Dear CSBG Program Officials and Program Contacts:
The Division of State Assistance (DSA) has received a number of inquiries regarding the Recovery funds, allotments, time lines for implementation, guidance on implementation and reporting requirements. The purpose of this message is to provide States, U.S. Territories, and Tribes and Tribal organizations, hereafter referred to as States, the most recent information available regarding the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program as it relates to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). The specific language from the bill related to CSBG reads as follows:
“$1,000,000,000 for carrying out activities under sections 674 through 679 of the Community Services Block Grant Act, of which no part shall be subject to section 674(b)(3) of such Act: Provided, That notwithstanding section 675C(a)(1) and 675C(b) of such Act; 1 percent of the funds made available to each State from this additional amount shall be used for benefits enrollment coordination activities relating to the identification and enrollment of eligible individuals and families in Federal, State, and local benefit programs: Provided further, That all funds remaining available to a State from this additional amount after application of the previous proviso shall be distributed to eligible entities as defined in section 673(1) of such Act: Provided further, That for services furnished under such Act during fiscal years 2009 and 2010, States may apply the last sentence of section 673(2) of such Act by substituting "200 percent" for "125 percent".
The Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), will utilize the statutory formula in determining State allotments. [Sec. 675B] Prior to communicating specific amounts to States, Federal spending plans must be officially approved. For planning purposes, States may develop a rough estimate of the proportion of funds they will receive based on their historic percentage of CBSG funds applied against $985,000,000 (98.5 percent of the total CSBG Recovery Act appropriation). Specific allotments and time lines for award are currently under review and DSA will provide specific guidance as soon as Federal spending plans are approved. It is currently expected that additional CSBG awards as a result of the Recovery Act will be distributed in mid-March, 2009.
It is expected that States will be required to submit an amendment to their Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 CSBG Application and Plan. The reporting requirements for the Recovery funds will have short turnaround times for the submission of plans and reports. DSA is strongly encouraging CSBG program officials to begin consultation with eligible entities regarding planned activities. States must also ensure all Recovery Act funds are clearly distinguishable from non-Recovery Act funds. CSBG program officials should take the steps necessary to plan for tracking and reporting expenditures of Recovery Act funds separately from their regular CBSG allotments.
CSBG program officials are encouraged to review materials on www.recovery.gov, including the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published memorandum Initial Implementing Guidance for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which is available online at http://www.recovery.gov/files/Initial%20Recovery%20Act%20Implementing%20Guidance.pdf(PDF 546.23KB). This OMB guidance document includes information on page 15 regarding specific reporting requirements that will be incorporated into CSBG guidance materials specific to the Recovery Act funds. States can also view the Recovery Act in its entirety at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h1enr.pdf(PDF 548KB) .
Attached is the Division of State Assistance (DSA) CSBG Program Services – Regional Contact document, which provides the names and contact information of DSA staff assignments. Further inquiries regarding the aforementioned information should be directed to your respective CSBG Program Services – Regional Contact. DSA will, however, continue to provide States regular updates as the information becomes available.
Thank you for your current and future efforts to support the CSBG program goal to alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty in communities. We look forward to working with you to provide services best suited to meet the needs of the individuals, families and communities within your State.
Sincerely,
Seth Hassett
Director, Division of State Assistance
Office of Community Services
Administration for Children and Families
Aerospace Building - 5th Floor West
370 L'Enfant Promenade, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20447
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http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/csbg/aboutus/staffassignements.html