General Resources
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2024 Desk Guide
Utility Basics Desk Guide this includes program information for each of the major gas, electric, and water utilities as well as an overview of basic utility rightsProgram One-Pagers
Utility-specific program one pagers available in English and SpanishGeneral Resource One-Pagers
General resource one-pagers on LIHEAP (24/25), tenants rights to utilities, and bill affordability available in English and Spanish2023 CAAP New Director/CEO Training
Responding to Utility Insecurity -
Members ONLY! We are thrilled to announce the launch of our member portal!
Over the past year CAAP has been searching for the perfect solution to enhance our member experience, ease administrative burden, and give agencies a one-stop shop for all the resources, and events they have access to as CAAP members!
We are excited to finally launch our member InfoHub through our new customer relations management tool GrowthZone. We would like to officially invite you to your member profile.
In the coming months as members transition to our InfoHub, the InfoHub will replace the “Member Hub” page on our website. Please note this page will not be able to be accessed after January 1, 2024.
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Looking for a unique training need for your agency? CAAP strives to meet your needs, from bylaw reviews, board trainings, to policy review – if you need support, we are here to help you be your best you!
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Role Of The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED): DCED administers the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program within the Commonwealth. The federal monies are received through DCED and allocated to local agencies based upon a formula. Directives are issued by the Commonwealth as a standardized method of communicating policies, procedures, and similar information to the local agencies in the operations and execution of their programs and services.
C2022-01 Administrative Procedures for CSBG Grants
C2022-03 Administrative Boards
C2022-04 Income Eligibility Determination
C2022-05 Reporting Requirements
C2023-06 Risk Based Monitoring
C2019-06 Attachment F- Sample Interview Questions
C2022-07 Organizational Standards
Attachment A- Private Standards
Attachment B- Public Standards
C2022-08 Continuous Improvement
C2024-09 Tripartite Board Compliance
C2024-10 Discretionary Application Eligibility
CW2022-01 Procurement, Bidding, & Subcontracting
CW2022-02 Management of WAP/CSBG Property
CW2014-04 Taxation of Materials
FMC Directive 2022-01 Invoices and FSRs
FMC Directive 2022-02 Contract Amendments and Budget Modifications
FMC Directive 2016-02 Indirect Cost Support for Federally Funded GrantsItem description
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Learn how to utilize the library of public relations and media pitch templates below by accessing the complete PR guide below.
PR template for new program or services ⮕
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This comprehensive tool provides Pennsylvania's Community Action Agencies with the means to: capture information about their community, analyze the data, identify the current challenges that need to be addressed within the community.
Provided through University of Missouri Center for Applied Research and Environmental Systems (CARES).
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Check out our resources on panavigatehelp.org
Looking for some help in claiming and managing your findhelp account? Check out these resources to get you started! Find all of these resources in your CAAP Member InfoHub ⮕
Welcome to findhelp- How community partners and service providers get started ⮕
Help someone find and connect to resources- search nationwide network ⮕
Walk through how to claim your program and other resources here- Free tools for CBOs ⮕
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Find all CAAP + PolicyMap recordings and resources in CAAPLearn ⮕
Members- Need to request a PolicyMap account? Complete this form ⮕
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All CAAP members receive membership to GrantStation! GrantStation offers agencies the opportunity to identify potential funding sources for their programs or projects. They provide resources to guide organizations through the grant-seeking process. With access to GrantStation, members can explore new grant opportunities, develop strong grant strategies, and craft powerful proposals using step-by-step tutorials. Each CAAP member agency's Executive Director or CEO has automatic access to GrantStation. Multiple people can be logged in with the same account at the same time. If your Agency prefers this to be a staff member other than the ED/CEO, please contact CAAP to have it changed.
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Community Action Agencies (CAAs) are nonprofit, public, or local government organizations funded by the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) to fight poverty and promote self-sufficiency. To ensure eligibility and effectiveness, CAAs must comply with federal requirements set by the Office of Community Services (OCS), with states often imposing additional standards. Click below for a summary of these requirements and standards.
Member Benefits
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All Pennsylvania Community Action:
Staff
Board Members
Subcontracted agencies of public CAAs**
** Contact us at info@thecaap.org to learn what is available for subcontracted agencies.
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Relationship with national partners
National Community Action Foundation (NCAF)
National Community Action Partnership (NCAP)
Community Action Program Legal Services (CAPLAW)
National Association of State Community Service Programs (NASCSP)
Representation and advocacy with state government officials at the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), the Department of Human Services (DHS), and other state agencies.
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CAPLAW membership with access to legal advice, public policy updates, lobbying materials, and educational resources.
PANO (Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations) membership including training, Standards for Excellence programming, and discounts with corporate partners.
Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania Membership and all included benefits
Discounted optional SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) membership and all included benefits
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Individualized support tailored to an agency - ex. bylaw review, board training and policy review.
Access to PolicyMap, a community needs assessment and funding data tool that includes mapping capabilities, of public and private data, as well as your own agency data
Access to GrantStation – a funding platform where information can be reviewed for new funding sources
Partnership and access to resources with PA Navigate
Missouri CARES Community Needs Assessment tool
Access to CAAP’s health care consultant partner, ClearLink Partners
Access to InfoHub, a member-only portal that tracks all resources, communication, and more
Communications and Public Relations Support – ex. toolkits and best practices
HR Support – examples include job description review, job postings, stay interview templates, new employee hiring packets, and offer letter templates
Podcast- Hosted by CAAP CEO Beck Moore, this podcast delivers updates, insights, and real conversations on the challenges and triumphs of Community Action in Pennsylvania.
Access to a variety of grant opportunities
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In-person conferences and training events, as well as discounted attendance at national social determinants of health events
Live Webinar and Deep Dive Series with topics ranging from marketing to self care
Cohort Calls
Development & Communications
Fiscal
Human Resources
New Executive Directors
Program Management
Weatherization
CAA Board Members
Asynchronous learning management system access through CAAPLearn
In person and/or virtual localized trainings based on needs of an agency - examples include workplace culture training and board orientation.
Staffing and HR Support
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CAAP’s learning course library is FREE to all CAAP member staff!
Along with our CAP Infinity Basic course that meets the Pennsylvania directive on Continuous Improvement, CAAP Learn is a treasure trove of relevant resources. This includes our webinar series and accompanying materials, COPOS training, the CAAP Statewide Summit, and a multitude of webinars on management, governance, and human resources.
You can also find technology tools, community action history, customer service, employee well-being, and census data, among other resources. We continue to work to build and grow CAAP Learn to serve our members’ needs better.
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We understand that for new Community Action staff, it is often challenging to navigate the network. From understanding our network’s structure to who we are at CAAP and how we all fit together, we have you covered! Check out this packet to incorporate in your staff onboarding practices.
Looking for some other fun onboarding resources?
Check out our downloadables! -
Interested in digging into what your staff has to say about their work at your organization? Looking for an objective third party to conduct them? CAAP is very excited to help support our network in conducting and assessing results of stay interviews at your organization.
If you’d like to hear more about this service to CAAP members please email info@thecaap.org.
Or looking to do on your own? Use our template ⮕
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Looking for CAAP Staff to review and optimize your position descriptions? Please complete the form below and expect confirmation of review or questions from CAAP staff.