Dear CSBG and WAP network,

As we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday this week, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the past few months, and what has been happening with our Programs since we met at our conference in Bellevue.

On the CSBG front, States submitted their plans in September, and continue to prepare for the first submission of the new CSBG Annual Report. The NASCSP team has been providing annual report training, traveling to six states in October and November. We commend the CSBG State Staff for the time and energy you are putting in to ensure that the Network can tell the story of CSBG with robust data and outcomes.

Weatherization Day was celebrated on October 30th – you can find a recap of the events and governor’s proclamations on the NASCSP website here. As winter sets in, we are reminded of the critical role that WAP plays in ensuring that families are able to celebrate the holidays in homes that are safe and comfortable. In other exciting NASCSP news, Amy Klusmeier joined the team as the WAP State Assistance Director on October 1st. Amy’s experience will be invaluable as our members kick off the state planning process later this month.

Another exciting milestone that we saw this fall was Congress passing a budget, with WAP and CSBG receiving increases in funding. Additionally, the elections last week will bring many new faces to Congress, underscoring the duty NASCSP has to educate policymakers about the critical impact our programs have in our communities.

We look forward to seeing you at the 2019 NASCSP Winter Conference in Arlington, Virginia, the week of February 11th! At our conference and in the coming year we will be marking the 40th Anniversary of NASCSP. As we move into 2019, I am excited to expand on this 40-year legacy, continuing to build capacity in States by sharing ideas, proven practices, and insights.

Thank you for the hard work that you do each and every day to administer programs that help improve the lives of families across the country. Your efforts are making a difference.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

Willie Fobbs
NASCSP Board President