Community Services Block Grant Program
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.
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 StreetButte, 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.
- IM No 163 - Mortgage Payment Assistance - August 9, 2022
- IM No 162 - Terminology Changes - August 10, 2021
- IM No 161 Use of CSBG Resources to Support COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts. April 2, 2021
- IM No. 159 CSBG COVID-19 Flexibilities Extended FY 2020, November 5, 2020
- IM No. 158 Cares Act Supplemental Administrative Guidance, May 8, 2020
- IM No. 157 CSBG Immediate Guidance on COVID-19 Response, April 13, 2020
- IM No. 156 CSBG Disaster Relief Supplemental Funds, November 19, 2019
- IM No. 154 CSBG Disaster Flexibilities and Waivers, March 7, 2018
- IM No. 150 Use of the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to Improve Network Effectiveness, August 22, 2016
- IM No. 149 Strengthening Outcomes Through Two-Generation Approaches, August 15, 2016
- IM No. 144 CSBG State and Federal Accountability Measures and Data Collection Modernization, October 2, 2016
- IM No. 143 Use of CSBG Resources to Support Information and Referral for Affordable Care Act (ACA) Benefits and Services, September 14, 2015
- IM No. 139 Federal Matching Requirements AmeriCorps, March 19, 2015
- IM No. 138 State Establishment of Organizational Standards for CSBG Eligible Entities, January 26, 2015
- IM No. 135 Federal Matching Requirements HUD McKinney-Vento, June 4, 2014
- IM No. 130 How Direct CSBG Funding is Developed for New Tribes, June 6, 2013
- IM No. 129 Use of CSBG funds to support summer jobs for youth and related services, April 12, 2013
- IM No. 126 Use of CSBG funds to support summer jobs for youth, April 25, 2012
- IM No. 123 Reorganization of CSBG T/TA Resources – A New Strategy for Excellence, May 4, 2011
- IM No. 122 Final Liquidation and Closeout Expectations of FY 2009 CSBG ARRA Funds, May 1, 2011
- IM No. 119 Guidance for Implementation of Making Work Pay Tax Credit, February 17, 2010
- IM No. 116 Corrective Action, Termination, or Reduction of Funding, April 2, 2010
- IM No. 109 Recovery Act - States, April 9, 2009
- IM No. 104 Rescue and Restore Victims of Human Trafficking, November 1, 2007
- IM No. 103 CSBG Strategic Plan - Final Strategic Plan,September 6, 2007
- IM No. 102 CSBG Monitoring Checklist
- IM No. 97 Guidance on the CSBG Requirement to Monitor Eligible Entities, October 10, 2006
- IM No. 94 FY 2006 Head Start Terminal and Follow-Up Reviews in Community Action Agencies - Immediate and Long-Term Opportunities, January 13, 2006
- IM No. 93 Community Food and Nutrition Formula Grant Program, January 12, 2006
- IM No. 89 Healthy Marriage Initiative Under CSBG, July 20, 2005
- IM No. 82 Tripartite Boards, March 23, 2005
- IM No. 81 Updated Guidance on Voter Registration Activities, December 14, 2004
- IM No. 73 Partnership Initiative to Increase Financial Literacy and Asset Formation for Low-Wage Earning Households, August 19, 2003
- IM No. 61 FY 2001 CSBG Carryover Funds, February 20, 2002
- IM No. 60 Duties and Interests With Respect to Property, Purchased, Constructed, or Improved by an Eligible Entity, February 6, 2002
- IM No. 51 Special State Technical Assistance, April 27, 2001
- IM No. 50 Policy Guidance on Serving Persons With Limited English Proficiency, April 5, 2001
- 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
- IM No. 39 Program Authorized Under the Workforce Investment Act: Unified State Plan Block Appropriation and Allocations, December 16, 1999
- IM No. 37 Definition and Allowability of Direct and Administrative Cost Block Appropriation and Allocations, December 10, 1999
- IM No. 32 Programs Authorized Under the Workforce Investment Act: Unified State Plan, April 20, 1999
- IM No. 30 Guidance on the Interpretation of Federal Public Benefit, September 30, 1998
- IM No. 20 A Discussion of Indirect Cost Rate Principles, April 23, 1997
- IM No. 10 1994 CSBG Reauthorization Amendments, June 16, 1994
- 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
Office of Community Services (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
Montana Community Action Network
National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP)
National Community Action Partnership
CAPLAW – Community Action Program Legal Services, Inc.
Housing Authorities in Montana
Montana Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)