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What are Community Action Agencies?

Part of a network of approximately 1,000 federally designated “anti-poverty” agencies
Respond to causes and conditions of poverty at the family (programs) and community levels (systems change)
planning and coordinating the use of a broad range of Federal, State, local, and other assistance
Emphasis on whole-family/integrated service model
Able to see a family as a family and not a program participant
CAAs are required WIOA partners (Workforce Development Programs)

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CAAs in Utah

State Association for Utah’s 9 Community Action Agencies

Utah’s 9 CAAs cover all 29 counties and serve over 96,000 low-income Utahns.

5 Community Action Agencies are Association of Governments (Public CAAs)

Bear River AOG
Uintah Basin AOG
Southeastern Rural Development Council
R6 Regional Development Council
Five County AOG

4 Private CAAs

Utah Community Action
Community Action Services and Food Bank
Ogden-Weber Community Action Partnership
Open Doors

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Community Action Agencies in Utah

Common services provided by CAAs – Energy Assistance/Weatherization, Head Start, rent assistance, homeless/homeless prevention programs, food assistance, free tax preparation (VITA), Circles, and more.
One of the first Diaper Demonstration Pilots in the Country
Local tripartite boards

1/3 Local Elected Officials
1/3 Board members with shared life experience
1/3 other faith-based, educational, community, and private sector reps

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CAA Expectations from CSBG Act & Org Standards

Partner with all sectors to find innovative solutions to poverty

Be apart of system work/collective impact.

Promote “self-sufficiency” of individuals

Comprehensive local needs assessments every three years

Bundle services within agency and coordinate with partners to create efficiency and enhance existing programs

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

Passed through HCD at Utah DWS
Not a program / flexible funding source
Last reauthorization included expectation of digital navigators

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ACP Outreach

8/9 CAAs participated in a statewide coalition

Reached over 70,000 individuals who were accessing other programs – especially basic needs programming like food pantries.

Over 343 households confirmed and verified they reduced their broadband cost burden through intensive outreach combined with intensive case management.

ACP outreach served as a catalyst / education for “digital navigation.”

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Community Action Partnership of Utah (CAP Utah)

Nonprofit State Association for 9 CAAs

Partners with DWS –HCD to deliver “help for the helpers”

History coordinate statewide network programs (VITA, Diaper Grant, etc.)

Participates in advocacy and systems coalitions

Creates “linkages” or connections between local agencies and partners at the state level

Like UDON for Community Action

Connection to other statewide and national Community Action agencies

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State Digital Equity Plan

GOALS

Goal of the plan is to train for digital independence and economic mobility
Connect every Utahn affordability, accessibility, and safety
Increase the availability of dependable devices
Build a coordinated, sustainable community (Utah Digital Opportunity Network – UDON)

https://www.connectingutah.com/digital-connectivity-plan

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State Digital Equity Plan

KEY STRATEGIES

. Promote programs that build digital skills and support local initiatives (family level work)

. Partner thoughtfully to put connectivity within reach for every resident

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Key “Covered” Populations

New Americans
Formerly Incarcerated Individuals –
Seniors
Rural Communities *

The Utah CAA Network has extensive coverage in rural communities and brings this expertise to state efforts

Veterans
General Covered Population (those at or below 150% Federal Poverty Level)*

88% of households served in the network fall at or below the 150% FPG

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State Digital Equity Plan

KEY STRATEGIES

. Invest in changes at the system level that impact device access (Community Level/Systems Work)

. Think collaboratively and share generously among digital inclusion practitioners

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Building a Sustainable Ecosystem

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Utah Digital Opportunity Network

https://www.utahdigitalequity.org/

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CAP Utah Working with UDON on Statewide Digital Equity Grant

CAP Utah will support statewide digital navigator effort – specifically bring in CAAs that serve rural and frontier communities

Support

CAP Utah will work to build a network of meeting families where they are at – food pantries, utility assistance, tax preparation sites, etc. – and connect them to community hubs for trainings and additional resources

Work

CAP Utah will act as a lead for other partners who specialize in other covered populations identified through the Utah Digital Opportunity Network

CAP Utah will create “linkages” between CAAs and other grant partners

Act

CAP Utah will support Tech Charity as a strategic partner in increasing refurbished devices in rural Utah

Support

CAP Utah will bring its network to UDON while working with a Regional Community Action collaboration of Mountain and Plain States.

Bring

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What is Digital Navigation?

Navigators - Trusted guides who assist community members in the use of computing devices, internet adoption, and device procurement. Also called Mentors, Digital Navigators, or variations of Tech Help.

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Community Action Partnership of Utah

State Association for Utah’s 9 CAA’s

Clint Cottam, NCRT

Executive Director

clint@caputah.org

(385) 799-6370

https://caputah.org/