CSBG-DCL-2023-07 NASCSP Conference Consultation Office Hours FY 2023
Community Services Block Grant
Dear Colleague Letter
DCL#: CSBG-DCL-2022-07
DATE: March 16, 2023
TO: CSBG Network
SUBJECT: NASCSP Conference Consultation Office Hours
ATTACHMENT(S): N/A
Dear Colleague,
The Office of Community Services (OCS), Division of Community Assistance (DCA) is offering individual Consultation Office Hours to Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) state grant recipients during the National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP) 2023 Winter Training Conference.
DCA Participation in the NASCSP Conference
DCA encourages states to strengthen the administration of CSBG through ongoing training and technical assistance (T/TA). As such, OCS supports CSBG state administrators’ attendance at the NASCSP 2023 Winter Training Conference themed: Mission Possible—Restoring Hope, scheduled April 3-7, 2023, in Arlington, Virginia.
DCA will provide remarks at the Federal Partner Update session on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 from 9:30am — 10:30am ET and lead two sessions on Thursday, April 6, 2023 from 1:00pm — 2:30pm ET and 3:00pm — 4:30pm ET. These sessions will provide insight on promising practices related to administering CSBG, explore innovative anti-poverty strategies, update the Network on performance management efforts, and re-emphasize the importance of advancing equity and uplifting communities through CSBG programming. In addition, DCA leadership and Program Specialists will be onsite and available by appointment to meet with state administrators during designated Consultation Office Hours.
Purpose of Consultation Office Hours
As part of DCA’s commitment to strengthening the T/TA we provide, we are intentionally increasing and enhancing the direct T/TA efforts provided by DCA through meaningful engagement with the CSBG Network to ensure continuous learning and improvement for achieving better outcomes. The DCA Consultation Office Hours will provide an opportunity for CSBG state administrators to meet with DCA leadership and CSBG Program Specialists face-to-face to discuss an array of topics such as general Performance Management, CSBG State Plan, CSBG Annual Report, CSBG eligible entity concerns, Information Memorandum clarification, fiscal procedures, state association relations, etc.
Scheduling Consultation Office Hours
DCA will hold Consultation Office Hours on Tuesday, April 4 and Wednesday, April 5, 2023, from 1:30pm-6:30pm ET. Each consultation will be 30 minutes in duration. Interested states should complete a DCA Consultation Office Hours Doodle Poll and send a completed Consultation Office Hours Request Form (PDF) to CSBGStates@acf.hhs.gov, copying Verna.Best@acf.hhs.gov no later than Friday, March 24, 2023. Please note that there are limited time slots available. If we are unable to meet with you during the requested time, we will work to schedule another appointment with you. CSBG state administrators will receive confirmation of your scheduled consultation date and time no later than Thursday, March 30, 2023.
We look forward to engaging with as many states as possible during the conference!
Thank you for your attention to these matters. OCS looks forward to continuing to provide high-quality services to OCS partners.
/s/
Charisse Johnson
Director, Division of Community Assistance
Office of Community Services