OCS Tribal Services

The OCS Tribal Services Workgroup works with tribes and tribal organizations to keep these populations informed of opportunities available to them within the Office of Community Services.

The Tribal Workgroup helps tribes access OCS programs:

• Assets for Independence (AFI) program is authorized to award grants to tribal governments that apply jointly with a non-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status.  AFI-funded projects provide individual development accounts (IDAs) and related services to low-income individuals. Participants’ savings are matched by the project and the combined funds are used to purchase an allowable asset: a first home, a business, or post-secondary education or training.
•  Community Services Block Grants (CSBG) provides funds to tribes and tribal organizations to support services and activities for low-income individuals and families that alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty in communities. Activities and services address: employment, education, housing, nutrition, emergency services, substance abuse, energy, and health care services.
• Community Economic Development (CED) program offers grants to tribes for business start-up or business expansion and the development of new products and services.
• Rural Community Development (RCD) program works with regional and tribal organizations to manage safe water systems in rural communities.
• Tribal households can benefit from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) on both the state and federal level by applying for benefits, becoming a contractor or administering and delivering the LIHEAP benefits directly to their tribal households.