What's New at CAPLAW?

 

2020 CAPLAW National Training Conference Cancelled

In this uncertain and difficult time, the health and safety of our network are of the utmost importance to us. With this in mind, we do not think it would be advisable to proceed with the conference as planned. We understand that the coming months will be a critical time for your agency as it tackles, head-on, the challenges facing your community. We will continue issuing legal resources and guidance and will work to remain knowledgeable about emerging developments that are relevant to you.

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Policies in Practice: Complying with the CSBG Organizational Standards

Effectively governed Community Action Agencies (CAAs) have policies and systems in place that encourage accountability, transparency, and efficiency of operations. Dive into this governance checkup to review some key policies your CAA is required to have under the CSBG Organizational Standards - a whistleblower policy, procurement policy, conflict of interest policy, and record retention policy.

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All a-Board! The Purpose, People, and Process of CAA Boards

These 8-10 minute animated short videos are designed to boost the capacity of Community Action Agency boards to recruit, engage, and fulfill their responsibilities.

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New Template Policies

Sample Record Retention Policy

Sample Procurement Policy

Sample Shared Services Agreement

Sample Whistleblower Policy

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Training & Orientation Tool for Public and Nonprofit CAA Tripartite Boards

Use these template PowerPoint presentations to train and orient members of your Community Action Agency board members on their roles and responsibilities, including a new presentation designed specifically for public CAA boards.

View the tool for Nonprofit CAAs

View the tool for Public CAAs

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Implementation Tools for CSBG and Head Start Board Compliance

Introducing four tools to help boards of CAAs with Head Start programs implement governance requirements that overlap between the CSBG Organizational Standards and the Head Start Performance Standards. These templates address required board composition, written democratic selection procedures, conflict of interest policies, and a shared calendar of CSBG and Head Start board required actions.

News for Community Action

 

Coronavirus Updates for the Community Action Network

CAPLAW is closely monitoring the coronavirus outbreak and impacts on the Community Action network. See the latest developments and funding source guidance here. (Last updated August 10, 2020).

New Resource: Building Readiness: Reopening Our Doors

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Seventh Circuit Blocks Enforcement of Public Charge Rule in Illinois

Update: On June 10, 2020, the Seventh Circuit upheld an order that temporarily bars the federal government from enforcing the public charge rule in Illinois, making the state the only jurisdiction in which the public charge rule is not effective. In January, the Supreme Court rolled back nationwide preliminary injunctions stopping the rule from taking effect. The public charge rule has remained in effect outside of Illinois since February 24, 2020. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has published new forms which applicants and petitioners must use.

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OMB Proposes Revisions to the Uniform Guidance

On January 22, 2020, the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced proposed revisions to the Uniform Administrative Requirements that would affect CAAs. Public comments are due by March 23, 2020. Read more.

View the recording of CAPLAW'S webinar discussing the proposed revisions. Download handout here.

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Free Upcoming Webinars

Is Social Enterprise Right for You?
Presented by: Propel Nonprofits
Date: Wednesday, August 26, 2020
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST
Starting a social enterprise can be a great way for your organization to achieve the double bottom line: mission impact and a new unrestricted revenue stream. This webinar will define social enterprise and look at the four areas you should research as you evaluate this revenue option for your organization.

Scenario Planning in Uncertain Times
Presented by: Propel Nonprofits
Date: Thursday, September 10, 2020
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM EST
We all have learned skills to build assumptions that reliably helped us predict the next year or two for our organizations. But do you find your carefully developed budgets, forecasts, and plans suddenly have been turned upside down? Now you're not sure your tools still work, but you know you must do something. This webinar will explore how to assess your current and future financial positions by developing new scenario and contingency plans for your organizations. It will provide techniques and approaches to having practical conversations critical to organizational decision making, while also providing analytical tools to assist in gauging the risks to your income and the flexibility of your expenses.