Resource Library
All of CAPLAW’s resources and publications are now available in CAPLAW’s new Resource Library. Use the search filters below to find the resource you need.
Featured Resources
Being Direct: Shared Cost Recovery through Direct Cost Allocation
When federally funded organizations incur shared costs that benefit multiple funding awards it can be difficult to determine how much to charge each award for those costs. Allowable methods of...
CAPLAW CSBG Training Module
This Introduction to CSBG training module is an interactive tool for Community Action Agencies to learn about the federal Community Services Block Grant Act. All Community Action Agencies receive Community Services Block Grant (or CSBG) funds…
Bridging Across Barriers
At first glance, a state CSBG office and state association might seem like an odd couple. State CSBG offices administer CSBG funding and oversee and monitor CAAs in the state. State associations...
Weatherproofing CAA Bylaws
As we have seen recently, unexpected emergencies can pose governance challenges for organizations, especially with respect to bylaws compliance. During the pandemic, CAAs, like many organizations, relied on counsel to help them navigate a number of bylaws provisions relating to meetings, board...
All a-Board! Series: Duty of Care (Purpose)
This video investigates the fiduciary duty of care that CAA board members owe to the organization they serve. It identifies the source of the obligation for public and private CAAs and provides examples of how board members can fulfill that obligation. It also highlights the importance of written...
All a-Board! Series: Board Chair Role and Responsibilities (People)
This video examines the roles and responsibilities of a CAA board chair. It highlights the vital leadership the board chair provides to the board and emphasizes the importance of the chair/executive director relationship to a vibrant, healthy organization. Join us again in the studio as late-night...
All a-Board! Series: Terms and Term Limits (Process)
Like pruning a plant to encourage growth and fruitfulness, a CAA board of directors can implement requirements to facilitate turnover and help keep itself fresh and energized. Establishing terms for board service and a limit on the number of terms a board member may serve are two such...
Tax Issues to Consider When Sharing Employees
This article focuses on the tax considerations for CAAs entering into a shared employee relationship. It presents three commonly-seen examples of sharing employees within the Community Action network:a 501(c)(3) nonprofit state association sharing employees with another tax-exempt organization,...
Public CAA Boards
Tripartite boards of public Community Action Agencies (CAAs) face unique challenges in overseeing programs funded by the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and other sources. While their relationship with local government provides lines of communication to individuals with authority and...
Democratic Selection Procedures in a Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a multitude of unprecedented challenges for CAAs. One of the challenges that has spurred CAAs to innovate is the need to recruit and elect representatives of the low-income community to serve on the tripartite board.While serious obstacles to client engagement...
Do’s and Don’ts of Workplace COVID-19 Vaccinations
As Community Action Agencies continue to adapt and evolve in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, their strategies for protecting employees from serious illness resulting from COVID-19 has shifted from mitigating the risk of transmission via measures like PPE and social distancing to...
Raising the Low-Income Voice
Since the inception of the Economic Opportunity Act, a fundamental goal of Community Action has been to provide low-income individuals with a voice in the administration of its poverty alleviating programs. With the Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) Act's call to achieve “maximum participation”...