Registration is officially open for the National Community Action Partnership’s 2027 Management and Leadership Training Conference (#MLTC27). Join us in New Orleans for an engaging learning experience designed to strengthen management and leadership across the country’s network of human service providers.

ABOUT THE EVENT

The future of community impact demands a new level of leadership. Whether you are a seasoned executive refining your agency’s strategy or an emerging leader stepping into your next management promotion, NCAP’s 2027 Management & Leadership Training Conference is designed for you. Built exclusively for board members and staff leaders at human services agencies, this event delivers immersive, intensive training and structured roundtable discussions that turn modern challenges into actionable breakthroughs. You will connect with an elite national network of peers, share proven insights, and gain the precise command skills needed to maximize your agency’s local impact. Do not just manage your community’s future—lead it.

Click here to register and learn more.

NCAP’s Pathways to Excellence program relies on trained Community Action Network Peer Reviewers to evaluate the self-studies submitted by CAAs engaged in Pathways to Excellence and provide constructive, standards-based feedback. This two-part virtual training prepares eligible participants for this important role.

Dates: Thursday, October 29, and Thursday, November 5

Time (Both days): 1 PM – 4:30 PM ET | 12 pm – 3:30 PM CT | 11 AM – 2:30 PM MT | 10 AM – 1:30 PM PT

This training is open to the Community Action Network, but you must attend both days of this training. meet eligibility requirements, and complete other assignments to be able to serve as a Peer Reviewer. Click here to learn more about Peer Reviewer requirements.

Registration Fees: $449 Members | $549 Non-Members per person

Click here to register and learn more.

Join NCAP for a deeper dive into using the Pathways Standards of Excellence to align systems, strengthen performance management, and support a culture of excellence. Participants will learn how to lead a self-study, analyze and improve organizational processes, and build a stronger understanding of best-in-class practices for Community Action Agencies.

Open to anyone in the Community Action Network — but space is limited, so don’t wait to register!

Note: Agencies currently enrolled in the Pathways to Excellence Silver Tier receive one complimentary registration. Excellence Team leaders will receive a discount code via email.

Date: Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Time: 1:00 – 4:30 pm ET / 12:00 – 3:30 pm CT / 11:00 am – 2:30 pm MT / 10:00 am – 1:30 pm PT

Registration Fees: $399 per person for members | $499 per person for non-members

Click here to register and learn more.

Thinking about pursuing your CCAP? The newly released 2027 CCAP Candidacy Guide is your go-to resource for understanding the process, requirements, and key deadlines. Whether you’re just starting your journey or preparing for final submission, this guide will help you plan with confidence.

Download it now and take the next step toward becoming a Certified Community Action Professional!

Stepping into an Executive Director or CEO role in Community Action comes with big responsibilities and a steep learning curve. The 2026 New Executive Director Institute – West is designed to help newer Community Action leaders gain confidence, strengthen their leadership approach, and build connections that last.

Created for Community Action Executive Directors and CEOs in their first five years, this event combines a virtual presession with a two-day, in-person institute. Participants will explore key issues facing new executives, including the current Community Action landscape, leadership responsibilities, and financial oversight and long-term sustainability while learning from experience network leaders and subject matter experts.

Join us for a virtual presession on Monday, September 14, and then meet us in San Antonio for the two-day in-person institute on October 8–9, 2026.

Registration is $499 for members and $699 for non-members.

Click here to register and learn more.

Are you ready to elevate your career in Community Action? The path to becoming a Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP) begins this July! The CCAP credential recognizes experienced leaders who are committed to excellence, continuous learning, and the mission of Community Action. It’s more than a title – it’s a mark of distinction in our field. Enroll here.

Who Should Apply?

• Community Action leaders
• Professionals with a deep commitment to mission-driven leadership
• Those seeking national recognition for their expertise and impact

What You’ll Gain:

• A powerful professional credential
• Enhanced leadership and strategic skills
• A network of peers across the country
• Recognition as a change-maker in your community

Visit communityactionpartnership.com/ccap for more details. 

Community Action Agencies face growing expectations while navigating an increasingly complex environment. Pathways to Excellence provides a roadmap for continuous improvement — helping agencies strengthen capacity and build resilience for whatever comes next.

NCAP is now enrolling agencies across all four tiers. Enrollment for Fall 2026 Silver and Gold cohorts closes July 24.

• Bronze — Build a strong foundation in the Standards of Excellence
• Silver — Deepen your knowledge and strengthen assessment practices alongside peers
• Gold — Take a comprehensive look at agency-wide performance through a full self-study
• Platinum — Earn Community Action’s highest recognition for organizational performance

Whether you’re just getting started or pursuing the Award for Excellence, there’s a Pathways tier designed to meet your agency where it is today.

Click here to learn more.

As our nation prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the National Community Action Partnership is proud to unveil a special America 250 edition of our Huggy Heart logo. Blending the spirit of Community Action with the patriotic colors and symbolism of this historic milestone, the commemorative logo reflects our Network’s enduring legacy of Helping People, Changing Lives, and strengthening communities across America. As we look ahead to July 4 and the yearlong America 250 celebration, we invite the Community Action Network to join us in honoring our nation’s history while reaffirming our shared commitment to helping hardworking American families achieve economic independence.

Click here to download the logo.

The US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is advancing a focused strategy to improve outcomes for children and families by strengthening the child welfare system. At the center of this effort is a clear objective: ensuring that homes are ready and available for children, rather than children waiting for placement. Through the “A Home for Every Child” initiative, ACF seeks to reduce entries into foster care through effective prevention services, expand the pool of foster homes through targeted recruitment and greater prioritization of kinship care, and improve retention of current caregivers. In support of these goals, ACF will also work to reduce regulatory burdens and eliminate wasteful spending to enhance local flexibility and ensure responsible use of taxpayer resources.

Community Action Agencies can play a vital role in advancing this initiative by leveraging their local partnerships and service networks to strengthen prevention efforts and support family stability. With coordinated wraparound services—such as housing assistance, employment support, parenting education, and access to benefits—agencies can help address the underlying challenges that place children at risk of entering foster care. They can also collaborate with child welfare partners to recruit and support foster and kinship caregivers, provide resource navigation, and offer ongoing case management to promote caregiver retention.

Click here for more. State-by-state foster care resources are available here on ACF’s website. And please stay tuned for future updates from ACF.

Join us for our 2026 Annual Convention, taking place September 2–4 in St. Louis, Missouri!

LOCATION

Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch

AGENDA

Click here to check out the preliminary agenda.

ABOUT THE EVENT

Community Action Agencies (CAAs) and human services providers play a vital role in strengthening families and communities. As trusted leaders, they bring together professional expertise, lived experience, and a shared commitment to expanding opportunity.

The National Community Action Partnership’s Annual Convention convenes these changemakers to spark new ideas, highlight effective practices, and navigate an evolving policy landscape. It’s not just a gathering—it’s a space for connection, learning, and forward momentum.

Participants leave with practical strategies, relevant training, and fresh insights to enhance their work—from supporting whole-family economic mobility to building stronger community partnerships.

When families are supported, communities grow stronger. The convention equips providers to open doors to stability, increase access to opportunity, and help families build a more secure future—together.

Click here to register and learn more.