Thanks for attending!
Thank you to all who attended the 2019 Arizona Utility Partners Summit. This year's event covered a wide variety of topics that benefit those serving the limited-income community: low-income utility programs, energy-saving tips, housing and assistance programs, Census 2020 updates, best practices and much more. Download agenda.
Download the presentations below:
Keynote sessions
Understanding the NEW Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Customer
In 2018, the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC) collaborated with our partners at the National Energy Assistance Directors' Association (NEADA) to release the results of compelling new data on the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), designed to protect vulnerable households during extreme weather from dangerous indoor air temperatures and lower their energy burden. The National Energy Assistance survey clearly documents the intricacies of poverty and how energy insecurity, homelessness, financial uncertainty, and health all intersect. The survey documents changes in the affordability of energy bills, the need for LIHEAP, and the choices that low-income households are forced to make when faced with a disproportionate energy burden. Katrina Metzler, Executive Director for NEUAC, will present key findings from the survey and how the data can be used for improving the efficacy and advocacy for LIHEAP. Download presentation.
Census 2020: What Everyone Needs to Know
Community Action Agencies and many other state and local programs rely on federal funding distributed according to population based formulas. This means the number of residents counted in your community directly impacts the amount of federal funding you may receive. When residents are undercounted due to lack of awareness, lack of housing, fear and/or hiding, and difficulty in reaching certain populations, Arizona loses critical funding needed to ensure the safety, well-being and prosperity of all our citizens. This session will provide a brief update on current Census 2020 activities and timelines, national, regional and local partners involved, and how each participant can do their part to make the Census 2020 successful for all Arizona residents. Download presentation.
Refilling When You're Running on Empty: How to Practice Self-Care
In this stress-filled world, we rarely lose sight of how to care for others but too often lose sight of how to take care of ourselves. In this exploration of how to practice self-care, you will find yourself laughing in recognition as you embark on a fast-paced journey of discovery. Using humor, stories and videos, participants will learn (a) how we sabotage our own well-being, (b) some simple ways we can make our work (and personal) lives better right now and (c) how to model this behavior others.
Breakout sessions
Transforming the Utility Intake Process to Optimize Assistance
This session will discuss how two Community Action Program agencies changed the way they performed intake for assistance to ensure those in need can access services, while streamlining the process to maximize efficiencies. Join us to learn how they worked through the progression from a call-in system to a method that allows clients to access assistance on an ongoing basis. This process can be a possibility for any organization. Download presentation 1. Download presentation 2.
Financial Empowerment
Coconino County Community Services wanted to make a greater impact within our community, beyond monetarily helping our consumers with rent and utilities; they sought to take a deeper look at the root of where these financial difficulties stem from. The majority of the population that we work with are low-income households at or below the 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines. Community Services realized that educating our consumers about implementing basic financial tools and skills is imperative to the path toward self-sufficiency. We cannot expect our consumers to move out of poverty without a strong financial foundation. Download presentation.
Seasonal Hold Period
This session will review the customer experience and communication plan for the days and weeks following the seasonal hold period. To ensure the safety and well-being of our customers, we have suspended shut off for all residential customers with past-due balances June 1 through October 15. On October 16, the hold will be lifted, and the process of identifying and working with accounts with a past due balance will begin. We are here to work with our customers and help them bring their account to current. Learn more about changes APS/TEP have made, and how you can get involved to assist customers with paying their past-due bills.
The Magic of Mindfulness
Organizations like Google, Mayo Clinic and the NFL Champion Seattle Seahawks all have mindfulness programs. What's the magic of mindfulness? In this interactive session you will learn the benefits of mindfulness and the "magic" that happens from developing a mindfulness practice. You will also learn tips and tricks of how to bring mindfulness into your life along with in-the-moment tips and tricks. The session will end with a guided meditation that will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed. Download presentation.
Eviction Prevention Pilot Program
The Arizona Department of Housing recently funded an Eviction Prevention Pilot Program that seeks to address the dramatically increased number of evictions adjudicated by the justice courts throughout Arizona, with specific focus on areas with the highest number of evictions in 2018. During this session Sandra Mendez, Assistant Director with the Maricopa County Human Services Department, will highlight Maricopa County’s program. Ms. Mendez will discuss the program's design and illustrate how Community Action Agencies can play a vital role in preventing homelessness through the provision of rental assistance, utility assistance and other bundled services using various case management strategies. Download presentation.
Contact us
For additional questions, please contact a utility representative:
- Venus Ramirez, APS: (602) 371-6960
- Kari Woodward, ED3: (520) 424-9021
- Beth Huerta, GWR: (520) 257-3900
- Bonnie Temme, SRP: (602) 236-5643
- Norma Gutierrez, SWG: (602) 395-4703
- Nikole White, TEP: (928) 681-8977
- Phil Byrum, TEP UES: (928) 226-2240
The Venue
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See what past attendees had to say
"The Summit is wonderful each year and this year did not disappoint. I always learn something new at the Summit." – Martha
"The AZUP Summit always brings into focus the critical role affordable energy plays in the lives of individuals and families at risk." – Moe
"Every year we look forward to the AZUP Summit, and each year it exceeds our expectations! I appreciate the work that goes into providing quality keynotes and breakout sessions...making it time well spent out of the office!" – Shawna
"I always look forward to the AZUP Summit because I know that I will be able to take information back to our clients (and family and co-workers) wonderful insights about a variety of topics ... Learning, networking and listening to great speakers make this event a must each year." – Karen
"I have attended the AZUP Summit every year, and each year I learn something new that can be used in our programs or on a personal level. The networking opportunities are fantastic! The General and Breakout Sessions allow everyone to take away best practices that have worked effectively for various entities. Events such as the AZUP Summit, allow us to enhance our programs and continue to provide the highest quality service to our population in need. Thanks again for providing this wonderful knowledge sharing platform!" – Travis
Photos from previous Summit
Arizona Utility Partners mission statement
Arizona Utility Partners work collaboratively to share the expertise of our industries for the benefit of the communities we serve. We agree that by working as a united coalition, we can more effectively assist our community partners and customers in understanding how our companies operate and how they can tap into the resources we provide.