LIHEAP DCL Grantee Participation at Regional Training Workshop Strongly Encouraged FY 2014
Dear Colleagues:
The Office of Community Services (OCS) strongly encourages all Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) coordinators to participate in one of the 2014 Regional LIHEAP Grantee Training Workshops we will host this spring. We are convening four grantee training workshops and have pre-selected the location for grantees to attend, as follows:
Workshop location |
New York City, NY |
Seattle, WA |
Phoenix, AZ |
Kansas City, MO |
Workshop date |
April 8-9, 2014 |
April 23-24, 2014 |
May 7-8, 2014 |
June 16-17, 2014 |
Regions invited |
Regions I, II, III |
Regions VIII, X |
Regions IV, VI, IX |
Regions V, VII |
States/Tribes |
CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands |
CO, ID, MT, ND, OR, SD, UT, WA, WY |
AL, AR, AZ, CA, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, NM, NV, OK, SC, TN, TX, Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands |
IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, OH, WI |
There is no registration cost to register for the training workshop. We ask that your staff tentatively R.S.V.P. online by February 14. To register and learn more about the exact address of the training events and other information, please visit: http://regionaltrainings2014.neada.org/
We believe this is essential training for LIHEAP coordinators and other staff, especially those who are new to LIHEAP. The workshop sessions provide briefings from our office about applicable laws, budget issues, LIHEAP data collection and reporting, and other activities. The workshop also provides an opportunity for new state staff to meet with other LIHEAP coordinators, federal OCS staff, and external partners to develop a network of resources. We preliminarily plan to arrange the sessions in the following agenda:
- Federal government update;
- Region-specific issues;
- Performance measurement training; and
- Round table discussions with external partners such as utility vendors.
We recognize grantee budget challenges around the country are forcing difficult decisions regarding training investments. Please note staff expenses related to travel to attend this training is an allowable LIHEAP administrative expense and may be paid with federal funds so long as it is within the applicable administrative cost cap. OCS expects grantees will utilize administrative funds to support and maintain strong administration of the LIHEAP. It is our hope that by having regionally located training conferences the cost of attending will be minimized.
Please feel free to contact your OCS regional liaison if you have questions or if you wish to discuss the selection of the specific meeting. This letter will also soon be posted to our web site at: /programs/ocs/resource/dear-colleagues
Sincerely,
Jeannie L. Chaffin Lauren Christopher
Director Energy Program Operations Branch Chief
Office of Community Services Division of Energy Assistance