Community Service Block Grant

Public Hearing Notice

A public hearing will be held on Friday, August 27, 2021 at 10:00 AM at the WV State Capitol Complex 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East, Building 3, Suite 700, Charleston, WV. The hearing will also be accessible online at meet.google.com/enz-nksx-nzo. Registration is not required.

WV Proposed CSBG State Plan for FY 2022-2023

The WV Department of Economic Development is seeking comments on the proposed use of federal CSBG funding and the administration of the program for federal fiscal years 2022 and 2023. The public comment period begins on August 1, 2021 and concludes on August 27, 2021.

Written comments should be directed to Craig Petry at Craig.T.Petry@wv.gov or provided in writing at the public hearing noted above. Written comments may also be mailed to Craig Petry, WV Department of Economic Development, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East, Building 3, Suite 700, Charleston, WV 25305.

What is CSBG and who is eligible to apply for a grant?

The Community Service Block Grant is a federal anti-poverty program administered by the Community Advancement and Development office of the WV Department of Economic Development. CSBG is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) – Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and administered by the Office of Community Services ACF-OCS.

CSBG is not a competitive grant. Eligible applicants are Community Action Agencies that are designated by the Governor of West Virginia to administer the Community Services Block Grant. The purpose in West Virginia is to aid a network of 16 Community Action Agencies (CAAs) and other statewide organizations in the reduction of poverty, revitalization of low-income communities, and to provide economic opportunities for low-income families.

Benefits of CSBG

WV's Community Action Agencies are independent non-profit organizations each providing a unique mix of community services.

CSBG funding supports projects that:

Lessen poverty in communities
Address the needs of low-income individuals including the homeless, migrants and the elderly
Provide services and activities addressing employment, education, better use of available income, housing, nutrition, emergency services and/or health

With the support of CSBG funding, states and CAAs work together to achieve the following goals for low-income individuals:

Increased self-sufficiency
Improved living conditions
Ownership of and pride in their communities
Strong family and support systems

Working together, agencies increase their capacity to achieve results. Partnerships among supporters and providers of services play a large role in the successful implementation of CSBG grants.

Individuals Seeking Assistance

This office provides CSBG funding directly to Community Action Agencies.

CSBG Funding

Amount: The amount of CSBG funding to be awarded to WV annually varies depending on the appropriations by the United States Congress. West Virginia's total CSBG award for FY 2020 is $8,086,983.

Source of Funds: Federal Awarding Agency – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families; CFDA Number and Name – 93.569 – Community Services Block Grant.

Funding Cycle: CSBG grants are awarded every year, and cover the period of two years. The Federal grant cycle is October 1 - September 30.

Authorizing Legislation/Statute:

Eligible Applicants for CSBG Grant

Organizations which were officially designated as Community Action Agencies (CAAs) under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 and were specifically designated by the 1981 CSBG Act as eligible entities to receive CSBG funds.

All recipients of CSBG funds submit community action plans and budgets detailing the programs, services, and activities to be conducted using CSBG funding. Based on monitoring results by this office’s Compliance Unit, recommendations are made to agencies for continued progress and improvement of existing conditions.

CSBG Subrecipient Resources

Emergency Solutions Grant Program >>