Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
The Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) provides funding to American Indian and Alaskan Native Tribes to reduce poverty, revitalize low-income communities, and empower low-income families. CSBG is a flexible block grant that can be used to support a range of services and activities, including: self-sufficiency programs, employment and job training programs, education, income-management, housing, emergency assistance, partnerships and community engagement, youth development, program linkages, service coordination, and health and nutrition services. CSBG funds may also be used to complement other federal, state, and local programs, such as Head Start and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
To address the unique needs of Native American communities, Tribes and Tribal Organizations are eligible to receive CSBG funding directly from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Interested Tribes and Tribal organizations submit a Tribal Plan and application to the HHS Agency for Children and Families (ACF) Office of Community Services. Allocation amounts for each Tribe or designated Tribal organization are determined based on poverty data for the Tribes served and the State(s) in which they are located.
Core Services
Employment
Support for job placement programs, vocational and skills training, career counseling, job development, and eliminating barriers to work
Education
Adult education, literacy programs, scholarships, Head Start enhancement, child development, and anti-drug education.
Housing
Ownership & fair housing counseling, landlord/tenant relations, housing assistance, services for homeless, & home rehabilitation.
Emergency Services
Homeownership counseling and loan assistance, counseling with fair housing concerns, housing assistance, shelters and services for the homeless, and home repair and rehabilitation
Youth Development
Establishment of violence-free zones, youth intervention, youth mediation, youth mentoring, life skills training, job creation, entrepreneurship, and after-school child care programs.
Health & Nutrition
Food banks, health and nutrition counseling and education, community gardening, water and food production, emergency medical services, and transportation to medical services.
Self-Sufficiency
Assist families in becoming more financially independent, including assessing family needs & resources, developing a plan of support, & identifying resources.
Income Management
Services include programs and activities that support assistance with budgeting, tax preparation, tax credit information, and medical and other benefit claims assistance.
Linkages & Coordination
Support for service linkages and coordination with anti-poverty programs to make more effective use of related programs, including other public and private sources.
Partnership & Community Engagement
Development of public and private grassroots partnerships with local law enforcement agencies, local housing authorities, private foundations, and other public and private partners. CSBG funding also supports inter-agency partnerships and Tribal/State partnerships as well.