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 57th 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
Tue, Jul 15, 2025
Precon Day
1:15 PM – 2:30 PM
Equipping Change-Makers Beyond The Streets: Case Management For Lasting Change
Speaker: Brittany Anderson
Support Services Coordinator | Georgia Alliance to End Homelessness (GAEH)
This interactive training equips case managers with essential skills to support individuals experiencing homelessness in Georgia.
Participants will learn about the different definitions of homelessness in GA, effective client engagement techniques, and how to
navigate local resources. The session covers assessing immediate needs, serving high-barrier clients, creative problem solving, and
best practices for client follow-up to ensure long-term stability.
2:45 PM – 4:00 PM
Equipping Change-Makers Beyond The Streets: Case Management For Lasting Change
Speaker: Brittany Anderson
Support Services Coordinator | Georgia Alliance to End Homelessness (GAEH)
This interactive training equips case managers with essential skills to support individuals experiencing homelessness in Georgia.
Participants will learn about the different definitions of homelessness in GA, effective client engagement techniques, and how to
navigate local resources. The session covers assessing immediate needs, serving high-barrier clients, creative problem solving, and
best practices for client follow-up to ensure long-term stability
Weatherization
Headstart
Wed, Jul 16, 2025
Registration Open
8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Silent Auction Open
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Opening Session
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
The Power of Partnership and Leveraging for Community Engagement and Impact
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM
Community Engagement & Impact Proposal
Speaker: Isaiah Zimmerman
Community Support Director | Clayton County Community Services Authority
This workshop explores shifting from areferral-based model to true partnerships that maximize funding, expand services, and create sustainable impact. Learn how strategic collaborations in workforce development, housing, and basic needs assistance enhance community outcomes. Discover successful partnerships, key metrics, and best practices to align resources, increase efficiency, and drive long-term change.
Credit As An Asset
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM
Speaker: Diann Payne
Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) | Mississippi Association of Community Action Agencies
Credit As An Asset workshop helps shape participants’ understanding of the credit bureaus, credit reporting, and the mportance and impact of the credit score on the cost of credit. The workshop will explain credit counseling opportunities for community action agencies and how it aligns with the mission of community action—helping clients achieve financial stability and success. The primary focus is
Growing a Credit Building Community—one client at a time!
Advancing ROMA in Georgia: Overcoming Barriers and Seizing Opportunities
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM
Speaker: Shawn Howell
NCRMT/NCRI | SA Howell, LLC
This session brings Georgia’s ROMA professionals together to discuss challenges and opportunities in implementing the Results Oriented Management and Accountability (ROMA) system. Participants will identify barriers to communication and execution, share
experiences, and explore strategies to strengthen ROMA adoption statewide. Through collaborative dialogue, attendees will develop actionable solutions to improve performance, alignment, and impact within their agencies.
Understanding McKinney-Vento and Rural Homelessness in Georgia
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM
Speaker: Whittney Mitchell
Grants Program Consultant | Georgia Department of Education
This workshop will familiarize attendees with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Law and its role in supporting students experiencing homelessness across Georgia. Attendees will explore the unique challenges faced by students in rural communities and examine the impact of homelessness on education. Through discussion and collaboration, participants will gain strategies to enhance support systems within their districts and communities .
Lunch (on your own)
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM
AI Command Centers: Turning Digital Assistant into 24/7 Staff Multipliers
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Location: Scarborough 4
Speaker: Walter Fordham
CEO/Founder | SmartQuest Technology
Improving Organizational Performance: Strategies for Success
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Speaker: Jennifer Simon
Partner | C&A Consulting
Stress Less with Meditation & Acoustic Sound
This workshop is designed to help organizational leaders and teams identify areas for growth and implement strategies for sustainable performance improvement. Through a combination of practical frameworks, case studies, and interactive discussion, participants will
learn to assess their current organizational effectiveness, develop key performance indicators, and create actionable plans that align with their mission and goals. The session emphasizes data-driven decision-making and adaptive leadership to drive measurable success.
Speaker: Selina Dominguez
Founder & President | Thrive Enterprises
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Attend an experiential workshop to learn tools and techniques and experience the benefits of meditation and acoustic sounds to lessen stress's physical, mental, and emotional impacts. During the session, you will learn the basics of meditation and its benefits. You will
also experience gentle, soothing sound waves from acoustic instruments surrounding the room that help relax the body, calm the mind, clear the subconscious, and activate the body's natural healing systems
From Intake to Impact: Elevating Case Management Services
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Speaker: Dr. Chris-Lee Lizaire-Ganthier
Founder | Pelagie Resource Center
This interactive workshop explores the fundamentals of effective case management, including client intake, assessment, service planning, documentation, and advocacy. Participants will gain practical tools and strategies to improve outcomes, strengthen community partnerships, and navigate complex support systems with confidence and compassion. Ideal for new and experienced professionals
serving vulnerable populations
Unlocking Your Potential: Understanding Temperament for Workplace Success
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Speaker: Angela Howell
COO | SA Howell, LLC
Why do you connect easily with some coworkers but struggle with others? This interactive workshop explores temperament types and how they shape communication and teamwork. Through self-assessment and discussion, participants will gain insight into their own
temperament and learn strategies to improve collaboration, reduce conflict, and enhance workplace interactions. Whether you're a leader or team member, this session provides practical tools to navigate diverse work styles effectively.
Why Federal Reform of the Homelessness Assistance Program is Necessary and How Cicero’s State-Based
Innovations Can Help
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Speaker: Paul Webster
Visiting Fellow | Cicero Institute
This presentation will discuss the federal Continuum of Care Homelessness Assistance Program and identify its failure in reducing homelessness at the national, state, and local levels.
Funding Options for Employee Benefits Programs
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM
Location: Scarborough 4
Speaker: Ben Black
Employee Benefits Consultant | Assured Partners
Future-Focused Client Services: Cultivating a 360-Degree Approach for Impact and Growth
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM
Speaker: Jennifer Simon
Partner | C&A Consulting
Our clients and their needs are constantly evolving, and our services must adapt accordingly. This presentation will guide you through the steps to do 360-degree assessments on your clients and community, identify your unique program strengths, and refine your approach to client and community services. Learn strategies to effectively leverage your team and organization's strengths to amplify your impact on clients and communities
Cultivating Wellness & Well-being
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM
Speaker: Selina Dominguez
Founder & President | Thrive Enterprises
Create an environment that supports and encourages health, wellness, and well-being. A place that fosters individuals to feel more valued, happier, healthier, more motivated, productive, and engaged as they inspire others to do the same. Sadly, 43% of adults in GA report symptoms of burnout, anxiety, and depression. Attend an interactive workshop, learn tools and techniques that can be applied today, and begin creating wellness and well-being that transcend the workplace to the community
Building Capacity for Advocacy
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM
Speaker: Tonya Winters
Georgia State Director | National Parents Union
A workshop designed to elevate our community advocacy, from grassroots organizing to legislative action. Empowering attendees with the tools, skills, and resources needed to navigate systems affecting parents and families in their communities. It spans multiple levels, from local grassroots efforts to state and federal legislative work, with a focus on collaborative engagement and advocacy
AI for Impact: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Empower Nonprofits
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM
Speaker: Patricia Wilson-Smith
CEO | Online Media Interactive, LLC
AI is transforming nonprofits, especially those serving communities of color, by boosting efficiency, reach, and impact. Yet, many struggle with understanding AI’s role, available tools, and ethical adoption. This session offers a clear AI introduction, practical use cases, and strategic insights. Attendees will learn how to leverage AI for fundraising, engagement, and operations while ensuring data privacy and ethical use, leaving with actionable steps to align AI with their mission
Unlocking Growth: Mindset, Motivation, and Leadership at Every Level
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM
Speaker: Angela Howell
COO | SA Howell, LLC
Success isn’t just about skills—it’s about mindset and motivation. This session explores growth mindset and intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation to foster accountability and continuous improvement for enhanced leadership at any level. Through hands-on activities,
participants will learn to take initiative, overcome challenges, and become influential problem-solvers. Walk away with practical strategies to elevate your impact, inspire others, and drive team success
Creating Opportunities in the Midst of Chaos
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM
Speaker: Colleen Higgins
Pharmacist / Speaker / Author | Scripta Insights
This session supports leaders in understanding how to maintain focus, vision, and momentum in the midst of change, conflict, and uncertainty. Using tools of adaptive leadership and authentic engagement, participants will explore how to lead effectively—even in
environments of disruption—and leave with practical strategies for empowering their teams, protecting their energy, and fueling transformation
Thur, Jul 17, 2025
Registration Open
8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Silent Auction Open
8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Opening Session
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
The Power of Partnership and Leveraging for Community Engagement and Impact
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM
Community Engagement & Impact Proposal
This workshop explores shifting from areferral-based model to true partnerships that maximize funding, expand services, and create sustainable impact. Learn how strategic collaborations in workforce development, housing, and basic needs assistance enhance community outcomes. Discover successful partnerships, key metrics, and best practices to align resources, increase efficiency, and drive long-term change.
Speaker: Isaiah Zimmerman
Community Support Director | Clayton
County Community Services Authority
Credit As An Asset
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM
Credit As An Asset workshop helps shape participants’ understanding of the credit bureaus, credit reporting, and the importance and impact of the credit score on the cost of credit. The workshop will explain credit counseling opportunities for community action agencies and how it aligns with the mission of community action—helping clients achieve financial stability and success. The primary focus is
Growing a Credit Building Community—one client at a time!
Speaker: Diann Payne
Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) | Mississippi Association of Community Action Agencies
Advancing ROMA in Georgia: Overcoming Barriers and Seizing Opportunities
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM
This session brings Georgia’s ROMA professionals together to discuss challenges and opportunities in implementing the Results Oriented Management and Accountability (ROMA) system. Participants will identify barriers to communication and execution, share
experiences, and explore strategies to strengthen ROMA adoption statewide. Through collaborative dialogue, attendees will develop actionable solutions to improve performance, alignment, and impact within their agencies.
Speaker: Shawn Howell
NCRMT/NCRI | SA Howell, LLC
Understanding McKinney-Vento and Rural Homelessness in Georgia
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM
This workshop will familiarize attendees with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Law and its role in supporting students experiencing homelessness across Georgia. Attendees will explore the unique challenges faced by students in rural communities and examine the impact of homelessness on education. Through discussion and collaboration, participants will gain strategies to enhance support systems within their districts and communities .
Speaker: Whittney Mitchell
Grants Program Consultant | Georgia Department of Education
Lunch (on your own)
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM
AI Command Centers: Turning Digital Assistant into 24/7 Staff Multipliers
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Location: Scarborough 4
Speaker: Walter Fordham
CEO/Founder | SmartQuest Technology
Improving Organizational Performance: Strategies for Success
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
This workshop is designed to help organizational leaders and teams identify areas for growth and implement strategies for sustainable performance improvement. Through a combination of practical frameworks, case studies, and interactive discussion, participants will
learn to assess their current organizational effectiveness, develop key performance indicators, and create actionable plans that align with their mission and goals. The session emphasizes data-driven decision-making and adaptive leadership to drive measurable success.
Speaker: Jennifer Simon
Partner | C&A Consulting
Stress Less with Meditation & Acoustic Sound
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Attend an experiential workshop to learn tools and techniques and experience the benefits of meditation and acoustic sounds to lessen stress's physical, mental, and emotional impacts. During the session, you will learn the basics of meditation and its benefits. You will
also experience gentle, soothing sound waves from acoustic instruments surrounding the room that help relax the body, calm the mind, clear the subconscious, and activate the body's natural healing systems
Speaker: Selina Dominguez
Founder & President | Thrive Enterprises
From Intake to Impact: Elevating Case Management Services
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
This interactive workshop explores the fundamentals of effective case management, including client intake, assessment, service planning, documentation, and advocacy. Participants will gain practical tools and strategies to improve outcomes, strengthen community partnerships, and navigate complex support systems with confidence and compassion. Ideal for new and experienced professionals
serving vulnerable populations
Speaker: Dr. Chris-Lee Lizaire-Ganthier
Founder | Pelagie Resource Center
Unlocking Your Potential: Understanding Temperament for Workplace Success
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Why do you connect easily with some coworkers but struggle with others? This interactive workshop explores temperament types and how they shape communication and teamwork. Through self-assessment and discussion, participants will gain insight into their own
temperament and learn strategies to improve collaboration, reduce conflict, and enhance workplace interactions. Whether you're a leader or team member, this session provides practical tools to navigate diverse work styles effectively
Speaker: Angela Howell
COO | SA Howell, LLC
Why Federal Reform of the Homelessness Assistance Program is Necessary and How Cicero’s State-Based
Innovations Can Help
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
This presentation will discuss the federal Continuum of Care Homelessness Assistance Program and identify its failure in reducing homelessness at the national, state, and local levels.
Speaker: Paul Webster
Visiting Fellow | Cicero Institute
Funding Options for Employee Benefits Programs
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM
Location: Scarborough 4
Speaker: Ben Black
Employee Benefits Consultant | Assured Partners
Future-Focused Client Services: Cultivating a 360-Degree Approach for Impact and Growth
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM
Our clients and their needs are constantly evolving, and our services must adapt accordingly. This presentation will guide you through the steps to do 360-degree assessments on your clients and community, identify your unique program strengths, and refine your approach to client and community services. Learn strategies to effectively leverage your team and organization's strengths to amplify your impact on clients and communities
Speaker: Jennifer Simon
Partner | C&A Consulting
Cultivating Wellness & Well-being
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM
Create an environment that supports and encourages health, wellness, and well-being. A place that fosters individuals to feel more valued, happier, healthier, more motivated, productive, and engaged as they inspire others to do the same. Sadly, 43% of adults in GA report symptoms of burnout, anxiety, and depression. Attend an interactive workshop, learn tools and techniques that can be applied today, and begin creating wellness and well-being that transcend the workplace to the community
Speaker: Selina Dominguez
Founder & President | Thrive Enterprises
Building Capacity for Advocacy
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM
A workshop designed to elevate our community advocacy, from grassroots organizing to legislative action. Empowering attendees with the tools, skills, and resources needed to navigate systems affecting parents and families in their communities. It spans multiple levels, from local grassroots efforts to state and federal legislative work, with a focus on collaborative engagement and advocacy
Speaker: Tonya Winters
Georgia State Director | National Parents Union
AI for Impact: Leveraging Artificial Intelligence to Empower Nonprofits
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM
AI is transforming nonprofits, especially those serving communities of color, by boosting efficiency, reach, and impact. Yet, many struggle with understanding AI’s role, available tools, and ethical adoption. This session offers a clear AI introduction, practical use cases, and strategic insights. Attendees will learn how to leverage AI for fundraising, engagement, and operations while ensuring data privacy and ethical use, leaving with actionable steps to align AI with their mission
Speaker: Patricia Wilson-Smith
CEO | Online Media Interactive, LLC
Unlocking Growth: Mindset, Motivation, and Leadership at Every Level
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM
Success isn’t just about skills—it’s about mindset and motivation. This session explores growth mindset and intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation to foster accountability and continuous improvement for enhanced leadership at any level. Through hands-on activities,
participants will learn to take initiative, overcome challenges, and become influential problem-solvers. Walk away with practical strategies to elevate your impact, inspire others, and drive team success
Speaker: Angela Howell
COO | SA Howell, LLC
Creating Opportunities in the Midst of Chaos
3:30 PM – 4:45 PM
This session supports leaders in understanding how to maintain focus, vision, and momentum in the midst of change, conflict, and uncertainty. Using tools of adaptive leadership and authentic engagement, participants will explore how to lead effectively—even in environments of disruption—and leave with practical strategies for empowering their teams, protecting their energy, and fueling transformation
Speaker: Colleen Higgins
Pharmacist / Speaker / Author | Scripta Insights
Fri, Jul 18, 2025
Breakfast
7:30 AM – 8:45 AM
Closing Session
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Prizes & Recognition: Adjourn and Close
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM