COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCIES IN VIRGINIA DESIGNATION PURPOSE VISION

COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCIES IN VIRGINIA: DESIGNATION, PURPOSE, VISION Office on Volunteerism and Community Service 11/27/18

Discussing today: Designation in Virginia Designation means Community Action broadly Community Action agencies CSBG Act and planning Other nuggets from Virginia Regs Transforming Virginia

Community Action Agencies are private or public nonprofit organizations created to combat poverty in geographically designated areas. Status is result of an explicit designation by local or state government. Has a tripartite board structure to promote the participation of the entire community in the reduction or elimination of poverty. Involve the entire community in assessing local needs and attacking the causes and conditions of poverty. From Community Services Consortium, a CAA in Oregon

§ 2. 2 -5407. Designation of community action agencies; rescission of designation. (Code of Virginia) A. Each community action agency that has been designated by a unit of local government and funded pursuant to the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 (Public Law 88 -452) that was in operation on July 1, 1982, and is still in operation shall be deemed a community action agency for the purposes of this chapter. B. No new community action agency shall be designated in any area of the Commonwealth that is served by an existing community action agency. C. The Governor may designate a community action agency to serve any locality not currently served by an existing community action agency. This determination may be through the expansion of the service area of an existing community action agency or the designation of a new community

22 VAC 40 -901 -60. Designation of a community organization as a community action agency. A. To be designated as a community action agency: � purpose shall include working for the reduction of poverty and the revitalization of low-income communities through the identification of local needs and the provision of a broad range of services to meet those needs. � recommendation of the governing body of the localities to be served � financially viable � meet administrative standards, financial management standards, and other requirements established by federal and state laws and regulations

In order for the department to support the designation of a community organization to become a community action agency, the following conditions should exist: 1. The organization's governing board must meet, or be in the process of changing to meet, the requirements of federal and state law related to community action agency boards. 2. Each locality in the proposed service area must have approved a resolution recommending the designation of the organization as a community action agency. In adopting the resolution, the governing body must have allowed the opportunity for public comment. 3. The organization and its management should have a history of successfully providing a variety of services to lowincome individuals. Examples would include operating four or more programs aimed at various segments of the low-income population. This can include community and economic development. Services currently being provided by the community organization should not be limited to a single segment of the population.

Continued: 4. The low-income population in the proposed designated service area should be large enough to justify funding a variety of programs. 5. The organization should be financially stable. This would include funding from a variety of federal and/or state sources as well as private and/or local government funding. The organization should have a sufficient reserve of unrestricted funds to avoid cash flow problems; for example, a reserve equal to or exceeding three months' operating expenses. 6. The organization must have financial procedures in place to meet Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). This would normally be supported by a review of prior independent audits. 7. The organization must have developed a plan for providing Community Services Block Grant funded services within the proposed service area. This plan must have been developed with input from a variety of sources including the low-income population of the proposed service area.

22 VAC 40 -901 -70. Designation of a Locality or Group of Localities As a Community Action Agency. If no existing community action agency or other community organization is willing and able to provide services, a locality or group of localities can request that the department designate one or more localities as a community action agency. Any locality or group of localities wishing to become a community action agency are strongly encouraged to contact the department and request technical assistance in this process.

Designation also means: Opportunities to secure funding/programs that go primarily to CAA’s (Head Start, WX) Ability to brand with an overall network (Statewide, National) Recognition as a trusted partner of the Commonwealth Support of local, state, national networks

Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

A Community Action Agency works to better focus resources to assist low-income individuals and families � acquire useful skills and knowledge � gain access to new opportunities � achieve economic self-sufficiency.

A Community Action Agency carries out its mission through a variety of means including: (a) Community-wide assessments of needs and strengths; (b) Comprehensive antipoverty plans and strategies; (c) Provision of a broad range of direct services; (d) Mobilization of financial and nonfinancial resources; (e) Advocacy on behalf of low-income people; and

Community Action Agencies are different: reach out to low-income people address multiple needs develop partnerships involve low-income clients in agency’s operations administer a full range of coordinated programs designed to have a measurable impact on poverty. § From Community Services Consortium, a CAA in Oregon

SEC. 676. APPLICATION AND PLAN. description of the service delivery system how linkages will be developed to fill identified gaps how funds will be coordinated with other public and private resources how the local entity will use the funds to support innovative community and neighborhood-based initiatives

Board responsibility from Code Annually evaluating the policies and programs of the community action agency. The board shall submit the evaluation and recommendations to improve the administration of the community action agency to the designated agency and to the local governing body or bodies within the service area.

Agency responsibility from Code § 2. 2 -5405. Local participation. Each community action agency shall consult neighborhood-based organizations composed of residents of the area it serves or members of the groups to be served to assist the agency in planning, conducting and evaluating components of the community action agency.

A community action agency or a community action statewide organization must provide a local share from nonfederal sources equal to a minimum of 20% of the grant award from the state. "Local share" means cash or in-kind goods and services donated to community action agencies or community action statewide organizations to carry out their responsibilities.

Transforming Virginia’s Community Action Agency Network From this: To this: One more nonprofit in the community CAA’s are the recognized, go-to poverty-elimination leaders in the community

Transforming Virginia’s Community Action Agency Network From this: To this: Inward focus; the CAA is knowledgeable about its own agency and services CAA’s are recognized as experts and resources on poverty, poverty resources in the community and solutions to poverty

Transforming Virginia’s Community Action Agency Network From this: To this: Focused on day to day service delivery and agency survival Focused externally on collaborative partners to reach mutual community goals

Transforming Virginia’s Community Action Agency Network From this: To this: CAA plays no role in development of the broader community CAA’s have an active role in community and economic development as a solution to poverty

Transforming Virginia’s Community Action Agency Network From this: To this: Little or no community voice CAA’s are recognized and acting as the community’s voice (advocate) for people in poverty

Transforming Virginia’s Community Action Agency Network From this: To this: CAA staff are skilled at service delivery in specific program areas CAA includes staff with strong expertise in community problem solving, collective impact models, convening and leadership

Transforming Virginia’s Community Action Agency Network From this: To this: Most agency focus is on addressing the conditions of poverty Major focus is on eliminating the causes of poverty

Transforming Virginia’s Community Action Agency Network From this: To this: Primary focus and most outcomes are at the client level A major focus is on community-level problem solving and systemic change

Transforming Virginia’s Community Action Agency Network From this: To this: People with limited income are primarily recipients of agency services People with limited income are also engaged in meaningful ways supporting the agency mission and community change efforts

Virginia Administrative Code https: //law. lis. virginia. gov/admincode/title 22/agency 40/c hapter 901/ Code of Virginia � https: //law. lis. virginia. gov/vacode/title 2. 2/chapter 5 4/