Resource Library
From Compliance to Capacity: Understanding the CSBG Organizational Standards
Learn how the CSBG Organizational Standards strengthen governance, accountability, and operations in Community Action Agencies. This overview highlights how the Standards serve as both a compliance framework and a tool for building organizational capacity.
2023 Standards of Excellence
The Standards of Excellence describe thirty-five of the very best practices of the very best Community Action Agencies. They are aligned closely with the Malcolm Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence—used world-wide for organizational performance and improvement. Developed and updated biannually with broad input from the Community Action Network, these Standards help answer the question: What does an excellent Community Action Agency look like? The bar is set high, as excellence represents the very highest operational objectives for Community Action Agencies. It is about striving for and seeking to stretch the limits of performance.
CSBG Organizational Standards: Core Practices for Agency Success
The CSBG Organizational Standards define the foundational capacities that every Community Action Agency needs to deliver quality services and maintain effective operations. These standards reflect core practices essential for nonprofit organizations, focusing on accountability, governance, and sound management. Watch to learn about the core practices behind the Standards and strategies for integrating them into your agency’s operations.
The Basics of CSBG Organizational Standards
The CSBG Organizational Standards help ensure that Community Action Agencies have the capacity needed to serve their communities well. In this webinar, we cover what the CSBG Organizational Standards are, why they matter, and how they help CAAs operate effectively. We also share where you can find resources and get support for meeting the CSBG Organizational Standards.
Discover Innovative Community Action Initiatives at Community Action Showcase!
The Center of Excellence is a national training hub, engaging Community Action Agencies coast-to-coast to share innovative, high impact strategies. This platform shines a light on Community Action success stories to inspire. Here you can access resources to strengthen services, build community outcomes, and create family and community change in your local area.
Equipping Staff through Robust Orientation & Training
Watch to learn about meeting Organizational Standards 7.8 and 7.9, as well as components of orientation and training to consider as the CAA moves from meeting to exceeding the standards.
Evaluating Strategic Plan Progress with Agency-Wide Scorecards
Organizational Standards 6.5 and 9.3 focus on reporting progress toward strategic plan goals (6.5), as well as an analysis of outcomes and associated adjustments to the board on at least an annual basis. While the minimum requirement is to report this information once a year, there are ways to involve the Board and communicate the information clearly so they can better fulfill their role of governance and oversight. Watch this webinar to learn about meeting this standard, as well as utilizing a scorecard or dashboard to organize and communicate data, as well as other promising practices to move beyond compliance.
The Board’s Role in Setting the Mission & Direction of the CAA
Organizational Standard 4.1 states that the Board reviews the organization’s mission statement within the last 5 years and ensures that it addresses poverty and the programs and services of the agency align with it. While the minimum requirement is the review, the Board has a fundamental duty to set the mission and direction of the organization. Watch this webinar to learn about meeting this standard, as well as leveraging Strategic Planning (Category 6) and promising practices to move beyond compliance.
Effective Governance Despite Challenging Times
Watch this webinar with CAPLAW to learn more about covering board meetings during COVID-19, including virtual meetings and compliance with open meeting laws – including specific CAA examples.
From Risk Assessment to Comprehensive Risk Management
Organizational Standard 4.6 requires an organization-wide, comprehensive risk assessment to be done every two years and reported to the governing board. Watch this webinar to learn about meeting this standard, as well as risk management tools, resources, and promising practices to move beyond compliance.
Writing Your Community Needs Assessment
This webinar walks through an “annotated template” by the Partnership and NASCSP that can be used to assist with how to structure your community assessment. The webinar covers how to comply with the organizational standards, tips for data collection and analysis, and walk through suggested sections to include in your next assessment and how to organize them to ensure the development of a high quality report.
Crosswalk of the CSBG Organizational Standards and Head Start Performance Standards
This crosswalk is intended to be a practical tool for CAAs, highlighting ways that board and staff members can leverage the intersection between the two sets of requirements to demonstrate compliance with the rules of both programs.
CAAs are encouraged to use the Crosswalk, which is an editable spreadsheet, to track internal compliance efforts. The Introduction to the Crosswalk provides a brief overview of the CSBG Organizational Standards and the Head Start Performance Standards, as well as suggestions on how to use the Crosswalk.
ROMA for Boards Training Series–Introduction to Implementing the ROMA Cycle
This is a series of trainings based on material produced by the Community Action Partnership and the Association of Nationally Certified ROMA Trainers. They are designed to be either short stand alone segments that could be presented at a Board meeting, or to be joined together in as a full day workshop or Board Retreat session. It can be done in conjunction with other Board training activities¸ or could be provided to Board Members as a “take home” activity (where they would view the power point and read the notes independently).The guides are designed to be adapted to use however best engages Boards in the discussion about Results Oriented Management and Accountability (ROMA).