CAAs Urge, “Raise your voice to Congress and the President with the Stop Sequestration”

CAAs Urge, “Raise your voice to Congress and the President with the Stop Sequestration”

CSBG is the glue that allows community action to operate anti-poverty programs, like Head Start, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) Program, and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program. On March 1st, the federal government will slash funding to domestic programs like CSBG, putting these programs in jeopardy. 

Read the letter from John Drew, President of Action for Boston Community Development, Inc. in Boston, MA, urging Congress and the President with the Stop Sequestration. You can also sign the capworks.org Stop Sequestration Petition.

CAPLAW Launches Redesigned Website

We are excited to bring you the newly redesigned CAPLAW website! The site features a new, user-friendly interface that is designed to make it easy for Community Action professionals to find the information they need. CAPLAW members will also have access to member exclusive resources and training opportunities!


We would love to hear your feedback! Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey so we may continue improving the site. Take the survey!

OCS Appoints New Director

CAPLAW would like to congratulate Jeannie Chaffin on her appointed as the new director of the Office of Community Services beginning October 11, 2011. The announcement was made by George Sheldon, Assistant Secretary, ACF DHHS, during the 2011 NASCSP Annual Conference in Seattle, WA.

CAPLAW e-News Bulletin, September 12, 2011

Stay connected with the legal and financial issues affecting Community Action Agencies. CAPLAW's E-News Bulletin is a continuing series of resources and information on current legal and financial topics of interest to CAAs and professionals working with CAAs.

View the complete September 12, 2011 issue.

Government Shut Down: Three Critical Actions CAAs Must Take To Continue Operations

Congress continues to fiercely debate federal budget cuts.  CAAs should take action to ensure enough funds are on hand to continue operating during a shutdown. Read the CAPLAW article with critical steps all CAAs should take.

Budget Cuts Likely; Government Shut Down Less So

Read the new CAPLAW Article, Budget Cuts Likely; Government Shut Down Less So.  Congress continues to fiercely debate federal budget cuts.  Although a shut down is unlikely, CAAs should take action to ensure enough funds are on hand to continue operating during a shutdown. Read the CAPLAW article with tips and action steps all CAAs should take.

CAPLAW Seeking Administrative Coordinator/Executive Assistant

CAPLAW is currently seeking an Administrative Coordinator/Executive Assistant to coordinate and carry out the daily administrative operations as well as longer term projects of the CAPLAW organization and the ABCD Legal Department.  View the full job description

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 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

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.

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.

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!

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.