NATIONAL POVERTY IN AMERICA AWARENESS MONTH

COMMUNITY ACTION RECOGNIZES POVERTY AWARENESS MONTH

Poverty is not an immutable condition endured by an unlucky few – it is a multidimensional human experiential state with myriad causes and conditions that are shaped by policy decisions. The American Heritage Dictionary defines the state of being poor as “having insufficient wealth … to live in a manner considered acceptable in a society.” According to the federal government, 88.4% of people in the U.S. achieved an acceptable standard of living in 2021. The ink is barely dry on the 2023 Federal Poverty Guidelines, but they already seem antiquated – $24,860 for a three-person household (the Johnson administration’s first crack at a threshold was $3,000 per family, and that was 60 years ago).

As a singular Network of Community Action Agencies fighting poverty on the front lines in all types of communities, we know those numbers present a distorted, incomplete account of hardship.

The National Community Action Partnership recognizes National Poverty in America Awareness Month and supports the 1000+ Community Action Agencies and Associations fighting every day for economic justice in communities across the country.

Up to 42% of American households do not have the resources to afford basic necessities. More than half of adults in the U.S. could not afford a $1,000 emergency expense. According to a recent survey, one-in-four parents say there have been times in the past year when they could not afford food, rent, health services, or childcare. That share jumps to half among parents experiencing low incomes.

Harmful stereotypes and artificially depressed estimates of people experiencing poverty allow othering that contributes to negative narratives about under-resourced populations. The Community Action Network can help change that narrative by sharing the stories and circumstances of customers in our communities and engaging the public and policymakers to raise awareness about the true experience of poverty in America.

Check-out these graphics, resources, and sample social media messaging to help spread the word about the individuals and families experiencing financial hardship in our communities.

Check back soon for a new Policy Spotlight Brief on Poverty Measurement in the U.S.

RESOURCES

National Community Action Partnership – U.S. Poverty Data

U.S. Census Bureau – National Poverty in America Awareness Month: January 2023

Center for American Progress – Poverty in the United States: Interactive Map

U.S. Census Bureau – How the Census Bureau Measures Poverty

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services – 2023 Federal Poverty Guidelines

Institute for Research on Poverty at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Center on Poverty & Social Policy at Columbia University

Center on Poverty & Inequality at Georgetown Law School

Confronting Poverty – Poverty Myths & Facts

Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative – Global Multidimensional Poverty Index

Center for American Progress – The Latest Poverty, Income, and Food Insecurity Data Reveal Continuing Racial Disparities

The Century Foundation – American Poverty Should Be Measured Relative to the Prevailing Standards of Our Time

WEBINAR – Institute for Research on Poverty – Poverty Measurement For The Next Generation: Findings From The Interagency Technical Working Group On Evaluating Alternative Measures Of Poverty

The Supplemental Expenditure Poverty Measure: A New Method for Measuring Poverty

The American Prospect – Rethinking the Poverty Measure

    SAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES

    Did you know? January is #PovertyAwarenessMonth! From coast to coast, America’s more than 1,000 #CommunityAction Agencies are working to help families improve financial stability and build assets to support long-term success and resilience. #HelpingPeople #ChangingLives

    More than 11 million children live in poverty in America. #CommunityAction is making a difference with a broad range of services that support children, empower parents, and advance economic mobility for families. #PovertyAwarenessMonth

    It’s not enough to have a job. People need jobs with a living wage that can support a family. #CommunityAction is proud to provide workforce development, job support, transportation and more to help folks land a great job and achieve financial security. #PovertyAwarenessMonth

    Low-income households typically spend 16% of their annual income on energy costs. Community Action #weatherization services make homes more energy efficient, saving families money that can be used for food, medicine and other essentials. #PovertyAwarenessMonth

    Whether it’s financial coaching services that help families achieve stability or Whole Family Approaches that help kids and parents thrive, #CommunityAction is equipped to ensure everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential. #PovertyAwarenessMonth

    There are nearly 38 million Americans in #poverty and millions more living on the edge. #CommunityAction is making a difference with life-changing services that help families overcome barriers and build towards lasting success and prosperity. #PovertyAwarenessMonth

    COVID has exacerbated hardships for millions of Americans living near or below the #poverty line. Check out NCAP’s recent report to learn how our nation’s #CommunityAction Agencies responded to the crisis. communityactionpartnership.com/covid-reports #PovertyAwarenessMonth

    #CommunityAction is America’s poverty fighting network! Our agencies connect Americans to greater opportunity with a broad range of programs that help families succeed like #HeadStart, workforce development, affordable housing, financial coaching and more. #PovertyAwarenessMonth

    SAMPLE GRAPHICS

    Feel free to use any of the following graphics. Click the image to download.

    NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

    COMMUNITY ACTION CELEBRATES NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

    Native American Heritage Month, also known as American Indian or Indigenous American month, is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate Native Americans’ rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and stories. Community Action Agencies (CAA) provide services addressing employment, education, housing, nutrition, emergency assistance, substance use, energy, and healthcare services to low-income Native American elders, adults, families, adolescents, and young children. The National Community Action Partnership (NCAP) acknowledges the rich history of American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) people and the painful history of injustice, systemic racism, and violence perpetrated against tribal communities by the U.S. government and its policies.

    November was first designated as “National American Indian Heritage Month” by a Joint Resolution on August 3, 1990, to authorize and request the President to proclaim the month of November in 1990 and thereafter as “Native American Indian Heritage Month.” Later, it was changed to “Native American Heritage Month” under President Barack Obama. Today, we celebrate Native American Heritage Month by recommitting ourselves to tribal sovereignty and lifting up Indigenous history, culture, and achievement.

    There are 574 Federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes in the continental United States, and as sovereign nations, Tribal Nations have the authority to self-govern. The 574 Federally Recognized Tribal Nations determine their citizens through a process called “enrollment,” which varies from tribe to tribe. In addition to the 574 Federally Recognized Tribal Nations, there are numerous state-recognized tribes throughout the United States. The Indian Citizenship Act granted citizenship to Native Americans. While Native Americans were also given the right to vote in 1924, it took another 40 years for all 50 states to recognize Indigenous voting rights.

    In 1924, Congress authorized a survey of the social, economic, and health-related issues facing Native Americans reservations, which resulted in The Meriam Report of 1928. The report demonstrated how government policies had oppressed Native Americans and destroyed their culture and society. The study found that “several past policies adopted by the government in dealing with the Indians have been of a type which, if long continued, would tend to pauperize any race.” The report spurred the passage of the 1934 Indian Reorganization Act, which returned some of the surplus land to Native Americans and urged tribes to engage in active self-government.

    Disparate treatment and policy effects continue today. Native Americans still suffer higher rates of poverty, poor educational achievement, substandard housing, and disease and illness than their white counterparts. Indigenous women and girls are murdered and go missing at dramatically disproportionately high rates than non-Indigenous women and there is a growing movement to document and combat the epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous women (MMIW), girls, and two-spirit individuals. Federal efforts to increase economic mobility within Native communities have had mixed success and Native Americans continue to rank at or near the bottom of nearly every social, health, and economic indicator. Earlier this year, the Department of the Interior released a disturbing report on the legacy of violence and assimilation at Indian Boarding Schools, and this week the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a set of cases challenging the Indian Child Welfare Act’s tribal placement requirements.

    For more information about Native Americans Heritage, you can visit the Library of Congress Native American Heritage Month main page and the additional governmental and NGO resources below. NCAP has also put together a set of graphics for CAAs and State Associations to use as they celebrate Native American heritage on social media!

    RESOURCES

    The White House: A Proclamation on National Native American Heritage Month, 2022

    Department of the Interior:

    Indian Health Service: Native American Heritage Month

    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Celebrating National Native American Heritage Month

    National Park Service: Native American Heritage Month

    Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics: Tribal Crime & Justice

    Administration for Children & Families: Administration for Native Americans

    U.S. Census Bureau: American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month Fun Facts

    Georgetown Law Center on Poverty & Inequality: Advancing American Indian & Alaska Native Data Equity

    Anti-Defamation League (ADL): Native American Heritage Month Tools & Strategies

    National Education Association (NEA): Native American & Alaska Native Heritage Month Lessons, Activities, and Resources

    Cultural Survival: 4 Ways to Recognize and Celebrate Native American Culture

      SAMPLE GRAPHICS

      Feel free to use any of the following graphics. Click the image to download.

      VOTING RIGHTS

      COMMUNITY ACTION ELECTION RESOURCES

      Protecting the voting rights of people experiencing poverty is intrinsic to Community Action. A primary goal of the original Community Action Program was to empower all residents of a community to create opportunity-rich environments where they could thrive – “to help people help themselves and each other.” The architects of the program recognized that effectively fighting poverty required not just coordinating services, but also the “maximum feasible participation” of groups receiving those services. They understood that poverty and political exclusion are intertwined, partially by design. Throughout our history, and even today, the persistent and violent disenfranchisement of the customers and communities we serve has exacerbated that exclusion.

      The first programs also understood that restoring inclusivity required programs to instill a sense of political empowerment in their customers. Actual, meaningful access to the polls gives people experiencing low incomes the chance to help shape their own futures. In the words of Robert Kennedy, “maximum feasible participation means giving the poor a real voice in their institutions.”

      The National Community Action Partnership (NCAP) recognizes and supports the work of Community Action Agencies (CAA) and State Associations across the country that protect and empower the voices in their communities. To that end, NCAP has published a new Policy Spotlight Brief on Voting Rights and new election season social media graphics and messaging. We’ve also compiled additional election resources from CAPLAW, the Department of Justice, and others, for use by Community Action Agencies (CAA) and State Associations during election season:

      SAMPLE GRAPHICS

      Feel free to use any of the following graphics. Click the image to download.

      SAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES

      NCAP and the #CommunityAction Network envision a nation that ensures a more equitable future. Part of achieving that vision is making sure that everyone’s voice is heard. Get out and vote on November 8th. #BeHeard #BeCommunityAction

      Why is voting so important? It’s an opportunity to make your voice heard on the issues impacting you and your community. #BeHeard #BeAVoter #ItsMyVote

      A strong democracy relies on the participation of its people. That’s why voting should be easy and accessible. Stop voter suppression. #ProtectOurVote #ElectionProtection #KnowYourRights

      Everyone deserves to have their voice heard – this means YOU! Get out and vote on November 8th. #YourVoteYourVoice #BeAVoter #ItsMyVote

      Your voice matters. Make it count by showing up to vote on November 8th. #EveryVoteCounts #YourVoteYourVoice #ItsMyVote

      ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

      NCAP:

      CAPLAW:

      U.S. Department of Justice:

      National Low Income Housing Coalition: Our Homes, Our Votes Campaign

      NAACP Legal Defense Fund: Voting Rights Resources

      American Civil Liberties Union: Know Your Voting Rights

      VOX: 19 Maps & Charts that Explain Voting Rights in America

      NonprofitVOTE: Nonprofit Power – Engaging Voters for a More Inclusive Democracy

      DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

      COMMUNITY ACTION RECOGNIZES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS & PREVENTION MONTH

      Over 10 million adults experience domestic violence annually in the U.S., including physical, sexual, verbal, emotional, and economic abuse. Domestic violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime nationwide and domestic abuse hotlines receive approximately 19,000 calls per day. Perpetrators commit acts of domestic violence against certain survivor populations at disproportionately high rates, including women, people of color, American Indian and Alaska Native (AAIN) women, trans individuals, people living with disabilities, and people experiencing low incomes – rates are even higher among individuals that identify as being in more than one of these groups. Children are also disproportionately affected, either by being subjected to or witnessing domestic violence, which can have traumatic, long-term negative effects, including serious health conditions, anxiety, and depression. Patterns of domestic violence also lead to lower-incomes among survivors due to trauma, job loss, lack of affordable housing, and the cost of legal services.

      Programs and services that prevent and respond to patterns of domestic violence are crucial to addressing the causes and conditions of poverty. Community Action Agencies (CAA) provide services that directly support survivors, including crisis counseling and intervention, support groups, housing assistance, and legal referrals. But all programs that increase opportunity and economic security for people experiencing low incomes empower them with options and help prevent physical, psychological, and economic abuse. As trusted messengers in their communities, CAAs can also raise awareness about domestic violence and educate community members about advocacy actions that will reduce violence and abuse.

      October is National Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month and the National Community Action Partnership recognizes the CAAs and State Associations that support survivors and educate the public about the harmful effects that all forms of domestic violence have on our communities.

      For more information about Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month you can visit the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) main page, which includes factsheets and a sign-up form to receive a #WeAreResilient Toolkit. The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) has also posted resources, including a flyer of October 2022 events.

      NCAP has created the graphics below for agencies and associations to use as they participate in domestic violence awareness and prevention campaigns:

      SAMPLE GRAPHICS

      Feel free to use any of the following graphics. Click the image to download.

      ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

      Federal and state offices provide multiple resources that prevent and address domestic violence, including the DOJ Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) and CDC reports on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) prevention. The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides call, text, and live chat options and the Domestic Violence Resources Network (DVRN) at HHS serves as a directory of organizations that serve specific survivor communities.

      On the state level, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) continually updates its table of state-specific domestic violence laws and definitions of “abuse” and “relationships.”

      Professional groups also provide support and resources for their members, including social workers (National Association of Social Workers), health care professionals (Futures Without Violence) and judges (Judicial Engagement Network).

      LIHEAP ACTION MONTH

      COMMUNITY ACTION RECOGNIZES LIHEAP ACTION MONTH

      For more than 40 years, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) has been assisting families with energy costs. Each year, hundreds of Community Action Agencies across the country ensure that people experiencing low incomes – including seniors, children, and people with disabilities – have access to utilities through this critical program. August is LIHEAP Action Month and the National Community Action Partnership recognizes and celebrates the CAAs that connect communities to energy assistance and advocate to protect this crucial lifeline.

      NCAP has created the graphics and social media messages below for CAAs and State Associations to use as they raise awareness about LIHEAP during the month of August. And make sure you check-out NEUAC’s LIHEAP Action Month Toolkit for state-by-state fact sheets, talking points, letter templates, a constituent story portal, and more!

      You can also take action this month by responding to the Department of Energy’s Request for Information (RFI) related to a new initiative making community solar subscriptions accessible for low-income families. The goal is to lower energy bills while making this green technology more widespread and accessible. Initially, the program is intended to be exclusively for LIHEAP recipients and DOE is specifically seeking input from LIHEAP stakeholders, including CBOs and LIHEAP implementation organizations. The deadline to submit responses is August 31, 2022.

      SAMPLE GRAPHICS

      Feel free to use any of the following graphics. Click the image to download.

      SAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES

      Why is #LIHEAP so important? When home energy bills are more affordable, families are better able to meet basic needs like food, medicine, and safe, reliable housing. #ProtectLIHEAP #LIHEAPaction

      #CommunityAction Agencies all across the country like [AGENCY NAME] are able to help families ease energy burden through #LIHEAP funding. Share to remind Congress of the importance of this essential program. #ProtectLIHEAP #LIHEAPaction

      #LIHEAP eases energy burden and helps keep families safe and warm in their homes. Share this message to urge Congress to #ProtectLIHEAP. #LIHEAPaction

      DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH

      COMMUNITY ACTION CELEBRATES DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH

      Disability Pride is about changing the way people view disability, erasing the stigma associated with it, and recognizing disability as part of our communities’ diversity. A disability is just one component of an individual’s identity; like any other characteristic, it is part of what makes each person unique and informs their perspectives on and contributions to society. Disability Pride Month is a time to highlight and celebrate those differences, applaud the advances that have been made, and focus on opportunities to increase access and equity for people with disabilities.

      The National Community Action Partnership celebrates the history, contributions, and pride of the disability community and recognizes the work of Community Action Agencies across the country to support and serve persons living with disabilities in their communities.

      NCAP has published a Policy Spotlight brief on issues affecting people with disabilities, including resources, issues we’re tracking, and CAA program highlights. We’ve also put together sample social media posts and Community Action branded graphics for agencies and associations to use as they spread the word about Disability Pride Month!

      Download Our One-Pager

      SAMPLE GRAPHICS

      Feel free to use any of the following graphics. Click the image to download.

      SAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES

      July is Disability Pride Month, an event that celebrates people with disabilities and chronic illnesses. This #DisabilityPrideMonth and beyond, #CommunityAction is proud to honor the uniqueness of all people with disabilities and combat ableism wherever it exists.

      In honor of #DisabilityPrideMonth, the #CommunityAction Network takes the opportunity to recommit itself to helping eliminate barriers to opportunity for all and proudly stands in solidarity with the disability community in rejecting shame and ableism.

      LGBTQIA+ PRIDE MONTH

      COMMUNITY ACTION CELEBRATES LGBTQIA+ PRIDE MONTH

      LGBTQ+ history is American history. Since before the founding, transgender and bisexual individuals, lesbians, gay men, and others have shared, worked in, and led our communities. They have served in the military, advanced scientific knowledge, and accelerated social movements. But for centuries, laws criminalizing their identity and discriminatory cultural norms forced many to hide their true selves. In the 1880s, William Dorsey Swann, a formerly enslaved Black man living in Washington, DC, became the first leader of a queer resistance group and the first to dub himself a “queen of drag.” Eighty years later, transgender women of color were at the forefront of a resistance movement that would result in the Compton’s Cafeteria Riot in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district, and, three years later, to the Stonewall riots in New York.

      During the 1960s, soliciting same-sex relations was illegal in New York City and the liquor licensing authority refused licenses to or shut down establishments that served known or suspected LGTBQ+ customers. On June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Greenwich Village. The rough treatment and arrest of customers by police incensed the crowd, which began throwing coins and bottles at the police and then erupted into a full-blown riot. The uprising lasted six days. On the first anniversary of the uprising, a parade was held to commemorate the event, which became the basis for the gay pride parades held around the world today.

      Government discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community has created disparate access to opportunities for LGBTQ+ individuals in the U.S. and across the world. Despite some recent advances in legal protections, social acceptance, and representation in popular culture, many disparities still exist in areas like housing, employment, food security, and policing (check out our LGBTQ+ Policy Brief to learn more). Ensuring that all members of the LGBTQ+ community have meaningful access to programs and services that are offered in inclusive, welcoming settings is crucial to addressing the causes and conditions of poverty. CAAs and State Associations have a powerful role to play in their communities by advocating at all levels of government to move policies forward and improve the lives of LGBTQ+ people across the country.

      The National Community Action Partnership celebrates the history and pride of the LGBTQ+ Community and recognizes the work of Community Action Agencies across the country to support and serve LGBTQ+ individuals and families.

      Download Our One-Pager

      SAMPLE GRAPHICS

      Feel free to use any of the following graphics. Click the image to download.

      MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

      COMMUNITY ACTION RECOGNIZES MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

      Providing and promoting equitable access to mental health services is crucial to addressing the causes and conditions of poverty. People living with low-incomes are not only disproportionately exposed to conditions that lead to poor mental health outcomes, but they also face greater barriers to care, including cost, access, and stigma. The pandemic exacerbated these challenges by both expanding the causes of mental illness and simultaneously straining an already underfunded health delivery system, escalating inequities in the process. Consistent access to quality mental health services can help people improve their lives by finding a job, securing stable housing, or removing obstacles to receiving other services. Community Action Agencies are trusted providers in their communities, making them crucial access points for connecting people with the mental health services they need.

      The National Community Action Partnership (NCAP) recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month, supports universal access to mental health and substance use services, and celebrates the work being done throughout the Network to increase access to these vital resources.

      Check-out our Mental Health Awareness Month One-Pager with studies linking poverty and mental health, highlights of Community Action Agency mental health services, proposed solutions to limited service access, government and nonprofit resources, and issues we’re tracking in Congress!

      SAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES

      Addressing #mentalhealth symptoms early is critically important for overall health. #MentalHealthMonth #CommunityAction #MHAM2022

      While 1 in 5 people will experience a mental illness during their lifetime, everyone faces challenges in life that can impact their mental health. #MentalHealth #TogetherforMH #CommunityAction #MHAM2022

      About half of Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition sometime in their life, with symptoms starting by age 24 for the majority of people. #MHAM2022 #CommunityAction

      When facing a mental health concern or living with a mental health condition, it’s common to feel like no one understands what you’re going through. #YouArentAlone – help is available, and recovery is possible: mhanational.org/finding-help #MentalHealthMonth #CommunityAction

      Marginalized communities experience overt racism and other social, cultural, and historical factors that lead to a deeper mental health burden than other communities. #HealthEquity #BacktoBasics #MentalHealth #CommunityAction #MHAM2022

      COMMUNITY ACTION MONTH

      NCAP RECOGNIZES ADVOCACY AS PART OF COMMUNITY ACTION MONTH

      A primary goal of the original Community Action Program was to empower all residents of a community to create opportunity-rich environments where they could thrive – “to help people help themselves and each other.” Poverty and political exclusion are inherently intertwined and, to address that powerlessness, programs should to instill a sense of political empowerment in their customers. In the words of Robert Kennedy, “maximum feasible participation means giving the poor a real voice in their institutions.”

      Community Action Month reminds us that our touchstone of participatory justice continues today and is an opportunity to empower customers by reaching out to elected officials, partners, and community leaders, telling them about your organization’s work, and inviting them to engage at an event or site visit. The National Community Action Partnership celebrates all forms of advocacy that lift up the people we serve.

      Customer empowerment through advocacy takes many forms! It includes creating space for customers to informally share their stories, directly lobbying policymakers, and everything in between – write a letter to the editor, draft a press release about a customer success story, weigh-in with state/local officials, or invite legislators to participate in a Head Start graduation ceremony, distribute food boxes, or visit a home in the process of being weatherized. All advocacy!

      NCAP has multiple policy and advocacy resources available including a one-pager, our Policy Platform, policy and advocacy landing page, outreach and engagement initiatives, and a webinar/slide deck on strategies for effective advocacy in your community. You can also contact Ryan Gelman, our Public Policy and Advocacy Project Director with any policy or advocacy questions. CAPLAW is a valuable resource for advocacy and lobbying rules affecting nonprofits and check-out Bolder Advocacy for effective advocacy tools!

      Community Action has the power to amplify advocacy efforts that expand civic participation and stimulate a community’s social and economic institutions in a way that increases opportunities for both individual residents and the entire community.

      FAIR HOUSING MONTH

      PARTNERSHIP POLICY SPOTLIGHT: COMMUNITY ACTION RECOGNIZES FAIR HOUSING MONTH

      Access to safe, affordable, stable shelter is a human right and vital to creating opportunities for all community members. The National Community Action Partnership (NCAP) supports multiple housing initiatives as part of our Policy Platform, but meaningful implementation of these initiatives requires not only strengthening protections against all types of housing discrimination, but systematically enforcing those protections. Fair Housing Month commemorates the passage of the Fair Housing Act and NCAP is celebrating the work being done by our members and partners to make truly equitable housing opportunity a reality.

      Throughout our history, policymakers at every level of government, who should be working to eradicate discrimination, have instead promulgated explicitly race-based rules creating and exacerbating inequities in our housing system. We still live with these inequities today.

      Multiple fair housing initiatives are happening across government, including House America, the Justice40 Initiative, and a new action plan on fighting appraisal bias. And of course, hundreds of CAAs across the country continue their crucial work developing new housing and placing thousands of people into safe, affordable homes!

      Read more about Fair Housing Month and Community Action by checking out our one-pager, including advocacy opportunities that CAAs and Associations can use to spread the word!

      CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

      PARTNERSHIP POLICY SPOTLIGHT: COMMUNITY ACTION RECOGNIZES CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

      April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Preventing and mitigating the effects of child abuse and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) is central to the work of Community Action and intrinsic to many of the services administered by the more than 1,000 Community Action Agencies (CAA) across America.

      Service providers, experts, and policymakers have demonstrated the efficacy of a Whole Family Approach to strengthening families, which is a key component of the Partnership’s work.

      They have also identified multiple protective factors and concrete supports that contribute to child welfare, many of which align with priorities in the Partnership’s policy platform, including food security, affordable housing, health care access, and childcare and early education programs like Head Start.

      Read more about child abuse prevention and Community Action by downloading our one-pager. See below for social media graphics and messages your Agency can use to spread the word.

      SAMPLE GRAPHICS

      Feel free to use any of the following graphics. Click the image to download.

      SAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES

      Community Action is committed to ensuring children and families reach their full potential. #ChildAbusePreventionMonth #ThrivingFamilies #GrowingBetterTogether

      Securing the safety and well-being of children starts with equitable access to opportunity for all. #ChildAbusePreventionMonth #ThrivingFamilies #GrowingBetterTogether

      When families have the opportunity to thrive, children grow up safe and healthy. #ChildAbusePreventionMonth #ThrivingFamilies #GrowingBetterTogether

      SOCIAL WORK MONTH

      PARTNERSHIP POLICY SPOTLIGHT: COMMUNITY ACTION RECOGNIZES SOCIAL WORK MONTH

      Social work and Community Action share a strong connection and work hand-in-hand to make America a better place to live. They each empower all members of a community by providing people with the tools and resources they need to reach their fullest potential. Many Community Action leaders are also trained social workers, including Dr. Lanikque Howard and Charisse Johnson from the Office of Community Services, as well as our NCAP CEO Denise Harlow, and many others. Social work also prioritizes many of the values set out in the Partnership’s policy platform, including meaningful access to health services, a commitment to racial equity, and creating robust opportunities for civic engagement. March is Social Work Month and we celebrate our social worker colleagues and partners!

      Download our one pager for more.

      SAMPLE GRAPHICS

      Feel free to use any of the following graphics. Click the image to download.

      SAMPLE SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGES

      The #CommunityAction Network sends its sincere thanks to all the dedicated social workers serving our customers and communities. #SocialWorkMonth #SWMonth2022 #RightTimeforSocialWork

      March is #SocialWorkMonth! Social workers improve family and community well-being and lift up the voices of the clients they serve. On behalf of the #CommunityAction Network, we thank you and commend you. #SocialWorkMonth #SWMonth2022 #RightTimeforSocialWork

      [INSERT NAME OF AGENCY] is grateful for the social workers we partner with in support of our customers and community. Thank you for your passion and dedication! #SocialWorkMonth #SWMonth2022 #RightTimeforSocialWork

      Skip to content