July 15 - 18, 2025 | Hyatt Regency Savannah / Savannah, GA
GAEH is excited to partner with the Georgia Community Action for this can't miss event! Join us for a unique track of GAEH workshops, fellowship and festivities with our strategic partners, and more!
Celebrating the Past, Building the Future
Experience the unparalleled charm and captivating beauty of Savannah, Georgia as we welcome you to the extraordinary 56th GCAA Annual Training and Technical Assistance Conference! Prepare to be enchanted by the enchanting ambiance of this historic city, while we come together to commemorate our glorious past and forge a path towards a promising future. Join us in this remarkable gathering as we celebrate our achievements, exchange invaluable knowledge, and lay the foundation for a prosperous tomorrow. The Georgia Community Action Association (GCAA) is proud to celebrate with our national network the birth of Community Action. Celebrating 60 YEARS (1964)!
Conference Agenda
57th GCAA Annual TTA Conference - 2025
Wed, Jul 16, 2025
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Welcome to the WOW!; Program Monitoring Best Practices; Readiness Funds & Braiding vs Blending
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Young Professionals: My Mind Is My Business: How To Transition From Survival Mode to Thrival Mode
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Middle Management TTA: CAP, Module 3. Performance Management Framework, Rapid cycle Learning
Speakers: Brenda Dalin, Consuela Thompson
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Case Management: Restorative Practices
Speaker: Ron James
1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Invoicing; Conflict of Interest, Fraud Waste and Abuse & Workforce Development Readout
Thur, Jul 17, 2025
11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
Rethinking Stress, Mental Health and Wellness
Speaker: Earl Suttle
11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
Holistic Defense Model: Innovation in Action = Big Impact
Speakers: Colleen Higgins, Lawrence Elder
11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
Community Action and Head Start: What's the Connection?
Speaker: Nacole Guyton
11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
GA Power: Energy Assistance & income Qualified Discount
11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
The Mission Aligned Data Driven Approach to Strategic Communication
Speaker: Terry Howell
11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
HEAR and HOMES Update; Federal Partner Update; ED Round table & Top 10 Audit Issues
11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
Emergency Preparedness Strategies
Speaker: Chelsea Sawyer
11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
Intentional Strategies to Supervise Social Services Staff: A Guide to Develop a High-
Performing and Loyal Workforce
Speaker: Berneitha McNair
11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
General Ledger TTA
Speaker: Angela Smith
11:15 AM - 12:30 PM
Round Table: CSBG For Boards
Speaker: David Bradley
1:15 PM - 3:15 PM
Plenary Session
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Restoring Dignity through Employment
Speaker: Kellie Brownlow
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
The 15 Invaluable Laws of Self-Care
Speaker: Monica Swayne
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do: Head Start Program Governance
Speaker: Kimberly Rainey
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Building Social and Economic Mobility
Speaker: Lillie Seels
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Facilitation Skills for Better Buy-In
Speaker: Allison Reaves
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Revolutionized Leadership QUEST (Quality Understanding of Essential Systemic Tools)
Speaker: Necole Stroman
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
10 Ingerdients to Effective Case management in Community Action and Social Services
Speaker: Berneitha McNair
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Managing Difficult Human Resource Situations
Speaker: Melanie Herman
2:00 PM - 3:15 PM
Round Table: Board Recruitment and Retention
Speaker: William Holt
3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
Credit 101
Speaker: Diann Payne
3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
The DNA of Ethical Practices
Speaker: Monica Swayne
3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
What in the World is Going On in My Building?
Speaker: Kimberly Rainey
3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
Innovate for Impact
Speaker: Lillie Seels
3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
Professional Presence: Leading with Intent
Speaker: Jennifer Simon
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Photo Documentation and Storage
3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
Navigating Justice: 40 Tools & Federal Grant Resources
Speaker: Jeremiah Rivera
3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
Building an Effective Community Needs Assesment
Speaker: Tracie Grant
3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
Fraud Risk and Prevention
Speaker: Melanie Herman
3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
Round Table: Building and Maintaining a Healthy Organizational Culture
Speaker: Maribeth Schneber-Rhemrev
Fri, Jul 18, 2025
9:00 AM - 2:15 PM
Lead RRP - Part I & II
12:45 PM - 2:00 PM
Are You Ready For Trouble? Communicating in Crisis
Speaker: Julie Jakopic
12:45 PM - 2:00 PM
From Friction to Function: Crafting Calm and Cohesive Client Interactions
12:45 PM - 2:00 PM
We Are Each Others Harvest
Speaker: Erica Clahar
12:45 PM - 2:00 PM
Purpose-Driven Board Governance
Speaker: Maribeth Schneber-Rhemrev
12:45 PM - 2:00 PM
Workplace Wellness and Well Being
Speaker: Selina Dominguez
12:45 PM - 2:00 PM
Developing The Leader Within
Speaker: Ronald Harvey
12:45 PM - 2:00 PM
Crisis Communications - Verbal De-escalation Techniques
Speakers: Phillip Ball, Claire Cofo Ofotokun
12:45 PM - 2:00 PM
Fiscal Risk Management and Internal Controls
Speaker: Melanie Herman
12:45 PM - 2:00 PM
Round Table: Cultivating and Maintaining Strategic Partnerships to Foster Success
Speakers: Vanita Moon, Daphne Walker, Cordaryl Turner
2:15 PM - 3:30 PM
Building A Strong Future: The Importance of Succession Planning
Speaker: Angel Walker
2:15 PM - 3:30 PM
Understanding The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
Speakers: Vanita Moon, Erica Glenn
2:15 PM - 3:30 PM
Narrative by Design: Shaping Your Brand's Story
Speaker: Brian Thompson
2:15 PM - 3:30 PM
Boards as Advocates
Speaker: Maribeth Schneber-Rhemrev
2:15 PM - 3:30 PM
Building a Cohesive Team
Speaker: Selina Dominguez
2:15 PM - 5:00 PM
Lead RRP Part III & IV
2:15 PM - 3:30 PM
How to Start a Community Project?
Speaker: Terisa Buchanan
2:15 PM - 3:45 PM
Effectively Using Social Media to Engauge Your Community & Lower Liability
Speakers: Phillip Ball, Claire Cofo Ofotokun
2:15 PM - 3:30 PM
Judging a Book by More Than Its Cover: Understanding Unconscious Bias
Speakers: Tanya Thomas, Kissie Hunt