Community Services Block Grant

What the Program Does:

The Community Services Block Grant program (CSBG) is a federally funded program designed to assist local agencies to provide a range of services and activities having a measurable and potentially major impact on causes of poverty in the community.

Who the Program Helps:

Individuals qualify for services from community action agencies if their income falls below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines and if they reside in the designated service area of the community action agency.

Additionally, migrant and seasonal farm workers throughout the state are eligible to receive services from Community Action agencies if their household income falls below 125% of poverty.

How It Works:

Agencies must meet certain federal requirements for types of services and board composition to be certified as a community action agency. Agencies are given broad latitude in tailoring services to local community needs, but services must provided to assist program participants in the following areas:

• Obtain and maintain adequate housing
• Secure and retain employment
• Attain an adequate education
• Make better use of available income
• Obtain adequate nutrition
• Obtain emergency assistance
• Link with other resources in the community

Individuals must contact the individual agency, generally through one of the agencies’ local outreach offices. Applicants must complete an intake form and provide proof of income.

Type(s) of Assistance:

Grants

Eligible Entities:

Individuals must contact the individual agency.

Key Statistics:

The Community Services Block Grant Program provided funding to assist low-income Kansans with:

• Job training, job development, and employment assistance
• Educational assistance and guidance: GEDs, ESL, and college scholarships
• Income counseling and guidance
• Housing development
• Locating and securing housing emergency assistance
• Assisting children with school supplies through Back to School Fairs
• Transportation

Contact Information:

Jennifer Sexson
Program Manger, Community Services Block Grant
611 S. Kansas Avenue, Suite 300
Topeka, Kansas 66603-3803
Phone: (785) 296-0089
Fax: (785) 296-8985