Legal Needs Assessment Results

In August, 2010 CAPLAW asked CAAs to participate in a legal needs assessment in an effort to ensure CAPLAW and the Community Action network address and meet the legal needs of Community Action Agencies. Read the complete legal needs summary.

CAPLAW Letter on Head Start Designation Renewal System

CAPLAW has submitted comments to the Office of Head Start on the September 22, 2010 proposed regulations establishing a designation renewal system. Read the December 16, 2010 letter.

Fisher & Phillips Health Care Reform Alert -- November 22, 2010

Guidance Issued Regarding Grandfathered Status Of Group Health Plans

On November 17, 2010, the IRS, DOL and HHS jointly issued an amendment to the interim final regulations regarding a health plan's status as a "grandfathered health plan" under the recent healthcare reform legislation.

View the complete legal alert on the amendment.

CAPLAW has compiled a collection of information to help you navigate through the continually developing health care reform by providing easily accessible resources and updates.  Read recent legal alerts, view the CAPLAW health reform timeline and article, or find information relevant to both consumers and employers.

CAPLAW Employment Opportunity Available

Join CAPLAW as a project director and launch an exciting new national training and technical assistance program for Community Action Agencies (CAAs) focused on financial management and administrative governance topics. View the complete job description.
Email cover letter and resume to hr@bostonacd.org with “CAPLAW Project Director” in the subject line.

Action for Boston Community Development, Inc.
Attn: HR Recruitment
178 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02111

FREE Upcoming Financial Management Conference Call

Join CAA fiscal professionals during the December 15th Financial Management Conference Call, Chief Financial Officers: Changing Needs and Expectations in Community Action.

About the Call
New emphasis on overall financial health, board financial oversight, generation of unrestricted income, and other emerging challenges is leading many Community Action Agencies (CAAs) to re-evaluate the role of the Chief Financial Officer (or CFO, known in some CAAs as the finance or fiscal director or fiscal officer). This new emphasis is also causing many CFOs to question where they will find the time and energy to step up to the new levels of strategic leadership their roles may demand. Join CAPLAW financial consultant Kay Sohl and financial managers from Community Action Agencies across the country to discuss emerging challenges and strategies CAA CFOs are using to provide the financial leadership their organizations need.

Discussion topics will include:

• CFO role in overall grants compliance – beyond grants accounting, how CFOs are contributing to clean audits during the rollercoaster ride of ARRA funding
• CFO as manager – reconfiguring finance departments, providing effective supervision, finding resources needed to make the job doable
• CFO as communicator – how CFOs are working with Boards, CEOs and executive management teams to build understanding of overall financial health and key strategic questions
• CFO as strategist – how CFO’s are using their expertise to help their nonprofits identify and implement new strategies to withstand tumultuous times

Date: Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST
Fee: FREE!
Format: Webinar

 

View more information about the call and REGISTER!

 

Registration Questions?

For questions regarding the conference calls or registration, please contact Cara Loffredo at (617) 348-6426. Or, e-mail her at loffredo@caplaw.org.

Self Assessment Tools for CAAs

CAPLAW has compiled the following list of self-assessment tools to assist CAAs in evaluating and improving various aspects of their organizations. The list is organized by topic and includes a description of each tool. View the Self Assessment Tools!

Self Assessment Topics Include:

• Organization Overall
• Board and Governance
• Executive Directors
• Financial Management
• Fundraising
• Head Start
• Legal Compliance
• State-Specific Resources

Ballard Spahr Health Care Reform Legal Alert -- November 16, 2010

Treasury Department Changes Grandfathered Health Plan Regulations
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has revised its previously issued regulations on health plans that are “grandfathered” from certain health care reform requirements. View the complete legal alert on the changes.

CAPLAW has compiled a collection of information to help you navigate through the continually developing health care reform by providing easily accessible resources and updates.  Read recent legal alerts, view the CAPLAW health reform timeline and article, or find information relevant to both consumers and employers.  View the CAPLAW Health Care Reform resources!

Upcoming Health Care Reform Event: Ropes & Gray Webinar

Health Reform's Impact on Fraud and Abuse Enforcement:
Eight Months In and Storm Clouds on the Horizon
Wednesday, November 17, 2010, 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. (ET)

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the ACA) has significantly changed the health care fraud and abuse landscape. Join Ropes & Gray for a program that will navigate the new enforcement terrain and the significant risks and questions that lie ahead in 2011. Register now!

NEW! CAPLAW Interactive Training Tool

Introduction to CSBG interactive module

The module enables CAA staff and boards to learn about CSBG either at their desks or in a group training session, such as a board meeting.  The module contains 10 chapters on topics ranging from the history of the CSBG program to the tripartite board requirements to funding reduction and termination. View the Introduction to CSBG training module!

Health Reform Legal Alert

New! Ballard Spahr Health Care Reform Alert -- October 13, 2010
IRS Delays Reporting of Group Health Plan Cost on Form W-2
 
View the Ballard Spahr alert on Notice 2010-62, which provides that employers will not be required to report the cost of group health plan coverage on Form W-2 issued for 2011.

HHS Healthcare.gov Conference Call

Participate in the October 14th conference call hosted by HHS to discuss new consumer tools on healthcare.gov.  Learn more.

Ropes & Gray Health Reform Webinar

Rubik’s Cube: Resolving Corporate Health Care Investigations
Thursday, October 14, 2010, 1 - 2 p.m. (ET)

Join Ropes & Gray for a discussion of some of the key considerations in resolving corporate health care investigations from both the legal and business perspectives. Learn more

New! CAPLAW Attorney Network Webpage

The CAPLAW Attorney Network connects attorneys from across the county in dealing with Community Action Agency legal issues, enabling legal professionals working with CAAs to share information, provide informal peer-to-peer assistance, and benefit from other legal experts’ input.
View Attorney Network Resources!

New! Introduction to CSBG Training Module

This interactive module enables CAA staff and boards to learn about CSBG either at their desks or in a group training session, such as a board meeting.  The module contains 10 chapters on topics ranging from the history of the CSBG program to the tripartite board requirements to funding reduction and termination. 

View the Module!

Head Start FY2011 Monitoring Protocol and Guide

The Office of Head Start has released the Head Start Monitoring Protocol for the 2011 Fiscal Year, which starts October 1, 2010.  View the monitoring protocal.

Head Start Proposed Regulations

Read the CAPLAW article, HHS Proposes New Regulations on Recompetition, from the September 24, 2010 issue of the CAPLAW E-News Bulletin. 

Last Chance to Register! Health Care Reform Audio Conference

Registration closes today for the upcoming CAPLAW audio conference Health Care Reform: Prepare Now for 2011 Requirements!


September 29, 2010
3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m EST

Audio Conference Description:
Earlier this year, Congress passed and President Obama signed into law what is now commonly known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The Act makes sweeping changes to the provision of health benefits in America, with an impact on employers, government,and individuals. In this session, we will focus on the immediate impact of health care reform on your CAA and the steps you need to take now to ensure compliance.

Health Care Reform Audio Conference

Register by Monday, September 27th for the upcoming CAPLAW audio conference Health Care Reform: Prepare Now for 2011 Requirements!

September 29, 2010

3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time

About the Conference:

Earlier this year, Congress passed and President Obama signed into law what is now commonly known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The Act makes sweeping changes to the provision of health benefits in America, with an impact on employers, government,and individuals. In this session, we will focus on the immediate impact of health care reform on your CAA and the steps you need to take now to ensure compliance.

About Our Presenter:

Edward I. Leeds, Esq. is Counsel at Ballard Spahr LLP, where he is a member of the firm’s Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Group, Health Care and P3/Infrastructure Groups and Health Care Reform Initiative. His practice concentrates on issues relating to the design, administration, and taxation of health and other welfare benefits plans. Mr. Leeds has represented employers in the negotiation and drafting of contracts with insurers, third-party administrators, and other vendors in documenting and communicating welfare benefits plans, and in complying with applicable state and federal laws, including HIPAA, COBRA, cafeteria-plan requirements, and the rules applicable to government benefits programs, such as Medicare. He has counseled employers on the introduction of paperless technologies to the administration of their benefits arrangements, the provision of benefits to domestic partners, the introduction of wellness initiatives, and health and welfare issues that arise in corporate transactions, litigation, and collective bargaining. Mr. Leeds lectures frequently on health and welfare benefits topics. He is a graduate of Haverford College and Harvard Law School.
 

 

New ADA Regulations Webinar

Register for the October 13th Ballard Spahr webinar, New ADA Regulations: Mandatory Steps for Developers/Owners/ Managers of Public Accommodations and Commercial Facilities. Attorneys from Ballard Spahr’s Real Estate Department and Labor and Employment Group will discuss the new regulations and the steps covered entities should take to comply.

 

Topics:

• Substantive changes to requirements for places of public accommodation, including hospitals, hotels, and shopping centers, regarding individuals with disabilities
• Design and construction requirements for new facilities and safe harbors
• Requirements for banks and other institutions regarding electronic technology (ATMs, ITMs, kiosks)
• Ramifications for resorts, hotels, timeshares, and related recreational facilities
• Guidelines regarding accommodation of individuals seeking to use service animals, mobility devices, and communication-enabling technology
• Requirements for entities that manage stadiums, concert halls, and theaters regarding the sale and issue of tickets
• Additional ADA changes proposed by the DOJ regarding the use of equipment and furniture, interactive sales technology, and the Internet.

Date and Time
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM ET

 

 

 

Last Day to Register -- Leadership Transition Strategies

Registration closes today for the upcoming CAPLAW audio conference Leadership Transition Strategies!

Audio Conference Description:
Filling nonprofit CEO and CFO positions is growing more challenging as the boomer generation begins its exodus from the nonprofit sector. While the recession has delayed some boomer exits, it has also created a new pool of applicants with high level corporate experience, opening new opportunities and pitfalls in transition planning, Explore new strategies to plan for leadership transition and create flexible opportunities for highly skilled professionals to provide transitional leadership.

Learn More!

CAPLAW Audio Conference -- Last Chance To Register!

Register by tomorrow, September 16th for the upcoming CAPLAW audio conference Leadership Transition Strategies!

Learn More!

Conference Description:
Filling nonprofit CEO and CFO positions is growing more challenging as the boomer generation begins its exodus from the nonprofit sector. While the recession has delayed some boomer exits, it has also created a new pool of applicants with high level corporate experience, opening new opportunities and pitfalls in transition planning, Explore new strategies to plan for leadership transition and create flexible opportunities for highly skilled professionals to provide transitional leadership.

New! Fall 2010 Legal Update Newsletter

View the newest edition of the CAPLAW Legal Update Newsletter, a continuous series of reports on legal issues of interest to CAAs.







Inside this issue:

• Health Care Reform: What it Means for CAAs
• CAA Leaders Tackle the Issues
• Head Start Enrollment & Eligibility
• Requirements Refresher
• DAB Examines Grant Termination
• DAB Upholds Denial of Continuation Award
• Mission Possible: Understanding & Developing an Effect Mission Statement

 

Understanding Contracts Video Conference

Register for the October 5th Pfizer / DLA Piper video conference, Just Sign on the Dotted Line? Understanding, Negotiating, and Living with Contracts.

E-mail registerboston@dlapiper.com to register. For registering questions, please contact Naomi Miali at Naomi.Miali@dlapiper.com or 312-984-5732.

Health Care Reform Conference Call with President Obama

Discuss new key benefits of the Affordable Care Act with President Obama during a health care conference call hosted by HHS and the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships on September 21st at 4 p.m. eastern time.

For more information, e-mail partnerships@hhs.gov. Call-in information will be circulated soon.

Visit CAPLAW's new Health Care Reform information page.

NEW! Health Care Reform Audio Conference

Register today for the CAPLAW audio conference, Health Care Reform: Prepare for 2011 Requirements on September 29, 2010, 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

Earlier this year, Congress passed and President Obama signed into law what is now commonly known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The Act makes sweeping changes to the provision of health benefits in America, with an impact on employers, government,and individuals. In this session, we will focus on the immediate impact of health care reform on your CAA and the steps you need to take now to ensure compliance.

Learn More!

Rescheduled! CAPLAW Audio Conference

Leadership Transition Strategies Has Been Rescheduled!

New Date:
September 20, 2010, 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. eastern time

Audio Conference Description:
Filling nonprofit CEO and CFO positions is growing more challenging as the boomer generation begins its exodus from the nonprofit sector. While the recession has delayed some boomer exits, it has also created a new pool of applicants with high level corporate experience, opening new opportunities and pitfalls in transition planning, Explore new strategies to plan for leadership transition and create flexible opportunities for highly skilled professionals to provide transitional leadership.

Learn More!

Upcoming CAPLAW Audio Conference -- Register Today!

Leadership Transition Strategies
Register today for the September 15th CAPLAW audio conference Leadership Transition Strategies!

Audio Conference Description:

Filling nonprofit CEO and CFO positions is growing more challenging as the boomer generation begins its exodus from the nonprofit sector. While the recession has delayed some boomer exits, it has also created a new pool of applicants with high level corporate experience, opening new opportunities and pitfalls in transition planning, Explore new strategies to plan for leadership transition and create flexible opportunities for highly skilled professionals to provide transitional leadership.



About Our Presenter:

Kay Sohl is a nonprofit financial management consultant with Kay Sohl Consulting in Portland, OR. Ms. Sohl has provided training and consultation on financial management issues for over 4,000 nonprofit organizations. She co-founded and served as Executive Director of TACS (Technical Assistance for Community Services), the Northwest’s largest resource for nonprofit capacity building assistance.

Print & Mail Registration Form

Register Online Now!

Health Reform Legal Alert

NEW! Ballard Spahr Health Care Reform Alert Additional External Claims Review Guidance Provided for Self-Funded Group Health Plans

View the Ballard Spahr alert on the recently released Health and Human Services guidance on how employer-sponsored self-funded group health plans can satisfy the new external claims review requirements arising from the federal health care reform legislation.

Fisher & Phillips -- Free Webinar

Register for the September 14th webinar, 100% Compliance With OSHA Recordkeeping – Anything Less Will Be Costly.

Click here to register and for more information on this and other events »

Health Reform Update: Required Cafeteria Plan Amendments

NEW! Fisher & Phillips Health Care Reform Alert -- August 25, 2010

Required Cafeteria Plan Amendments

View the Fisher & Phillips Health Reform Alert regarding new requirements to have most cafeteria plans be amended by December 31, 2010.

Head Start Legal Advisory Service Webinars

View the complete 2010 Fall & Winter schedule of Head Start Legal Advisory Services webinars.

New Health Reform Legal Alert

NEW! Fisher & Phillips Health Care Reform Alert August 2, 1010

Healthcare Reform Changes Affecting Coverage Of Children
View the Fisher & Phillips Health Reform Benefits Alert regarding two significant changes regarding health benefits provided to an employee's adult child.

What Fiscal Topic Would You Like To Discuss?

Which fisal topic would you be most interested in discussing during an upcoming Financial Management Monthly Conference Call?  Tell us now!

Join the CAPLAW Fiscal Network!

Network, share and connect with other CAA fiscal professionals during an upcoming Monthly Financial Management Conference Call!

The CAPLAW financial network connects Community Action Agency (CAA) professionals and experts in dealing with Community Action Agency financial issues.  Learn More!

New Health Care Reform Legal Alert

Ballard Spahr Health Care Reform Alert -- July 26, 2010
New Regulations Address Claim and Appeal Process
View the Ballard Spahr alert on regulations that address the requirement of a group health plan to maintain an internal claim and appeals process that meets certain standards and to provide for an external appeal process.

Find continually updated information about Health Reform on CAPLAW's Health Reform Information Page.

New CAPLAW Article! LIHEAP & Fraud Prevention

A June 2010 report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on LIHEAP concluded that greater fraud prevention controls are needed.

Read the CAPLAW article summarizing the GAO's recent report and the steps OCS is taking to prevent fraud through policy change.

Related Resources:

• Read the GAO's June 2010 LIHEAP Report, Greater Fraud Prevention Controls are Needed.
• Read OCS IM - 2010 - 6, which strongly encourages states to exercise their discretion to require social security numbers in determining eligibility for LIHEAP.

 

New CAPLAW Health Care Reform Resources Now Available

• Read the CAPLAW Article, Learn what Health Care Reform means for Community Action Agencies.  The Article summarizes the most important changes for community action agencies and their clients and when those changes go into effect.
         
• View the new CAPLAW Health Care Reform Timeline

For a collection of information on Health Reform, including recent legal alerts and resources for employers and consumers, visit the CAPLAW Health Reform Webpage.

New Health Care Reform Legal Alert

Ballard Spahr Health Care Reform Alert -- July 19, 2010

New Regulations Address Preventive Services

View the Ballard Spahr alert on recently released regulations addressing the preventive health care requirements established by the recent health care reform legislation.

Find continually updated information about Health Reform on CAPLAW's Health Reform Information Page.

Free ARRA Webinar Series

The Community Action Partnership, Community Economic Development project & the California/Nevada Community Action Partnership have formed a joint venture to bring you an exciting, educational webinar series on “Sustaining ARRA Programs”. View the complete schedule and learn more about the webinar series.

Webinars will be held at 1:00 – 2:30 pm EDT and 10:00 – 11:30 am PDT


Developing Your Case for Support, July 26, 2010

Getting Great Grants, August 24, 2010

Mission Driven Earned Income, September 28, 2010

The Development Plan, October 14, 2010

Building a Fundraising Board, November 17, 2010

Sustainability Toolkit, December 8, 2010
 
REGISTER
Peach New Media will email all necessary information upon registration
 
Call Stacey Flowers at 202-449-9784 with any questions.

Last Chance To Register -- Accrued Vacation Challenges

REGISTRATION CLOSES TODAY!
Register for this month's Financial Management Conference Call, Accrued Vacation Challenges!

REGISTER NOW!



Learn more about the Financial Management calls

New Health Reform Update

HealthReform.gov is Now HealthCare.gov
HealthCare.gov launched July 1, 2010. The new website is designed to help you take control of your health care – by putting the power of information at your fingertips.

• View the Healthcare.gov Annoucement
• View Employer Information & Resources
• View Consumer Information & Resources 

Health Reform Legal Alert

NEW! Ballard Spahr Health Care Reform Alert -- June 30, 2010Early Retiree Reinsurance Program Application Process Opens

View the Ballard Spahr alert on participation in the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program.

Early Retiree Reinsurance Program

CAPLAW's Health Care Reform Information Page

New Employer Information Just Added!  
Early Retiree Reinsurance Program

HHS is now accepting applications for the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program. HHS recommends that applicants read the application instructions and frequently asked questions before submitting applications. Funding for the program is expected to be used up quickly, so submit applications as soon as possible.  
View the CAPLAW Health Reform Information Page!

New Health Reform Legal Alert

CAPLAW's Health Care Reform Information Page
New Health Reform Legal Alert Just Added

Ropes and Gray Alert -- June 29, 2010
Federal Agencies Issue Interim Final Rules for Patient's Bill of Rights
View the Ropes and Gray alert outlining the interim final rules for group health plans and health insurance coverage on certain patient protections under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

UPDATED GUIDE: Legal Issues in Supportive Housing

The Corporation for Supportive Housing recently released an updated version of its guide on legal issues in supportive housing (prepared by Goldfarb & Lipman, L.L.P.).

CSH is pleased to make available the 2010 National Edition of Between the Lines: A Question and Answer Guide on Legal Issues in Supportive Housing. The Guide is published in two parts: the Chapters, which include an explanation of federal and some state laws governing supportive housing in a question and answer format; and the Appendices, which include more detailed information referenced in the Chapters.

DOE Davis-Bacon Act Desk Guide

View the recently released DOE Desk Guide to the Davis-Bacon Act for contractors and subcontractors.

NYSCAA Time & Effort Reporting Webinar

View a recording and access materials from NYSCAA's June 23rd webinar, Time & Effort Reporting.

New! Health Care Reform Information Page

Visit the new Health Care Reform Information page on CAPLAW's website.  The page compiles information for both consumers and employers from various outside sources.  Access legal alerts, health reform guides, summaries, timelines, fact sheets and more!

View Health Care Reform Information Page!

Submit to the CAPLAW Events Calendar

New! CAPLAW Events Calendar

Submit your organization's upcoming event, workshop or webinar to the CAPLAW Events Calendar!  To submit your event, e-mail us at loffredo@caplaw.org.

CAPLAW Conference Materials Now Available!

Conference attendees can now access workshop materials from the 2010 National Training Conference!

Conference Photos Also Available!
Photos from the conference are also available.  Copies of photos can also be purchased at the rate of $2 each through Russell MacDonald Photography.  View Conference Photos! (photo password: savannah)

New! Fisher & Phillips Free Webinar

Attend a Fisher & Phillips Free Webinars!

June 10th:
Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Employee Blogs and Other Forms of Social Networking: Good or Bad for the Workplace? Register now!

Attend a Free Webinar from the Nonprofit Finance Fund!

Join the Nonprofit Finance Fund this June for Special Summer Webinars!

Preparing Your Organization to Apply for a Loan
June 15th, 12:30-1:30pm EST
Free and Open to All

At Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF), we often talk with organizations that are unfamiliar with the loan process or are just starting to dive into the details. Wherever you may be in your own financial journey, NFF's new information-packed Loan Webinar can help you gain a more in-depth understanding of nonprofit lending. Our Chief Credit Officer and Vice President of Financial Services, Anne Dyjak, will walk you through what kinds of loans are available for nonprofits, what lenders look for from potential borrowers, and what borrowers should expect from a good lender.


The 4 Horsemen of the Nonprofit Financial Apocalypse
June 22nd, 12pm EST
Free and Open to All

As the recession spread virally across the sector, a shocking picture of nonprofit sustainability emerged. On one side, we were unsurprised to see already financially unstable organizations caving under increased financial pressures and funding withdrawals. But another group of victims in the sector was less predictable. Organizations that boasted enviable business models and followed financial "best practices" turned out to be surprisingly vulnerable. So what went wrong?
In NFF President & CEO Clara Miller's recent Nonprofit Quarterly article, "The Four Horsemen of the Nonprofit Financial Apocalypse,” she illuminates the hidden patterns that led our sector to falter in seemingly unpredictable ways. In an accompanying Webinar hosted by The Nonprofit Quarterly, NPQ Editor-in-Chief, Ruth McCambridge, and Clara will delve deeper into the article and respond to your questions, comments, and concerns on this important topic. We encourage you to read the article and participate in what promises to be an engaging discussion on the future or our sector!

Upcoming Fisher & Phillips Free Webinar

Attend Fisher and Phillips free webinar Crisis Management for Employers on June 3rd at 3 p.m. EST. 
Register now!

Registration for the National Training Conference Closes Today!

Today is the last day to Register for the 2010 National Training Conference!

Register online, or print and mail your registration now!

Learn More Information About the Conference!

CAPLAW National Training Conference -- Registration Deadline Approaching!

Less Than One Week Left To Register!
Register By Next Tuesday, June 1st


Time is running out to register for the 2010 CAPLAW National Training Conference! Don't miss out on an array of informative workshops lead by an expert faculty of attorneys, accountants, government officials and nonprofit managers!

View Detailed Conference Schedule
View Conference Speakers
Learn How to Earn Credit

Lobbying Legally & Effectively -- Register By Wednesday, May 19th!

Register by this Wednesday, May 19th for the last session in the Back to Basics for CAAs Audio Conference Series!

Lobbying Legally and Effectively: The Rules of the Road

May 21, 2010, 1p.m. Eastern time
Level: Overview, CPE Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge and Applications

Involvement in public policy issues is a must for organizations working to improve the lives of low-income people. In this session, examine the rules that apply to lobbying by CAAs, Head Start programs, and 501(c)(3) organizations and find out how to advocate effectively within those rules.

Presenter: Anita Lichtblau, Esq., CAPLAW Executive Director/General Counsel

Register Now!

New Resource Section: Open Records

View the new Resource section on the CAPLAW website, Open Records. 

View all resources

View the April 2, 2010 revision of OCS IM 116

The federal Office of Community Services recently issued revised Information Memorandum 116 to ensure a consistent understanding of legal requirements and procedures for termination and reduction of CSBG funding. The IM provides a sample tool for states to use to document their actions.

View IM 116

New! CAPLAW Legal Update Newsletter -- Spring 2010 Issue

View the new Spring 2010 CAPLAW Legal Update Newsletter!

Legal Update Articles include:

• What Does the Recent Supreme Court Campaign
• Finance Decision Mean for Your Organization?
• Remembering a Leader in Community Action
• The Wave of the Future: Can CAAs Operate and Conduct Business Electronically?
• OCS Issues Guidance on CSBG Funding Reduction and Termination
• CSBG Q & A
• DAB Examines Disallowances Resulting from Inadequate Documentation of In-Kind Contributions and Salaries

View the Newsletter!

IRS Nationwide Tax Forums

What are the Nationwide Tax Forums? The Tax Forums offer three full days of seminars with the latest word from IRS leadership and experts in the fields of tax law, compliance and ethics. Attendees can:

• Earn continuing professional education credits
• Hear about the latest IRS e-Services products
• Visit the Practitioner Case Resolution Room
• Explore the expo for the latest tax professional products and services
• Learn about upcoming new registration, testing, and e-file requirements for return preparers

 Learn how to register!

Employment Law Q&A

Below is a recent question received during the CAPLAW audio conference Right on the Money: OMB Circular A-122:

Question: May CAAs require exempt employees to record their hours worked or will doing so undermine the salary-basis test for their exemption from the minimum wage and overtime requirements of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)?

View the Answer and Analysis

EPA Lead Safe work regulations

The new EPA Lead Safe work regulations, effective April 22, 2010, enables more flexibility for Weatherizers regarding implementation. Although flexibility has been granted, a recent NCAF survey of over 400 WAP agencies shows that additional flexibility in implementation is still needed. View the complete survey on the NCAF website. You can also read the complete NCAF EPA update highlighting continued concerns and confusion regarding the regulations.

Registration Closes Today for the 501(c)3 Fundamentals Audio Conference!

Registration Closes Today For the 501(c)(3) Fundamentals Audio Conference.  Register Now!

501(c)(3) Fundamentals
April 23, 2010, 1p.m. Eastern time
Level: Overview, CPE Field of Study: Taxes
A nonprofit’s federal tax-exempt status is one of its most valuable assets. Review the do’s and don’ts of protecting that status. This audio conference will cover: definitions, advantages and basic requirements of tax exemption under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3); restrictions and prohibitions on 501(c)(3) organizations – including lobbying and political activity, transactions with insiders, and unrelated business activity; fundraising receipts and disclosures; and the IRS Form 990.

Presenter: R. Allison Ma’luf, Esq., CAPLAW Associate Counsel

Register Now!

COBRA Subsidy Extended Again

The Continuing Extension Act of 2010, signed into law on April 15, 2010, extends the previously established COBRA subsidy program by extending to May 31, 2010 the period during which an involuntary termination of employment triggers eligibility for the 65% premium subsidy. To learn more, please see Ropes & Gray's Alert.

Registration Closes Tomorrow!

Register for the next session in the audio conference series, Back to Basics for CAAs, 501(c)(3) Fundamentals on April 23rd. Registration for this session closes tomorrow, April 21st!

501(c)(3) Fundamentals
April 23, 2010, 1p.m. Eastern time
Level: Overview, CPE Field of Study: Taxes

A nonprofit’s federal tax-exempt status is one of its most valuable assets. Review the do’s and don’ts of protecting that status. This audio conference will cover: definitions, advantages and basic requirements of tax exemption under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3); restrictions and prohibitions on 501(c)(3) organizations – including lobbying and political activity, transactions with insiders, and unrelated business activity; fundraising receipts and disclosures; and the IRS Form 990.

Presenter: R. Allison Ma’luf, Esq., CAPLAW Associate Counsel

Register Now!

OCS Reviewers Needed!

The Office of Community Services (OCS) is seeking expert reviewers with a broad array of direct, community economic development experience to help select the 2010 grantees for the Community Economic Development (CED) and Job Opportunities for Low-Income Individuals (JOLI) programs. If you or someone you know is interested in serving as a reviewer, please visit the JOLI or CED Reviewer Recruitment website and download the Reviewer Recruitment Brochure.

The first pool of reviewers will be selected by April 23, 2010. If needed, an additional pool will be selected by May 10, 2010.

Watch Bryan Stevenson on Bill Moyers Journal

Watch 2010 CAPLAW National Conference keynote speaker, Bryan Stevenson, on the PBS show Bill Moyers Journal.  Mr. Stevenson examines justice and injustice in America, 42 years after Dr. Martin Luther King.

Watch the broadcast!

OCS Technical Assistance Call

The Division of State Assistance, within the Office of Community Services, will conduct a recorded technical assistance call to provide background regarding corrective action, termination or reduction of funding for eligible entities in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program. This call, on April 9th at 10 a.m. Eastern Time, is intended for representatives of State CSBG Lead Agencies.
Learn how to participate in the call

CSBG Information Memorandum

Read the February 17, 2010 CSBG Information Memorandum Transmittal No. 119.  The IM provides guidance for implementing the Making Work Pay Tax Credit.

Learn more about the Making Work Pay Tax Credit in CAPLAW's ARRA Online Toolkit

Registration Closing Tomorrow for Upcoming CAPLAW Audio Conference!

Don't forget to register for Friday's audio conference, Right on the Money: Complying with OMB Circular A-122, part of the CAPLAW audio conference series Back to Basics for CAAs.

Last day to register is tomorrow! 

Right on the Money: Complying with OMB Circular A-122
March 26, 2010, 1p.m. Eastern time
Level: Overview, CPE Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge and Applications
Compliance with OMB Circular A-122 – the federal cost principle circular for nonprofits – is crucial for CAAs and other organizations receiving federal grants. This audio conference will provide an overview of the circular’s general principles, how to distinguish between direct and indirect costs, and different methods for allocating indirect costs. Using CAPLAW’s annotated guide to A-122, this session will also examine selected items of cost – both the plain language of individual rules and how to apply the principles in combination to particularly thorny issues faced by grantees. CAPLAW’s A-122 guide will also be offered at a reduced price to all conference registrants.

Presenter: Kay Sohl, Nonprofit Financial Consultant, Kay Sohl Consulting

Register Now!

What Does Citizens United mean for nonprofits?

Learn about the controversial supreme court case, Citizens United, from the Alliance for Justice's resource page. The Alliance for Justice aims to clarify the impact the Citizens United decision will have on nonprofits' planned electoral activities. View the Frequently Asked Questions about Citizens United under the heading, What Does Citizens United mean for nonprofits?

Appropriations for CSBG FY2010 Funds

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2010 provides $746,000,000 for CSBG for FY2010. This excerpt for the Appropriations Act specifically addresses the CSBG allocation and carryover. Access the complete Appropriations Act.
View additional CSBG Resources on the CAPLAW website

Federal Reversionary Interest in Real Property

View the Administration for Children and Families' FAQ and brochure on Federal Reversionary Interest in Real Property.

Updated National Training Conference Information

View recently updated 2010 National Training Conference information on the CAPLAW website!  Registration is now open!

• View Updated Conference Schedule and Descriptions
• View Updated Speakers List and Bios
• View Pre-Conference Tour description

Updated Information in CAPLAW's ARRA Online Toolkit

View Updated Weatherization, Davis-Bacon and Employment Information in CAPLAW's ARRA Online Toolkit!

The ARRA Online toolkit is intended to assist Community Action Agencies (CAAs) in navigating the information generated by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 (ARRA) and in increasing understanding of how ARRA applies to and affects CAAs.

2010 National Training Conference Registration Now Open

Register for the 2010 CAPLAW National Training Conference!

Join us at the 2010 National Training Conference at the Savannah Marriott Riverfront from June 16-18. Our expert faculty of attorneys, accountants, government officials and nonprofit managers will give you the tools you need to resolve the legal, financial and management questions you encounter every day.

Learn more about the conference

Register Online

Print & mail registration form and payment

Financial Network Conference Call- Registation Now Open

Registration is now open for the Monthly Financial Management Conference Calls!
Join us for a new series of facilitated 45-minute monthly conference calls focusing on current fiscal issues faced by CAAs. In each monthly call, CAPLAW financial consultant Kay Sohl will facilitate a discussion of a preannounced topic and participants will have an opportunity to ask questions, share insights, and suggest future conference call and training topics. The call will occur the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 2 p.m. Eastern time.

Call Topics Schedule:
- March 10th: Streamlining Audit Prep
- April 14th:Ensuring Programmatic and Fiscal Compliance
- May 12th: Facilities Costs and Federal Funds Requirements
- July 14th: Accrued Vacation Challenges
- September 8th: Cloud Computing Experiences
View detailed call descriptions and registration information

Fisher & Phillips Free Webinars

Attend upcoming Fisher & Phillips free webinars!
March 25th: Combating Union Organization in Your Company
April 1st: Performance Evaluations, Job Descriptions and Effective Documentation for HR Managers

CAPLAW Self-Assessment Tools

CAPLAW has compiled various self-assessment tools to assist CAAs in evaluating and improving aspects of their organization, including:

• Organization Overall
• Board and Governance
• Executive Directors
• Financial Management
• Fundraising
• Head Start
• Legal Compliance
• State-Specific Resources

Access the self-assessment tools!

Many of these tools are available on www.virtualcap.org – an excellent resource for examples of innovative CAA programs and practices.

Conference Workshop Descriptions Now Available!

Workshop descriptions for the 2010 CAPLAW National Training Conference are now available on the CAPLAW website!

View Workshop Schedule & Descriptions
View Additional Conference Information

Upcoming Audio Conference Series!

CAPLAW Audio Conference Series

Back To Basics for CAAs
Whether you are new to Community Action or a veteran of the War on Poverty, join CAPLAW for an introduction to and overview of critical legal issues affecting Community Action Agencies (CAAs). Attend one session or all four.

Register Online Today!
Print and Mail Registration Form

Series Schedule:

Introduction to CSBG
February 26, 2010, 1p.m. Eastern time
Level: Overview, CPE Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge and Applications
Explore the ins and outs of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Act, the linchpin of the current Community Action movement. Join us for a discussion of: the composition, roles, and responsibilities of tripartite boards; limitations on the use of CSBG funds; allocation, payment and carryover of those funds; reduction and termination of CSBG funding; and designation of new entities eligible to receive CSBG funds.
Presenter: Eleanor A. Evans, Esq., CAPLAW Deputy Director/Senior Counsel


Right on the Money: Complying with OMB Circular A-122
March 26, 2010, 1p.m. Eastern time
Level: Overview, CPE Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge and Applications
Compliance with OMB Circular A-122 – the federal cost principle circular for nonprofits – is crucial for CAAs and other organizations receiving federal grants. This audio conference will provide an overview of the circular’s general principles, how to distinguish between direct and indirect costs, and different methods for allocating indirect costs. Using CAPLAW’s annotated guide to A-122, this session will also examine selected items of cost – both the plain language of individual rules and how to apply the principles in combination to particularly thorny issues faced by grantees. CAPLAW’s A-122 guide will also be offered at a reduced price to all conference registrants.
Presenter: Kay Sohl, Nonprofit Financial Consultant, Kay Sohl Consulting


501(c)(3) Fundamentals
April 23, 2010, 1p.m. Eastern time
Level: Overview, CPE Field of Study: Taxes
A nonprofit’s federal tax-exempt status is one of its most valuable assets. Review the do’s and don’ts of protecting that status. This audio conference will cover: definitions, advantages and basic requirements of tax exemption under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3); restrictions and prohibitions on 501(c)(3) organizations – including lobbying and political activity, transactions with insiders, and unrelated business activity; fundraising receipts and disclosures; and the IRS Form 990.
Presenter: R. Allison Ma’luf, Esq., CAPLAW Associate Counsel


Lobbying Legally and Effectively: The Rules of the Road
May 21, 2010, 1p.m. Eastern time
Level: Overview, CPE Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge and Applications
Involvement in public policy issues is a must for organizations working to improve the lives of low-income people. In this session, examine the rules that apply to lobbying by CAAs, Head Start programs, and 501(c)(3) organizations and find out how to advocate effectively within those rules.
Presenter: Anita Lichtblau, Esq., CAPLAW Executive Director/General Counsel

DOE Free Webinar

Register fo the DOE free webinar Everything you need to know about the modified Residential Weatherization Worker Wage Determinations on Thursday, February 18, 2010 from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM EST or 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM EST.

The webinar will provide you with information you need to understand the new Residential Weatherization Wage Determinations issued in December 2009. At the end of the presentation, there will be a period of question and answer. During the webinar, please email your questions to Greg Reamy at greg.reamy@ee.doe.gov.

Robert M. Coard Conference Scholarship

CAPLAW is pleased to offer the Robert M. Coard Conference Scholarship to two individuals in community action for the 2010 National Training Conference. The scholarship was created by the CAPLAW Board of Directors in honor of the late Robert Coard, founding president and board member of CAPLAW. For over 40 years, Mr. Coard was a leader in community action and advocate for low-income individuals everywhere.

Who is eligible for the scholarship?

An individual must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the scholarship:

• Nominated by the executive director of his/her organization
• Attending the CAPLAW National Training Conference for the first time
• Participated 3 or more years in community action or is current CAA board member
• Possesses professional responsibilities in compliance, governance human resources or finance, or other areas requiring legal or financial knowledge
• Represents and emerging leader in community action

What does the scholarship cover? Each scholarship covers the 2010 conference registration fee and $500 for travel and lodging expenses associated with the conference.

How do I apply for the scholarship? To apply for the Robert Coard Scholarship, please complete the scholarship application form accompanied by the additional required materials.Remember that scholarship applicants must be nominated by his or her organization. Submissions must be postmarked or submitted via e-mail by April 30, 2010.

Mail application and materials to:
CAPLAW
178 Tremont Street, 10th Floor
Boston MA 02111
Or, Email to:
Bernadette Hood at hood@caplaw.org

Become a CAPLAW conference Sponsor!

CAPLAW would like to invite your organization to become a sponsor of this year's National Training Conference!

Last year, over 500 conference attendees were exposed to our sponsors’ advertisements in the 2009 conference program and countless more to their logos on the CAPLAW website.

Learn more about the benefits of becoming a CAPLAW conference sponsor!

What does Citizens United Mean for Tax-Exempt Organizations?

Read a summary of the January 25, 2010 Citizens United call hosted by the Alliance for Justice. The call aimed to clarify the impact the Citizens United decision will have on your organization's planned electoral activities.

NEW! CAA Financial Management Conference Call

Join CAPLAW for a new series of facilitated 45-minute monthly conference calls focusing on current fiscal issues faced by CAAs. In each monthly call, CAPLAW financial consultant Kay Sohl will facilitate a discussion of a preannounced topic and participants will have an opportunity to ask questions, share insights, and suggest future conference call and training topics.


CAPLAW is launching the monthly conference calls in response to the fiscal management survey CAA managers completed last fall and to the fiscal roundtable discussion at our June 2009 conference Seattle. Learn more about Survey findings and discussion themes for fiscal officers.
The calls will supplement CAPLAW’s CAA Financial Network e-Forum as a resource for CAA fiscal staff and other CAA managers to share information, provide informal peer-to-peer assistance on financial issues and benefit from financial experts’ input.

View Upcoming Conference Call Topics!

About Kay Sohl
Kay Sohl is a nonprofit financial management consultant with Kay Sohl Consulting in Portland, OR. Ms. Sohl has provided training and consultation on financial management issues for over 4,000 nonprofit organizations. She co-founded and served as Executive Director of Technical Assistance for Community Services, the Northwest’s largest resource for nonprofit capacity building assistance. Ms. Sohl is co-author of the Oregon Nonprofit Corporation Handbook, adjunct faculty for the Institute of Nonprofit Management at Portland State University, and a frequent presenter for the American Institute of CPAs not-for-profit annual conferences in Washington D.C.

2010 National Training Conference Speakers and Topics

A current list of CAPLAW National Training Conference Speakers and Topics is now available on the CAPLAW website.  Check back often for additions and updates!

Topics Include:

• Risk Management
• Auditing Update
• Negotiation
• Entrepreneurial Ventures
• Human Resources
• Fiscal Sponsorship
• ARRA
• Contracts 101
• Head Start Update
• Governance Case Studies
• IT & Social Networking
• National Partner Resources
• Internal Controls
• Bylaws
• Managing Multiple Funding Streams
• OMB Circular A-122
• 501(c)(3) Update
• Grant Reporting after ARRA
• Employment Law Update
• Wage & Hour Law
• Davis-Bacon Act Compliance
• Public CAAs

Keynote Speaker:

Bryan Stevenson, Executive Director of Equal Justice Initiative has won national acclaim for his work challenging bias against the poor and people of color in the criminal justice system. Since graduating from Harvard Law School and the Harvard School of Government, he has assisted in securing relief for dozens of condemned prisoners, advocated for poor people and developed community-based reform litigation aimed at improving the administration of criminal justice. He also is on the law faculty at New York University School of Law.   View the current list of Conference Speakers!


*Conference topics and speakers are subject to change

2010 CAPLAW National Training Conference

2010 CAPLAW National Training Conference
information now available on the CAPLAW website!