Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) / Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS). The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) provides core funding to eligible entities, including Community Action Agencies, to reduce poverty, promote self-sufficiency, and revitalize low-income communities.

Community Grant Program - Arkansas Department of Human Services Divisions & Shared Services Frequently Asked Questions Get To Know Director Franklin Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) Medicaid Quick Reference Chart SNAP Quick Reference Guide TEA Quick Reference Guide Workers with Disabilities CSBG, or the Community Services Block Grant, is an anti-poverty block grant which provides the core funding to more than 1,000 Eligible Entities across the United States for services that reduce poverty, promote self-sufficiency, and revitalize low-income communities.

CSBG funding supports projects that: Lessen or eliminate poverty in communities and foster self-sufficiency 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 The CSBG is federally funded and administered by the state through the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS).

The CSBG funds are distributed to a network of local organizations known as Eligible Entities or Community Action Agencies. There are 15 Community Action Agencies in Arkansas that assist low to moderate-income individuals in all 75 counties.

The Community Action Agencies are characterized by their tri-partite board of elected public officials, representatives from the low-income community and from the private sector to maintain the network’s focus on community representation and accountability. They have a designated geographic service area not served by another Community Action Agency.

Client eligibility is determined by the Federal Poverty Guidelines which are updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of 42 U.S.C. 9902(2). Eligibility for CSBG is calculated at 125% of Federal Poverty Guidelines Poverty Guidelines, all states (except Alaska and Hawaii)