CSBG

Community Services Block Grant

Community Services Block Grant

The Community Services Block Grant utilizes a network of Community Action Agencies (CAA) to support efforts to identify, reduce, or eliminate the causes of poverty and to help solve problems that block the achievement of economic self-sufficiency.

CSBG funds may be used to support activities designed to assist low-income, elderly, migrant, or seasonal farm workers, or homeless individuals and families to:

  • remove obstacles and solve problems that block the achievement of self-sufficiency
  • secure and maintain meaningful employment
  • attain an adequate education
  • make better use of available income
  • obtain and maintain adequate housing and a suitable living environment
  • obtain emergency assistance
  • achieve greater participation in the affairs of the community
  • make more effective use of other programs related to the purposes of the CSBG Act

CSBG funds may be used to assist an individual whose household income is equal to or less than 125 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines. In addition, CSBG funds may be used to help those transitioning off the State’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Block Grant cash assistance program.

Through CSBG, Big Sandy Area Community Action Program offers a competitively-awarded scholarship as well as the Garden Seed Program, which provides vouchers to eligible participants, and the Parent Rite education program, which helps foster strong families.

Each year, CSBG staff conduct a Community Needs Assessment survey in order to ensure that we are serving our communities in the best way possible.

View Assessments and Reports.

CSBG Programs

Emergency Services

  • Emergency Food & Shelter
  • LIHEAP
  • Wintercare
Garden Seed Program
Goodwill Voucher Program
Scholarships
SS/SSI Representative Payee