CSBG-DCL-2020-08 Disaster Supplemental Activity Updates

Dear Colleagues,

The purpose of this message is to provide a brief update on the status of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Disaster Supplemental grants.

Completion of Stage 1 Reviews

The Office of Community Services (OCS) has completed its review of all CSBG Disaster Supplemental, Stage 1 applications that we received from eligible states and U.S. territory on or around the December 17, 2019 due date. OCS has notified all applicants regarding the status of their application.

Establishment of Notice of Awards

OCS is completing work with the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Office of Grants Management (OGM) to establish the new grant awards in GrantSolutions. Since this is the first time that the federal CSBG program is issuing supplemental awards, we are working closely with OGM to ensure that the system has the necessary and appropriate information to support the new grant awards, including the correct budget and tracking information and the specific requirements and timelines of the supplemental appropriation. Together, we anticipate that the awards will be available to accepted applicants within the next 2-3 weeks. OCS will notify states when the awards are being processed.

Stage 2 Application and Webinar

Within the coming days, OCS will issue a new Action Transmittal (AT) with instructions on how to apply for Stage 2 grants. We anticipate that applications will be due in early March 2020. Concurrent with the release of the AT, OCS will conduct a webinar that will provide information on upcoming deadlines, the application requirements, guidance on needs assessment, examples of disaster recovery services for individuals, families and communities, and information states may want to consider to ensure disaster supplemental funds do not duplicate services already reimbursed by FEMA, private insurance, or self-insurance. The anticipated date for the webinar is Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. OCS will issue a save-the-date with instructions for joining the webinar. The webinar will be recorded.

Contacts for Immediate Questions

We look forward to working with you in the next phase of this important opportunity that serves low-income people and promotes resilience and recovery after major disasters. If you have any immediate questions about the status of your application, or would like to arrange a consultation session to discuss your state’s implementation plans, please contact Seth Hassett at Seth.Hassett@acf.hhs.gov and Roneika Carr at Roneika.Carr@acf.hhs.gov. Please also copy CSBGStates@acf.hhs.gov as well so that we can manage and track our response.

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

/s/
J. Janelle George
Acting Deputy Director
Office of Community Services