CSBG

Last Updated 08/10/2022

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:

  1. Low-income people become more self-sufficient.
  2. The conditions in which low-income people live are improved.
  3. Low-income people own a stake in their community.
  4. Partnerships among supporters and providers of services to low-income people are achieved.
  5. Agencies increase their capacity to achieve results.
  6. 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:

 

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 $10,000 of discretionary funds to each CAA per year for training and technical assistance.

Community Services Block Grant Federal Fiscal Year 2022 and 2023 State Plan

The Hawaii Office of Community Services (OCS), Hawaii State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, solicits public comment on the new 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 Years 2022 and 2023 (FFY 22 and 23). 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 22 and 23. Click here for a copy of the proposed State Plan.

A virtual combined-purpose Legislative and Public Hearing on the CSBG State Plan is scheduled for Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at 1:00 p.m.

The hearing is being jointly convened by the Senate Committee on Labor and the House Committee on Labor and Public Employment. Persons with special needs, including oral language services, should call OCS at (808) 586-8679 by Friday, July 23, 2021, to make arrangements.

The public is welcome to virtually attend and provide comment at 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) 586-8685) for consideration at the hearing by Friday, July 23, 2021.

To join the call on the day of the public hearing, please send your first and last name to [email protected] by Friday, July 23, 2021 and the Zoom meeting information will be sent to you.

As this is a virtual meeting, persons wishing to provide oral testimony via videoconference are asked to request to do so at the time that they submit written comments to OCS. The plan outlines how OCS will meet the U.S. DHHS requirements for the CSBG program in FFY 22 and 23.  A live stream of the meeting will be available on YouTube, accessed via the Legislature’s website at https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov.

CSBG Disaster Relief Supplemental Funds

The CSBG program was appropriated $25 million in supplemental funds under the Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act, 2019 under Public Law 116-20. The funds are being made available to states, territories and tribes authorized under the CSBG Act that were directly affected by Presidentially declared disasters in calendar years 2018 and 2019. Supplemental funds will be distributed to states and eligible entities based on need and should address necessary expenses directly related to the consequences of the disasters. Hawaii is estimated to receive $181,477 to plan and conduct disaster community needs assessments and provide interim recovery efforts. OCS has conducted a state needs assessment and determined an allocation formula for the funds, which are available for review and comment from March 11, 2020 until March 18, 2020 at 4:00 PM. Click here to read the state needs assessment and allocation formula for the CSBG Disaster Relief Supplemental Funds. Comments must be sent to OCS at 830 Punchbowl Street, Room 420, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813.

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

Hawaii’s CSBG program was appropriated $1,372,494 in supplemental funds under the CARES Act in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis. Supplemental funds will be distributed to the current CSBG eligible entities to help low-income communities and populations impacted by COVID-19. Click here to read Hawaii’s CSBG CARES Act Supplemental State Plan, which is available for review and comment from August 10, 2020 until August 26, 2020 at 4:00 P.M. Comments must be mailed to Hawaii OCS at 830 Punchbowl Street Room 420, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 or emailed to [email protected]

References

Archived