Background

Legislative Authority

Authorized by the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1981, P.L. 97-35, the Community Service Block Grant Act, as amended (... in 1998 by the, "Coates Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998, P.L. 105-285) provides for formula grants to States and Federal and State-recognized Indian Tribes and tribal organizations.

Summary of Activities

CSBG Block grants are made available to 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Territories (which in turn made subcontracts to community action agencies and locally-based community organizations), to provide grants to Federal and State-recognized Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations, in addition, funds are made available under a national competitive Training, Technical Assistance and Capacity Building Discretionary Grant Program to assist the community services network.


Currently, CSBG services and activities are provided to over 95% of all U.S. counties through a network of public and private community action agencies. This includes approximately 1,086 Community Action Agencies, several hundred other community-based organizations, and 54 Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations.

Program Requirements and Eligibility

Annual applications are required for the CSBG award. A notice reminding State and Indian Tribes to submit annual applications is sent in July each year. Notice of funds availability is made once the Congress appropriates and the Office of Management and Budget apportions the funds.


The CSBG Act mandates that States pass through 90% of the funds allocated to the eligible entities. Up to 5% of these funds can be used by States and Tribes for administrative costs as defined by the grantee.

Application Requirements

States and Tribes are required to submit annual applications with specified assurances which are mandated in the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Act. State Offices of Community Services work together with local CSBG service providers primarily to prepare annual State Plans which describe how the State will carry out the assurances. Grantees receive funds under the CSBG which are used to provide services and activities that address the following: employment, education, income management, housing, nutrition, emergency services, and health.

Special Initiatives

The work of the National CSBG Monitoring and Assessment Task Force (MATF) is continuing. States have received recommendations on the National Goals and Measures and have begun to assist CSBG service providers in development of strategic plans based on the National Goals and Measures.