership with SparkPoint, Inc., to help any Community Action leader, or aspiring leader, feel confident with organizational development and critical leadership skills. This series offers practical, easy-to-use materials and concepts that can be put to use in any Community Action Agency. An excellent way to strengthen your organization, invest in developing high performing leaders and resilient advocates for Community Action’s mission.
ICAA is considering offering the High Impact Leadership Series in 2024 based on network interest. If you are interested please let Tiffany Keimig know by the end of October (tkeimig@iowacommunityaction.org).
| |
Click here to see ICAA's Events Calendar for all the latest trainings, network events, and more! | |
|
The New-Look Community Action Academy Platform Is Now Live
National Community Action Partnership's Community Action Academy, their online learning hub, has a new look! The platform has been updated with a new look and additional features. The transition to the new platform is in progress and is LIVE, and the old Moodle platform will no longer be accessible after Friday, September 29th. Check it out!
| |
|
|
Energy Awareness Month Social Media Toolkits!
October is almost here, and that means Energy Awareness Month is coming!
There are two great tools from Community Action's National Partners to help you promote this awareness in your communities:
1) NCAP’s 2023 Energy Awareness Month Toolkit, which covers energy burden, energy equity, health benefits of weatherization, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Weatherization Day (October 30) and more.
2) NASCSP’s Weatherization Day Outreach Toolkit, which includes factsheets and infographics, site demonstration how-to, guidance on state and local Weatherization Day proclamations, and additional resources for energy awareness outreach.
| | | | |
