The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) is a federal anti-poverty grant that funds the operations of a state-administered network of local community action agencies. CSBG revitalizes communities and moves families of low income to economic security by funding relevant local programs and services.

CSBG is administered through a multi-tiered network consisting of U.S. States, Territories, Indian Tribes, and more than one thousand local agencies. This network operates in ninety-nine percent of the nation’s counties and is responsible for creating, coordinating, and delivering programs and services to Americans of low income. CSBG is currently authorized under the 1998 CSBG Act.

CSBG is administered at the federal level by the Office of Community Services (OCS), Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). OCS provides guidance, oversight, and training/technical assistance to the States, which in turn, support the local agencies in providing direct services to people of low income.

In this time of budget constraints and entrenched poverty in many communities, it is ever more imperative that all segments of the CSBG network work together effectively to enhance their capacity to achieve results for people of low income. Therefore, the improved efficiency and effectiveness with both the federal agency that funds and oversees the states, and the State Offices that provide oversight, training, and technical assistance to local agencies, are critical to achieving the mission of CSBG.