 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Meet CAAP's New Chief Executive Officer
| |
The CAAP Board of Directors is excited to announce the new CEO of The Community Action Association of Pennsylvania, Beck Moore.
Beck comes to the CEO position as a committed advocate of diversity, a strategic leader who has served in various executive leadership positions including Chief Operating Officer, and Executive Vice President in membership organizations in Pennsylvania and the Chesapeake Bay area.
Beck has a Bachelor's Degree from Penn State in Secondary Education and a Master's Degree from the University of Scranton in Human Resources. He is a strategic thinker, committed to driving value for the CAAP membership, and excited about building deeper relationships that can increase the visibility of the critical work of the Community Action network.
"l am overwhelmingly excited and feel blessed to have been chosen as the next leader of CAAP. As someone who has experienced homelessness and food insecurity, I know firsthand the impact and importance of the work that collectively our member Agencies represent," shares Beck about leading CAAP.
Beck will begin as the new CEO on December 13th and we encourage everyone to reach out and welcome him. Read Rick Beaton's, CAAP Board President, full announcement or learn more about Beck on his LinkedIn page.
Welcome To Community Action, Beck!
| |
Change of Director
The Center for Community Services
PA Department of Community & Economic Development
| |
Lynette Praster Retires
CAAP cannot encapsulate Lynette’s career better than her staff, Melissa Tabb and Kathy Rulli:
“Lynette has worked for the citizens of Pennsylvania in different agencies and capacities, during which time she has crossed paths with many different people. Her work for communities and the vulnerable people of PA will continue in the initiatives she has championed as well as with all the people she has educated and inspired with her work.”
Lynette was not a bureaucrat but a visionary dedicated to making the world around her better in all ways. She was intuitive about bringing together separate efforts to create a more effective system for addressing the needs of vulnerable persons. Her positive and friendly style encouraged the best in all of us, her career is an impactful, illustrative influence on each of us as we move forward.
We wish Lynette the most enjoyable retirement!
| |
Let's Welcome The Next Director
Denise Remillard
And we say welcome to Denise Remillard as the next Director of the Center for Community Services. She has been with DCED for over 14 years, in turn, the Director of Constituent Affairs, Director of Economic Development Marketing, and since June 2011 the Special Assistant in the DCED Executive Office. Prior to DCED, she gained experience working 24 years in marketing and publishing, launching more than a dozen publications in that time.
“I am so pleased and honored to be the new Director of the Center for Community Services at DCED. I have long admired the work of our Community Action Agencies in the commonwealth and very much look forward to contributing to your extraordinary efforts to raise families out of poverty. I am fortunate to have the support and knowledge of a great team in the Center, and I am hoping with additional funding, we can have an even greater impact on the lives of those who are in need of services.“
We look forward to working with Denise as we create a better Pennsylvania.
| |
Three Resources for your Board Members
Share these resources with your Agency Board to help them learn more about the growing ESG initiative and why it's an important opportunity to gain partnerships and financial support from companies that operate in your counties. Get tips for engaging prospective donators and explaining what your community would be like without Community Action. Visit these resources, which include:
- Woodstream Corporation 30-minute presentation on the growing ESG initiative that is guiding owners and investors in the areas they operate.
- CAPLAW's three-video series on boosting Board capacity to engage and fulfill their responsibilities.
- NCAF poster with important buzzwords for communicating your Agency's work and what your community would be like without Community Action.
| |
The 2021 Status Reports
The 2021 CSBG Status Report and the 2021 WAP Status Report are now available on the CAAP Member Resources website page. Visit this year's reports, as shared by Lynette Praster from DCED on November 18, 2021.
| |
|  Tuesday, Feb. 15th and 16th, 2022 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m on both days. Join the Community Action Association of Pennsylvania as we bring together leaders and partners of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for a 2-day statewide (virtual) summit on how Pennsylvanian residents, businesses, and communities can collaborate to support DEI initiatives and practices. Everyone inside and outside of Community Action is welcome to attend. Registration is open. | |
| | |
Member Agency HighlightHealthy Start Nutrition Center and Ag Lab
The Lawrence County Community Action Partnership (LCCAP) launched an Early Learning - STEM Exploration initiative this year. The STEM and Ag wings of the facility hosted a soft launch in July 2021, where art projects were incorporated into the activities for preschoolers and toddler classrooms. Additionally, LCCAP Early Learning programs hosted two open houses that month that included “open-play” activities, preschool registration, health screenings, and a vendor fair of LCCAP services. The final event in July was geared toward kindergarten-bound children, as an opportunity to reengage students who had spent most of their last year of the preschool in remote learning. The students participated in creative play activities focusing on math and science skills to prepare for kindergarten.
The facility hosted its first Ag Learning Day in August. The event focused on gardening techniques for families who had limited access to green space. Forty people planted “patio gardens” that consisted of tomato plants in buckets, which each family was able to take home from the event. The attendees also enjoyed a farm-to-table dinner. Families received a “Meet the Farmer” pamphlet which highlighted one of our local farmers.
"This space is so engaging. We (LCCAP) are so excited to share it with our families and with the community!" says Kristin Green, the Community Supports Coordinator.
| |
The Center was open during the Blossom Bash, a free community event hosted at the Frew Mill Campus at the end of August. The site hosted a farmers market, a simple cooking demonstration utilizing fresh vegetables from the garden, and tours of the hydroponics lab, along with STEM activities. This Fall, the center grew and harvested foods for the school lunch menu and also hosted a free farmers market at the lobby of the preschool. Staff prepared take-home apple crisp recipes and ingredients in mason jars to send home with preschool families for a fun, at-home family engagement opportunity.
"The event (Ag learning Day) was a blast! I really enjoyed the lettuce room and getting to play in the new areas. I wish I could go back every day," shares Parker A. (age 6)
Fifty children visited the facility and participated in garden-themed activities, toured the hydro lab, and planted sunflowers to take home. Monthly, 350 youth are served with lettuce from the Hydrolab, as part of the LCSS’s farm-to-school program (whose goal is to replace one item on the menu with fresh, locally grown produce.)
Congratulations to LCCAP on the launch of this successful community initiative!
| |
|  |
LCCAP little learners got to explore the wonderful world of STEM! Or as they call it, STEAM. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics)
| |
| | |
|  |
Happy Holidays from the CAAP Board of Directors
| |
| | |
|  |
Mark your 2022 calendars for the return of the CAAP Annual Conference. Details will follow early next year, including the planned conference schedule. CAAP is hopeful and excited about this upcoming opportunity.
| |
| | |
NCAP Winter Training ConferenceVirtual Conference on February 2-4, 2022
The Management and Leadership Training Conference (MLTC) is crafted specifically for emerging and current leaders at Community Action Agencies. The 2022 MLTC will feature a variety of training workshops, structured roundtable discussions, dynamic speakers, and virtual networking opportunities. Whether you’ve been leading and managing for years, or you’re looking forward to that promotion into management, you’ll become your best with our Management and Leadership Training Conference.
Pre-conference: They will be hosting two Virtual Racial Healing Circles on Tuesday, February 1st. All registered MLTC attendees are welcome to participate although preference may be given to those who have never participated in a Racial Healing Circle.
Latest COVID-19 Response Story Templates
For Equity, Homelessness, Job Training
NCAP recently released another new batch of COVID-19 response story templates. These customizable templates are designed to help Community Action Agencies promote their successes in helping families during the pandemic. This latest collection of templates covers equity, homelessness, and job training and can also be accessed, along with other COVID-19 resources, through the CAAP COVID-19 Resources Listing page.
| |
CAPLAW Resources Template Policies for COVID-19 Vaccinations
CAPLAW provides two template policies to assist your CAA in complying with the new mandates: a mandatory vaccination policy and a policy requiring vaccinations or allowing employees to choose weekly COVID-19 testing and face coverings.
Step-by-Step Compliance Guide
CAPLAW issued this step-by-step compliance guide to help the Community Action network navigate the employee vaccination mandates announced by OSHA, Head Start, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
2022 CAPLAW National Training Conference
Tuesday, June 28 - Thursday, June 30, 2022
Swissotel | Chicago, Illinois
| |
November 2021 PHFA Newsletter
- Governor Wolf announces funding for affordable rental housing.
- An update about the Homeowner Assistance Fund.
- The deadline is approaching for organizations to apply for PHARE funding for local housing initiatives.
- And more…
PHFA names Housing Policy Fellowship for Kathy Possinger
In recognition of the career accomplishments of Kathy Possinger in the housing field, the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency is naming its annual housing policy fellowship for her.
Possinger was a leading affordable housing advocate who served Pennsylvanians for two decades through her work in both the public and private sectors. Her service with nonprofit and government agencies provided significant contributions to the field of affordable housing and community development. This service included contributions to PHFA as a board designee and advocate.
“We have lost a leader for affordable housing. By naming our fellowship for Kathy we celebrate her accomplishments and recognize her impact,” said PHFA Executive Director and CEO Robin Wiessmann. “Kathy will not be forgotten because she touched so many lives. She leaves a lasting legacy of caring for others.”
Kathy’s devotion to affordable housing was expressed through her service to people in neighborhoods across the commonwealth. During her career, she advocated for significant policies and programs to advance the cause of affordable housing because she recognized that housing is a fundamental right.
PHFA’s fellowship is being named the Kathy A. Possinger Housing Policy Fellowship. This action is intended to inspire individuals who participate in the fellowship and who will continue her work of service and innovation in addressing community challenges. The fellowship is intended to provide fellows with the opportunity to do cutting-edge housing research and gain leadership skills.
| |
Sign Up For CAAP Education Webinars
| |
Are your job postings on CAAP's Careers page?
Let's build awareness & community together!
| |
Did you miss last month's issue? Sign Up Today!
View past issues of the CAAP monthly newsletters. Anyone inside or outside of Community Action can signup for the CAAP Update, Agency Spotlights (client success stories), and DEI Insights newsletters. Members (only) may signup for the CAAP Education Bulletin Newsletter. Submit your Agency success stories anytime during the year or ask questions regarding newsletters by sending a note to Charlotte Leckow, CAAP Communications Director.
Do you have a suggestion or correction? We want to hear it. We aim to continually improve the information we provide in our monthly newsletters. If you don't see something you would like to know about, let us know!
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
