Seek good and not evil so that you may live,
and the LORD will be with you. Amos 5:14

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Highlights from CCUSA

CCUSA COVID-19 Resource Center

Check out the CCUSA COVID-19 Resource Center on the CCUSA website. The resource provides the latest news, advocacy efforts and stories from the Catholic Charities ministry in the United States. Also included is general guidance from the federal government.

2020 Annual Gathering Call for Proposal Extended!

CCUSA recognizes that everyone is dealing with the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 virus. Developing a workshop proposal for the 2020 Annual Gathering may have slipped your mind. Therefore, CCUSA is extending the deadline for submissions to Tuesday, March 31, 2020. You can access the Call for Proposal Form and Guidelines and submit by March 31, 2020. Please complete the form in full, especially all speaker information, learning objectives and citations if requesting the session to be considered for Continuing Education Credit. We want to offer the most innovative programs and provide participants with best practices and new skills to meet the needs of those we serve. Please consider sharing your expertise with colleagues by submitting a workshop proposal to [email protected]. May God continue to bless you, especially during this time of uncertainty.

2019 CCUSA Annual Survey

The 2019 Annual Survey is live! Be sure to review the 2019 Annual Survey Preparation Webinar on the Annual Survey Resources section of the Member's Portal and complete your agency's submission before the survey closes on May 1, 2020. Please note that all staff who will contribute to your agency's submission must have access to a personalized link. If you need to request links for any staff at your agency, contact Ashley Rininger. In addition, please don't hesitate to contact Ashley via email if you have any questions or need any technical assistance.

Save the Date! Join us in Cleveland for the 2020 Annual Gathering for "Innovation Now"

When: October 27-30, 2020. Where: Hilton Cleveland. Plan ahead, mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details! Still need convincing? See what your colleagues said about the 2019 Annual Gathering: "Workshops/topics and presentations were great – wonderful diversity." "Learning from sister agencies – getting ideas that we could bring back to our agency." "Connections I made, people I met, bonding with colleagues." Questions? Send an email here.

CCUSA's O'Grady Leadership Institutes - Cancelled for 2020

In view of the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic, Catholic Charities USA has decided to cancel the 2020 O'Grady Leadership Institutes. All persons who are currently registered are eligible for a full refund. Refund information may be found on the event website at the "Fees and Policies" tab. However, please do save the dates for next year's institutes, which will be held from May 17-21, 2021, again at the beautiful Bethany Center outside Tampa. For any questions and concerns, please contact Scott Hurd, Vice President for Leadership Development.

Events and Webinars

Catholic Climate Covenant webinar on Laudato Si

Catholics take action to protect our common home: Laudato Si! Join us for a motivational, inspirational, and instructional webinar with a fantastic group of Catholic creation care champions. You will hear concrete ideas and innovative examples for how to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day and the 5th anniversary of Laudato Si; how other parishes, schools, dioceses, and religious communities have set Laudato Si into action; and resources that are available to help you. Monday, March 23, 2-3 PM (eastern). Register here. Note: All who register receive a link to the webinar recording. Contact Paz Artaza-Regan if you have questions.

Expanding your vision in 2020 with AmeriCorps NCCC

Like a lot of organizations we all find ourselves trying to do more with less. This year why not consider AmeriCorps NCCC to help accomplish your goals? Join this specialized webinar for Catholic Charities agencies and learn the following about this unique program:

- How NCCC can help support your volunteer goals with NO Match or Cost Share Required!
- Members have already completed federal background checks AND come with transportation provided!
- We like variety! Projects can cover multiple issue areas and focuses, lasting anywhere from 3-8 weeks!

Register to learn about this exciting opportunity here! Wednesday, March 25, 2020, 2:00 PM eastern.

Building earned income programs: Voices from Catholic Charities social enterprise webinar

Date: Mar 25, 2020 at 3:30 PM EDT. Join CCUSA's Social Enterprise Community of Practice to hear from a diverse selection of panelists who are starting, growing or scaling their earned income programs into social enterprises. You'll learn the different stages of growth, types of earned revenue programs and the resources available to CCUSA agencies. The moderators, Steve Bogus and Paul Wright will frame the topic and facilitate a lively discussion including Q&A section from the audience. Register here.  

Introduction to Catholic Energies: Helping Catholic organizations identify, invest, and implement energy projects webinar

Date: April 2, 2020 at 2:00 PM EDT. Identifying and partnering with mission-aligned organizations can be difficult. In Catholic Energies, CCUSA members can find a partner that is dedicated to helping them to achieve goals around energy efficiency and related cost savings. Join our experts from Catholic Energies to learn how their program works as well as the benefits of combining solar and energy efficiency, and the savings that can be realized and re-invested. This webinar will discuss specific considerations for affordable housing projects as well as Catholic Energies’ work on the landmark solar project implemented by Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington (DC). Register here.

Effective Staff Supervision

Effective staff management is a powerful tool that should be added to every supervisor's toolbelt - and the Effective Staff Supervision course will do just that. This 8-week course begins by introducing you to the art and science behind effective supervision. The course will dive into more tactical issues such as effective hiring, monitoring and feedback strategies. It will also push you to flex your leadership capacity, understanding your unique style and how to use your strengths to build a cohesive, high-performing team. By the end of the eight weeks, you will have the strategies and knowledge needed to be a highly effective manager. Length of Course: Eight weeks. Type of Course: Self-paced (during eight-week course run); Instructor-led. Dates: April 19 - June 14, 2020. Price: $600 (Alliance partners and CNPs receive a 20% discount. Use code: NONPROFITPARTNER). Register and learn more here. 

Connections - Openness in Adoption webinar

Join us for a webinar on Apr 28, 2020 at 2:00 PM EDT. An open adoption is a form of adoption in which the biological and adoptive families have access to varying degrees of each other's personal information and it usually benefits all members of the adoption triad. Openness can vary greatly from family to family and may change over time. It has grown over the years due to the evolution of social media and adoption agencies providing education to all members of the triad. Join our experts to discuss ways to navigate the open adoption system. At the same time, we will explore how adoption policy has evolved and its effects on the members of the adoption triad. Register here.

Learn the 4 C's of the National VOAD Movement!

Since 1970 the National VOAD has served as a conduit for Voluntary Organizations Actively providing Disaster Programming. Shortly after forming, Catholic Charities USA became a national member, and in the last 50 years, the VOAD movement has ballooned to include more than 100 member organizations and partners that work on the national, state and local level to mitigate and alleviate the impact of disasters and foster effective service delivery to those in need. This year marks their 50th National VOAD Conference that will be held on May 18-21 in Phoenix, Ariz. We encourage you to attend. Please Note: A conference brochure will be available in the next few weeks but you can review the full schedule and register during the Early Bird period to pay only $450 for the full week. Also, you can hear from others about the benefit of attending the National VOAD Conference. The Catholic Charities will gather as a network to hold our Disaster Community of Practice springtime meeting. Participation in this COP meeting is not mutually exclusive to attending the VOAD conference although they will happen during the same week. To learn more about this meeting email CCUSA's disaster operations team.

Grant Opportunities and Resources

The 2020 Earth Day educational program might be exactly what you need!

Pre-Register for Earth Day 2020 Program. The free one-hour educational program, "Earth Day at 50/Laudato Si' at 5: An Urgent Appeal for Action," is designed for parishes, schools, and religious communities facing the growing calls for urgent action on climate change. The program is perfect for commemorating the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day (April 22nd or another date of your choosing) and/or the fifth anniversary of Laudato Si' which spans from the week of May 16th-24th (i.e., the global Laudato Si' week) through June 18th (the day Laudato Si' was released to the world). The program could also be used by anyone looking for ways to participate in the new U.S. Catholic Climate Project. This year's hour-long program includes prayers, readings, a short video, discussion questions, and suggested actions. Pre-register now and you will automatically receive the program in your inbox in mid-February. Questions? Contact Paz Artaza-Regan. 

Foundation for Financial Planning grant application

The Foundation for Financial Planning is accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations whose programs link pro bono financial planners to people in need. Programs should include one-on-one engagements between Certified Financial Planner(TM) (CFP®) professionals and pro bono clients, and help people who are underserved by the market and could not ordinarily access quality, ethical financial advice. Grants are generally in the range of $5,000 to $40,000, and will be accepted until April 30, 2020. For more information about eligibility and how to apply, click here.

Catalyst Kitchens (by FareStart) in collaboration with CCUSA to offer "Train the Trainer Workshop"

The Catalyst Kitchens Train the Trainer workshop brings together members working directly with students in the kitchen, classroom, and as case managers to discuss how to coach students to reach their fullest potential. Topics include: Strategies to establish a culture of learning; classroom and kitchen instruction skills for diverse learners; and writing techniques for productive student evaluations. Take advantage of your CCUSA partnership discount and receive $125 off the workshop fee. Use discount code CKPARTNER at checkout to redeem. Upcoming workshops: Seattle, Wash., hosted by FareStart, July 30-31; Phoenix, Ariz., hosted by UMOM New Day Centers, Oct. 15-16. Click here to learn more.

Correctional Adult Reentry Education, Employment, and Recidivism Reduction Strategies (CAREERRS) Program FY 2020 competitive grant solicitation

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) is seeking applications for funding under the Second Chance Act to develop a strategic plan for integrating correctional and employment programming and systems in order to help facilitate the successful reintegration of offenders returning to communities after a prison or jail sentence. For technical assistance with submitting an application, contact the Grants.gov Customer Support Hotline at 800-518-4726 or 606-545-5035, at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/support.html, or at [email protected]. The Grants.gov Support Hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except on federal holidays. Applicants must register with Grants.gov at https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/register.html prior to submitting an application. All applications are due by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on April 27, 2020. OJP encourages all applicants to read this Important Notice: Applying for Grants in Grants.gov. For additional information, see the How to Apply (Grants.gov) section in the OJP Grant Application Resource Guide.

Network Notes

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington Warns of “Urgent Need” to replenish its food pantries. The local social service organization is feeding a growing number of newly unemployed residents. Read more here.

The executive director of Catholic Charities of Odessa says that emergency services continue during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. Read more here.

Employment Opportunities

Catholic Charities job opportunities now listed on CCUSA website 

Anyone can view the job opportunities by clicking on the "Careers" tag on the footer of the CCUSA webpage. To post a job opportunity, one must be a member and have access to the members' portal in order to fill out the submission form (click on "Careers" tag on members only portal homepage). If you have any questions about the new job opportunities submission form, please contact David Werning or Lily Stewart. Please click here to access job opportunities.

CCUSA Photo Gallery

Did you know that one of the benefits CCUSA provides to member agencies is access to a professional photo gallery? Visit our Flickr photo pages to explore our albums and photos. If you would like a high-resolution version for your agency's use, please email CCUSA with photo number.