Purpose

State CAP Association Training and Capacity Building activities help strengthen and expand CAA governance, management, and program activities through (a) increased awareness of emerging trends and anti-poverty strategies, (b) skill building, (c) information exchange, and (d) access to materials and resources.

Description

Please LET US KNOW if you are aware of other CAA TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING INITIATIVES that might be added.

Here are some examples of State CAP Association Conferences and Training Events.  Specific approaches to CAA Capacity Building have been developed by many State CAP Associations such as: 

• California Model of T&TA - Strength Based Needs Assessment and CAA Self-Assessment Tool
• IACAA Skill Bank and IACAA Peer-to-Peer Assessment Process
• MACA CSBG Self-Assessment Tool
• NYSCAA Helping Hands Toolkit
• Northeast Institute for Quality Community Action
• OACAA Community Action Leadership Academy and Ohio Community Action Training Organization
• OKACAA Self-Assessment Assistance Model Systems
• SEACAA Certified Community Action Management Program
• Other

California Model of T&TA  

Two mechanisms have been developed to help CAA’s in California determine agency strengths and best practices, as well as to identify areas for improvement that will result in strengthening overall agency effectiveness:

The Strength Based Needs Assessment is a two-phase process involving a brief self-assessment conducted by the agency itself, followed by an in-depth assessment by a team of outside consultants.  This process requires resources to support involvement of outside consultants and follow-up technical assistance.

The Self-Assessment Tool is for use by agencies themselves to identify strengths and weaknesses in order to recognize best practices, and to develop agency improvement plans.

Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies

IACAA Skill Bank – The IACAA Skill Bank Program is designed to assist any CAA Executive Director who requires assistance for a problematic situation.  Skill Bank activities are usually one-to-one exchanges where staff from one agency may visit experts at another agency to share information, best practices, etc.  
 
The IACAA Peer-to-Peer Assessment Process is a product of the IACAA Skill Bank.  A team of experts from within the IACAA network carries out an in-depth assessment of the entire agency or conducts a Head Start Peer Review that in essence is an entire review of agency systems.

Missouri Association for Community Action  

The Missouri Association for Community Action created a CSBG Self-Assessment Tool to help CAA’s develop a picture of organizational quality, recognize best practices, and identify possible opportunities for improvement.
 
MACA also supports a number of Professional Alliances, which are groups of Community Action employees who share similar job functions and goals.  Most groups meet quarterly for training sessions, group development, and networking – Administrative Support – Employment and Training – Energy and Housing – Finance – Information Technology – Internal ROMA Consultants – Outreach Personnel – Outreach Management. 

New York State Community Action Association

NYSCAA Helping Hands Toolkit - full Toolkit – The Helping Hands Tool Kit contains information on a broad range of community programs and tax credits that can assist social service agencies in the work they do with low-income individuals and families. The Tool Kit outlines and explains the benefits, eligibility guidelines and points of contact for a host of programs that help households meet the expenses of necessities such as health care, child care, utilities, and food.

Northeast Institute for Quality Community Action (NIQCA) 

Northeast Institute for Quality Community Action (NIQCA) – The Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island State CAP Associations developed NIQCA as a way to coordinate a Self-Assessment and Peer Review process to help strengthen CAAs, recognize agencies of excellence, and support continuous quality improvement for all CAAs.  A vast amount of resources can be accessed through NIQCA's Planning Toolkit covering the following topics:

• Governance
• Operational Management and Organizational Structure
• Planning and Community Investment
• Information Technology
• Human Resources
• Finance and Budget

Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies

Community Action Leadership Academy (CALA) – CALA provides mid-level Community Action professionals with personalized and dynamic leadership training.  CALA is designed to help Ohio Community Action's future leaders develop five critical core competencies: Vision, Self-Knowledge, Communications, Management for Results, and Human Resource Skills. 

Ohio Community Action Training Organization (OCATO) – OCATO was created to provide high-quality training and educational resources in order to support and build the capacity of the 52 locally controlled, private, non-profit CAA’s in Ohio - OCATO Board Members - OCATO Board Meeting Minutes - OCATO Board Meeting Agendas.

Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies 

OKACAA Self-Assessment Assistance Model Systems (SAAMS) – OKACAA sponsors self-assessment teams for each agency scheduled for Head Start federal reviews in the coming year.  The Association brings together teams of experts that often include retired federal officials and CAA Head Start program managers.  The Federal Head Start Monitoring Protocol is used covering the areas of Health Services, Nutritional Services, Safe Environments, Transportation Services, Disabilities Services, Mental Health Services, Family and Community Services, Education and Early Childhood Development Services (ECD),  Fiscal Management, Program Design and Management, and Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance (ERSEA).  These teams work with local agencies to meet the self-assessment requirements of Head Start and help prepare agencies for upcoming federal program reviews.  SAAMS is supported through a $106,000 annual state appropriation to OKACAA.  

Southeastern Association of Community Action Agencies 

Certified Community Action Management Program – The Southeastern Association of Community Action Agencies (SEACAA) established the Certified Community Action Management Program (CCAMP) to enable each CAA employee and every CAA to achieve high educational and professional standards in the fields of management and community involvement.

 
Other

ROMA National Peer-to-Peer Training Network (NPtP) 

• Trainers – searchable data base by name or state 
• Events – announcement and materials for ROMA ICEP (In-Service Continuing Education Program) 
• Resources 
  • Introduction to ROMA 
  • History of Community Action 
  • Quality Community Action System Overview 
  • ROMA Materials 
    • NPtP Participant Manual Day One 
    • NPtP Participant Manual Day Two 
    • NPtP Poster Kit 
    • NPtP Trainer Manual Day One 
    • NPtP Trainer Manual Day Two
• Advisory Council – searchable data base by name or state 
  • 2005 Report 
  • 2004 Report
• Curriculum – coming soon 
• History 
• Contact – template to send message 
• Links 
  • ROMA Workbook (Center for Community Futures) 
  • ROMA Web Site 
  • The Results Accountability Implementation Guide 
  • Results Accountability.com

Family Development Specialist Credentialing

• Illinois Family and Community Development Specialist Certification Training in effective case management techniques, outcomes, empathy and interview skills utilizing a family-strengths approach. The curriculum also includes a unit on the History of Community Action and the Illinois Family Self-Sufficiency Scale (FSSS). University of Illinois staff members and IACAA network members teach the training. Typically, the training is held 3 to 4 times per year, with two at the IACAA training facility in Springfield.  Over 750 CAA staff members have completed the FCD training since 1995.  Most hold the title of FCD Specialist.
• Iowa Statewide Family Development and Self-Sufficiency Program 
• New York – Family Development Association of New York State – FDANYS Annual Conference 
• Rhode Island Community Action Association  – Partnership with Salve Regina University for Statewide Family Development Credentialing 
• Washington Family Development – Family Development Certification Training (over 800 CAA staff received certification as of 2006) – Family Development Intake Form

Alabama – Rounding Out ROMA

California – Center for Community Futures – CAA Board Members TOOLKIT 

Colorado – Training & Technical Assistance Scholarship Program - Guidelines -Workshop or Conference Application -Technical Assistance Application

Illinois – Illinois Community Action Development Corporation was created to offer training and technical assistance to build the capacity of community action agencies and their non-profit partners to develop and manage affordable housing. In 2004 we had 4 2-day workshops on developing affordable rental housing. The Director of Housing Development provides technical assistance to our members on a range of topics. And we are working intensively with six community action agencies to increase their capacity through training and technical assistance. 

Indiana

• Weatherization Training – INCAA offers 33 courses (16 Introductory and 17 Advanced) with links provided to a description for each course. 
• Utility Consumer Advocate Training provided by the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) that can offer various forms of assistance to State CAP Associations and others related to energy and utility advocacy.

Kentucky – Strengthening Board Governance 

Massachusetts 

• IT Access and Training Resource Guide (2005) - full document
• ROMA Training 
  • Board Orientation and Training (slide show) 
  • ROMA Training: Agenda and Presentation Outline

Michigan – National Training Opportunities 

Missouri 

• Training and Grants Manger (MACA staff position) 
• Strengthening Agency Management Systems (2006) 
• Project Management (2005) in partnership with Missouri State University’s College of Business Administration 
  • How to Develop New Programs to Reach More Families in Need 
  • Change New Programs to Become More Successful 
  • Create a Customized Project for a Specific Group of People 
  • Implement a Marketing Campaign to Gain Support
• Step Up to Leadership – leadership skills training for low-income persons 
• Weatherization – various training events

Oklahoma – CAA Board Training 

Outcomes

State CAP Association Training and Capacity Building activities help strengthen and expand CAA governance, management, and program activities through (a) increased awareness of emerging trends and anti-poverty strategies, (b) skill building, (c) information exchange, and (d) access to materials and resources.