Resource Library
All of CAPLAW’s resources and publications are now available in CAPLAW’s new Resource Library. Use the search filters below to find the resource you need.
Featured Resources
CARES Act Benefits for Nonprofit CAAs
The CARES Act which was signed into law on March 27, 2020, offers various forms of aid to nonprofit CAAs and state associations whose operations have been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. This resource covers each of the benefits available to the Community Action network under the CARES Act, including a detailed analysis of what CAAs should consider with respect to these programs.
Building Readiness: Plan, Prevent, Respond, and Protect
As organizations across the Community Action network resume operations and services disrupted by the COVID-19 outbreak, it is critical to thoughtfully consider issues that are likely to arise and plan carefully to adjust to the new normal. This FAQ attempts to anticipate and address many of the questions on the forefront of CAAs’ planning efforts.
Coronavirus Updates
CAPLAW continues to monitor the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Community Action network. Our COVID-19 website, which is regularly updated, contains the latest guidance and analysis relevant to the network.
Template Meeting Minutes and Index of Form Resolutions
Community action agency (CAA) boards perform vital governance and oversight functions for their organizations. Nowhere is this more evident than at board meetings, where board members hear reports, deliberate, and make decisions that guide organizational efforts. Meetings are the main venue where...
Weatherproofing CAA Bylaws
As we have seen recently, unexpected emergencies can pose governance challenges for organizations, especially with respect to bylaws compliance. During the pandemic, CAAs, like many organizations, relied on counsel to help them navigate a number of bylaws provisions relating to meetings, board...
Vaccines and the COVID-19 Pandemic
As the COVID-19 pandemic lingers, continuing to impact our communities and workplaces, new legal considerations have surfaced and are evolving. The recently announced Head Start and OSHA vaccine and testing mandates will impact CAA workplace policies and operations, and many agencies are trying to...
All a-Board! Series: Duty of Care (Purpose)
This video investigates the fiduciary duty of care that CAA board members owe to the organization they serve. It identifies the source of the obligation for public and private CAAs and provides examples of how board members can fulfill that obligation. It also highlights the importance of written...
All a-Board! Series: Board Chair Role and Responsibilities (People)
This video examines the roles and responsibilities of a CAA board chair. It highlights the vital leadership the board chair provides to the board and emphasizes the importance of the chair/executive director relationship to a vibrant, healthy organization. Join us again in the studio as late-night...
All a-Board! Series: Terms and Term Limits (Process)
Like pruning a plant to encourage growth and fruitfulness, a CAA board of directors can implement requirements to facilitate turnover and help keep itself fresh and energized. Establishing terms for board service and a limit on the number of terms a board member may serve are two such...
Tax Issues to Consider When Sharing Employees
This article focuses on the tax considerations for CAAs entering into a shared employee relationship. It presents three commonly-seen examples of sharing employees within the Community Action network:a 501(c)(3) nonprofit state association sharing employees with another tax-exempt organization,...
Public CAA Boards
Tripartite boards of public Community Action Agencies (CAAs) face unique challenges in overseeing programs funded by the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and other sources. While their relationship with local government provides lines of communication to individuals with authority and...
Finishing Strong with Finances
CAAs received a historic influx of restricted funding in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, presenting unique challenges in addition to exciting opportunities. Many of these challenges, from managing indirect cost rate rates and cost allocation plans to revisiting budgets with your board, relate...