Support the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
-
Policy BriefUrge your members of Congress to reauthorize and fully fund the Community Services Block Grant to ensure the program is effectively meeting the current needs of local communities.Support the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
-
Document
Support the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
ACTION NEEDED:
Urge your members of Congress to reauthorize and fully fund the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) to ensure the program is effectively meeting the current needs of local communities.
BACKGROUND:
The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) administers the CSBG, which supports local agencies in activities that mitigate the root causes of poverty. CSBG-eligible activities vary depending on local needs, but often include services related to educational attainment, accessing and maintaining employment and self-sufficiency, household budget management, obtaining adequate housing and promoting greater community participation. Most CSBG funding is distributed to states, which must pass at least 90 percent of the funds to eligible local entities.
Counties play an integral role in administering CSBG. The program operates in 99 percent of the nation’s counties through a network of over 1,000 eligible public or private entities. Eligible entities are primarily Community Action Agencies (CAAs) designated under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 (P.L. 88-482). Local elected officials or their representatives must (by law) make up one-third of each CAA board of directors. These boards are responsible for ensuring that agencies continue to assess and respond to the causes and conditions of poverty in their communities, achieve anticipated family and community outcomes and operate in an administratively and fiscally sound manner. Along with CSBG, CAAs also operate a variety of grants that come from federal, state and local sources, such as Head Start and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
According to the latest annual report from the National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP), in FY 2019 the CSBG network served 10.2 million individuals living in poverty, including 3.2 million children. The network reported more than 250,000 employment outcomes (such as obtaining and maintaining a job, increasing income and obtaining benefits), nearly 1.5 million education outcomes (such as improved literacy skills, school readiness and obtaining additional education and diplomas), more than 1.5 million housing outcomes (such as obtaining and maintaining housing, avoiding eviction or foreclosure and reducing energy burden), more than 2.8 million health outcomes (such as increasing nutrition skills, improving physical or mental health and living independently), 205,000 civic engagement outcomes (such as increasing
leadership skills and improving social networks) and nearly 400,000 income outcomes (maintaining a budget, opening a savings account, increasing assets and net worth and improving financial wellbeing).As a discretionary program, CSBG funding is subject to the annual appropriations process. Congress provided $804.4 million in funding for CSBG in FY 2023, the highest level of funding the program has received in its 40-year history. However, CSBG has not been reauthorized since 1998, making it overdue for substantive changes that could increase its ability to effectively serve vulnerable county residents. On May 13, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan CSBG Modernization Act (H.R. 5129). This bill would enhance funding for CSBG, reauthorize the program for ten years and make other programmatic changes to ensure it is effectively meeting the current needs of local communities. NACo is continuing to monitor Senate progress on this reauthorizing legislation.
KEY TALKING POINTS:
-
The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) distributes funds to local agencies to support activities that have a measurable and potentially major impact on the causes of poverty.
-
States must by law pass 90 percent of CSBG funds to eligible local entities. The program operates in 99 percent of the nation’s counties through a network of over 1,000 eligible public or private entities.
-
Through its boards involving the public sector, the private sector, and the community, the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) represents a unique and effective partnership with counties, states, federal government and community organizations.
-
CSBG allows Community Action Agencies (CAAs) to design and implement anti-poverty programs tailored to an individual community’s needs, with a focus on housing, health, employment, income and civic engagement outcomes.
-
In FY 2019, the CSBG network served 10.2 million individuals living in poverty, including 3.2 million children.
-
While CSBG continues to receive funding through the annual appropriations process, it has not been reauthorized since 1998. Counties support reauthorization of CSBG to ensure the program is meeting the current needs of local communities.
Urge your members of Congress to reauthorize and fully fund the Community Services Block Grant to ensure the program is effectively meeting the current needs of local communities.2022-01-13Policy Brief2023-02-01 -
ACTION NEEDED:
Urge your members of Congress to reauthorize and fully fund the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) to ensure the program is effectively meeting the current needs of local communities.
BACKGROUND:
The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration for Children and Families (ACF) administers the CSBG, which supports local agencies in activities that mitigate the root causes of poverty. CSBG-eligible activities vary depending on local needs, but often include services related to educational attainment, accessing and maintaining employment and self-sufficiency, household budget management, obtaining adequate housing and promoting greater community participation. Most CSBG funding is distributed to states, which must pass at least 90 percent of the funds to eligible local entities.
Counties play an integral role in administering CSBG. The program operates in 99 percent of the nation’s counties through a network of over 1,000 eligible public or private entities. Eligible entities are primarily Community Action Agencies (CAAs) designated under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 (P.L. 88-482). Local elected officials or their representatives must (by law) make up one-third of each CAA board of directors. These boards are responsible for ensuring that agencies continue to assess and respond to the causes and conditions of poverty in their communities, achieve anticipated family and community outcomes and operate in an administratively and fiscally sound manner. Along with CSBG, CAAs also operate a variety of grants that come from federal, state and local sources, such as Head Start and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
According to the latest annual report from the National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP), in FY 2019 the CSBG network served 10.2 million individuals living in poverty, including 3.2 million children. The network reported more than 250,000 employment outcomes (such as obtaining and maintaining a job, increasing income and obtaining benefits), nearly 1.5 million education outcomes (such as improved literacy skills, school readiness and obtaining additional education and diplomas), more than 1.5 million housing outcomes (such as obtaining and maintaining housing, avoiding eviction or foreclosure and reducing energy burden), more than 2.8 million health outcomes (such as increasing nutrition skills, improving physical or mental health and living independently), 205,000 civic engagement outcomes (such as increasing
leadership skills and improving social networks) and nearly 400,000 income outcomes (maintaining a budget, opening a savings account, increasing assets and net worth and improving financial wellbeing).
As a discretionary program, CSBG funding is subject to the annual appropriations process. Congress provided $804.4 million in funding for CSBG in FY 2023, the highest level of funding the program has received in its 40-year history. However, CSBG has not been reauthorized since 1998, making it overdue for substantive changes that could increase its ability to effectively serve vulnerable county residents. On May 13, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan CSBG Modernization Act (H.R. 5129). This bill would enhance funding for CSBG, reauthorize the program for ten years and make other programmatic changes to ensure it is effectively meeting the current needs of local communities. NACo is continuing to monitor Senate progress on this reauthorizing legislation.
KEY TALKING POINTS:
-
The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) distributes funds to local agencies to support activities that have a measurable and potentially major impact on the causes of poverty.
-
States must by law pass 90 percent of CSBG funds to eligible local entities. The program operates in 99 percent of the nation’s counties through a network of over 1,000 eligible public or private entities.
-
Through its boards involving the public sector, the private sector, and the community, the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) represents a unique and effective partnership with counties, states, federal government and community organizations.
-
CSBG allows Community Action Agencies (CAAs) to design and implement anti-poverty programs tailored to an individual community’s needs, with a focus on housing, health, employment, income and civic engagement outcomes.
-
In FY 2019, the CSBG network served 10.2 million individuals living in poverty, including 3.2 million children.
-
While CSBG continues to receive funding through the annual appropriations process, it has not been reauthorized since 1998. Counties support reauthorization of CSBG to ensure the program is meeting the current needs of local communities.

About Rachel Mackey (Full Bio)
Legislative Director – Human Services & Education | Veterans & Military Services
Rachel serves as legislative director for human services and education.More from Rachel Mackey
-
Webinar
Reducing Jail Populations: Revisiting Technical Violations of Community Supervision to Decrease Jail Admissions and Length of Stay
Feb. 2, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmReducing the number of people in jail for technical violations can help decrease jail populations and improve outcomes and compliance with supervision conditions. Counties can reduce this kind of incarceration by reducing case processing times and implementing specialized caseloads. -
Policy Brief
Support the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)
Urge your members of Congress to increase resources under the mandatory and discretionary titles Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) program. -
Policy Brief
Authorize Resources for County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs)
ACTION NEEDED: Urge your members of Congress to pass the Commitment to Veteran Support and Outreach Act (H.R. 4601/S. 2405), which would authorize federal funding to expand and strengthen County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs). -
Policy Brief
Fully Fund the Older Americans Act (OAA)
ACTION NEEDED: Urge your members of Congress to appropriate Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 funding for Older Americans Act (OAA) programs at or above the level of $2.46 billion as authorized in the Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020 (SOAA, P.L. 116-131). BACKGROUND: -
Policy Brief
Support the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG)
Urge your Members of Congress to increase the funding cap for the Services Block Grant (SSBG). -
Policy Brief
Reauthorize the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant
Urge your Members of Congress to enact a long-term, substantive reauthorization of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
-
Webinar
Reducing Jail Populations: Revisiting Technical Violations of Community Supervision to Decrease Jail Admissions and Length of Stay
February 2, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmReducing the number of people in jail for technical violations can help decrease jail populations and improve outcomes and compliance with supervision conditions. Counties can reduce this kind of incarceration by reducing case processing times and implementing specialized caseloads.02022:00 pm<p>Reducing the number of people in jail for technical violations can help decrease jail populations and improve outcomes and compliance with supervision conditions.
-
Webinar
Local Strategies for Reaching Families and Young Children Experiencing Homelessness
February 8, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmExperiencing homelessness in early childhood can have long-term impacts on health, education and well-being for both children and parents. Homelessness among young children is often hidden, making it harder to collect accurate data and ensure that these children are connected to the services and resources they need.02082:00 pm<p>Experiencing homelessness in early childhood can have long-term impacts on health, education and well-being for both children and parents.
-
Webinar
Reducing Jail Populations: Lowering Recidivism through Jail- and Community-Based Treatment and Services
April 6, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmReducing recidivism through effective jail- and community-based services can decrease jail admissions and populations and improve outcomes for people with criminal histories.04062:00 pm<p>Reducing recidivism through effective jail- and community-based services can decrease jail admissions and populations and improve outcomes for people with criminal histories.</p>
-
Basic page
Transforming County Human Services Network
Counties Matter in Human Services There are over 257,000 county human services employees across the country delivering vital services to our nation’s most vulnerable populations.pagepagepage<h3><strong>Counties Matter in Human Services</strong></h3>
-
Basic page
Human Services & Education Steering Committee
All matters pertaining to children’s issues, foster care, public assistance and income support, services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, immigration policy, social services, and elementary, secondary and post-secondary education. Policy Platform & Resolutions 2022-2023 2022 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>All matters pertaining to children’s issues, foster care, public assistance and income support, services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, immigration policy, social services, and elementary,
Contact
-
Legislative Director – Human Services & Education | Veterans & Military Services(202) 661-8843
Related News
-
County NewsSix months after launch, how is 988 doing?Jan. 13, 2023
-
BlogGet the word out! IRS - certified tax preparers help millions of people keep more of their moneyJan. 12, 2023
-
BlogACL releases two new grant opportunities for Innovations in Nutrition Programs and Services for older adultsDec. 20, 2022
Related Resources
-
Policy BriefSupport the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)Feb. 1, 2023
-
Policy BriefAuthorize Resources for County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs)Feb. 1, 2023
-
Policy BriefFully Fund the Older Americans Act (OAA)Feb. 1, 2023
Related Events
-
2Feb2023Webinar
Reducing Jail Populations: Revisiting Technical Violations of Community Supervision to Decrease Jail Admissions and Length of Stay
Feb. 2, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm -
8Feb2023Webinar
Local Strategies for Reaching Families and Young Children Experiencing Homelessness
Feb. 8, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm -
6Apr2023Webinar
Reducing Jail Populations: Lowering Recidivism through Jail- and Community-Based Treatment and Services
Apr. 6, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Upcoming Events
-
2Feb2023Webinar
Reducing Jail Populations: Revisiting Technical Violations of Community Supervision to Decrease Jail Admissions and Length of Stay
Feb. 2, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm -
8Feb2023Webinar
Local Strategies for Reaching Families and Young Children Experiencing Homelessness
Feb. 8, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm -
11Feb2023
More From
-
ARPA Impact Report: An Analysis of How Counties are Addressing National Issues With Local Investments
With American Rescue Plan funds, counties are strengthening America’s workforce, addressing the nation’s behavioral health crisis, expanding broadband access, improving housing affordability and building prosperous communities for the next generation.
Learn More