The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) provides core funding for the nation’s only poverty fighting network and is a primary source of identity for more than a thousand Community Action Agencies at work in rural and urban communities across America.  There are eight Community Action Agencies within the State of Kansas.  Seven are private, not-for-profit organizations.  The eighth is a governmental entity.  All leverage funds from Federal, State and local governments and receive grants and gifts from private foundations and individual donors for the purpose of ameliorating the causes and effects of poverty.

Because each Community Action Agency is locally governed by volunteer Boards of Directors or, in the case of public entities, Administering Boards, the agencies are responsive to local needs. Each provides a different mix of programs, services and initiatives. All, however, are guided by six overarching national goals.

  * Low-Income People Become More Self-Sufficient
  * The Conditions in Which Low-Income People Live are Improved
  * Low-Income People Own a Stake in Their Community
  * Partnerships Among Supporters and Service Providers are Achieved
  * Agencies Increase their Capacity to Achieve Results
  * Vulnerable Individuals Achieve their Potential by Strengthening Family & Other Supportive Systems

As authorized by Congress, CSBG is administered by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  HHS allocates CSBG funds to States and Territories.  By law, at least 90 percent of the State’s CSBG allocation must be allocated to local “eligible entities”.  An eligible entity, usually a Community Action Agency, is one that has maintained a historic designation or has been newly designated by the State to serve an unserved area.

KHRC is the lead agency for the Kansas Community Services Block Grant. The corporation receives and distributes the Federal resource and provides oversight for CSBG subgrantees. KHRC uses no more than 5 percent of the State’s allocation to administer CSBG; the remaining amount is used at the State’s discretion for projects and activities that meet the intent of CSBG legislation.