Community Services Block Grant Program

Heart shaped photo

CSBG Purpose:

Everybody should have equal opportunity to achieve their highest potential in partnership with their families and communities.

Overview

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) is a federally funded block grant in the Office of Community Services, Administration for Children and Families, United States Department of Health and Human Services that provides funds to states, territories, and tribes to administer to support services that alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty in under resourced communities. CSBG provides core funding to local community action agencies to reduce poverty, revitalize low-income communities and to empower low-income families to become self-sufficient.

The Montana CSBG network consists of 10 Human Resource Development Council Agencies that are federally recognized as Community Action Agencies (CAAs). They create, coordinate and deliver programs and services to low-income Montanans in all 56 counties. Agencies conduct regular assessments of the needs in their communities and develop action plans for providing programs and services to meet identified needs. As a result, available CSBG services vary by community and range from “safety net” emergency services to job development, adult education, and financial management. In providing these services, it is the goal of CSBG to assist individuals and families in obtaining the resources and skills necessary to achieve and sustain independence to grow beyond the need of services.

Community representation and accountability are hallmarks of the CSBG network, where agencies are governed by a tripartite board. This board structure consists of elected public officials, representatives of the low-income community, and appointed leaders from the private sector.

In order to obtain CSBG services, clients must demonstrate income eligibility and a need for the service. Household income must be at or below 200% of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Poverty Guidelines to receive CSBG services. Documentation of the client’s income eligibility and need for service must be completed prior to delivery of services.

Community Action Partnership National Impact Report

Community Action Partnership National Impact Infographic

ACTION FOR EASTERN MONTANA

2030 North Merrill
P.O. Box 1309
Glendive, MT 59330-1309
(406) 377-3564
(800) 227-0703

COUNTIES SERVED: Carter, Custer, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, McCone, Phillips, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Roosevelt, Rosebud, Sheridan, Treasure, Valley, Wibaux

DISTRICT 4 HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

2229 5th Ave
Havre, MT 59501
(406) 265-6743

COUNTIES SERVED: Blaine, Hill, Liberty

OPPORTUNITIES, INC.

905 1st Ave North
Great Falls, MT 59403
(406) 761-0310

COUNTIES SERVED: Cascade, Chouteau, Glacier, Pondera, Teton, Toole

DISTRICT 6 HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

300 First Avenue North, Room 203
Lewistown, MT 59457
(406) 535-7488

COUNTIES SERVED: Fergus, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, Musselshell, Petroleum, Wheatland

ADDITIONAL COUNTIES SERVED: Daniels, Dawson, Garfield, McCone, Phillips, Prairie, Richland, Roosevelt, Sheridan, Valley, Wibaux

DISTRICT 7 HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

7 North 31st Street
Billings, MT 59103
(406) 247-4732

COUNTIES SERVED: Big Horn, Carbon, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Yellowstone

ADDITIONAL COUNTIES SERVED: Carter, Custer, Fallon, Powder River, Rosebud, Treasure

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (RMDC)

201 S. LAST CHANCE GULCH
HELENA, MT 59601
(406) 447-1680

COUNTIES SERVED: Broadwater, Jefferson, Lewis & Clark

DISTRICT 9 HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

32 South Tracy
Bozeman, MT 59715
(406) 587-4486

COUNTIES SERVED: Gallatin, Meagher, Park

COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP OF NORTHWEST MONTANA

1820 US Hwy 93 S
Kalispell, MT 59901
(406) 752-6565

COUNTIES SERVED: Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Sanders

DISTRICT XI HUMAN RESOURCE COUNCIL

1801 South Higgins
Missoula, MT 59801
(406) 728-3710

COUNTIES SERVED: Mineral, Missoula, Ravalli

ACTION, INC.

700 Casey Street
Butte, MT 59702
(406) 496-4975

COUNTIES SERVED: Beaverhead, Deer Lodge, Granite, Madison, Powell, Silver Bow

States must pass through no less than 90 percent of the CSBG grant award. Of the remaining 10 percent, states can use up to five percent for administrative costs and the remaining funds for projects that support the statutory goals of CSBG. States are also required to conduct a full on-site review of each local entity at least once every three years.

Uses

Block Grants — States receive funds according to a statutory formula. In turn, states fund a network of local eligible entities with 90 percent of their CSBG grant award. The local entities provide services and activities addressing employment, education, income and asset building services, housing, nutrition, emergency services, and/or healthcare based on community needs assessments conducted by the local entities.

Discretionary Grants — A small portion of funds are reserved to support technical assistance and monitoring efforts of CSBG. Eligible applicants include statewide or local organizations, or associations with demonstrated expertise in providing training to individuals and organizations on methods of effectively addressing the needs of families and individuals with low income and low-income communities.

Guidelines and the CSBG Two-Year State Plan detail specific state priorities. Typical uses include:

  • Case management
  • Job training
  • Food and nutrition
  • Transportation
  • Education
  • Housing
  • Drug and alcohol counseling
  • Economic development

Eligibility

Must be a federally recognized Community Action Agency.

Funding

Based on entitlement formula.

Terms

One-year grant awards. Applicants must demonstrate ability to implement and sustain projects, assure community-level linkages, and effectively manage project budgets.

The Office of Community Services, Division of Community Assistance, publishes Information Memoranda (IM) for distribution to CSBG program administrators. An Information Memoranda (IM) provides guidance to assist in implementing the CSBG legislation, program instruction and policy clarification, in addition to disseminating information and program practices to stakeholders. Most relevant listed below, in order of most current to oldest
  1. IM No 163 - Mortgage Payment Assistance - August 9, 2022
  2. IM No 162 - Terminology Changes - August 10, 2021
  3. IM No 161 Use of CSBG Resources to Support COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts. April 2, 2021
  4. IM No. 159 CSBG COVID-19 Flexibilities Extended FY 2020, November 5, 2020
  5. IM No. 158 Cares Act Supplemental Administrative Guidance, May 8, 2020
  6. IM No. 157 CSBG Immediate Guidance on COVID-19 Response, April 13, 2020
  7. IM No. 156 CSBG Disaster Relief Supplemental Funds, November 19, 2019
  8. IM No. 154 CSBG Disaster Flexibilities and Waivers, March 7, 2018
  9. IM No. 150 Use of the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to Improve Network Effectiveness, August 22, 2016
  10. IM No. 149 Strengthening Outcomes Through Two-Generation Approaches, August 15, 2016
  11. IM No. 144 CSBG State and Federal Accountability Measures and Data Collection Modernization, October 2, 2016
  12. IM No. 143 Use of CSBG Resources to Support Information and Referral for Affordable Care Act (ACA) Benefits and Services, September 14, 2015
  13. IM No. 139 Federal Matching Requirements AmeriCorps, March 19, 2015
  14. IM No. 138 State Establishment of Organizational Standards for CSBG Eligible Entities, January 26, 2015
  15. IM No. 135 Federal Matching Requirements HUD McKinney-Vento, June 4, 2014
  16. IM No. 130 How Direct CSBG Funding is Developed for New Tribes, June 6, 2013
  17. IM No. 129 Use of CSBG funds to support summer jobs for youth and related services, April 12, 2013
  18. IM No. 126 Use of CSBG funds to support summer jobs for youth, April 25, 2012
  19. IM No. 123 Reorganization of CSBG T/TA Resources – A New Strategy for Excellence, May 4, 2011
  20. IM No. 122 Final Liquidation and Closeout Expectations of FY 2009 CSBG ARRA Funds, May 1, 2011
  21. IM No. 119 Guidance for Implementation of Making Work Pay Tax Credit, February 17, 2010
  22. IM No. 116 Corrective Action, Termination, or Reduction of Funding, April 2, 2010
  23. IM No. 109 Recovery Act - States, April 9, 2009
  24. IM No. 104 Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking, November 1, 2007
  25. IM No. 103 CSBG Strategic Plan - Final Strategic Plan,September 6, 2007
  26. IM No. 102 CSBG Monitoring Checklist
  27. IM No. 97 Guidance on the CSBG Requirement to Monitor Eligible Entities, October 10, 2006
  28. IM No. 94 FY 2006 Head Start Terminal and Follow-Up Reviews in Community Action Agencies - Immediate and Long-Term Opportunities, January 13, 2006
  29. IM No. 93 Community Food and Nutrition Formula Grant Program, January 12, 2006
  30. IM No. 89 Healthy Marriage Initiative Under CSBG, July 20, 2005
  31. IM No. 82 Tripartite Boards, March 23, 2005
  32. IM No. 81 Updated Guidance on Voter Registration Activities, December 14, 2004
  33. IM No. 73 Partnership Initiative to Increase Financial Literacy and Asset Formation for Low-Wage Earning Households, August 19, 2003
  34. IM No. 61 FY 2001 CSBG Carryover Funds, February 20, 2002
  35. IM No. 60 Duties and Interests With Respect to Property, Purchased, Constructed, or Improved by an Eligible Entity, February 6, 2002
  36. IM No. 51 Special State Technical Assistance, April 27, 2001
  37. IM No. 50 Policy Guidance on Serving Persons With Limited English Proficiency, April 5, 2001
  38. IM No. 42 Statutory Requirements for Designation Priority of Private Non-Profit Organizations Over Political Subdivisions as Eligible Entities in Unserved Areas, April 10, 2000
  39. IM No. 39 Program Authorized Under the Workforce Investment Act: Unified State Plan Block Appropriation and Allocations, December 16, 1999
  40. IM No. 37 Definition and Allowability of Direct and Administrative Cost Block Appropriation and Allocations, December 10, 1999
  41. IM No. 32 Programs Authorized Under the Workforce Investment Act: Unified State Plan, April 20, 1999
  42. IM No. 30 Guidance on the Interpretation of Federal Public Benefit, September 30, 1998
  43. IM No. 20 A Discussion of Indirect Cost Rate Principles, April 23, 1997
  44. IM No. 10 1994 CSBG Reauthorization Amendments, June 16, 1994
  45. IM No. 3 Prohibition Against the Use of CSBG Funds Related to the Purchase or Improvement of Real Property and the Secretary's Right to Waive the Prohibition, March 14, 1993