WELCOME

This is the inaugural edi�on

of the “News You Can You

Use” Staff Journal. This

monthly publica�on is

designed to broaden our

communica�on systems,

keep you informed of Agency

happenings in a �mely

manner, promote

involvement and inclusion,

and maintain a sense of

interconnec�vity as team

members.

It is our goal that you enjoy

this edi�on and an�cipate

the receipt of the journal

each month.

NEWS YOU CAN USE... East Central Illinois Community Ac�on Agency’s— Staff Monthly Journal

ISSUE 01 - SEPTEMBER 2015

“The true measure

of our success will

be the number of

people touched and

transformed by our

success.“

...

Angela Ahrendts

Greetings to all... East Central Illinois Community Action Agency (ECI-CAA) has provided many stellar services throughout its fifty years in the community with one mission in mind; to support families in their goals to move away from poverty and work towards economic self-sufficiency. As ECI-CAA embarks upon its next fifty years of humble service leadership, we must keep a laser focus on our core initiatives of the three E’s: Education, Employment Readiness and Equitable Education, Employment Readiness and Equitable Education, Employment Readiness and Equitable Education, Employment Readiness and Equitable HousingHousingHousingHousing. These vital areas empower individuals and families to move away from situational poverty or break cycles of generational poverty. Together we can impact our community one family at a time. When one more family is strengthened our entire community is strengthened. Thank you for the Agency work you have done for so many years and yet you return each new program year with a renewed and rekindled spirit of helping and supporting others ready to move their lives forward. Warmest Regards, Angéle Angéle Thibodeaux Burns, Ph.D.

Message from the

Chief Execu�ve Officer...

Why Resource Development Is Essen�al...

As we contend with the negative impact of the State Budget Impasse, it

becomes more evident that Fundraising and Resource Development

initiatives are vital for the sustainability of East Central. In order to

continue to grow, expand our organizational footprint in our tri-county

communities, and lead the families we serve to economic self –

sufficiency, we must end our sole reliance on Local, State, and Federal

Funding. Pursuing private funds, foundation grants, and fundraising

are no longer options, they must become a part of the Agency’s

Strategic Plan and simply put, it has to become activities that are

considered business as usual.

In addition to strengthening the work we do on behalf of our customers

and communities at large, as an organization committed to our

“internal customers”, it is crucial to raise supplementary dollars to fill

the gaps and shortfalls of our grant funding. We recognize that we

have a dedicated and talented workforce who is committed to

furthering the mission and vision of the Agency. We value you and

your hard work and truly believe you deserve a fair wage with excellent

benefit packages! Unfortunately, our grants, sometimes, limit us from

offering competitive salaries. WE WANT TO CHANGE THAT!

Resources Development and Fundraising is the only solution.

Here’s where you come in. We need creative and energetic team

members, from all three service areas, to serve on the Development

Team Committee. Your input is vital! We want to begin to strategically

design, develop, and implement fundraising activities and goals for the

new program year. If you are interested in playing a significant role in

moving the Agency forward, please send an email expressing your

interest to Chantal Savage Bryant, Committee Chairperson - CSBG and

Development Coordinator at cbryant@comaction.org by September 11th.

Remember… “Unity is strength…when there is teamwork and

collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” –

Ma/e J.T. Stepanek

And How We Need YOU to Be Successful!

CELEBRATIONS and

SUPER SHOUT

OUTS!!!!

GRADUATES

Adrienne Li(lepaige

Associate’s Degree

Jasmine Broadie

Master’s Degree

Cassandra Carter

Master’s Degree

RETIREMENTS

Goldie Nale

27 years of dedicated service

Eleanor Mann

11 years of dedicated service

NEW ADDITIONS

Marla Dye

Beau"ful Baby Boy

Lakeysha Lillard

Beau"ful Baby Girl

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Amy Bell

Laura Brooks

Brenda Butler

Chris Clapp

Frederick Cowen

Karla Dieu

Deborah Gouard

Myra Hardimon

Bronwen Hernandez

KenNiesha Hoskins

Cynthia McCabe

Samantha Nelson

*Please forgive us if we forgot anyone.

• Adjusted Training Hours: We have assessed your post-training evaluation forms and have been able

to achieve your request for more pre-program training time and less trainings on Fridays. As you have

requested, we will spend an entire week (August 24-28, 2015) on pre-program trainings for the

2015/2016 academic year. Classroom teams will also have additional week to prepare the classrooms,

conduct parent orientations and home visits.

• Classroom Support: Per the 2014/15 child outcomes data, we have purchased additional math and

science manipulates for your classrooms. In each classroom, reading tents have been purchased; and

by Fall 2015, each playground will have a musical instrument.

• Million Father March: During parent orientation, encourage Head Start dads, granddads, uncles and

male role models to participate in the September 8, 2015 “Million Father March”. Let’s see how many

dads will bring a Head Start child to the first day of school.

• Data Boards: Each center will have a data board to display attendance rates, in-kind amounts, CLASS

scores, and child outcomes. This board will

provide parents and community representatives

continuous updates on how Head Start, Early Head

Start and MIECHV work.

• Full Enrollment: The Educational Talent Search

program exceeded the 2014/15 program year’s

enrollment. The ETS team provided three summer

programs that focused on building youth’s math

and science skills. The summer ended with an

exciting field trip to the children museum in

Indianapolis, Indiana.

What’s New In…

The Future of Fiscal and Beyond...

East Central Illinois Community Action Agency is going high tech

with ADP Payroll and Human Resources Services. In the near

future you’ll be able to either start your work day by scanning

your finger or logging in on your computer. Did the Human

Resources and Accounting person calculate hours correctly?

Don’t worry about it - it’s automated. No transposition errors, no

slip of the fingers your time won’t be calculated manually

anymore. Are you still not sure about your time? You can go

online and check your hours any time. You will also be able view

pay, W-2 statements and Paid Time Off balances.

EXPECTED LAUNCH DATE—September 2015

Fall is rapidly approaching! The Community Services Block Grant

Department is committed to meeting the needs of our customer’s in a

progressive way. Each season presents an excited endeavor with

educational opportunities. Our successful, fun filled summer

schedule included: The Youth and Leadership Basketball Camp and

Parent /Student Educational Empowerment Summit. Both events

were designed to promote the significance of educational, leadership,

and personal development. The Summit provided parents and student

with candid discussion by an esteemed panelists of community

leadership offering information and real-life advise on pursuing post –

secondary education. Each were phenomenal endeavors!

As we switch gears, the manner in which we assist our customers with

emergency services is transitioning and we are embracing change.

Customers who experience unforeseen life-impairing circumstances

will not only receive financial assistance, but will also be provided with

dynamic financial empowerment. Next level emergency services will

offer superior financial coaching

to deliver, empower and

transition the lives of the

families we serve. CSBG is

making strides with emerging

new concepts and services.

While emergency services are

just a portion of what we offer,

we are committed to offering

programs that are conducive to

the betterment of the lives of

the individuals and the families

in our community…Stay tuned!

CSBG…East Central’s Cornerstone

Notice the here and

now! Take a moment to

notice each of your senses

each day. Simply ‘be’ in the

moment – feel the sun and

wind on your face and

notice the air you are

breathing. It’s easy to be

caught up thinking about

the past or planning for the

future instead of

experiencing the

present.

Practicing mindfulness, by

focusing your attention on

being in the moment, is a

good way to do this. Making

a conscious effort to be

aware of your inner and

outer world is important for

your mental health.

Media Corner…

Take a MUCH NEEDED

Mental Health

Break...

Collec�vely, we know the good work that Community Ac�on

produces. All staff work �relessly to empower our families but we

tend to forget to toot our own horns. Telling our incredible

stories is just as important as the stories themselves. In an effort

to share just how “COMMUNITY ACTION WORKS” we have a

new Agency Facebook page the documents past events,

highlights successes, informs about upcoming events, and posts

available employment opportuni�es.

Visit us, send a “Friend Request” and like us at:

Facebook.com/eastcentralillinoiscommunityac�onagency

MISSION

To provide information, training, education, and other services that engage and empower families

and communities to become self-sufficient.

Every alternate Friday, East Central Illinois Community Action Agency will conduct Professional and

Personal Development Training with Family Community Development Specialists. These trainings will be

provided throughout the Agency’s three county service area. Successful methodologies will be given to

the Family Community Development Specialists to reach and guide customers to academic, social, and

employment opportunities within the local communities. The purpose of Professional and Personal

Development Fridays is to equip staff with the competence and assurance to ensure quality services to

customers and the community; in order to provide information, training, education and other services to

populations at-risk of not attaining self-sufficiency. These Fridays provide a benefit to the Agency, staff

and community by providing Family Community Development Specialists with the tools to either

provide direct services or make effective referrals that help families and individuals achieve their goals of

reaching self-sufficiency. At these Friday presentations various topics are covered including:

communication strategies with internal and external stakeholders; planning and implementing service

delivery; assessing needs and directing customers to responsive services, and measurement and

follow-up of customer results and achievements. The dates of these Professional Development Fridays

are listed on the Agency calendar. All staff are encouraged and welcomed to attend. Staff wishing to

take part in the Professional Development Fridays may contact Fred Whitman at extension 124.

Professional Development and

Lifelong Learning Opportuni�es...

East Central Illinois

Community Ac�on Agency 56 N. Vermilion Street

Danville, IL 61832

217-443-2705 ph

217-442-4959 fax

comac�on.org

Serving—Ford, Iroquois, and Vermilion Coun�es