Community Services Block Grant

 

The objectives of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) are to provide assistance to states and local communities, working through a network of community action agencies (CAAs) and other neighborhood-based organizations, for the reduction of poverty, the revitalization of low-income communities, and the empowerment of low-income families and individuals in rural and urban areas to become fully self-sufficient (particularly families who are attempting to transition off a State program carried out under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act) and (1) to provide services and activities having a measurable and potential major impact on causes of poverty in the community or those areas of the community where poverty is a particularly acute problem; (2) to provide activities designed to assist low-income participants, including the elderly poor, to: (a) secure and retain meaningful employment; (b) attain an adequate education; (c) make better use of available income; (d) obtain and maintain adequate housing and a suitable living environment; (e) obtain emergency assistance through loans or grants to meet immediate and urgent individual and family needs, including health services, nutritious food, housing, and employment-related assistance; (f) remove obstacles and solve problems which block the achievement of self-sufficiency; (g) achieve greater participation in the affairs of the community; and (h) make more effective use of other related programs; (3) to provide on an emergency basis for the provision of such supplies and services, nutritious food, and related services, as may be necessary to counteract conditions of starvation and malnutrition among the poor; and (4) to coordinate and establish linkages between governmental and other social services programs to assure the effective delivery of such services to low-income individuals. In addition to the CSBG funding to states, the Office of Community Services (OCS) funds additional discretionary projects for training and technical (T/TA) assistance. All CSBG funding opportunities are posted on https://www.grants.gov/.

Active 93.569 Administration For Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services A - Formula Grants; B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2016 It is anticipated that 130 grants will be awarded in FY 2016. 114 grants issued in FY 2016.
Fiscal Year 2017 114 grants awarded in FY 2017.
Fiscal Year 2018 129 grants awarded in FY 2018.
Fiscal Year 2019 130 grants awarded in FY 2019.
Fiscal Year 2020 134 grants were awarded in FY 2020. CARES Act funds are considered a supplement to the FY2020 CSBG awards and for the purposes of this disclosure, are not considered a separate award. CSBG CARES Act funds were provided to each grantee that applied for and received FY2020 CSBG funds.
Fiscal Year 2022 In Fiscal Year 2022, CSBG issued 122 awards. In Fiscal Year 2022, CSBG issued 122 awards. The CSBG Training and Technical Assistance Needs Assessment and Interactive Dashboard allowed CSBG award recipients and partners to identify their top T/TA priorities. The dashboard can be viewed at: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/6080697eb930441c9b025c423c51e6f9?dlg=Instructions. The CSBG Freedom From Hunger Initiative supported the White House national strategy on hunger, nutrition, and health. Visit https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/freedom-hunger-initiative to view highlights two strategies for carrying out this work — anti-hunger work being carried out by CAAs and innovative, anti-hunger pilots funded by CSBG’s Project Impact initiative.
Fiscal Year 2023 In Fiscal Year 2023, CSBG issued 149 awards. Collaborative on Economic Mobility Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) (HHS-2023-ACF-OCS-ET-1115): The award recipient will highlight emerging and economic mobility promising practices for communities with low incomes. Legal Training and Technical Assistance NOFO (HHS-2023-ACF-OCS-ET-0003): The award recipient will identify, develop, and disseminate high-quality legal /TA resources. Performance Management T/TA NOFO (HHS-2023-ACF-OCS-ET-0049): The award recipient will provide T/TA with the aim of enhancing CSBG data quality, data validity, data equity, and data messaging. Regional Performance and Innovation Consortium (RPIC) Capacity Building and Quality Improvement (CBQI) NOFO: OCS will award 11 three-year cooperative agreements which will be exciting opportunities for CSBG regional leads to spearhead the development of innovative T/TA strategies. Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Act of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, Title VI, Public Law 105-285, 42 U.S.C. 9901-9920 The Secretary is authorized to make CSBG awards to states. This includes each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Secretary also provides assistance directly to the governing body of an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization upon application by the tribe. Only state-recognized tribes, as evidenced by a statement to that effect by the Governor, or tribes formally recognized by the Secretary of the Interior, under the procedure for such recognition in 25 CFR 54, are eligible to receive direct awards. In order for a private nonprofit or public organization to be considered an eligible entity, they must administer the CSBG program through a tripartite board as described in 42 USC 9910 that fully participates in the development, planning, implementation, and evaluation of the program to serve low-income communities. For the discretionary T/TA awards: Eligible entities include CSBG eligible entities, or statewide or local organizations or associations, with demonstrated expertise in providing training to individuals and organizations on methods of effectively addressing the needs of low-income families and communities. Applications from individuals (including sole proprietorships) and foreign entities are not eligible. Faith-based and community organizations that meet the eligibility requirements are eligible to receive awards. States make subawards to qualified locally based nonprofit community antipoverty agencies and other eligible entities which provide services to low-income individuals and families. The official poverty line, as established by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, is used as a criterion of eligibility in the CSBG program. When a state determines that it serves the objectives of the block grant, it may revise the income limit, not to exceed a certain percentage of the official poverty line. Historically, the percentage has been set at 125%. However, appropriations made under the Public Law 117-328, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 allows states to revise the percentage to 200% of the official poverty line for FY 2023. Proof of Legal Status of Entity/Proof of Non-Profit Status documentation is required in the NOFO under this listing. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program. State, tribal, and territorial entities must submit evidence that public inspection, in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 9908(e)(2), has been conducted within their respective state plans. Preapplication coordination is required. Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. States must hold public meetings about their plans for using and distributing money they receive under the CSBG Act. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. For CSBG Block Grants: Each State desiring to receive an allotment for a fiscal year is required to submit an application to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Each application must contain assurances by the appropriate State designee that the State will comply with Section 676 of the Community Services Block Grant Act and also meet conditions enumerated in Sections 678(B-D). The State is required to hold at least one legislative hearing every three years in conjunction with the development of the State Plan (Section 676(a)(3)), along with submission of supporting documentation, and at least one public hearing for the period covered by each state plan. The latter sets forth the general purpose for which funds will be used, restrictions on administrative expenses, eligible recipients, board requirements for community action agencies and other nonprofit organizations, fiscal control, monitoring, and Federal investigation provisions, coordination between antipoverty programs in each community and certain prohibitions on political activities. The Chief Executive Officer of each State is also required to designate a lead agency to prepare and submit a plan to the Secretary of HHS describing how the State will carry out the assurances in Section 676. This program is excluded from coverage under 45 CFR, Part 1050. For discretionary T/TA awards: Applicants may find and apply to Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) on https://www.grants.gov. For CSBG Block Grants: HHS allocates the funds to recipients using a formula method, typically releasing the money to states on a quarterly basis. Discretionary Awards: Each application will be screened to determine whether it meets any of the disqualifying factors; missing the application deadline, required electronic submission or waiver requested and approved, or exceeding the Award Ceiling. Disqualified applications are considered to be "non-responsive" and are excluded from the merit review process. Applications competing for financial assistance will be reviewed and evaluated by objective review panels using only the criteria described in Section V.1. Criteria of the NOFO. Each panel is composed of experts with knowledge and experience in the area under review. Results of the competitive merit review are taken into consideration by ACF in the selection of projects for funding; however, merit review scores and rankings are not binding. Scores and rankings are only one element used in the award decision-making process. If identified in Section I. Program Description, ACF reserves the right to consider preferences to fund organizations serving emerging, unserved, or under-served populations, including those populations located in pockets of poverty. In addition, ACF reserves the right to evaluate applications in the larger context of the overall portfolio by considering geographic distribution of federal funds (e.g., ensuring coverage of states, counties, or service areas) in its pre-award decisions. ACF may elect not to fund applicants with management or financial problems that would indicate an inability to successfully complete the proposed project. In addition, ACF may elect to not allow a prime recipient to subaward if there is any indication that they are unable to properly monitor and manage subrecipients. Applications may be funded in whole or in part. Successful applicants may be funded at an amount lower than requested. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines Not applicable. Funds may be withheld from any State which does not utilize its allotment substantially in accordance with the provisions of the Community Services Block Grant Act and the assurances provided in its application. States may terminate or reduce funding to an eligible entity, but this may be done only after adequate notice and an opportunity for a hearing is conducted within the affected State. For discretionary awards: There is no appeal process for unsuccessful applicants. For existing recipients, appeals regarding disputes may take place in accordance with 45 CFR Part 16, subject to the limitations of the Appendix A. Not applicable. For CSBG Block Grants: Not applicable. For discretionary grants: The criteria for selecting proposals will be published in the NOFO. States receive block grants to ameliorate the causes of poverty in communities. The block grant approach gives the States flexibility to tailor their programs to the particular services needs in their communities. States are required to use at least 90 percent of their allocations for awards to "eligible entities" as defined in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Act, as amended; this includes primarily locally based community action agencies and/or organizations that serve seasonal or migrant farm workers. No more than the greater of $55,000 or 5 percent of each State's allocation may be used for administrative expenses at the State level. Funds may not be used for the purchase or improvement of land, or the purchase, construction, or permanent improvement (other than low-cost residential weatherization or other energy-related home repairs) of any building or other facility unless a waiver is approved by the Secretary. For discretionary awards for T/TA: funds may be used in accordance with the objectives outlined in each Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and the terms and conditions of the award. Performance Reports: For discretionary awards, Performance progress reports are required using the SF-PPR ACF Performance Progress Report. The frequency of reporting will be listed in the NOFO and in the award terms and conditions. For more information, see: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/manage-grant/reporting. In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503. 45 CFR Part 75 Subpart F applies to this program. States are required to keep records sufficient to permit preparation of the required reports and to permit tracing of funds to a level of expenditure adequate to ensure that funds have not been spent unlawfully. For discretionary awards, all records are to be maintained in accordance with 45 CFR 75.361-365. For those States with an approved waiver for land purchase, construction or major renovation, records must be retained for 3 years after final disposition (i.e., an approved SF-429C). Statutory Formula: Title N/A Chapter N/A Part N/A Subpart N/A Public Law 105-285 42 USC 9906, 9911

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. For CSBG: Entitlement amounts are for a specific fiscal year and the funds allotted to the State will be awarded in accordance with apportionment of funds from the Office of Management and Budget. Amounts unobligated by the State at the end of a fiscal year remain available for obligation during the succeeding fiscal year. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: For CSBG Block Grants, funding is awarded each fiscal year. For discretionary awards: Post award, the Division of Payment Management will establish an account from which a recipient may draw down award funds over the three-year (36 months) award period. For CSBG Block Grants, funding is awarded each fiscal year. For discretionary grants: Post award, the Division of Payment Management will establish an account from which a recipient may draw down award funds. None/Not specified. Charisse Johnson
330 C Street, SW, 5th Floor, Mail Room 5425
Washington, DC 20201 USA
charisse.johnson@acf.hhs.gov
Phone: 202-401-5665 http://acf.hhs.gov/ocs/programs/community-services-block-grant-csbg 75-1536-0-1-506 (Formula Grants) FY 22$739,290,473.00; FY 23 est $750,309,433.00; FY 24 est $750,309,433.00; FY 21$733,369,255.00; FY 20$728,444,254.00; FY 19$706,554,837.00; FY 18$703,856,755.00; FY 17$696,825,612.00; FY 16$703,729,255.00; - (Project Grants (Cooperative Agreements)) FY 22$4,469,870.00; FY 23 est $9,901,704.00; FY 24 est $6,150,000.00; FY 21$5,407,341.00; FY 20$6,221,092.00; FY 19$5,875,000.00; FY 18$6,593,109.00; FY 17$1,536,812.00; FY 16$1,105,612.00; - In 2022, CSBG awards ranged from $1,221 to $67,057, 257. The average award was $6,842,339. In 2023, CSBG awards ranged from $1,233 to $67,695, 215. The average award is $6,973,387. 45 CFR 16, 45 CFR 75 (as applicable), 45 CFR 96, Subparts D and I, 45 CFR Part 97. For general and program-specific terms and conditions, see https://www.acf.hhs.gov/grants/mandatory-formula-block-and-entitlement-grants Not applicable.