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Office of Community Services (OCS) Home Page

Last updated 08/10/2022

Office of Community Services (OCS) assists Hawaii’s low-income, immigrant and refugee populations to overcome and alleviate workforce barriers to economic self-sufficiency through an array of community-based programs and services. OCS primarily contracts and administers program services on behalf of the State and Federal governments. OCS allocated funds using a competitive purchase of services process unless the funding source authority direct the award to a specific organization(s).

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Supplemental Funds

In the State of Hawaii, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act includes the supplemental funds for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program and The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to “prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus.”

The CSBG program is a federal, anti-poverty block grant which funds the operations of a state-administered network of local Community Action Agencies (CAAs). It is estimated that Hawaii will receive $5,250,944 from the CARES Act for the CSBG program with the period of performance staring on March 27, 2020 and ending on September 30, 2022. The CARES Act authorizes states to revise the income limit for eligibility ceiling from 125 to 200 percent of the federal poverty level for CSBG services provided, including services provided with the state’s regular CSBG appropriations during the period of performance. CARES Act funds allocated to the CSBG program will be used to support and possibly expand anti-poverty programs that the CAAs currently provide. Some of these programs include, but are not limited to, rental and utility bill assistance, food delivery for seniors and disabled, support for existing food programs like Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, transportation services particularly for seniors and disabled, childcare, employment programs, homeless prevention, and emergency shelters. CSBG CAAs may also use the funds to coordinate services and refer clients to other resources needed to address client’s situations. CSBG CAAs may also use the funds for other programs as they deem necessary to address the current situation and in the recovery efforts to address the economic and community consequences of the outbreak in accordance with the CSBG Act.

TEFAP is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost. It is estimated that Hawaii will receive $1,278,688 from the CARES Act for TEFAP with food expected to be delivered by December 31, 2020. The client income eligibility level is 185 percent or below the federal poverty level for TEFAP services. CARES Act funds allocated to TEFAP will be used only on food purchasing. As food bank storage depletes at record rates, increasing the State of Hawaii’s food supply continues to be the greatest need in terms of what TEFAP can provide.

Both the CSBG program and TEFAP provide services throughout the State of Hawaii. Please see the contact information below for both programs: Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program
County Community Action Agencies Address Phone Number
City and County of Honolulu Honolulu Community Action Program, Inc. 1132 Bishop Street, Suite 100 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 (808) 521-4531
Hawaii County Hawaii County Economic  Opportunity 47 Rainbow Drive Hilo, Hawaii 96720 (808) 961-2681
Kauai County Kauai Economic Opportunity, Inc. 2804 Wehe Road Lihue, Hawaii 96766 (808) 245-4077
Maui County Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. 99 Mahalani Street Wailuku, Hawaii 96793 (808) 249-2990
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
County Service Providers Address Phone Number
City and County of Honolulu Hawaii Foodbank, Inc. 2611 Kilihau Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96819-2021 (808) 836-3600
Hawaii County The Food Basket, Inc. 140-B Holomua Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 (808) 933-6030
Kauai County Hawaii Foodbank- Kauai Branch 4241 A Hanahao Place Lihue, Hawaii 96766 (808) 246-3809
Maui County Maui Food Bank, Inc. 760 Kolu Street Wailuku, Hawaii 96793 (808) 243-9500

Below are a few of the other programs that OCS administers:

Grants-in-Aid (GIA)

OCS is one of several state agencies that administers the state’s Grant-in-Aid program in accordance with Chapter 42F of the Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS). The Hawaii State Legislature awards grants funded by the State under Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 42F. Chapter 42F Grants (frequently known as “Grants-in-Aid” or GIAs) are awarded for two types of requests:

  • Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) to construct and/or repair buildings and other facilities.
  • Operating funds to support programs.

Click the link above for more information about GIAs.

Guidelines for current Grantees will be posted here soon.

Applications for new GIAs will be made available on the Hawaii State Legislature’s website: Hawai‘i State Legislature (hawaii.gov). For more information, please contact the House Committee on Finance or Senate Committee on Ways and Means. The Office of Community Services does not handle the applications for new GIAs.

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) was established by Congress in the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 as part of the War on Poverty. The purpose of the Economic Opportunity Act is to provide federal funding to local Community Action Agencies (CAAs) in order to deliver a range of services to assist low-income families and individuals. These programs aim to reduce poverty, revitalize low-income communities, and empower low-income families and individuals to become fully self-sufficient through community action.

Click the link above for more information about CSBG.

Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) 

The Office of Community Services (OCS) administers the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) which provides coupons to low-income seniors to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from farmers’ markets, roadside stands and community supported agriculture programs.

Click the link above for more information about SFMNP.

Information on Hawaii Handbook for Immigrants is available: Click here

Office of Community Services (OCS)

中文 – CHINESE: Cantonese

您需要其它語言嗎?如有需要, 請致電 (808-586-8675), 我們會提供免費翻譯服務 (Traditional)

您需要其它语言吗?如有需要,请致电 (808-586-8675), 我们会提供免费翻译服务 (Simplified)

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Office of Community Services (OCS)

中文 – CHINESE Mandarin

您需要其它語言嗎?如有需要, 請致電 (808-586-8675), 我們會提供免費翻譯服 (Traditional)

您需要其它语言吗?如有需要,请致电 (808-586-8675), 我们会提供免费翻译服务 (Simplified)

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.

Office of Community Services (OCS)

KAPASEN CHUUK: CHUUKESE

En mi niit alilis lon pwal eu kapas? Sipwe angei emon chon chiaku ngonuk ese kamo. Kokori (808-586-8675) omw kopwe ureni kich meni kapas ka ani.

You have the right to an interpreter
at no cost to you.

Office of Community Services (OCS)

ʻŌLELO HAWAIʻI: HAWAIIAN

Makemake `oe i kokua i pili kekahi `olelo o na `aina `e? Makemake la maua i ki`i `oe mea unuhi manuahi. E kelepona (808-586-8675) `oe ia la kaua a e ha`ina `oe ia la maua mea `olelo o na `aina `e.

You have the right to an interpreter
at no cost to you.

Office of Community Services (OCS)

ILOKANO: ILOCANO

Masapulyo kadi ti tulong iti sabali a pagsasao? Ikkandakayo iti libre nga paraipatarus. Awaganyo ti (808-586-8675) tapno ibagayo kadakami no ania ti pagsasao nga ar-aramatenyo.

You have the right to an interpreter
at no cost to you.

Office of Community Services (OCS)

日本語 (JAPANESE)

貴方は、他の言語に、助けを必要としていますか ? 私たちは、貴方のために、無料で 通訳を用意で きます。電話番号の (808-586-8675) に、電話して、私たちに貴方の話されている言語を申し出てください。

You have the right to an interpreter
at no cost to you.

Office of Community Services (OCS)

한국어: KOREAN

다른언어로 도움이 필요하십니까? 저희가 무료로 통역을 제공합니다. (808-586-8675) 로 전화해서 사용하는 언어를 알려주십시요

You have the right to an interpreter
at no cost to you.

Office of Community Services (OCS)

KAJIN MAJÔL: MARSHALLESE

Kwoj aikuij ke jiban kin juon bar kajin? Kim naj lewaj juon am dri ukok eo ejjelok wonen. Kirtok (808-586-8675) im kwalok non kim kajin ta eo kwo melele im kenono kake.

You have the right to an interpreter
at no cost to you.

Office of Community Services (OCS)

GAGANA SAMOA: SAMOAN

E te mana’o mia se fesosoani i se isi gagana? Matou te fesosoani e ave atu fua se faaliliu upu mo oe. Vili mai i le numera lea (808-586-8675) pea e mana’o mia se fesosoani mo se faaliliu upu.

You have the right to an interpreter
at no cost to you.

Office of Community Services (OCS)

ESPAÑOL: SPANISH

¿Necesita ayuda en otro idioma? Nosotros le ayudaremos a conseguir un intérprete gratuito. Llame al (808-586-8675) y diganos que idioma habla.

You have the right to an interpreter
at no cost to you.

Office of Community Services (OCS)

TAGALOG: TAGALOG

Kailangan ba ninyo ng tulong sa ibang lengguwahe? Ikukuha namin kayo ng libreng tagasalin. Tumawag sa (808-586-8675) para sabihin kung anong lengguwahe ang nais ninyong gamitin.

You have the right to an interpreter
at no cost to you.

Office of Community Services (OCS)

ภาษาไทย: THAI

คุณต้องการความช่วยเหลือทางด้านภาษาหรือไม่ ทางเราจะจัดหาล่ามฟรีให้คุณ โทรที่เบอร์ (808-586-8675) และบอกเราว่าคุณพูดภาษาอะไร

You have the right to an interpreter
at no cost to you.

Office of Community Services (OCS)

TIẾNG VIỆT: VIETNAMESE

Bạn có cần giúp đỡ bằng ngôn ngữ khác không ? Chúng tôi se yêu cầu một người thông dịch viên miễn phí cho bạn. Gọi (808-586-8675) nói cho chúng tôi biết bạn dùng ngôn ngữ nào.

You have the right to an interpreter
at no cost to you.

Office of Community Services (OCS)

VISAYAN: CEBUANO

Gakinahanglan ka ba ug tabang sa imong pinulongan? Amo kang mahatagan ug libre nga maghuhubad. Tawag sa (808-586-8675) aron magpahibalo kung unsa ang imong sinulti-han.

You have the right to an interpreter at no cost to you.