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
Spotlight on Immigrant Eligibility for Public Benefits
Community Action Agencies (CAAs) working with immigrant communities often struggle to provide effective assistance due to the complexities of immigration and public benefits laws…
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…
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...
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...
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...
May Tripartite Board Members Use Alternates or Proxies?
When a board member is unable to attend a meeting, s/he may wish to either designate an alternate to serve in his or her place for that board meeting or establish a proxy, which often involves giving another person the authority to vote on his or her behalf for a specified number of board...
CSBG Child Support Referrals
This Q+A resource addresses frequently asked questions and commonly faced issues associated with the Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) child support referral requirements. It is important to note that the analysis does not represent the opinions of the federal Office of Community Services (OCS).
CSBG Carryover
This Q+A resource addresses frequently asked questions and commonly faced issues associated with the Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) carryover requirements. It is important to note that the analysis does not represent the opinions of the federal Office of Community Services (OCS).
Shared Services With State Association Involvement
This case study examines how one state association was able to facilitate an exploration of sharing services among several Community Action Agencies in its state. The case study is based on CAPLAW’s interview with Elaine West, who at the time was the executive director of the Missouri Association...
Merger of Two Minnesota CAAs
This case study presents an example of the combination of a CAA experiencing financial difficulties with a larger and healthier CAA. The case study is based on CAPLAW’s interview with Dr. Leah Pigatti, executive director of Mahube-Otwa Community Action Partnership (Muhabe-Otwa) in Minnesota, as...
Merger Between a Nonprofit and a Public CAA
This case study presents an example of a merger between a nonprofit CAA and a public CAA. The case study is based on CAPLAW’s interview with Michael Thorsteinson, executive director of Three Rivers Community Action in Minnesota, as well as a review of Three Rivers Community Action’s website and...