Thank you for being engaged with what's happening in Community Action! |
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Tell Me What's Happening Newsletter
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Hello Community Actioners! |
As we round out the calendar year of 2021 and look forward to 2022, I am encouraged and inspired by all that the Iowa Community Action Network has accomplished in the last year in the face of COVID in support of people experiencing poverty. This holiday season, ICAA wants you to know that YOU are a gift to the network.
You provide hope in times of despair
You provide a safe and nurturing environment for kids so their parents can go to work
You are the support system and accountability partners for parents who are struggling
You help elderly folks stay warm
You go above and beyond to leverage resources to meet families needs
You take care of your teammates
Your leaders speak up for you and those you serve
You are the bridge over troubled waters
I am so proud to be associated with all of you, your work, and your impact.
“Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead.
Hug your loved ones as you bid 2021 goodbye and greet 2022 with a sense of optimism and enthusiasm and joy for your work!
With gratitude and appreciation,
Katherine
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Community Action Happenings |
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Congratulations Denny Lawson!
ICAA would like to congratulate Denny Lawson at WCCA on his retirement!
Q: What message/advice would you give the person taking your place or someone new to Community Action?
A: Look at Community Action history and use those ideals to guide your work in this ever-changing field. Get to know your program directors and what each program can do for people.
Q: What is the most valuable lesson you have learned from your co-workers?
A: Each Program has its own needs and services. I learned a great deal by getting to know our people and the strengths they bring to the tasks they face. Listen to these people! You will better serve your Agency as you recruit for additional staff.
Q: What will you miss the most about working in Community Action?
A: Community Action offers so much to our society through, seemingly, behind-the-scenes support. I will miss the people that bring it every day to help so many people in a myriad of ways. I will miss those with whom I have worked most closely at West Central. I will miss the support of the HR Officers sub-group. This is a very special group of professionals dedicated to guiding their agencies through all the changing laws and regulations that deal with employees.
Q: What are you most looking forward to during your retirement?
A: First thing that comes to mind is answering the phone and having someone start the conversation with something other than – I have a question. I have a honey-do list waiting for me that will take a month or more to overcome. THEN I hope to learn more techniques to create projects out of wood with, mostly, hand tools. Should I need a break from woodworking, there is always an HO train set up that needs to be created.
I have devoted over 35 years to HR. That goes back to a time before COBRA, FMLA, and even before ADA had teeth. I’ve worked in for-profit concerns and, the non-profit world of Community Action and I must say that Community Action has been the best part of my professional career. My 22-year journey with West Central Community Action is by far the longest and most rewarding of my career. My favorite way of measuring time is to reflect back to those with whom I have had the pleasure of working. I have many wonderful memories that will keep me company for years to come. Another way I’ve learned to measure time passing is counting boxes of staples. There are 5,000 staples in a box. I am on my sixth box of staples.
Community Action has and will change over time to successfully meet new challenges. I am looking forward to hearing about the growth and success of Community Action in the coming years. Stop by if you come to Harlan and I’ll make you a latte.
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Welcome Home, Iowa
Diverse housing options in our communities enhance the strength and prosperity of our economy, so all of us can do well. Maybe you’ve heard the “not in my backyard” argument. The small number of outliers who oppose affordable housing expansion are more likely than supporters to make their opinions heard. Now is the time to roll out the welcome mat across the state.
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We are sad/excited to announce that our very own Jamey Whitney (Executive Director of UDMO) has accepted a new position at Southeast Kansas Community Action Program, Inc. (SEK-CAP, Inc.) as the Executive Director. After 10 years leading the team at UDMO, Jamey is returning to his Community Action roots in Southeast Kansas. Jamey's last day at UDMO will be in late January. Julie Edwards will serve as the interim director until a new Executive Director is selected.
Jamey - we wish you all the best in the next leg of your professional journey. We're so glad you decided to stay within the Community Action Family. Thank you for your years of service and leadership to the Iowa Community Action Network. We will miss you!
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Disaster Services
From June-August 2021, twenty-six counties received disaster declarations, allowing residents to be eligible for the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program (IIAGP) and Iowa Disaster Case Management (IDCM). The time to apply for financial assistance has passed, but Community Action Agencies continue to work with families on their recovery. To date, the nine Community Action Agencies assisting households have received 133 applications and provided nearly $105,000 in assistance. An additional $45,000 in assistance is pending for open cases. Fifteen counties have closed all cases and eleven will wrap up in the next few months.
On December 15th, a large storm system caused significant damages across Iowa. As of today, forty-seven counties (pictured here) have received state disaster declarations. IIAGP applications are due January 31, 2022.
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Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)
Community Action Agencies in Iowa have been participating in the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program since 2013. This program allows for eligible households to pay a maximum of 30% of their income (minimum of $5/month) for safe and sanitary housing while the TBRA funds cover the remainder. Unlike Section 8, the assistance can move with a family and is not connected to a particular building.
Six CAAs are participating in TBRA this funding cycle (2021-2023).
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Embrace Iowa
The Embrace Iowa 2021-2022 campaign is underway! After launching less than a month ago, we have already raised over $287,000 of our $410,000 goal!
Embrace Iowa is a joint project between Iowa Community Action Association and the Des Moines Register. The Des Moines Register takes a leadership role in sharing the real life stories of Iowans who are struggling to meet their most basic needs and educates the people of Iowa about the barriers and struggles the families are facing.
Check out some past stories here!
100% of funds raised go directly to assist Iowans with essential needs. Donations are split evenly among the 16 Community Action Agencies to distribute to families in their communities for car repairs, rental assistance, utility assistance, medical expenses, beds, and more. To learn more about Embrace Iowa, click here!
Follow ICAA on Facebook for more fundraising updates and graphics to share! |
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New Member Benefits Happening |
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ICAA is excited to announce a new member benefit!
Feedback from the network showed a desire for information on grant opportunities and grant writing resources. ICAA is working to cultivate a resource library to meet this need, the start of which can be seen in the Member Portal!
To access the Portal, visit ICAA’s website and use the following information: Username: icaamember
Password: stayconnected
Then, under the Menu, select “Grant Opportunities and Resources.”
We’re just getting started, so keep checking back for additional resources and grant opportunities in the future!
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2022 ICAA Conference Call for Presenters
Mark your calendars for ICAA's upcoming conference:
July 20th & 21st
Our 2022 conference will be a hybrid event, which means there will be limited in person participation at the West Des Moines Marriott and unlimited virtual participation.
ICAA is inviting network partners to submit a Call for Presenters proposal to be considered for one of our conference workshop offerings. Be sure to also share this opportunity with others you'd like to hear present during the conference!
The workshops and plenary sessions will be live-streamed for virtual attendees, and we ask presenters to take this into consideration when developing their materials. Presenters are asked to be on-site for their workshop presentation.
Members from the Conference Planning Committee will be providing in-person support for all presenters and will monitor virtual attendee chat/questions and assist with technical troubleshooting.
If you are considering submitting a proposal and have questions, please contact Tiffany Keimig, tkeimig@iowacaa.org. Additional conference details will be released in the upcoming months.
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Leadership and Trainings Happenings |
Congratulations to Iowa's newest ROMA Professionals: Lori Reed (SCICAP), Danielle Rodriguez (HACAP), and Brittany Schoof (WCCA)!
Lori and Brittany completed the process to become Nationally Certified ROMA Implementers and Danielle recently completed the process to become a Nationally Certified ROMA Trainer. These three are incredible leaders in the Iowa Community Action network. Help ICAA in congratulating Lori, Danielle, and Brittany on their remarkable achievement! If you are interested in learning about becoming a Nationally Certified ROMA Trainer or Implementer click here to visit ICAA's Leadership Opportunities' web page or contact Tiffany Keimig, tkeimig@iowacaa.org.
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High Impact Leadership Series - 2022 Applications Available
ICAA is offering this 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. We will offer 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.
The series will convene monthly, January - December via Zoom. The four anchor courses include: Communication Leadership; Thought Leadership; Management; and Culture Leadership.
Sharon Burke, a 2021 participant, with Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation, shared that she loved getting feedback on real-life scenarios – it was “very beneficial, even with 22 years of supervisory experience” and that she “will be sending [her] new program supervisors next year to expand and enhance their leadership skills”.
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SAVE-THE-DATE: Feb. 16th
Human Capacity and Community Transformation Virtual Showcase
ICAA is a partner with the KS, MO, and NE Community Action Associations to form the Region VII RPIC (Regional Performance and Innovation Consortium). We are thrilled to spotlight five Community Action Agencies and their exceptional strategies to address the causes and conditions of poverty. Join us to learn alongside colleagues about resources to strengthen services, build community outcomes, and create family & community change.
Register here to attend the Region VII RPIC: Human Capacity and Community Transformation Showcase
via Zoom on February 16th from 9AM-12PM (CST)
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December 23-24 - ICAA Offices Closed
December 30 - High Impact Leadership Series Application Due
December 31 - ICAA Offices Closed
January 6 - ICAA Board Meeting
January 17 - ICAA Office Closed
February 3 - ICAA Board Meeting
February 4 - ICAA Conference Call for Presenters Due
February 16 - Human Capacity and Community Transformation Virtual Showcase
March 3 - ICAA Board Meeting
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Iowa Community Action Association
515.244.0307
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ICAA's mission is to advocate for policies and services that benefit
those striving for economic security.
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