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

Complying with the New Head Start Performance Standards
On August 21, 2024, the federal Office of Head Start (OHS) released extensive regulatory changes to the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) in Supporting the Head Start Workforce and Consistent Quality Programming (the Final Rule)…

Open Meetings Law State-by-State Guide
Open meetings laws typically apply to federal, state, and local governmental bodies. However, some states expand applicability to non-governmental entities, such as recipients of government grants and certain nonprofit organizations…

Responding to Data Incidents
With cybercrime increasing, this question arises more and more often. Many CAAs have moved away from paper records toward electronic systems which contain significant amounts of data, and it isn’t always clear what obligations a CAA has when data within its care is compromised…

Statutory Admin Limits and More under the Uniform Guidance
CAPLAW created this FAQ in response to questions we've received about the treatment of indirect costs under the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards. This FAQ addresses the following issues: administrative cost limits imposed by a federal...

Should an Executive Director be a Voting Member of a CAA Board?
If the Community Action Agency (CAA) runs a Head Start program, the answer is no; the Head Start Act prohibits board members serving as paid staff of the organization. Even for CAAs without Head Start, however, CAPLAW does not recommend making the executive director a voting board member.

What is FAFTA and a CAA’s Obligation to Comply?
FFATA stands for the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act, which requires information on federal awards to be made publicly available via a single, searchable website, www.USASpending.gov. This FAQ discusses if CAAs are required to comply with FFATA's reporting requirements.

Options for Calculating a CAA’s Indirect Cost Rate
The Uniform Guidance continues the options for submitting proposals for federal indirect cost rates that were previously included in OMB Circular A-122. Learn how indirect cost rates are computed using the Simplified Allocation Method, Multiple Allocation Base Method, and Direct Allocation Methods...

Effectively Estimating and Reconciling Indirect Costs
In this webinar we consider the impact of over- or underestimating an indirect cost rate. We discuss what reporting and reconciliations are required under the Uniform Guidance for those CAAs that wish to request a four year extension of their current rate. We also explore the benefits and...

Using the 10% De Minimis Rate
Learn which organizations may receive the 10% de minimis rate and what “indirect costs” will be covered with this rate. This webinar discusses how a CAA would calculate an actual indirect cost rate using the Modified Total Direct Cost (MTDC) method required for calculation of the de minimis rate...

Impact of the Uniform Guidance on Indirect Costs
In this webinar, we provide an overview of the impact of the Uniform Guidance on a CAA’s ability to charge administrative and other indirect costs to its federal awards. We discuss the potential conflicts between federal statutory limitations on administrative costs and new Uniform Guidance...

WAP Deferrals and Suspected Illegal Activities
Neither the federal Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Act nor the WAP regulations address denying or deferring weatherization services for otherwise eligible clients. Generally, state agencies administering WAP funds establish procedures and policies addressing when a WAP provider may deny...

Can an Employee be Paid from an Indirect Rate and Directly?
This FAQ addresses the question of whether employers can pay an employee from both the indirect rate and directly from the funding source. Because of the complexity of this issue, CAAs may find it useful to discuss its position with its independent auditor–and possibly fiscal staff at the...