Agenda Details

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2024 CAAP Conference

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Agenda Details • 2024 CAAP Conference •

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Lunch will be provided for all participants
Registration opens at 8:00 am

Pre Conference Tracks

8:30 am - 5:00 pm

  • The Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS) is an interactive, immersive experience that gives participants a glimpse into the structural barriers facing individuals living on low-income.

    In-person training opportunities equip attendees with the skills to host their own CAPS Poverty Simulations including planning, facilitating, and debriefing the training. All attendees become certified CAPS Facilitators following an in-person training.

    Lunch will be provided for all participants.

    PREREQUISITE required of attendance of a Poverty Simulation.

    Provided by Missouri Community Action Network

    Download Facilitator Brochure ⮕

Pre Conference Tracks

9:30 am - 5:00 pm


  • 9:30 - 9:45 - Welcome/Intro

    9:45 - 10:45 - Building Tomorrow's Workforce: Integrating Weatherization Training into Career & Technical Centers with Mike McMonigal and Jason Embick from CEC

    • Learn how your agency can build relationships with local career and technical centers to create opportunities for workforce recruitment. The Clean Energy Center at Penn College is piloting an initiative to help incentivize both schools and WAP agencies to develop sustainable partnerships for mutual benefit. 

    10:45 - 11:00 - Break

    11:00 - Noon - Marketing Magic: Enhancing Your Recruitment Strategy with Smart Resource Use with Pam Dincher and Tam Smith from CEC

    • Learn how to use free and low-cost marketing tools from Green Workforce Connect and beyond to find and attract great candidates. You’ll get easy-to-follow tips on creating eye-catching job ads and using data to improve your hiring process.

    Noon - 1:00 - Networking Lunch

    • Lunch will be provided, but you bring the networking!  A full hour lunch is being held so you have the opportunity to connect with WAP colleagues across the commonwealth.

    1:00 - 1:30 - Braiding with Tableland featuring Scott Zarefoss and Melissa Pohlit 

    • Tableland's Weatherization Leadership will be sharing their strategies for funding braiding and lead a conversation on braiding practices.  Please bring your questions and braiding best practices to share!

    1:30 - 2:30 - Working with Contractors: Panel Discussion on Best Practices - Mike Drumheller from BCAP, Steve Fowler from YCPC, and other panelists pending.

    • Working with Weatherization contractors can be a daunting task.  Our panelists have had success in finding and maintaining relationships with quality contractors.  Hear about their best practices and bring your questions for the panelists.

    2:30 - 2:45 - Break

    2:45 - 3:45- Ask DCED! A panel conversation with DCED's WAP Leadership featuring Kathy Rulli, Nic Horting, Ashley Seburn, Melanie Sheeler, and Rich Wagner.

    • A panel of DCED WAP Leaders will be answering your burning questions!  Please bring your questions about anything related to WAP to this session.

    3:45 - 4:00 - DEI Toolkit with Mel Luckenbaugh

    • CAAP, CEC, and DCED have partnered to work on increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within Weatherization Agencies.  Join us for the unveiling of the first components of the DEI Toolkit based upon conversations and needs identified within the WAP network.  More tools will be added to the toolkit throughout the next year!

    4:00 - 5:00 - Open Discussion with WAP

    • You asked, we listened!  During WAP site visits this summer we heard over and over again how much agencies wanted the opportunity to speak with other WAP agencies without any funders in the room.  The closing session of our WAP Pre-Con day provides that setting.  DCED will be leaving for this session so you can speak freely with your collogues across the commonwealth to share questions, concerns, and best practices openly.  CAAP staff will be on hand to notate any issues that should be referred to DCED anonymously as necessary.

Pre Conference Tracks

  • Join us for the Annual CAAP Membership meeting to vote on our upcoming board slate and by law changes.

    11:00 – 11:45 - Membership meeting  

    • CAAP’s annual membership meeting will kick off the pre-conference. Items on the agenda include voting on a Board slate and bylaws changes. Each member agency receives one vote at the meeting (either the ED/CEO or someone they designate). 

    11:45 – 12:00 – PA Treasury (Diana Fishlock, Karen McDermott) 

    • Show Me the MONEY! You’re probably familiar with PA’s Unclaimed Property division from sending unclaimed funds to it from your organization, but have you ever checked it for funds FOR your organization. Join us as Diana Fishlock and Karen McDermott from the PA Treasury, share about this program as well as several programs that can help the individuals in your programs build their savings.  

    12:00 – 1:00 – Networking Lunch 

    • Relax and enjoy time with your peers over lunch on us. 

    1:00 – 2:15 – Conversation with OCS (Minette Galindo, Charles Chear) 

    • We're thrilled to welcome Minette Galindo and Charles Chear from the DCA Policy, Data & Evaluation Branch. This session is designed to be an interactive dialogue. OCS will share their goals for the department and the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), with a focus on data collection and its application. We also want to hear from you—the agencies—about the innovative work you're doing in your communities. It's vital for OCS to understand how CAAs in Pennsylvania are approaching things differently. Please note, if the Annual Report 3.0 revisions are still in the public comment phase, OCS staff will be unable to address those specific changes directly. 

    2:15-2:30 - Break 

    2:30 – 3:15 – Election discussion with Angela Leopold and Carrie Nace (Novak Strategic Advisors) 

    • The 2024 Elections are only weeks away. No matter which candidates are victorious changes will be coming.  Join Angela Leopold and Carrie Nace of Novak Strategic Advisors, as they share the landscape of what’s to come. They’ll also be sharing an overview of the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. Understand what this document is and how it potentially will impact the work that you do and the individuals that you serve.  

    3:15-3:30 - Break 

    3:30 – 5:00 – PA Navigate and the CAA Network 

    • Join us as we mark six months since CAAP began its official role as the Community Engagement Partner for PA Navigate, Pennsylvania’s closed-loop referral system. This system enables healthcare providers to seamlessly connect patients with community-based organizations to address their health-related social needs. In this session, we'll provide an update on the progress and key accomplishments so far, discuss upcoming developments, and explore how this partnership could benefit your organization. Come with your questions—we’ll provide the answers! 

  • Whether you're a newcomer to the role of a Community Action Agency (CAA) fiscal staff member or a seasoned professional seeking to sharpen your skills, the Fiscal Boot Camp is designed for you! This immersive training, led by Kay Sohl, a nationally recognized consultant with over 30 years of experience working with CAAs, offers valuable insights for all levels of fiscal expertise. 

    Key Topics Covered: 

    1. 2024 OMB Revisions – Major Changes and Choices for CAAs 
      Gain an understanding of critical updates to OMB guidelines and their impact on your agency, including strategies for implementation: 

    • New 15% de minimis rate and charging options for agency-wide admin costs. 

    • Capitalization thresholds and their significance. 

    • Procurement choices and challenges. 

    • Pass-through entity requirements. 

    • HHS adoption of 2024 revisions. 

    1. Key Financial Information for CAA Board Members, Executive Directors, and Program Managers 
      Learn how to present financial information in a clear, actionable way: 

    • Techniques for making financial data understandable to non-financial leaders. 

    • Using dashboards to track key performance indicators. 

    • Improving communication between program and fiscal staff. 

    1. Managing Multiple Revenue Streams 
      Explore techniques to develop meaningful organization-wide budgets that incorporate your diversified funding sources: 

    • Budgeting formats that align with federal compliance. 

    • Streamlining budget processes and defining roles. 

    • Managing overlapping award and contract budgets. 

    • Addressing cash flow challenges. 

    1. Internal Controls and Fiscal Policies 
      Ensure your CAA’s financial integrity with focused internal controls and streamlined policies: 

    • Identifying risks and enhancing internal controls. 

    • Updating policies and procedures to meet evolving needs. 

    This session is your opportunity to build a solid foundation in fiscal management or fine-tune your existing knowledge. 

11:00 am - 5:00 pm

Register Now

6:00 pm Off Site CAAPy Hour at Tellus360

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Registration open 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Breakfast served 8:30 am - 9:30 am
Welcome and Opening 9:30 am - 10:00 am

Keynote Speaker

Leia Belt

Keynote 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Dr. Leia Belt, PhD, is Postdoctoral Scholar in the School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts' (SSHA) Department of Sociology at the University of California, Merced. She holds a interdisciplinary a PhD, specializing in Medical Sociology and Social Epidemiology from the University of Iowa. Her research is dedicated to quantifying the impact of structural inequalities, with interests spanning various domains, including the examination of structural racism within health, technology, and higher education curricula. Her work is characterized by a Du Boisan mixed-methods approach, with a distinctive emphasis on community engagement and the use of unique and interactive visualizations. This approach integrates her interests in art and love for her communities to co-facilitate meaningful change.

Presented by:

Session 1

Wednesday, Oct. 23rd Breakout Sessions

11:30 AM - 12:45 PM

  • Discover how artificial intelligence (AI) can revolutionize community action agencies. This session will explore practical applications of AI to enhance service delivery, streamline operations, and improve client outcomes. Learn from real-world examples and gain insights into implementing AI solutions that can drive efficiency and innovation in your organization.

  • Although some might wish to conceptualize our workspaces, homes, and communities as culturally neutral, employees/ers, students, children, families, and community members cannot leave their sociocultural identities at the door; we use trauma-informed approaches to expand cultural capacity. This workshop will cover the data from McKinsey and Company's research and discuss how taking a trauma-informed approach will provide you with practical steps to building your relationships, organizations, and bottom line.

  • This presentation will review several of the top fouls committed by boards of directors and will engage the group in discussing ways that change management can be implemented within organizations to increase board efficiency, quality, and support for the organization. Through a variety of engagement techniques, the facilitator will generate discussion on several areas of struggles that often occur with non-profit organization boards of directors.  Large and small group discussion and planned activities will support strategy generation around supporting board development and decreasing ineffective and toxic boards and board culture.  The topics covered to assist with the learning objectives will include board standards, board governance, duties of board members and others.

  • Two agencies – one goal. Join us for an insightful workshop on how strategic partnerships between healthcare and community organizations can effectively address food disparities and improve access to nutritious food. This session will explore the successful collaboration between Geisinger and Central Susquehanna Opportunities (CSO), highlighting their shared goal of increasing food access through innovative solutions.

    Learn about the foundational steps involved in creating impactful partnerships, from establishing a clear and actionable plan to executing a common goal. The workshop will focus on the development and implementation of a mobile food pantry—a 32-foot self-contained trailer that delivers fresh, healthy food across three counties. Discover the journey of how this concept was brought to life, the challenges faced, and the successes achieved over the past year.

    This workshop will provide valuable lessons learned, practical guidance, and inspiration for exploring unconventional partnerships in public health services to of increasing food access and enhance community health.

12:45 pm - 2:00 pm Lunch
With Special Guests
Secretary Valerie Arkoosh
and
Secretary Rick Siger
Commonwealth Salon 3 & 4

Session 2

2:00 PM - 3:15 PM

  • Effective leadership is crucial for the sustainability and growth of community action agencies. This session will provide strategies for developing leadership training programs and succession plans. Attendees will learn how to identify and nurture future leaders, create a culture of continuous learning, and ensure a smooth transition of leadership roles to maintain organizational stability and success.

  • A tax credit program is a win-win proposition for your Community Action organization and your local business community. The Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit Program is a way for your Community Action to bring in private funds from local businesses and the businesses get a benefit, too. In this workshop, you will learn how businesses can apply for tax credits and how your Community Action can use this tool to promote your work to the local business community.

  • All CAAP members receive a PolicyMap membership as part of their annual benefits—but are you still wondering how to make the most of it? Join us to learn how Schuylkill Community Action used PolicyMap graphics in a recent grant application to boost their score and secure funding.

    Be sure to bring your laptops! Phil Vu from PolicyMap will be on hand to answer your questions and demo key features. You’ll learn how to isolate geographies, layer data, and even upload your own data into the system. Plus, discover how to get ongoing support as you continue mastering the software.

  • Currently, there are five (5) generations in the workforce. Some statisticians expect that by 2025, 75% of the workforce will be occupied by Millennials. Cultural and generational awareness plays a key role in the ability to build cohesive, successful teams. Thus, supporting the advancement of equity across all sectors. This workshop is designed to look at the differences among cultures and generations and provide tools to navigate these differences for positive social outcomes.

3:15 pm - 3:30 pm Refreshment Break

Session 3

3:30 PM - 4:45 PM

  • Decipher what the latest Uniform Guidance regulations require for cybersecurity. This session will guide you through the new requirements, offering practical advice on ensuring your organization has reasonable cybersecurity measures. Understand the implications for your agency, and learn how to implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data and maintain trust with your funders and community.

  • The nature of our conversation is fateful. The way we think and talk about any given situation determines whether we feel energized and good about it, or drained and exhausted. Grounded in the book, Conversations Worth Having: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement, come play with two practices to change the way you think about things, interact with others, and create a possibility mindset by talking about what you want instead of what you don't want. The two practices "asking generative questions and positive framing" allow you to adapt and address even the most challenging and high-stress problems with creativity and energy.

    We're ditching the slides and diving into real-life challenges you want to reframe during the session. We'll work together first, and then you'll play a modified version of Conversations Worth Having's game Shift This! (which is similar to the game Apples to Apples) in small groups. It's fun; it's easy, and most importantly, you'll be able to use what you learn right away. 

    In keeping with the theme, "It Starts With Us," this is your invitation to develop habits that will help you embrace the unknown and foster an environment where innovation and adaptability become the foundation of progress.

  • In our evolving society, the narratives surrounding poverty and marginalized communities often perpetuate stereotypes and systemic inequalities. This workshop delves into strategic communications as a tool for transforming these narratives. Participants will examine the power of language and storytelling in shaping public perception and policy outcomes. Through interactive discussions and practical exercises, we will explore strategies for inclusive and authentic communication, centering on marginalized voices and addressing systemic barriers. Case studies and best practices will illustrate successful approaches to narrative change, empowering attendees to drive social change and advocate for equitable policies in their communities.

  • This session will walk through the experiences Community Progress Council faced as being one of the 36 nationwide recipients of the WIC Community Innovation and Outreach Grant (CIAO). Learn the innovative approach they took to not only increase outreach to families and enrollment in WIC but also further integrate WIC into their comprehensive service delivery model, including their client services management system. Attendees will leave with concrete examples of how data should inform the scope of grant proposals and ways to help your organization think through a multiple program integration model that is comprehensive yet required to address barriers to economic self-sufficiency.

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm CAAPtivating Excellence Awards
Commonwealth Salon 3 & 4

Formal attire recommended

Thank you to our Advocate Sponsors:

Thursday, October 24, 2024

Registration open 7:30 am - 1:30 pm
Breakfast served 8:00 am - 9:00 am

Exciting Addition to the 2024 CAAP Conference: Cohort Convo Tables! 🚀

Join the conversation at our brand-new Cohort Convo Tables, designed for HR, Finance, Emerging Leaders, Program, Development & Communications, and New ED/CEOs. Whether you're new to the team or a seasoned pro, this is the perfect opportunity to network, share ideas, and connect with fellow professionals.

Be on the lookout for cohort table signs and dive into the fun! Don’t miss out—your next great connection is just a conversation away!

CAAP Plenary

9:00 am - 10:00 am

CAAP Staff will take the main stage to spotlight the benefits of CAAP membership, including exciting new partnerships and enhancements to membership services for the upcoming 2024-2025 program year. Attendees will gain insight into the exclusive opportunities and resources available to CAAP members as we look forward to a year of growth and innovation.

10:00 am - 10:15 am Break

Session 4

Thursday, October 24th Breakout Sessions

10:15 AM - 11:30 AM

  • Building on the plenary, CAAP staff will have an open session to answer questions regarding any of the topics covered. Curious about CAAP Learn and Info Hub – get a demo and find out the value of each!

  • Learn how to spot the signs and symptoms of burnout and overwhelm, quiet your minds, and tap into your creative energy to enhance your well-being and productivity. By lowering stress levels, improving focus, and enhancing creativity, attendees will boost their overall well-being and be able to serve more. 

    In this 75-minute workshop, attendees will discover how to manage digital consumption, including reducing or getting off social media, taking a digital fast, and finding a digital accountability partner through practical strategies and exercises. You will learn techniques to quiet your mind and tap into your creativity, starting with simple actions like turning off notifications. I will debunk the myth that stress and force lead to productivity, demonstrating instead how working in a state of flow can enhance efficiency and happiness. Participants will segment their day like a mindful project manager, creating balanced and focused working days. 

    The interactive and engaging workshop will also cover how to make mental course corrections throughout the day, beginning with meditation. Attendees will learn to set deliberate purposes before starting any task, become intentional about critical moments, visualize ideal outcomes, and then expect those outcomes to actualize. This holistic approach to mindfulness work will help participants manage stress, boost their creativity, and ultimately improve their well-being and productivity.

  • This session will help participants answer critical questions about the power of partnerships and gain strategies to increase understanding, make better, more sustainable decisions, and build empathy and trust. 

    • What are the barriers and challenges? 

    • What are the levers that make for a truly inclusive, productive board environment? 

    • What are some specific strategies and tools to ensure meaningful engagement? 

  • Did you know 1 of every 3 Americans has a criminal record? Criminal records are permanent unless pardoned. If an individual has ever pled guilty or been convicted of a state crime in Pennsylvania and has completed their sentence, they should consider applying for a pardon, which is total forgiveness that erases their record. 

    Pardon applications are free and easier than ever to submit. The Pardon Project of Somerset County (tableland.org/pardons) helps non-violent ex-offenders (and their families) move their lives forward. This workshop will provide a comprehensive overview of the role that CAA's can play in helping people with a second chance at life through a statewide network of pardon projects. It truly does "start with us," as an organization.

    This session will feature a screening of the award-winning short documentary “Pardon Me.”  The film showcases the shorties of people who have suffered under the weight of their criminal record and the pardon process in Pennsylvania.  It also highlights how to repair the devastation caused to families and neighborhoods because of criminal arrests and the collateral consequences that hold them back as a result.

11:30 am - 12:45 pm Lunch & Networking
Commonwealth Salon 3 & 4

Session 5

12:45 PM - 2:00 PM

  • This presentation explores how CAP agencies can enhance productivity and reduce costs by integrating Microsoft Teams and other advanced technologies into their IT and telecommunications strategies.  Attendees will learn practical ways to streamline communication, improve collaboration, and optimize overall operational efficiency. 

  • This workshop will cover three topics with the common theme of expanding housing opportunities and empowering communities to control housing outcomes. Regional Housing Legal Services' expert staff will discuss 

    1. housing developments for returning citizens and tenant screening policies that support people with criminal histories; 

    2. community land trusts and how to move housing from the speculative real estate market into community control; and 

    3. what designation as a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) means for building the capacity of community-based organizations, including Community Action Agencies.

  • Family-Centered Coaching deepens how organizations center on the experience of families and encourages the power of choice to honor individuals as they navigate pathways to economic property, personal fulfillment, and racial justice. We will explore real world examples to understand how implementing FCC can foster a shared language among providers that supports collaboration, builds greater empathy within teams, and throughout various levels of an organization, breaks down organizational silos, and increases a sense of purpose among staff.

  • Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) are charged with working with local community-based organizations (CBOs) to address the Health-Related Social Needs (HRSNs) of their plan enrollees. Community Action Agencies have been addressing HRSNs for 60 years. A partnership between the two is natural. In this session, we'll explore how to set your organization up for maximum success in a partnership with an MCO. Session attendees will leave with a better understanding of what MCOs want from partners, how to prepare for contracting with an MCO, and how to navigate contract negotiations. Join us as we walk through the process of MCO contracting from inception to implementation. 

2:00 pm - 2:15 Refreshment Break

2:15 pm - 3:15 pm

Closing Session with Speaker Karin VanZant
Commonwealth Salon 3 & 4

It starts with Us... the theme we've been exploring over the two days of the conference. It starts with us — as individuals, as agencies, and as a network. Join Karin VanZant as she brings the conference to a close by summing up all our learnings and how they connect to the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) work happening with PA and the nation. As PA awaits approval of our Medicaid 1115 waiver allowing the use of Medicaid funds to support the health-related social needs of high-risk populations, the attendees at this conference and the organizations you represent are poised to be at the forefront of this work. 

Don’t miss on your goodie bag to go for a delightful send off on your way home!

Thank you to Our Sponsors