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! |
April Showers will bring May Flowers and also Community Action Month! Exciting Milestone Alert: ICAA is celebrating its 40th Anniversary on May 25th! To that end, we have a series of events for you to join to help spread the joy and promise of Community Action and to celebrate!
We will be doing our Facebook Live Drawings again each week in May. This year's question: Tell us why you think Community Action has staying power in our communities.
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Friday, May 6
Friday, May 13
Friday, May 20
Wednesday, May 25
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12:00 Facebook Live - Drawing for Prize
12:00 Facebook Live - Drawing for Prize
12:00 Facebook Life - Drawing for Prize
12:00 Facebook Live - Birthday Party and final drawing for an ICAA Conference Registration
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I'll also be visiting agencies around the state during the month of May. I'm so excited to get into the field to see you in action!
So, please send me your answers to why you think Community Action has staying power in your community. You can email me at kharringtion@iowacaa.org or post it on the ICAA Facebook Page. We'll draw for prizes each Friday and all entries will be eligible for the grand prize on May 25th.
Happy Spring!
~ Katherine
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Community Action Happenings |
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New Executive Director Welcome!
ICAA would like to welcome Julie Edwards as
Upper Des Moines Opportunity, Inc.'s new Executive Director
Q: What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
A: Those that think they can and those that think they can't are both right.
Q: What has been a positive "surprise" in your new role as ED?
A: The immense amount of support and confidence UDMO staff have had in me assuming this new position.
Q: What are your pets' names?
A: I have a 10 pound dog named Spanky who is a Chiweenie full of personality.
Q: What has been your favorite vacation?
A: Anywhere that involves the warmth of family/friends, sunshine, and water!
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Disaster Services
On December 15th, a large storm system caused significant damages across Iowa. Forty-seven counties received state disaster declarations. 143 Individual Assistance Grant Applications were submitted and the period to apply has now closed. $32,000 have been administered with another $80,000 anticipated.
Between these two disasters, 13 Community Action Agencies were called upon to activate Disaster Services. Thank you so much to all staff who responded to these unexpected events!
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On March 5th, a devastating tornado impacted southern and central Iowa. 10 counties received state disaster declarations. The application period ends April 21st. |
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Between these two disasters, 13 Community Action Agencies were called upon to activate Disaster Services. Thank you so much to all staff who responded to these unexpected events! |
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Embrace Iowa
The Embrace Iowa 2021-2022 campaign wrapped up at the end of January. We are excited to announce that we raised $411,000 for Iowa families! Together, we surpassed our goal and set an all-time Embrace Iowa record!
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.
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ICAA Continues to partner with Eide/Walton Lobbying Firm to represent the interests of Community Action & Head Start at the Iowa Legislature. The areas where we have been focusing efforts:
Infrastructure & Early Childhood Unemployment Job Search Requirement: Agency Directors, ICAA and Eide/Walton met with Governor's Office Staff on two separate occasions. On the first occasion was to plead the case for an infrastructure investment by the Governor's Office using Infrastructure or CARES dollars. The second meeting was to raise concerns about the job search requirement for temporarily laid off early childhood workers. Both meetings went well.
State Bill Watch
- HF 2127 - Childcare Reimbursements: Allows a childcare provider to collect the difference between the amount of state assistance and the amount the provider normally charges from a family in the childcare assistance program. Passed the 2nd Funnel and placed on the Senate Unfinished business calendar. Eligible for chamber debate.
- HF 2131/SF 2268 - Childcare Ratios: Require DHS to allow childcare centers to have a child-to-staff ratio of 1:8 for children 2 and under and 1:10 for children 3 and old. Passed the second funnel and Passed the Senate. Eligible for chamber debate in the House.
- HF 2198 - Childcare Working Age: Requires DHS to amend rules to allow 16-year-olds working or volunteering at a childcare facility to be unsupervised. Passed with an amendment and survived the second funnel. Placed on the Senate Unfinished Business Calendar. Eligible for chamber debate.
- HF 2438 - Welfare Checks: Requires DHS to use an identity authentication process that requires a public assistance applicant to complete a knowledge-based questionnaire on financial matters. It also requires DHS to review state and federal information regarding persons receiving SNAP or Medicaid, reviewing all members of a household, and a records review for any asset. Also requires persons receiving SNAP to cooperate with Child Support Recovery Unit. This is in an appropriations bill and passed out of the House Subcommittee.
FaDSS Budget Increase (3%): Actively visiting with Senators to see if we can get some consideration on this.
On February 18, the Iowa Family Development Alliance hosted a FaDSS Virtual Day on the Hill. Several regions gathered at 5 different virtual meetings over the course of the day to give testimony to the tremendous benefit of FaDSS programming to invited legislators and other public officials. We were pleased to have good conversations with the following legislators: Rep. Williams, Rep. Bergan, Sen. Ragan, Rep. Staed, Rep. Anderson.
A huge shout out to all of the FaDSS Coordinators for their effort to get the word out about the event and represent the program so well. We also had some tremendous FaDSS participants who told their stories. Check out this video of Renee and her powerful story: https://fb.watch/bXdDJfNcnb/.
Federal Legislation:
The Community Services Block Grant Modernization Action (HR5129) has passed through the House Education and Labor Committee with markups for consideration by Congress. This bill is co-sponsored by both Rep. Cindy Axne and Rep. Randy Feenstra and Rep. Marianette Miller-Meeks was one of 8 Republicans to join Democrats in moving this reauthorization forward. Thanks to everyone who reached out to her office to help her understand the importance of this legislation on the work we do. To learn more about this bill check out the Highlight Page on NCAF's website: https://www.ncaf.org/csbg-reauth/1#/1/
The Weatherization Assistance Program is getting some attention due to its placement in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to the tune of $3.5 Billion. This is in addition to the normal budgeted funding through the Department of Energy. The debate on the Infrastructure Act this summer will be telling on whether this amount stays the same or not.
As the state office recently communicated, due to the continuing resolution in Congress that allows for federal programs to keep spending money, despite not having an approved budget, CSBG and LIHEAP are still able to use the 200% FPL threshold for service delivery.
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ICAA Conference Happenings |
2022 ICAA Conference Guide is available! Conference registration is coming soon! This year's conference is a hyflex event - you can participate in-person or virtually, and following the event registrants will receive access to recordings of all the sessions. The ICAA Conference Guide has an at-a-glance schedule as well as an in-depth description of our plenary keynote sessions, workshops, networking opportunities and lots more!
We are thrilled to have two keynote speakers this year! Dr. Mark Rank and Amy Jo Hutchison. The ICAA Book Club will be reading Dr. Rank's book, Poorly Understood: What America Gets Wrong about Poverty in June. Sign up for the book club here to receive more information, and bring your book to the conference to get signed by Dr. Rank. A limited supply of books will be for sale at the conference.
Thank you to our conference sponsors for their support of Community Action!
Platinum Sponsors:
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Leadership and Trainings Happenings |
Early Head Start Networking
Registration is open for the IHSA Early Head Start Networking session on April 5 from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Early Head Start is the focus of the April networking session. Join TTA Specialist, Katie Ingham as she facilitates conversations around your ideas, questions, and concerns. Attend to share information and connect as a community as well as to hear more about active conversations with a focus on birth-five efforts as a State, Region and Nation. Click here to register!
Head Start Partners
The Iowa Head Start Association will be offering another series of leadership development trainings with one of our favorite trainers, Sarah Ennis from SparkPoint. Registration is open.
9:00 am – 12:00 pm - Virtual
9:00 am – 12:00 pm - Virtual
10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Hilton Garden Inn Des Moines/Urbandale, 8600 Northpark Dr, Johnston, IA 50131
Audience: leaders, managers, supervisors, teachers
9:00 am – 12:00 pm - Virtual
9:00 am – 12:00 pm - Virtual
Please see the training dates and titles below along with additional details in the flyer below.
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Training Resource:
In this 10-minute Ready to Go Mobile Guide, you will learn how to use community scorecards (CSC) to effectively engage people to understand, assess, and demand their rights to services in their community. This resource provides guidance on designing and implementing score cards for service users and service providers to assess the availability, accessibility, and quality of services and to develop action plans towards improving such services. International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) designed this guide in collaboration with the Cornerstone OnDemand Foundation for program managers and leaders to promote social accountability from service providers to service users.
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Congratulations to ICAA's ELITE Class of 2021
In November, ICAA's ELITE class completed their final module on advocacy. We had an excellent year engaging in learning and stretching our understanding of all things Community Action.
Class member Tyler Henderson shared, “Participating in ELITE has given me a much greater sense of comfort and confidence in my role as a leader within my organization. The things you learn about Community Action, and yourself, as well as the connections you make with your fellow Community Action peers are really valuable. I’d recommend the class to anyone who is beginning a career in Community Action.”
Thank you to the ELITE Class of 2021:
Martin Ahrndt, NEICAC
Dena Briones, WCCA
Katherine Harrington, ICAA
Tyler Henderson, UDMO
Jennifer Fleener, Sieda Community Action
Monique Ortiz, Mid-Sioux Opportunity
Sara Paar, MICA
Whitney Sanger, HACAP
Jamie Swearingin, SCICAP
Mindy Williamson, WCCA
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May 5 - ICAA Board Meeting
May 6 - Facebook Live - Drawing for Prize
May 13 - Facebook Live - Drawing for Prize
May 20 - Facebook Live - Drawing for Prize
May 25 - Facebook Live - Birthday Party and final drawing for an ICAA Conference Registration
May 30 - ICAA Closed
June 2 - ICAA Board Meeting
June 15 - ICAA Book Club
June 29 - ICAA Book Club
July 13 - ICAA Book Club
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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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