CSBG
Last Updated 07/11/2024
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Overview
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. All services and programs are free for eligible participants. 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.
CSBG has six (6) national goals:
- Low-income people become more self-sufficient.
- The conditions in which low-income people live are improved.
- Low-income people own a stake in their community.
- Partnerships among supporters and providers of services to low-income people are achieved.
- Agencies increase their capacity to achieve results.
- Low-income people, especially vulnerable populations, achieve their potential by strengthening family and other supportive systems.
The Office of Community Service (OCS) under the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations has been tasked by the Governor of the State of Hawaii as the lead agency for the administration of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) in the State of Hawaii. OCS in conjunction with the four CAA develops an annual State CSBG Plan for the State of Hawaii, to oversee and monitor the work of the CAAs at all stages of the annual CSBG grants, and to report on the program’s performance to Federal and State authorities. OCS is required to present this plan to the legislature for review, then submits the Plan to CSBG for acceptance and approval.
Beware of CSBG scams. CSBG does not provide direct grants to individuals. CSBG does not charge a fee for receiving a grant. If you receive a message offering you a CSBG grant or requesting a fee, please contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Fraud Hotline at 1-800-447-8477.
Each County in Hawaii has one Community Action Agency responsible for providing these services. Under CSBG, these four agencies complete a Community Needs Assessment every three years, which then aids in the development of their respective Strategic Plan. They individualize services and programs based on the needs specific in their respective County. A few programs run by the CAAs include employment training and services, drop out prevention, underage drinking prevention programs, transportation and food services, and housing assistance. Listed below are the four agencies along with their respective Community Needs Assessment and Community Action Plan:
- City & County of Honolulu: Honolulu Community Action Program (HCAP)
- County of Hawaii: Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council (HCEOC)
- County of Maui: Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO)
- County of Kauai: Kauai Economic Opportunity (KEO)
CSBG funds are allocated to each CAA using a base plus formula method:
Funding based on 1989 Community Services Administration Allotment + most recent Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates for respective county = Total CAA allocation
The State retains 10 percent of the CSBG funds of which 5 percent is used for administrative costs. The remaining 5 percent is discretionary funds to be used by the State to support the purpose of CSBG including filling identified gaps to the service population, supporting statewide coordination and communication among the CAAs, and for training and technical assistance. The State allots $20,000 of discretionary funds to each CAA per year for training and technical assistance.
The State coordinates annual trainings with the National Association for State Community Services Program (NASCSP) for the CAAs to provide a wealth of information, tools, and resources to enhance and improve the CAAs administration, implementation, and reporting procedures. These annual trainings also provide the CAAs and the State office a great opportunity to strengthen relationships. To view prior training
materials, please click here.
Community Services Block Grant Federal Fiscal Year 2024 and 2025 State Plan
The Hawaii Office of Community Services (OCS), Hawaii State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, solicits public comment on the updated proposed State Plan for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for Federal Fiscal Year 2025 (FFY 25). The CSBG State Plan reflects OCS’s commitment to work with our Community Action Agency partners in each county to meet program goals and comply with relevant Federal and State rules and regulations in order to continue receiving this valuable resource. The CSBG program provides services to low-income and impoverished populations across the State. CSBG services and activities are delivered statewide by designated Community Action Agencies located in each county. The public is invited to comment on the proposed CSBG State Plan for FFY 25. The proposed CSBG State Plan can be found at the OCS website, https://labor.hawaii.gov/ocs/service-programs-index/csbg/.
A virtual public hearing on the CSBG State Plan is scheduled for Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. To join the public hearing remotely via Zoom, please visit:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85973834218?pwd=eQa4iYFwL6zaYZi8Hs8bEE8ywsyUbo.1
To join the public hearing via telephone, please call +1 669–444–9171. The Meeting ID is 859 7383 4218 and the Passcode is 811514.
Persons with special needs, including oral language services, should call OCS at (808) 586 – 8682 by Thursday, July 25, 2024, to make arrangements.
The public is welcome to attend the hearing. Written comments may be submitted to OCS (email: [email protected], mail: Office of Community Services, 830 Punchbowl Street, Room 420, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813; fax: (808) 586-8682) for consideration at the hearing by Thursday, July 25, 2024.
By: Quirino Espejo, Acting Executive Director
Office of Community Services
Click here for a copy of Hawaii’s CSBG FY 2025 Draft State Plan.
References
- Hawaii’s CSBG Policies and Procedures – updated October 2023
- CSBG Statute
- Fed OCS CSBG
- NASCSP – National Organization for States
- CAPLAW – National Organization for CAA legal & financial resources
- CAP – National Organization for CAAs
