Community development nonprofits have a unique ability to impact problem properties in their neighborhoods through civil nuisance abatement procedures. Working in partnership with local governments and land banks, CDCs can help get properties back into productive use. Learn from practitioners and experts about Ohio’s civil nuisance abatement procedures and how CDCs can use them to help stabilize neighborhoods. This session will feature:

• Insights from Professor Kermit Lind: Understand the concept of CDCs serving as first responders in the context of civil nuisance abatement and their unique position in addressing community issues promptly. Gain valuable insights on the historical context and evolution of code enforcement actions. 

• Legal Perspectives on Nuisance Abatement: Delve into legal challenges and opportunities for CDCs, with a focus on strategies to navigate the legal landscape effectively. 

• City of Cincinnati's Experience: Learn from the experiences of the City of Cincinnati Law Department, exploring successful collaborations and outcomes achieved through the partnership between CDCs and local government. 

• Role of Ohio Land Bank Association: Explore the role of the Ohio Land Bank Association in supporting CDCs and community-driven initiatives, fostering collaboration for neighborhood revitalization. 

Don't miss the opportunity to be part of this dynamic conversation and contribute to the advancement of community development initiatives.  

OCDCA is launching our peer-to-peer learning series: Discussion to Action! Join us and special guest, Leah Rothstein, for the opening lunch and learn session of our discussion series around Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law.

Kick off discussion

We’ll be kicking off the series on March 19th with special guest Leah Rothstein. Bring your lunch and join us and a special guest to launch the first session of this series. Julia, our staff facilitator, will share a refresher on crucial conversations, the book guide, and open up discussion around our introductory questions:

1. How do you see residential segregation impacting your community? Do you feel personally impacted by residential segregation? Why or why not? 

2. What do you think of the argument the authors make that, in order to make gains on challenging segregation, we should focus on local policy instead of federal policy? What are the opportunities and challenges to this approach? 

Recommended pre-reading: Introduction, Epilogue, Frequently Asked Questions, A Note on Word Usage 

This discussion group features Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law, co-authored by Leah and Richard Rothstein, our 2023 Annual Conference keynote speaker. Participants will read the book and participate in a moderated discussion that will follow Leah Rothstein's book guide. But this is more than a book club - the focus is on learning from peers and experts in the field to help galvanize local action. 

The series will run from spring into summer, meeting every other week in a hybrid format. Participating in this kick-off session does not commit you to attend the entire series.

Ohio CDC Association still has limited copies of Just Action available for purchase - visit our website to order your copy.

The Single-Family Housing Tax Credit was created in the most recent state budget and intends to leverage public-private partnerships to increase the inventory of affordable, single-family housing for Ohio’s workforce. The program provides $50 million a year for four years to fill the financing gap to develop or rehabilitate housing in Ohio. Applications are now live on the Ohio Housing Finance Agency's website. 

Ohio CDC Association and Ohio Conference of Community Development are co-hosting a webinar with OHFA on the Single Family Housing Tax Credit. Join us to learn more about the program prior to the application

OCDCA VISTA Program Application TA

Webinar

Thursday, December 14th

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

Are you interested in becoming an AmeriCorps VISTA host site?

The Ohio CDC Association welcomes current, good-standing members to submit an application to become a sub-site to the OCDCA VISTA Project to begin Summer 2024. 

Register for an informational webinar to see common errors and what makes a good application. To ensure a strong application, you can submit a draft of your VISTA Assignment Description (VAD) to Julia for review prior to submitting your full application. The deadline to submit your VAD for review is 11:59 PM on December 11th.

Join us for this session facilitated by Tom Phillips of StarkFresh.

Urban residential neighborhoods have seen investments decline over the past half-century, creating pockets where there is no access to easily obtain affordable groceries. In this session, hear from StarkFresh about their approach to sustaining a grocery store that doesn’t rely on corporate profits, and is instead founded on maximizing community impact without the burden of being responsible for all the operating costs. 

Are you interested in becoming an AmeriCorps VISTA host site?

Join us for an informational webinar to help determine if AmeriCorps VISTA is right for your organization.

Every year, the Ohio CDC Association welcomes current, good-standing members to submit an application to become a sub-site to the OCDCA VISTA Project to begin summer 2024.

Applications will open on November 1, 2023.

Webinar
Date: Thursday, October 26th, 2023
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Mastering Crucial Conversations & Conflict

Date: Thursday, Sept 7th, 2023
Time: 10am - 12pm

Whether it’s addressing a sensitive employee issue, providing feedback to a colleague, or delivering disappointing news to a senior leader or customer – difficult conversations can be challenging! In this workshop, learn how to approach high-stake issues heads-on!

About the Presenter:
Sheryl is an HR Business Advisor with Strategic HR Business Advisors. She has 30+ years of experience in all areas of HR in the banking, retail, and healthcare industries. Her proven success in improving operations, problem-solving, and building lasting relationships with key decision-makers and team members consistently results in achieving and exceeding company goals. Sheryl’s HR Generalist experience ranges from being an HR department of one to collaborating with teams across large companies and multiple locations. In essence, she can do it all! Sheryl specializes in the areas of employee relations, training and development, and is versed in creating and measuring Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) initiatives. Using her knowledge, expertise, and thoughtful approach, Sheryl effectively connects with all levels of employees to promote teamwork and positive relationships.

Leveraging the Inflation Reduction Act

When: Wednesday, August 9th, 2023

Time: 10AM - 11:30AM

Where: Online via Zoom

Join us for this practical and interactive session facilitated by Cassandra Clevenger of Power a Clean Future Ohio (PCFO).

During this webinar, participants will learn about the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and their potential to combat climate change and improve our communities. Through these landmark pieces of legislation, we can reduce pollution, create healthier environments for living, working, and playing, and provide capital for these efforts. PCFO will provide an overview of the available opportunities and funding awarded to Ohio thus far, and share information on how organizations can leverage this opportunity to support their missions.

About the Presenter:

Cassandra Clevenger has a demonstrated history of success in fundraising and capacity building for community projects, businesses, and coalitions. Her expertise in leading projects has resulted in numerous successful initiatives that have brought about positive change in the communities she serves. As the Deputy Director of Power a Clean Future Ohio (PCFO), she oversees many aspects of the organization's day-to-day operations. Some of her responsibilities include financial management, program development, and coordination of the Infrastructure Grant Assistance Program. PCFO empowers Ohio communities to implement achievable, measurable, equitable, and economical climate action plans and clean energy policies. Cassandra graduated from Kent State University, where she studied Conservation Biology. Throughout her career, she has developed a passion for ensuring that communities have all the necessary tools to take action on the challenges they face, including climate change. Her ultimate goal is to create a significant shared impact at the state, federal, and global levels by empowering locals to lead the way.

About Power A Clean Future Ohio (PCFO):

Power A Clean Future Ohio is building momentum now for a clean, prosperous future by equipping local leaders for equitable, community-driven carbon reductions in Ohio. PCFO is an expansive, diverse coalition engaging with cities and local governments across the state of Ohio to build a clean future for communities. Power A Clean Future Ohio is empowering local leaders with tools and resources to create carbon reduction plans and implement them in ways that are achievable, measurable, equitable, and economical. PCFO is a nonpartisan coalition that works with local leaders to develop and implement proven climate solutions. PCFO is committed to reducing carbon emissions throughout Ohio in big and small ways that make sense for each local community. Ohio’s economy, health and future depend on a new approach to clean energy and climate change. 

Join us for this practical and interactive session facilitated by Guadalupe Velasquez of Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence.

Is your organization looking to promote inclusivity and foster more effective communication, positive outcomes, and equitable access to services in your community?

During this 1-hour session, participants will learn the basic concepts and importance of incorporating Cultural Competency, Cultural Humility in the workplace and have a deeper understanding about how Implicit Bias plays a role in everyday decisions in our lives and in the workplace. This workshop is a high level overview of these essential concepts as it relates to effective communication and building trust with their clients in order to provide quality service at the highest level.

Intro to Cultural Humility

When: Thursday, July 13th, 2023
Time: 11 am - 12pm
Where: Online via Zoom, a link will be provided to all who register

About the Presenter:

Guadalupe Velasquez currently serves as the Managing Director of Welcoming City, a social enterprise that focuses on a holistic approach to economic and workforce development integration. She is a founding member of Vibrant Ohio (VO), formerly known as the Ohio Welcoming Initiatives Network (OWIN). In her leadership role with Welcoming City and as Project Manager for Vibrant Ohio, Guadalupe collaborates with VO members, national partners, and the State of Ohio to create credentialing opportunities that assist skilled immigrants and refugees in navigating career pathways.

On behalf of OWIN, Guadalupe initiated the process of working with Governor Kasich’s office to create the Office of Opportunities for New Americans for the State of Ohio. This office continues under the administration of Governor DeWine. She is a current member of DeWine’s Minority Health Strike Force.

Guadalupe served in city government for twelve years under two administrations. In 2006, she was selected by Mayor Coleman to be the New Americans Initiative Coordinator and later promoted to serve as the Assistant Director of his Community Relations Commission. She was an active internal resource to city departments, regarding cultural competency and newcomer communities. She also served as an Assistant Director for the Department of Neighborhoods under Mayor Ginther’s administration.

Guadalupe led in the creation of “The Impact of Refugees in Central Ohio,” a collaborative report that examines the economic, social, and cultural impact of refugees on Central Ohio. For nearly twenty-one years, she has provided assistance and access to city, county, and state resources to community members. She strives to monitor vital information relevant to diverse communities to create awareness and support for all. Her contributions have earned her the Governor’s Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan Award, the Government Hispanic Business Advocate of the Year Award, and the Outstanding Community Leader Award from The Ohio State University Multi-Cultural Affairs Department.

Guadalupe is the first Latina woman to have served on the Board of Directors for The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Columbus Council on World Affairs and as a Board Member for Friends of WOSU Public Media. She is a member of the Franklin County Leadership Innovation Council and the Franklin County New Americans Advisory Council.

About Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence (MACC):

Multiethnic Advocates for Cultural Competence (MACC) is an Ohio nonprofit organization committed to transforming systems through the implementation and sustainment of concepts related to cultural competence. It is a clearinghouse for training, resources, research, best practices, and collaboration.

MACC defines cultural competence as a continuous learning process that builds knowledge, awareness, skills and capacity to identify, understand and respect the unique beliefs, values, customs, languages, abilities and traditions of all Ohioans in order to develop policies to promote effective programs and services.

MACC serves the state of Ohio as a non-profit leader identifying barriers and offering and implementing solutions to health care access, employment, and equity in all sectors.

Join us on April 18th, for this interactive session, Exploring a 4-Day Workweek: Great Lakes Community Action Partnership’s Employee Recruitment, Retention and Engagement Journey, created and facilitated by Ruthann House of GLCAP.

Is your organization considering transitioning to a 4-day workweek or another alternative work schedule? Are you interested in discovering ways to increase employee retention and work-life balance? In this webinar, you’ll hear a real-life example of how one OCDCA member organization implemented a bold idea, including what led them to make the change, how they implemented it, and what results they’ve seen. This workshop will be interactive, with time built in for Q&A and discussion. Participants can bring real-life examples from their organization for feedback and idea sharing, as there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to employee retention and engagement. Come prepared to participate!

All who register will receive a link to the recording.

Exploring a 4-Day Workweek: Great Lakes Community Action Partnership’s Employee Recruitment, Retention, and Engagement Journey

Date: Tuesday, April 18th, 2023

Time: 10 - 11:00 AM

Where: Online Event

Participants will learn why GLCAP decided to implement a 4-day workweek, how they did it, and the changes they’ve seen as a result.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn ways to increase retention and work-life balance for your employees

• Hear a real-life example of how one OCDCA member organization implemented a bold idea

• Factors to consider when considering a compressed workweek, including how to rally support, messaging, and measuring success

Join us on March 8th, for this practical and interactive session, Vision to Action: Using Data and Dashboards to Make Your Organization More Nimble, Efficient, And Effective, created and facilitated by Tom Bishop of CauseImpact.

How do you know you’re doing well? Do you have the information you need to track your organization’s effectiveness and efficiency in meeting your mission? Do you have the tools you need to measure your impact, and can you use that information to focus your efforts where it can have the greatest effect? This workshop will be interactive, with time built in for Q&A and hands on activities where participants will build and populate their own dashboard. Come prepared to participate!

All who register will receive a link to the recording.

Vision to Action: Using Data and Dashboards to Make Your Organization More Nimble, Efficient, And Effective

Date: Wednesday, March 8th, 2023

Time: 10 - 11:30 AM

Where: Online Event

Participants will learn how to obtain and use data as an impactful management tool for steering their organization and how to create dashboards that help them accomplish it.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the purpose of a strategic plan and how to make it measurable

• Understand what impact means for a mission-drive organization, and how to measure it

• Learn how to collect the right data to measure impact, and develop a dashboard to track change over time