Board Spotlight: Carl Allen, Management Specialist for Keene Housing

Carl Allen, RCAP Solutions Board Member

Carl Allen joined the RCAP Solutions Board of Directors in July 2019. With almost 50 years of experience, Carl has dedicated his career to housing and rural community service.

He was drawn to the housing field from his college experiences and had an interest in both student life and financial aid. After completing graduate school, he began his career in college housing at Southwest Minnesota State College in Marshall, Minnesota. The campus was brand new and designed from day one to be accessible for those in wheelchairs. Out of the 2,000 students, 500 were in wheelchairs or blind. This has given him a lifetime sensitivity to the needs of disabled people. He then moved to Michigan State University while doing doctoral work. After nine years of working in the collegiate residential life sector, Carl “got tired of being called at 2 am to reset fire alarms,” and began his career at RCAP Solutions (formerly Rural Housing Improvement or RHI) holding several positions in both housing and environmental programs.

“In the early 90’s I was motivated to help people”,” stated Carl. “Having gone to college during the Vietnam war, I became very sensitive to people who didn’t have as much as I did and wanted to help others, both with college housing and then at RCAP. The way this organization helps individuals and communities is especially important to me.”

Carl retired from RCAP Solutions as the Executive Vice President, responsible for all mission related activity, contract deliverables, strategic planning, ensuring compliance with organizational policies, and serving on the executive leadership team. “I worked for RCAP for a little more than 26 years,” noted Carl. “I enjoyed 95% of it, and it was an incredibly rewarding, fulfilling, and successful experience.”

When asked what makes him unique in his profession, Carl responded, “What helped me to be successful, is my ability to learn complex federal regulations and distil the information down into easily understandable material for others.”

While talking about his time at RCAP, Carl reminisced about a professional achievement of which he is incredibly proud. “A colleague of mine and I had worked with several section 8 clients and realized that these tenants were in quite a bind,” he mentioned. “The federal administration in office at the time had a policy that would automatically decline social security disability applications, forcing an appeal process to get them approved. That process would sometimes take 2-3 years to be appealed, and if approved, the appeal went back to the date they were declined. These clients sometimes received checks for very large sums of money. As a result, the family would receive conflicting messages from the federal government, on the one hand the Social Security Administration would tell them to spend the money, on the other hand, HUD would say to the Section 8 tenants, save the money because you will have to pay back overpaid subsidy when your income is reviewed. We worked for many months to propose a change to the regulations, which ultimately was adopted by HUD. Today, section 8 clients are no longer required to count retroactive payments as income, and that rule is still in effect today, nationwide. Only the money earned on the retroactive payments are counted as income.”

Carl was attracted to volunteering at RCAP Solutions due to his lengthy tenure at the organization. “I’m very fond of the organization,” he noted. “I have enormous respect for staff and the important work that they are doing here.” He believes his experience in running the housing programs for many years has been helpful to the leadership team in solving issues that have come up and in identifying things to look out for in the future.

RCAP’s mission based on self-sufficiency is what resonates most with Carl. “The housing programs help people to become independent so that they will no longer need the services that the organization provides,” He stated. “The organization provides the same services to rural communities. We go into a community, and our goal is to make sure the officials and volunteers have the tools to effectively and independently deal with their local and regional issues. Ultimately, whether it’s an individual or a small community, we help train them to solve problems on their own.”

As a board member, Carl hopes to help RCAP with a succession plan and assist in identifying new leadership that can continue to move the organization forward as effectively as the current team has done. “It’s been fun,” he commented. “For me it’s been a wonderful experience supporting the leadership team. I really enjoy working on this board and have enormous respect for the entire staff.”

Carl currently works as the Management Specialist for Keene Housing in Keene, NH. “One of the reasons I moved to Keane is to be close to our camp on Sand Pond,” remarked Carl. “I enjoy the calm of early mornings, but also love the activity, riding the boat, and seeing people water skiing and sailing. It’s one of the great joys of my life, especially when my family comes to visit every summer.”

He was a past member and treasurer for Homeowner Options for Massachusetts Elders, in Lowell, MA; and is the past club president and active member of the Keene Kiwanis Club, where he serves on the board of directors, along with the community services and membership committees.

Carl is an active member of the United Church of Christ in Keene and is involved in 2 bell choirs and 2 vocal choirs. He is a self-proclaimed tinkerer, and enjoys “fixing little repairs in house, like light switches. I know enough about plumbing and electricity to not have to pay someone,” he joked.

Carl holds a B.A. in History from Bloomfield College, an M.Ed. in College Student Personnel Administration from The Pennsylvania State University, and has completed doctoral course work in educational administration at Michigan State University.

Carl’s full bio can be found on our website.

Established in 1969 (as Rural Housing Improvement), RCAP Solutions has supported the power and potential of communities for 55 years as strategists of community-wide well-being.

This month, we’re thrilled to celebrate a significant milestone – RCAP Solutions is turning 55! Since our incorporation on October 27, 1969, we’ve dedicated ourselves to empowering communities across the Northeast and Caribbean by providing essential support and resources.

As we celebrate this landmark anniversary, we reflect on the countless lives impacted through our efforts. Whether it’s helping a small town improve its water infrastructure or providing housing assistance to individuals and families, our work is driven by a passion for community sustainability.

This timeline highlights the important milestones that have shaped our organization, showcasing our growth, accomplishments, and the impact we’ve made along the way.

In addition, these historical photos capture the essence of RCAP Solutions and the decades that have paved our path.

Thank you for being a part of our journey!

Learn More About Our History

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En este adiestramiento explicaremos que son las sustancias perfluoroalquiladas y polifluoroalquiladas (PFAS, por sus siglas en inglés), como surgieron, donde se pueden encontrar, sus posibles efectos a la salud, recomendaciones de los expertos para reducir sus efectos y los adelantos científicos en el proceso de manejar su control. Hablaremos del Plan Estratégico de EPA para abordar las PFAS y el muestreo de PFAS que realizará el Departamento de Salud en los Sistemas Públicos de Agua Potable Non PRASA.

RCAP Solutions’ 2024–2027 Strategic Plan – Empowering Communities, Elevating Potential!

On behalf of the RCAP Solutions Board of Directors and staff, we are pleased to present our three-year strategic plan.

In 2020, COVID-19 prompted significant operational changes within our organization. We had to adapt our methods of community assistance and observed major shifts in our client demographics.

As we emerged from the pandemic, we recognized the need to comprehensively evaluate our framework, particularly our staff, to reassess our needs, internal procedures, and business practices.

With this in mind, we initiated a year-long strategic planning process with a comprehensive research study to analyze our organization comprehensively. We interviewed key stakeholders, community partners, staff, and volunteers. Following a focused working session with our board, several team meetings were held to define our goals, objectives, and key performance indicators. These discussions provided valuable insights into key issues, sector dynamics, trends, and emerging issues.

With the completion of this extensive process, we look forward to focusing on implementation by aligning our processes, and concentrating on strategic and sustainable growth, guided by principles of transparency, inclusivity, and integrity.

While certain aspects of our strategic plan will formalize existing beliefs and processes, other areas will push and challenge the organization in novel ways.

We anticipate enthusiastically that this strategic plan will position RCAP Solutions to pursue new opportunities and expand, as we continue striving to become a premier provider of community and client services.

We sincerely appreciate the consideration, time, and efforts of all those who helped to make this strategic planning process a success.

With gratitude,

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Este curso de “Seguridad de Agua y Aguas Residuales” proporciona una guía integral sobre las mejores prácticas de seguridad en plantas de tratamiento, abordando riesgos físicos, químicos y biológicos, y destacando la importancia de la capacitación continua y la gestión de la seguridad y salud. Se cubren temas esenciales como la entrada a espacios confinados, seguridad en la excavación, manejo de materiales y protección personal para asegurar un entorno de trabajo seguro.

Nuestra presentadora será Oliver De La Garza, Senior Environmental Management Consultant, Communities Unlimited.

LEAD SERVICE LINE INVENTORY (LSLI) REQUIREMENTS: WHAT WATER SYSTEMS NEED TO KNOW

About Lead in Drinking Water

Lead pipes in public water systems and drinking fixtures have been banned in new home construction since 1986, when Congress amended the Safe Drinking Water Act. However, in some older homes, services lines which are connected to the water mains may be made of lead. In addition, some faucets and plumbing fixtures in homes built before 1986 may also be made of lead.

Lead can be harmful to human health even at low exposure levels – especially in children. Exposure to lead can cause adverse effects such as damage to the brain and nervous system and slowed growth and development.

About the Federal Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) Requirements for Water Systems

Knowing where lead pipes are located is critical to replacing them efficiently. Every public or private water system which serves water to over 15 service connections across the country will be required to provide an initial inventory of their water service lines to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by October 16, 2024, through their state regulatory agency. State regulatory agencies are very proactive in helping communities meet these requirements.

As such, representatives from your local water service provider or municipality may be visiting households to assess whether or not certain homes have lead service lines if they don’t have an accurate record of the service material. This inventory would be publicly accessible and offer homeowners a way to find out if they have a lead service line. This inventory is NOT an indication that you have lead in your water.

PLEASE NOTE: The requirement to complete a Lead Service Line Inventory DOES NOT apply to transient non-community water systems (TNCWS) or bottled, vended, retail, or bulk hauling (BVRB) water systems.

Why the Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) is Important

This initiative is an important first step in ensuring every family across the country has access to clean drinking water – as the EPA’s goal is to replace 100% of the nation’s lead pipes and service lines within 10 years.

In addition, surveying service lines and determining which are made of lead or galvanized pipe is a pivotal process in which water systems must undertake to secure government funding in order to reduce the cost burden on homeowners.

Cooperation between homeowners and local water service provider or municipalities will be an essential part of the process to protect public health, in particular the health of children and of vulnerable communities.

More Information & State-Specific Resources

For more information about Lead & Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) and the Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) check out these federal and state-specific resources:

If you are interested in receiving complimentary technical assistance for you water or wastewater system, please visit Our Services by State page and select your state or territory to view regional contact information.

Susan Bachman, RCAP Solutions Board Member

Susan Bachman is the Solutions Marketing Manager for Netrix Global located in Chicago, IL. As a marketing professional with over 15 years of experience, she is a team player with excellent interpersonal and communication skills. She is detail oriented and a deadline focused multi-tasker, versed in fast-paced creative environments.


Susan brings a broad range of professional communications skills to her role as board member, including implementing marketing strategies, market research, project management, website and content management, writing and editing, creative concepts, event management, public relations, product demo voice-overs, vendor management, and digital communications.


When asked what she is passionate about, Susan responded that “she really enjoys being outside in nature and spending time with friends and family.” She noted “family time together is important, whether it be bike riding, hiking, walking, or attending my 11-year-old twins’ hockey and soccer sporting events.”


She was drawn to the field of marketing because she has always loved three things: creativity, people, and psychology. “I always loved graphic design and using my imagination to create something.” She stated. “With a psychology minor in college, I felt like the field of marketing helped me to draw all my passions together by knowing what makes people tick. It helps you to better understand how people think and taps into what makes a person buy a certain product.”


When asked what she is most proud of, Susan notes that she is most proud of her kids and seeing them growing up to be independent, capable, and enthusiastic about life. On a professional level, she said it’s “building a culture of teamwork.” She went on to note “I love bringing people together and, in my career, I feel a huge sense of accomplishment after seeing people collaborate on a project. I am more of a visionary and enjoy helping a team work together and overcome obstacles.”


Susan was attracted to volunteering at RCAP Solutions because of the work the organization does to support rural and underserved communities. She felt drawn to the private well program to protect public health and wanted to know more, especially since she had her own private well.


She feels that RCAP’s vision of a world made up of strong and resilient communities and individuals, confident in their potential and with ownership of their success really resonates with her. She said “building those connections and being a part of an organization that can help others to have independence is so important to me. We guide others and help them have trust in themselves and their accomplishments.” She went on to say that “giving has a ripple effect. During the Pandemic people were not together physically, and the impact was evident. I am a positive person and seeing people help others has a gratifying effect, and creates a better world for us to live in.”


Susan believes that her experience working on the RCAP Board “has been amazing so far.” She thinks of herself as fairly new to the board but enjoys getting to know everyone. “I’ve really enjoyed the strategic planning work, seeing the vision for the future, and better understanding the opportunities for the communities we serve.”


When asked how she feels her skills and expertise have benefited RCAP’s work, she stated “I believe that I can help to build connections with people and other organization and see how building partnerships can help us grow.” She went on to say “after the pandemic I’ve taken on more global and remote roles. I’ve missed making a difference in the local community. I’m looking forward to doing more of that and working with RCAP has been wonderful in that regard.”


So far, Susan sees her time at RCAP as a work in progress. “After the strategic planning process, I’m more aware of all the perspectives to move things forward,” she noted. I’m seeing more collaboration, and the things we’ve discussed are starting to manifest. I look forward to seeing the changes we’ve targeted come to fruition.”


Susan received her MA in Visual Communications at San Francisco State University, CA, and a BA in Graphic Design at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA. She received a certificate in Bank Marketing from the American Bankers Association, participated in the North Central MA Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership Institute, and the Emerging Leadership LAUNCH program with Fidelity Bank and Nichols College.


Her lengthy volunteer experience includes work with the Boston Women’s Leaders Organization, board membership with New England Financial Marketing Association (NEFMA), Marketing Strategic Planning committee with the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce, Women’s Leadership Connection Board with the North Central MA Chamber of Commerce, Community Care Crew Chair and Heart Club Co-Chair at Fidelity Bank, and the United Way.

Susan’s full bio can be found on our website.

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El 23 de octubre de 2018 se firmó la Ley de Infraestructura Hídrica de Estados Unidos (AWIA por sus siglas en inglés). Esta ley decreta que los sistemas hídricos comunitarios pequeños que prestan servicio a más de 3,300 personas, pero menos de 50,000 mantengan actualizados sus evaluaciones de riesgos y resiliencia y planes de respuesta a emergencias. Este webinario cubrirá estas dos herramientas además de unas mejoras practicas para realizarlo con su equipo.

Esquema:

  • Introducción a los términos relevantes
  • La evaluación de riesgos
  • El plan de respuesta a emergencias
  • Requisitos de AWIA

Nuestra presentadora será Tricia Kent, Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC).

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La operación adecuada de un sistema de agua potable marcará la diferencia en la calidad de agua que le sirven a sus comunidades y en el tiempo de vida de los componentes de su sistema. También podremos prevenir un mal manejo y/o violaciones a la reglamentación de agua potable siempre y cuando prevengamos algunos escenarios importantes que se discutirán durante este taller. Cubriremos diferentes tópicos que le ayudaran a mejorar la calidad de agua y la operación de su sistema. Entre ellos: protección de fuentes de agua, sistemas de distribución, calidad de agua, conexiones cruzadas, limpieza, desinfección y mantenimiento de su tanque de distribución, desinfección adecuada y certificaciones de la NSF para componentes y químicos del sistema de distribución.

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El objetivo de este adiestramiento es repasar de forma general los diferentes sistemas de manejo y/o tratamiento de aguas usadas que podemos encontrar en Puerto Rico. Se incluye el razonamiento para seleccionar el proceso adecuado, los sistemas descentralizados y los sistemas centralizados. En cada uno de estos grupos se ofrecerá información general de los sistemas de tratamiento y sus características principales. En adición, se incluye un vistazo a las áreas que debe trabajar una comunidad para solicitar asistencia financiera. Se ofrecerá información sobre fuentes potenciales para asistencia financiera para organizaciones e individuos. Este adiestramiento se ofrecerá en español.

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Tu comunidad, ¿realiza los muestreos del agua que tomas? ¿Conoces los resultados de esos muestreos? ¿Sabes interpretar esos resultados? Es importante conocer la calidad del agua que tomamos diariamente. Para eso, es necesario realizar los muestreos requeridos por la Ley de Agua Potable Segura (SDWA), pero más importante, saber interpretar esos resultados. Este adiestramiento te ayudara a conocer los contaminantes regulados por la ley y como interpretar los resultados y las demás partes de la hoja de resultados de muestreo de esos contaminantes. ¡Así sabrás la calidad del agua que estas tomando!

RCAP Solutions’ 2023 Impact Report – Paving the Path Forward!

In 2023, RCAP Solutions continued to gain momentum as we shifted our focus from the pandemic and began to strategically plan for the next phase of our organization. Navigating the dynamic landscapes of our service industry, it is essential to assess our current position and anticipate our future direction. View our 2023 Impact Report to learn more about last year’s accomplishments and check out stories from the people we serve!

Amid programmatic expansion, staff growth, and new partnership opportunities, it was ideal to prioritize strategic planning initiatives and envision the future of RCAP Solutions. Our enthusiastic board of directors collaborated closely with an engaged management team to address internal and external challenges, successes, and opportunities, positioning our organization for continued success.

We thank our partners and continued supporters and invite you to join us as we pursue a collective vision of a world made up of strong and resilient communities and individuals, confident in their potential and with ownership of their success.

We look forward to a productive 2024 as we remain steadfast in our commitment to fulfilling our mission: To foster personal and public self-reliance and improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and the communities in which they live.

Synergy Spotlight: Meet Juan Campos Collazo, Community Specialist

Juan Campos Callazo has been with RCAP Solutions since 2002, making him one of the most senior employees at the organization. But it’s not just Juan’s seniority that makes him an extremely valuable addition to our Community & Environmental Resources division; it’s his unyielding dedication to serving rural communities in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands – steadfast, for over 22 years.

Before joining RCAP Solutions, Juan worked in the Drinking Water Program at the Puerto Rico Department of Health for 14 years. As a former employee of the Department of Health, Juan developed many lasting relationships with rural communities and their drinking water systems’ staff, which carried over when he joined RCAP Solutions.

Ever since he was young, Juan knew he wanted to be involved in the engineering field and he wanted to help others, therefore he decided to pursue civil engineering. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering with a concentration in water resources from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico. In addition, Juan is a certified drinking water and wastewater operator, and is a member of the College of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico.

Juan truly finds fulfilment from his work, mainly because he is able to make a difference for people and their communities, ensuring they have safe drinking water and sanitary wastewater disposal. He noted, “I care first about people, which is why I decided to become an engineer and make a difference. I consider myself as an instrument to improve the quality of life of other people and feel that I am fulfilling my life too at another level. For me, respect and responsibility are important values and my performance as a professional and as a human being is based on both.”

Juan’s contributions were noted by Josefa Torres-Olivo, Regional Director (PR/USVI), who said, “Juan is a great human being that I have known since university. He is a person who transmits and gives serenity, he is calm but with a lot of commitment and dedication as technical assistance provider to rural communities, as well as a deacon of the church. It is an honor to know and work with Juan for so many years.”

Juan truly took his commitment to the next level when he became ordained as a Deacon in December 2023. This process, which took 4 years of studious work to complete, began when he was nominated by his parish that he is so deeply involved with.

This accomplishment changed Juan’s life. He stated, “Being a Deacon of the Catholic Church is first a great blessing, and a great responsibility too. I now serve the church through service to people with baptisms, funerals, visits to the elderly and sick people, Celebration of the Liturgy, and assisting the Priest at Mass. It has changed my life in all aspects, has made me more aware of the presence of God, how my family has contributed to this process, how the community with their prayers has given me the strength to complete the ordination, I’m more sensitive to the needs of others, and I have learned to be more patient and tolerant with others and myself.”

Whether it is through his work at RCAP Solutions or at his church, Juan is a person that people look to for guidance and support, and he is happy to give it.

Mark Johnson, Director of Community & Environmental Resources, added, “Juan’s positive attitude and infectious smile is immediately apparent to anyone in his presence. His concern for fellow employees and the communities he has been serving for decades is remarkable. He listens with intent, one of the many skills that makes him a successful technical assistance provider. Juan is a valuable member of the RCAP Solutions team, a trusted member of the community, and a leader by example.”

Fun Facts About Juan:

  • Hometown: Ponce, Puerto Rico
  • Favorite Book: Chicken Soup for the Soul by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, and Amy Newmark
  • Favorite Movie: Ladyhawke directed by Richard Donner
  • Favorite Sports Teams: New York Yankees, Boston Celtics, Leones de Ponce (baseball & basketball)
  • Favorite Song: Can’t Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon
  • Historical Figure he’d Like to Meet: Jesus Christ
  • Places He’d Like to Travel to: France, Spain, and Italy

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La preparación y el conocimiento son la clave para lograr el cumplimiento con los requisitos de la reglamentación, así como para enfrentar eventos producidos por la naturaleza o por el hombre que afectan a los Acueductos Comunitarios Rurales y a nuestra Isla. El taller le ofrecerá al participante información sobre los conceptos básicos que debe incluir un Plan de Respuesta a Emergencias.

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Repasaremos los conceptos esenciales…plan de Manejo, Logística de equipos y su distribución, Centros de Acopio Temporeros, Desvío de Materiales, Educación Comunitaria.

En este adiestramiento repasaremos los elementos más importantes que debemos tener en consideración para prepararnos previo a un desastre respecto al manejo de los escombros y materiales resultantes del evento.

Repasaremos cinco áreas relevantes para atender con eficiencia un evento que genere grandes cantidades de escombros.

Previo a la temporada de huracanes en el trópico, queremos que esté preparado para que pueda agilizar el proceso de recuperación y que este sea uno eficiente y ordenado ante los retos que presentan estos eventos naturales.

Este adiestramiento es dirigido a personal municipal o estatal con capacidad decisional y que está involucrado en el manejo de residuos sólidos, personal de operaciones de obras públicas y de respuesta a emergencias, juntas comunitarias o de organizaciones sin fines de lucro, lideres comunitarios y personas con interés en mejorar la calidad de vida de sus comunidades.

De forma clara y sencilla repasaremos puntos clave que nos ayuden en la planificación y respuesta a un desastre.

Colaboración con el Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales de Puerto Rico.

Julie Carroll, RCAP Solutions Board Member

Julie Carroll is a human resources and operations professional with more than 25 years of experience in diverse business environments. She joined the RCAP Solutions Board in July of 2022.

Her portfolio includes proven achievements in business operations management, risk management, employee relations, training, and development. She is a self-starter; dependable, highly motivated and a thorough performer with a demonstrated ability to work with all levels of management to design, develop and implement strategies to improve business and employee performance, and can effectively inspire others to achieve individual and corporate goals. Julie is also a Real Estate Sales Agent with Keller Williams Realty, Inc. and brings community development experience as a former planning board member for the town of Boxborough, MA.

Julie began her career in the areas of finance and operations. Working in an entrepreneurial small business environment for a family-owned company, she found herself moving into a human resources role, bringing the organization together working with benefits, employee handbooks and enjoyed supporting the employees. “I felt challenged in that arena,” she noted. “I could hone my skills in that area and used strategy to focus on the employee experience. As a result, my career evolved, and I went on to own and operate a small HR outsourcing company for several years.”

Julie received her AAS in Liberal Studies at Middlesex Community College in Bedford, MA, and a Professional Human Resources (PHR) certification from the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) in Alexandria, VA. She brings a wide range of specialties in operations, HR implementation, employer and employee regulations, small business operations and employee engagement to her role as board member.

When asked what she is passionate about, Julie responded “I find that what I’m enthusiastic about has evolved.” She continued “I really enjoy creating experiences with friends and family. I enjoy being outdoors, doing things like gardening, kayaking, and boating in summer, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling in winter. I really appreciate being outdoors. My passion is in creating a fuller life as I mature. I want to have experiences with my family and grandchildren.”

Julie has found that it is important to achieve a work-life balance and be there for both family and work. “My greatest accomplishment is my family,” she noted. “The resilience I have experienced with my mom getting Multiple Sclerosis and taking care of her, along with the loss of my brother, my personal triumph is in raising my family. I was able to achieve much of my growth in my career without needing a big educational base to launch from. I feel immensely proud of my achievements.”

Julie was attracted to becoming involved at RCAP Solutions because of the housing programs, which she believes are essential for success. “Personally, I saw my mom go back into the workforce after not working for many years,” she commented. “Seeing how RCAP provides housing services is paramount to resetting someone in a difficult position. Empowering people beyond just providing vouchers was intriguing to me, I felt I could relate and have good insight.”

Julie went on to say “RCAP’s mission of improving the quality of life for individuals, giving them what they need are tools for success.” She stated, “I am very big on accountability, and I believe that ownership of that success and vision, and ownership of your actions is a good balance with self-reliance and self-sufficiency. The financial literacy and first-time homebuyer workshops and other housing services provide the benefit of giving, and seeing the ripple effects it can create for people, really relates to my core values.”

Julie noted that her skills and expertise complement RCAP’s mission. “My mindset aligns with the board’s work, strategic planning, creating success, evaluating overall performance is very parallel with HR. I can relate to what you are doing, being able to add to that strategic insight and HR, both sides are human capital. Helping people solve a problem and see success.” When asked about her experience volunteering on RCAP Solutions’ board, she observed “RCAP is open, inviting, educational, and what we are doing is huge. It’s not an intimidating environment and without any background, someone can come in and sit comfortably on the board and be able to provide their skills and benefit the organization.”

Julie has been involved in RCAP’s recent strategic planning process and has enjoyed seeing that come to fruition. “It was much needed,” she noted. “I have spent a lot of time with entrepreneurs, telling businesses that they needed to re-strategize, work on goals, and focus on expectations and communications styles. Being a part of this process and hearing feedback from employees and partners has been beneficial. Strategic planning is a monumental rock, and for any organization, it’s like pushing it up a hill. I feel like I can continue to contribute to this area as it is similar to what I do as a consultant, and I can support the organization in that capacity. As we continue and finalize this process, that is something that we will all be enormously proud of.”

Julie’s full bio can be found on our website.

Solid Waste Case Study: Challenges with Illegal Dumping Elimination in the Community of Santa Rita in Guánica, Puerto Rico

Written By: Edwin Vázquez-Asencio, Sustainable Materials Management Specialist

BACKGROUND: This community was referred by the municipality a year before the grant period. The community has had a problem with illegal dumping and improper management of debris and waste, even when the municipality has services for debris collection and curbside for waste. Three areas were commonly used as illegal dumping sites. The largest impacted area is a 0.6-mile dirt road, with debris on both sides of the path that has been used for illegal dumping for more than 4 decades according to RCAP Technical Assistant Provider (TAP) evaluation.

THE CHALLENGE: The place is used for illegal dumping by small contractors, community residents and others. Bulky items such as furniture, mattress, home appliances, auto parts, e-waste, construction and demolition debris (C&D), vegetative materials, domestic waste, and animal carcasses are commonly dumped on this site. Motor oils, refrigerator fluids, paints, acrylic roof sealers have been found or are part of the materials in the site. Many of them are possible sources of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s), (hydrofluorocarbons) and heavy metals as well as other materials with constituents likely to contain PFAS, lead, and other regulated contaminants.

Vectors of diseases like the “Flesh Fly” (members of the subfamily Sarcophagidae), mosquitoes, cockroaches, rodents, mongoose (Herpestes auropuctatus – principal carrier of rabies in Puerto Rico), feral animals and community pets are commonly found in the area, creating a public health concern. In the rainy season the ditch behind the dumping site receives the runoff from the site and guides it to the community and the farms nearby. Many wells are in the area for agricultural purposes and drinking water that could be susceptible to any contamination from the dumping activities. The place is on the borderline of two municipalities and the road is not well defined as public or private property, creating additional challenges for investing in restoration by any of the municipal entities. The TAP presented the case to USDA looking for options for the community.

THE APPROACH & SOLUTION: An assessment was performed, and the results presented to the community and other stakeholders like the municipality, the PR Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, the PR Police Department, Public Works, and others.

The TAP presented the following plan of five steps to address the problem for short term, medium, and long-term results.

  1. Education and awareness of the community and establish a working group.
  2. Clean up to remove all dumped materials and dispose of them correctly and collect data about the materials removed for developing a long-term action plan.
  3. Add value, changing the appearance and promote the use of the area by the community as a walking place or other recreational activities.
  4. Maintenance plan to establish an adoption plan of the area and law enforcement support to reduce illegal dumping activities.
  5. Empower the community to develop activities that keep the area clean, organized, and build their capacity to address the situation and get financial support.

In the presentation for all the stakeholders and working group, the TAP covered important topics that included: PFAS, E-waste, Volatile Organic Compounds, Household Hazardous Waste and Vectors of diseases among other related information to create awareness of the problem and to validate and justify immediate action by the stakeholder group.

THE IMPACT: The community leaders are engaging in the remediation of the area used for illegal dumping for decades. The municipality and other stakeholders received technical instruction about the proper management of the area, and information about the problems associated with this situation including constituent materials and public health concerns that need attention. The community is receiving the skills and guidance to address the problem in conjunction with the stakeholders. This is an ongoing project in which the key stakeholders such as the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, the PR Police Bureau, the Municipality of Guánica and other are looking for alternatives with RCAP Solutions to help the community and eliminate this illegal dumping site. RCAP discussed the project with the local USDA Staff and Washington representatives to help these disadvantaged people and will continue the process to identify resources to tackle the problem with them. RCAP believes in community empowerment, capacity building, and sustainable management of their resources. These foundations complement RCAP’s technical support and lead the community to a better future and the solution of a problem they have been facing for decades. We are here for them!

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Organizado por: Asociación Interamericana de Ingeniería Sanitaria y Ciencias del Ambiente Capítulo de Puerto Rico (AIDIS-Puerto Rico).

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Los sistemas de agua comunitarios se ven limitados económicamente por la falta de una preparación económica adecuada ante los diferentes factores que influyen en la operación diaria de un sistema de agua. Es sumamente importante tener en cuenta que el estudio y planificación de una tarifa saludable, mantendrá el sistema en optimo funcionamiento y los preparará para enfrentar cualquier situación inesperada que se pueda presentar. El taller le ofrecerá herramientas y conocimientos útiles para entender y preparar una tarifa para un sistema de agua comunitario.

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El Informe de Confianza al Consumidor (CCR, por sus siglas en inglés) es un informe que se debe enviar a los consumidores todos los años sobre la calidad del agua que el sistema proporcionó a sus clientes. Se requiere que los sistemas incluyan entre otra información, los contaminantes regulados detectados durante el monitoreo más reciente.

En este taller se ofrecerá información que le ayudará a conocer, comprender y preparar el Informe de Confianza al Consumidor en su sistema.

‘Twas Mid December at RCAP Solutions…

‘Twas Mid-December and all through the skies,
RCAP teams with care and wise.
In every office, staff worked with glee,
Offering essential aid, as busy as can be.

The needy many, deserving of cheer,
In this season of giving, their hopes draw near.
For when the demand rises, so great and so clear,
RCAP’s dedication shines, year after year.

In our Housing Consumer Education Center,
We make sure every client has a supportive mentor,
To assist in all aspects of home ownership and leasing,
In case you should see a problem increasing,
If a concern should arise, there’s lending or training,
Should you find your bank account suddenly draining.

With Subsidized Housing, we help pay the rent,
Offering programs for both landlord and tenant.
Everyone deserves a safe home and a bed,
Where each family member can rest their head.
We can also assist with housing mobility,
And case management for economic stability.

Our Housing for Seniors and the Mobility Impaired,
Offers features and services that can’t be compared.
Our professional staff is supportive and giving,
With countless services for independent living.
For those who reside in RCAP’s great care,
Our teams will provide for ALL who live there.

Our Environmental Crew work with communities to ensure,
The water that pours from the tap is pure.
From Maine to Pennsylvania, we offer technical assistance,
For those in rural regions, we’ll travel the distance.
Whether it’s wastewater, mapping, training, and more,
We’ll assess your infrastructure, and help settle the score.

The Caribbean Team helps the islands with pollution,
Teaching about recycling, and solid waste solutions.
We offer disaster planning, and prepare for the future,
Should climate change impact your region and need suture.
Financial assistance for septic or well repair,
We’re here for our communities, never despair!

Here in Massachusetts, we’re Advocating for Change,
For private well homeowners, who may need a range,
Of regulations for education, testing, and support,
Should their water tests come up short,
And need repair to keep families in good health,
For every resident, across the Commonwealth.

Our Administrative Staff provides support to our programs,
IT keeps us online, and safely protected from scams.
Finance cuts checks and keeps the books in balance,
HR supports the organization, hiring people with talents.
Marketing ensures the public is in the know,
And Development guarantees that funding won’t slow.

In the Northeast our influence spreads, far and wide in stride,
In Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands, forever shall we reside.
Fostering community’s power, potential, a bond we unify,
In this commitment, our focus and unity lie.

Nurturing strength, resilience, and confidence, our gift to bestow,
Supporting individuals, families, communities, helping them grow.

Timothy Grinham, RCAP Solutions Board Member

Timothy Grinham, a Commercial Banking and Lending Specialist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, joined the RCAP Solutions Board of Directors in July of 2022.

Headquartered in New York City, S&P Global is a world-wide leader providing financial services information. Tim works in their Market Intelligence division, working with financial institutions under $5 Billion in Total Assets on workflow automation and commercial prospecting.

Tim has a professional background in technology, banking, lending, real estate, and brings over 20 years of experience in finance, investment, and sales management to his role on the board. He has extensive knowledge of working with federal funding sources, financing, managing customer accounts and portfolios, developing business opportunities, customer service, and training.

When asked what he likes to do with his free time, Tim responds, “For me, it’s all about family time. I spend as much time as possible with my wife and my two daughters and am excited to be coaching my daughters in soccer and basketball.” In his spare time, he enjoys reading, catching up on current events, banking news and the stock market.

Tim was drawn to the banking profession almost by accident. “When I graduated in 2002, I walked into a large recession due to 9/11,” he stated. “There was not much activity going on in the job market, so I stumbled into the mortgage industry. It was a good opportunity with rates dropping and I was able to get into refinancing existing debt. I began the first part of my career in the residential market and later became involved in commercial banking.”

He had always wanted to pursue a career in technology, and in his current position, he is able to draw from his previous experience working with banks, credit unions, and smaller institutions, providing them with technological solutions for their information service needs.

Tim received his BA in Business Management from Johnson State College in Johnson, VT. His volunteer experience includes board membership with Worcester Community Housing Resources, the Town of Paxton Capital Improvements Committee, and as a mentor for SBA workshops and business incubation companies in and around MA.

When asked what Tim feels his greatest professional achievement is, he mentioned the impact that banking and commercial lending can have in the community. “We moved to the Worcester area in 2014,” he stated. “I was very excited to start a position lending with a bank located in downtown Worcester. Over the course of the next several years, I was able to be a part of the Worcester economy during a growth period. I take a lot of pride when traveling through Worcester and seeing the businesses that I worked with throughout my career and knowing that I had a small part in the positive impact on the area. I find it extremely rewarding to drive around the city with my family and say, ‘I worked on that building, or I or helped to finance those renovations.’”

He went on to say, “What I miss most about banking is the positive involvement in the community, which is what drew me to RCAP Solutions. I want to support the work the organization does in both the urban and rural areas of the region.”

Tim believes “it’s critically important to serve both markets, especially in these times of economic uncertainty, when there are factors outside of our control.” He went on to say, “RCAP is a great organization to be involved in. Because of the range of programs, we have an opportunity to serve many communities and a diverse client base.

As a relatively new board member, Tim considers his time volunteering with RCAP to be a positive experience. “I’ve learned a lot about the services RCAP offers,” he states. “When I came to the organization, I was familiar with the housing and lending services. Now that I have really gotten involved, I’m extremely impressed with how much the organization and staff accomplishes.” He has enjoyed getting to know the board members and employees. “I think the staff is incredible,” he remarked. “They work hard and do an excellent job. I have really appreciated learning more about the teams and their programs.”

Tim looks forward to completing the year-long strategic planning process that the organization is undergoing. “I anticipate that once we’re implementing it, we will see the positive impact that it has on both the organization and the clients that we work with.” He concluded by saying “It’s just been a great experience, and I look forward to continuing to see the organization do great work.”

Tim’s full bio can be found on our website.

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La Regla Revisada de Coliformes Totales tiene como fin el promover mayor atención a la operación, mantenimiento y cumplimiento del sistema de agua potable de tu comunidad, como medida para lograr mayor protección a la salud de sus usuarios. Este adiestramiento te ayudara a revisar y reforzar la práctica de realizar los muestreos bacteriológicos requeridos; interpretar los resultados e investigar que acciones debes tomar para corregir y volver a producir agua confiable, libre de coliformes.

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La operación, mantenimiento y cumplimiento de un sistema de agua potable comunitario será exitosa en la medida que su Junta Comunitaria sepa dirigir y unificar la comunidad. Es necesario seleccionar bien sus miembros y que cumplan con sus roles y responsabilidades. La comunidad completa es responsable de lograr que así sea. Presentaremos los puntos importantes para lograr ese objetivo.

A través de este adiestramiento conocerás los roles de cada miembro de la junta, la importancia del reglamento y procedimientos parlamentarios, sus aspectos legales y la ética que rige su manejo.

¡Es importante que cada comunidad adquiera las herramientas necesarias para el éxito!

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Presentaremos los conceptos básicos de la regla y como la implementación de la misma ha reducido el riesgo de exposición al plomo que puede causar daño al cerebro, los glóbulos rojos y los riñones, especialmente para los niños pequeños y las mujeres embarazadas. Repasaremos los conceptos de las revisiones a la regla y las mejoras propuestas. Veremos los nuevos niveles (Tiers) para los muestreos. Por último, se presentarán detalles para realizar el inventario de las líneas de servicio en comunidades pequeñas.

Tracey Weeden, MSW, LCSW/LICSW; RCAP Solutions Board of Directors, Vice Chair

Tracey Weeden is the Executive Director of Brockton Behavioral Health Facility at Boston Medical Center and joined the RCAP Solutions Board of Directors in January of 2021.

She has extensive experience in the healthcare and nonprofit arena, with a background in administration, behavioral health, and homelessness prevention. In her previous position as Chief Operating Officer for First Step of Sarasota, she focused on affordable behavioral health treatment and system of care optimization. She also has experience managing a private practice as a psychotherapist.

Tracey was drawn to social work because of her childhood experiences growing up in an urban environment. She remarked “there was a lot of violence, parentification, mental illness, and substance misuse. But amid the prevalence of trauma, there was also so much hope for a better way of life. At an early age I was interested in other people’s stories and potential. When I went to college, I did not know what I wanted to do, but knew I wanted to break the cycle of oppression in the community I had grown up in. I majored in social work, and it just felt right. At an early age, I felt sensitive to others’ needs and seemed to be able to put myself in someone else’s shoes. Although I don’t make it a practice to disclose my experiences, oftentimes I deeply understand the barriers to quality of life clients experience.”

Tracey is a former employee of RCAP Solutions, where she was a member of the leadership team, as Director of Counseling and Homeless Services. “When I was at RCAP, I absolutely loved the work,” she commented. “Working at RCAP, I showed up 100% every day for the organization and our clients. They were long days, but it was all worth it. RCAP is deeply mission driven. RCAP’s services for people in need is undeniable. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of a community, helping people where they are and supporting them as they move to a better place? RCAP’s work aligns with my values and everything I stand for as a social worker, a woman, and a woman of color.”

Tracey went on to say “RCAP’s work comes down to people helping people. This resonates with me and is what’s unique about RCAP. The employees genuinely want their clients to achieve a better quality of life. At RCAP we are paying it forward.”

Tracey feels strongly about being an active board member. “I want to be a real objective resource to the leadership team and a sounding board. I understand the culture and dynamics as a social worker and as a businesswoman.”

When talking about her experience serving on the board, Tracey exclaimed, “It’s been fun! I like the diverse expertise the volunteer team brings to the table. The board is open to looking at things differently and trying new ideas. This will determine the sustainability of the organization overall. The board is engaged, understands the impact of the work, and is realistic about what it takes to provide services. It’s very exciting to be a part of this energized board.”

When asked about her future goals for the organization, she replied, “I hope that a year from now we are in the process of implementing a successful, operational, and people-driven strategic plan. I believe we can really put RCAP on the map as a leader in all aspects of community and environmental services.”

Tracey is a self-published author and has volunteered for the City of Worcester’s Human Rights Commission and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s suicide prevention initiative. She is currently a Commissioner for the Massachusetts Status of Woman of Plymouth County. Tracey earned a MS in social work at Boston University and is working towards her Doctorate degree in Business Administration with a focus in Health Services Administration at Northcentral University. She brings a deep understanding of the programmatic, funding, and strategic needs of the organization, along with nonprofit leadership, fundraising and community outreach.

When asked about her personal and professional achievements, Tracey commented, “it was always a goal for me to do more of the work in helping others to grow and lift themselves out of traumatic environments. I’m proud of that. In this field of social work, there are not many Black People or Native Americans in leadership positions. I don’t see a lot of “me” represented and I will never take it for granted. I hope to be an example and to inspire others.”

In her free time, Tracey enjoys creating things. “I love candle making, jewelry making, upcycling furniture, gardening, and creating a new space in my yard or home. It helps me relax. Being creative helps me to think outside of the box overall. I enjoy focusing on the hobby and it’s extremely relaxing for me.”

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La operación adecuada de un sistema de agua potable marcará la diferencia en la calidad de agua que le sirven a sus comunidades y en el tiempo de vida de los componentes de su sistema. También podremos prevenir un mal manejo y/o violaciones a la reglamentación de agua potable siempre y cuando prevengamos algunos escenarios importantes que se discutirán durante este taller. Cubriremos diferentes tópicos que le ayudaran a mejorar la calidad de agua y la operación de su sistema. Entre ellos: protección de fuentes de agua, sistemas de distribución, calidad de agua, conexiones cruzadas, limpieza, desinfección y mantenimiento de su tanque de distribución, desinfección adecuada y certificaciones de la NSF para componentes y químicos del sistema de distribución.

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La Puerto Rico Water & Environment Association (PRW&EA), American Water Works Association (AWWA) en conjunto con Rural Community Assistant Partnership (RCAP Inc.) y RCAP Solutions, Inc., ofrecen este taller en línea, libre de costo y subvencionado por la Agencia de Protección Ambiental (USEPA). El objetivo de este adies-tramiento es promover y asistir a los sistemas comunales de tratamiento de agua potable a cumplir con la regla-mentación federal y estatal.

Es un taller de dos días y va ayudar al personal a cargo de la operación, con el mantenimiento y la administración de los sistemas comunales pequeños, conocidos como los Non-PRASA. Los sistema de agua potable pequeños enfrentan múltiples retos para producir y distribuir agua potable, confiable y segura a todos los residentes de su comunidad. El mantener el sistema de tratamiento en cumplimiento promueve y mejora la salud pública, y ayuda a eliminar los problemas que conducen a posibles violaciones de ley de Agua Potable Segura (SDWA)

Repasarán y aprenderán de conceptos de cumplimiento de la reglamentación de agua potable; medidas para aumentar y mantener el cumplimiento con la reglamentación.

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La Puerto Rico Water & Environment Association (PRW&EA), American Water Works Association (AWWA) en conjunto con Rural Community Assistant Partnership (RCAP Inc.) y RCAP Solutions, Inc., ofrecen este taller en línea, libre de costo y subvencionado por la Agencia de Protección Ambiental (USEPA). El objetivo de este adies-tramiento es promover y asistir a los sistemas comunales de tratamiento de agua potable a cumplir con la regla-mentación federal y estatal.

Es un taller de dos días y va ayudar al personal a cargo de la operación, con el mantenimiento y la administración de los sistemas comunales pequeños, conocidos como los Non-PRASA. Los sistema de agua potable pequeños enfrentan múltiples retos para producir y distribuir agua potable, confiable y segura a todos los residentes de su comunidad. El mantener el sistema de tratamiento en cumplimiento promueve y mejora la salud pública, y ayuda a eliminar los problemas que conducen a posibles violaciones de ley de Agua Potable Segura (SDWA)

Repasarán y aprenderán de conceptos de cumplimiento de la reglamentación de agua potable; medidas para aumentar y mantener el cumplimiento con la reglamentación.

RCAP Solutions’ 2022 Impact Report – A Year of Rejuvenation

2022 was a year marked by growth, development, and ultimately rejuvenation as RCAP Solutions began its rebound from a tumultuous and transformational time. View our 2022 Impact Report to learn more about last year’s accomplishments and check out stories from the people we serve!

We thank our partners and continued supporters and invite you to join us as we continue to work towards a collective vision of a world made up of strong and resilient communities and individuals, confident in their potential and with ownership of their success.

We look forward to a productive 2023 as we remain steadfast in our commitment to fulfilling our mission: To foster personal and public self-reliance and improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and the communities in which they live.

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Esta reconocido tanto en Estados Unidos como en Puerto Rico que la infraestructura esta envejecida. Esto incluye carreteras, puentes, entre otros. También la infraestructura de los sistemas de agua y de alcantarillado.

En Puerto Rico en los sistemas de agua comunitarios gran parte de los componentes de su infraestructura de agua pudieran estar cerca de completar su vida útil o han excedido su vida útil estimada.

En los sistemas rurales los componentes son las tomas superficiales, pozos, tanques de distribución y las tuberías que transportan el agua, entre otros. El manejo responsable de los componentes de los sistemas de agua comunitarios es fundamental para mantener un nivel de servicio aceptable de agua que cumpla con los estándares de calidad establecidos.

Solid Waste Case Study: Municipality of Comerío, Puerto Rico’s Recycling Program Re-Opening, Facilities, and Permits

Written By: Edwin Vázquez-Asencio, Sustainable Materials Management Specialist

BACKGROUND: After the hit of hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, the high volume of debris and waste stressed the limited capacity of Comerío’s municipality to deal with it. They depend on a small Transfer Station (TS) for the management of the materials and waste to be disposed. A Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) with noticeable challenges was part of the strategy but it ends in the closing of the program in 2019, adding significant pressure to their TS and incrementing the cost of the operation running over its capacity. The process to reopen the MRF and reduce the waste, and the operational cost required an operator with technical knowledge about the materials but also, about facilities, development, and permits.

THE CHALLENGE: The new operator was established as a non-profit organization, different than the municipality, and should work on the existing facilities. New permits were required, and the regulators requested protocols for noise and contamination controls, and the information to support the actions to be taken. The operator’s limited capacity and the lack of information on the part of the regulators made this task difficult and the permit was denied.

THE APPROACH & SOLUTION: The RCAP TAP conducted a brief assessment of the MRF facilities and revised the regulation about the specific request. All the equipment specifications and facility areas were considered in the evaluation, including noise generation according to the industrial levels permitted. Sound levels were taken and recommendations to establish the necessary controls were discussed with the operator. The information required to satisfy the permits’ application was included, based on the regulations. The TAP consulted with the regulators and the application was submitted by the operator granting the permits that were previously denied.

THE IMPACT: This project is of great importance, since it is a model based on the expansion towards the circular economy of materials that are not currently processed in Puerto Rico. It is expected that this MRF will become a HUB for the processing of materials collected by other communities and municipalities. For the Municipality of Comerío, it is very important since it immediately reduced the cost of operating the TS, and the final disposal of materials that can be recovered from the waste stream. The RCAP TAP continues to provide guidelines and alternatives to improve the system, and coordinated a meeting with USDA to evaluate possible grant programs that could help in the development of the facilities.

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¿Es el agua de mi comunidad potable? ¿Cómo puedo saberlo? Es importante conocer la calidad del agua que tomamos diariamente. Para eso, es necesario realizar los muestreos requeridos por la Ley de Agua Potable Segura (SDWA), pero debemos saber interpretar esos resultados. De eso se trata este adiestramiento, conocer los contaminantes regulados por la ley y cada una de las partes de una hoja de resultados de muestreo de esos contaminantes.

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La regla de Notificaciones Publicas (PNR) por sus siglas en ingles conlleva una responsabilidad que recae en cada sistema de agua público de notificar a sus clientes sobre violaciones que excedan los niveles máximos de contaminantes (MCL), cambios en tratamiento, u omisión de toma de muestras entre u otros. Las condiciones que pudieran poner en riesgo la salud de sus clientes conllevan una obligación para notificarles y que estos sepan que medidas deben tomar para proteger su salud. En este taller estaremos brindando información sobre los requisitos de la notificación pública, brindaremos ejemplos y discutiremos cómo podemos mejorar nuestra operación cuando enfrentamos situaciones que pudieran poner en riesgo a la salud de sus clientes.

RCAP Solutions’ Caribbean Team Participates in USDA Rural Development Stakeholder Meeting with Secretary of Agriculture

Written By: Juan Campos Collazo, Community Specialist

The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Thomas Vilsack, hosted a discussion with stakeholders in Puerto Rico, including community groups and economic development officials, to discuss the importance and impact of the Rural Partners Network (RPN). The purpose of this conversation was to encourage further development of the community networks. Secretary Vilsack wanted to hear directly from stakeholders about the benefits, opportunities, and their hopes for the RPN in Puerto Rico.

Background: In April 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration and USDA launched the Rural Partners Network, an all-of-government program to help people living in rural areas access federal funding and resources to create thriving communities. The network is working in 36 rural and tribal community networks; three of those community networks will serve regions in Puerto Rico. These community networks were selected through a series of deliberations with state directors and teams from RPN states, and additional consultations with prospective community networks. Each of these networks will be supported by up to four full-time federal staff who live and work locally. These community liaisons help communities navigate federal programs, build relationships, identify community-driven solutions, and develop successful applications for funding.

Cohort I: The first RPN Cohort was announced in April 2022 and included the launch of community networks in Arizona, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, and New Mexico.

Presently, participating community networks are selecting their initial projects and refining their long-term priorities (i.e., future projects); USDA will organize federal partners to support these initial projects in an effort to secure early wins on behalf of the network. Additionally, thirteen staff have been hired to support these community networks with the only outstanding positions being an additional liaison in Mississippi, Kentucky, and New Mexico, and supervisory positions in Mississippi, Georgia, and Kentucky. Every Cohort I state has some level of RPN staff in place that are engaging with networks to facilitate a community-driven vision.

Cohort II: The second RPN Cohort includes Wisconsin, West Virginia, Nevada, Puerto Rico, Alaska, and North Carolina. Secretary Vilsack announced the inclusion of Puerto Rico in November 2022, but did not announce the specific community networks in Puerto Rico (nor in Alaska) since the selection process was interrupted by recent natural disasters.

Secretary Vilsack wanted to know from each of the panelists about the kind of work we do and how it relates to the Rural Partners Network. RCAP Solutions staff explained that we are part of a national affiliate, the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP), providing rural communities with on-site technical assistance and training to help small, rural communities address their drinking water, wastewater, and other community development needs. In addition, RCAP Solutions staff elaborated on how we help these communities access dollars from state and federal agencies for necessary infrastructure upgrades and improvements. RCAP Solutions also acts as a liaison between these communities and USDA Rural Development funding programs in Puerto Rico. The technical assistance provided by RCAP Solutions to the communities is free of charge and is funded under the grants from the USDA , EPA, and HHS.

A question arose from the secretary about what we consider to problems in achieving economic development. The mayor of Coamo, Puerto Rico pointed out the decrease of population as one of the most relevant problems, because of the lack of professionals, the decrease of laborers, and the decrease of economic movement. The mayor of Villalba, Puerto Rico mentioned the lack of agriculture development in Puerto Rico as a problem, and noted a dependance on foreign imports.

RCAP Solutions expressed that not all the rural communities have the commitment to improve their capacity and our work depends on community collaboration to achieve their goals and improve their quality of life.

Finally, the secretary advised to all the partners, especially the mayors, to first identify an economical driver and then write proposals based on it. He referenced the example from the mayor of Villalba, who identified the agriculture as an economical driver. The meeting ended with the thanks from Secretary Vilsack and from the USDA Rural Development State Director for Puerto Rico, Maximiliano Tujillo.

Juncos’ Landfill Repairs and Expansion After Hurricane Maria

Written By: Edwin Vázquez-Asencio, Sustainable Materials Management Specialist

Juncos municipality is in the eastern central region of Puerto Rico. Juncos’ landfill receives approximately 35,105 tons of non-hazardous solid waste each year. In 2017, winds from Hurricane Maria destroyed the facility’s leachate collection system, creating a serious health and safety hazard for neighboring communities and was at risk of contaminating underground water resources and nearby streams. The storm’s effects also reduced the landfill’s capacity by 20% and severely reduced its predicted lifespan.

The main challenge was to define the project and determine how the municipality could finance the necessary repairs that were imperative to address this problem. Our goal was to protect the community’s health, assist them in achieving compliance, and support the transition of the facility into a sanitary landfill system. In addition, the community also needed to account for the capacity overflow due to the extraordinary amount of debris which the landfill received in the aftermath of the disaster.

The RCAP Solutions staff served as a fundamental liaison between the municipality, stakeholders, and USDA Rural Development as we assisted the municipality in achieving compliance. Our technical assistance provider coordinated and conducted a training about disaster assistance grant funding and guided them throughout the process, outlining key elements to completing a successful application for USDA funds.

USDA Rural Development awarded Juncos’ Municipality with $23.7 million in grant funding to repair its landfill facilities. The facilities will be expanded to achieve compliance, and in addition, the community’s health will no longer be at risk due to the damage caused by the hurricane.

 
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