Wisconsin Community Action Program Association

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2026

WISCAP Member, Foundation for Rural Housing, Steps Up to Provide Services In Counties Affected By NEWCAP Closure

Foundation for Rural Housing, Inc. (FRH), whose mission is to empower low-income households to achieve self-sufficiency and a sustainable financial future by creating opportunities, providing education, and delivering comprehensive support, was recently named the interim provider of services by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) in the counties previously served by NEWCAP, effective immediately.

Jenny Fasula, Director of FRH states:

“We recognize the concerns surrounding NEWCAP’s closure of offices and programs. Our focus is ensuring continuity of services, appropriate stewardship of public resources, strong internal controls and accountability to the individuals and communities we serve. We are excited to accept the challenge, step up, and expand our services to the counties affected by the closure of NEWCAP that took place in early 2026. Our successful history has shown we are the best fit to fill the gaps and provide assistance to any and all individuals in Brown, Shawano, Oconto, Menominee, Langlade, Marinette, Oneida, Forest, Florence and Vilas counties.”

“Foundation for Rural housing has the capacity and knowledge to assist individuals and families that are experiencing poverty in its many forms in the counties previously served by NEWCAP. I am confident they will hit the ground running and be a resource for all communities in Northeast Wisconsin,” adds Dr. Courtney Hayward, Executive Director of WISCAP.

Read the full press release on our website: https://wiscap.org/wiscap-member-foundation-for-rural-housing-steps-up-to-provide-services-in-counties-affected-by-newcap-closure/

We are excited to welcome Sydney Andersen to our team as our new Operations and Public Affairs Coordinator! Welcome aboard, Sydney! We are thrilled to have you join our team!

Wisconsin Community Action Program Association Wednesdays are BACK!

Wed. Sept. 16 - 12p - FREE

Join Dr. Hayward for this dynamic, practical workshop designed to help nonprofit leaders unlock new funding opportunities. Led by an experienced grant professional, this training walks participants through the full grant process—from identifying the right funding sources to developing strong proposals that get awarded.

Register Here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/O-P69NOqSHqxWZScWXFP9w #/registration

Our Executive Director, Dr. Courtney Hayward attended the Central Wisconsin Community Action Council board meeting today and was given a special recognition from the board and their Executive Director, Fred Hebert. These two are quite the pair and have a mutual respect and appreciation for the hard work they both do to help their communities.

Wisconsin Community Action Program Association is HIRING!!! We are looking for an Operations & Public Affairs Coordinator to join our team! The Operations and Public Affairs Coordinator position is responsible to the Director of Operations & Outreach for mid-level support of all communications and operations to meet the goals of the Wisconsin Community Action Program Association, Inc. (WISCAP). This position will be responsible for the creation and support of WISCAP’s exceptional and innovative internal and external communication as well as the management of WISCAP’s office operations which include providing support to WISCAP Board of Directors, Board Committees, conferences, in-person trainings, webinars, other virtual trainings, data management, and member support. Lastly, this position will be responsible for assisting the Executive Director and other board members with carrying out activities involved with moving the network’s legislative agenda forward. To read the full job description, click here. https://bit.ly/4zrMIS3 To apply, send resume and cover letter to Tom Behnke at [email protected] by August 17

WISCAP Press Release:
WISCAP Helps Fill The Gap, Keeps People Housed After Abrupt Newcap Closure

After the abrupt closure of Newcap in early 2026, individuals and families who relied on its services for housing were left scrambling to avoid eviction. WISCAP and its member agencies, along with the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF), the Wisconsin Department of Administration (DOA), local nonprofits, and federal entities formed a patchwork system to help fill the gap and keep people in their homes.

In response, WISCAP Executive Director Dr. Courtney Hayward released the following statement:

“Throughout this process, WISCAP’s priority has been ensuring people who rely on Newcap’s services continue to receive support with as little disruption as possible. WISCAP and our member agencies partnered with the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Administration and other partners to do whatever it took to keep individuals and families in their homes. These people were at risk of experiencing homelessness through no fault of their own, and we’re proud to be a part of the community effort to find solutions after Newcap’s closure.

To Read the Full Press Release, click here: https://wiscap.org/wiscap-helps-fill-the-gap-keeps-people-housed-after-abrupt-newcap-closure/

WISCAP Wednesdays are BACK! Join us on Wed. July 15 at noon for Management 101 - The Healing Mixtape Edition with Dr. Diamond D. Williams! Registration is FREE: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/1vddZstWRGSxVRRRCEcURg #/registration This innovative, highly interactive session blends leadership development with arts-based reflection to strengthen culturally responsive management practices. Adapted from Dr. Williams’ nationally recognized The Healing Mixtape framework, this session uses curated music, guided dialogue, and reflective activities to help managers explore trust-building, communication, psychological safety, and equity-centered supervision.

A Rubber Ducky Diaper Depot Story

Foundation for Rural Housing, Inc., a WISCAP member agency, currently operates the Rubber Ducky Diaper Depot. Through this grant, WISCAP and its member agencies will help expand their reach to low-income families throughout Wisconsin. Families in need receive diapers consistently, maximizing distribution to low-income families across the state.

A Safe Ride Home

At Indianhead Community Action Agency, supporting families means helping keep children safe both at home and on the road.

Families picking up diapers have access to a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician who is available to inspect car seats, verify proper installation, answer questions, and provide hands-on guidance to caregivers. Many parents are surprised to learn that even a small installation error can affect a car seat’s ability to protect a child in a crash.

By making a car seat safety check available during diaper pickup days, Indianhead CAA removes barriers and makes it easier for families to access this important service.

Programs like ours are more than providing diapers; they create opportunities to connect families with resources that promote health, safety, and well-being.

To learn more about the Ducky Diaper Depot: https://www.wisconsinruralhousing.org/rddd

Did you know... the ADVOCAP,Inc Childcare Incubator is the first of its kind in Wisconsin?

Childcare providers in the ADVOCAP Childcare Incubator can build up to $9,600 in savings over 24 months as they prepare to launch their own childcare businesses. A portion of monthly rent is set aside and returned to participants upon graduation. This helps reduce startup costs, supports long-term stability, and strengthens their path to self-sufficiency as childcare entrepreneurs.

The ADVOCAP Childcare Incubator is designed to create up to 200 new childcare slots within the first five years of the program. As providers complete training and launch their own childcare businesses, they increase the number of available openings for families in the community. This helps address the childcare shortage while strengthening the local workforce and supporting economic stability.

Learn more about ADVOCAP,Inc: https://www.advocap.org/
Learn more about the Child Incubator: https://www.advocap.org/services/childcare-incubator/

Foundation for Rural Housing, Inc. Executive Director and Wisconsin Community Action Program Association Board Member, Jenny Fasula was interviewed last week on the Larry Meiller show on Wisconsin Public Radio to discuss real property tax relief, and professional tax advice. Give it a listen!!!

Real property tax relief, and professional tax advice We talk about organizations and programs helping low income and senior homeowners pay their property taxes. Then, we learn about how new tax law changes will affect us.