CSBG-DCL-2019-05 New Format and Defined Use for OCS' Communications

Community Services Block Grants

Dear Colleague Letter

DCL#: CSBG-DCL-2019-05

DATE: January 11, 2019

TO: CSBG Grantees

SUBJECT: New Format and Defined Use for OCS’ Communications — Action Transmittals, Dear Colleague Letters, and Information Memoranda

ATTACHMENT(S): N/A

Happy New Year!

In order to communicate more clearly and effectively with grantees and other stakeholders, the Office of Community Services (OCS) is rolling out a fresh look for its communication documents and a defined use for Action Transmittals (AT), Dear Colleague Letters (DCL), and Information Memoranda (IM).

Beginning January 7, 2019, OCS will use our new OCS letterhead and a standard template for all ATs, DCLs, and IMs across OCS programs, including Community Economic Development, Community Services Block Grant, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Rural Community Development, Social Services Block Grant, and the Assets for Independence (AFI) programs.

The new templates include a direct hyperlink to the program website, which is embedded in the name of the OCS program releasing the communique as well as the type of communication (e.g. AT, DCL, or IM). Lastly, each communique will now include a unique identifier that consists of the program name, type of document, fiscal year, and a chronological number.

In addition, moving forward, OCS will use ATs, DCLs, and IMs for the purposes outlined below:

Action Transmittal: To request information.

Dear Colleague Letter: To make general announcements.

Information Memorandum: To establish and/or confirm program policy.

If you have any questions about the new format for and the defined purpose of each AT, DCL, and IM, please contact your program liaison.

Again, the effective date for the use of the new template is January 7, 2019 and applicable to all OCS programs.

Thank you for your attention and OCS looks forward to continuing to provide high quality services to OCS grantees.