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

Dynamic Duos Podcast
Mutual respect and trust between leaders at a Community Action Agency (CAA) is essential to the stability of the organization. Without a strong relationship between a CAA board chair and executive...

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…

Minnesota Community Action Merger Laws
This sample law contains provisions of Minnesota’s Community Action statute and regulations that address CAA mergers. Minnesota’s Community Action statute contains a section enacted in 2014 addressing the problem of two CAAs merging and the resulting merged CAA receiving a lower amount of CSBG...

Changing Needs and Expectations for CFOs in Community Action
What does it take to be truly effective as a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in Community Action? The answer for most CAAs goes way beyond the basics–an excellent knowledge of accounting principles, OMB Circular requirements, and specific funding source compliance issues. Today’s CFO must also be an...

Federal Grant Rules Relating to Legal Costs
Because Community Action Agencies (CAAs) face numerous and varied legal issues every day, developing productive relationships with attorneys is essential to the success of any CAA. An attorney is better equipped to facilitate this relationship and provide a CAA with legal services and solutions if...

Critical Indicators for CAA Sustainability
Discover new tools that CAAs are using to focus board attention on their organization's most important financial choices and challenges. In this session, we will explore strategies to build your board's understanding of your CAA's current financial health and the increased emphasis that funders...

Employment Laws Affecting Staffing Options
Preparing for uncertain times is not always easy. CAAs are often faced with potential funding cuts and program changes that affect their most valuable resource, their employees. Don’t wait until you are faced with these difficult scenarios to assess your CAA’s staffing options. This webinar covers...

Are You in Compliance with the ACA?
This webinar covers the latest developments in implementation of the Affordable Care Act and its impact on employer-sponsored health plans. Topics discussed include provisions currently in effect, such as the 90-day waiting period limit, as well as upcoming requirements such as the “pay or play”...

Sample Political Activity Policy
This is a sample political activity policy that Community Action Agencies (CAA) may use as a starting place to create their own policy. You should review it carefully and edit as necessary to ensure that it meets the needs and practices of your organization and complies with any applicable state...

Health Care Reform “Pay or Play”
The federal health care reform law's so-called "pay or play" rules for employers take effect January 1, 2014. These rules require "large employers"–those with an average of 50 or more full-time and full-time equivalent employees–to offer full-time employees and their dependents health insurance...

Working Better Together
Increasingly, CAAs are exploring shared services and mergers as strategies to improve their sustainability and enhance their efficiency and effectiveness. This guide covers commonly-asked legal questions on shared services and mergers, as well as additional resources – including case studies on CAAs that have shared services or merged with other organizations.