Resource Library

CSBG State Assessments

Today, President Biden announced a six-pronged strategy to combat the variants of the COVID-19 pandemic. The plan includes a requirement that Head Start staff, across the country, take necessary steps to protect our youngest population by receiving their COVID-19 vaccination.

This Information Memorandum highlights how Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) grantees and local eligible entities (commonly referred to as Community Action Agencies or “CAAs”) can play a vital role in strengthening and advancing COVID-19 vaccination efforts and increasing community awareness, as CAAs serve as trusted entities in communities and reach 99% of U.S. counties.

The purpose of this message is to provide you with an update on apportionment of Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020. These awards represent the full allocation of funding for FY 2020.

The Office of Community Services (OCS) has received a number of questions from State Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Lead Agencies and from CSBG eligible entities regarding state direction in the implementation of supplemental funds distributed under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, P.L. 116-36 (CARES Act).

To help address these questions, this letter discusses the role of states in (1) ensuring flexibility to meet urgent community needs, (2) creating procedures to amend plans and address new needs, (3) supporting locally identified services and strategies, (4) facilitating communication, performance management, and technical assistance, and (5) monitoring and accountability.

Thank you for your partnership with the Office of Community Services (OCS) to ensure safe and continued services to the vulnerable children, families, and communities we serve. Here, you will find consolidated OCS program-specific COVID-19 resources and guidance that will help our grantees, partners, and stakeholders support individuals, families, communities impacted by COVID-19.

CSBG State Assessment for Vermont FY 2020 (attached as PDF)

CSBG State Assessment for Minnesota FY 2019 (attached as PDF)

This guidance provides preliminary information on the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Supplemental Award process. More detailed information and plan amendment instructions will be forthcoming in an Action Transmittal.

The purpose of this message to provide information to Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) state, territory and tribal grantees on findings from the 2020 American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) survey of CSBG Grantees implemented on Tuesday, January 7, 2020, through Monday, January 27, 2020.