Community Services Block Grant -
American Recovery & Reinvestment Act
(CSBG - ARRA)
Background Information
On February 17, 2009, President Barack Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) of 2009. This legislation authorized “…supplemental appropriations for job preservation and creation, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency and science, assistance to the unemployed, and State and local fiscal stabilization….” [Public Law 111-5] The Recovery Act provides for $1 billion in additional funds to the Community Services Block Grant program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009. Eligible entities have until September 30, 2010, to expend the additional funds.
Also services provided under the CSBG program during fiscal years 2009 and 2010 will be able to substitute the poverty guideline for eligibility issued by the Department of Health and Human Services with 200% instead of 125%.
CSBG Recovery Program Focus
States and local entities that provide services with CSBG (“eligible entities”) are encouraged to focus their efforts on creating sustainable economic resources in communities. States should help to ensure that eligible entities:
• provide a wide range of innovative employment-related services and activities tailored to the specific needs of their community;
• use funds in a manner that meets the short-term and long-term economic and employment needs of individuals, families and communities
• make meaningful and measurable progress toward the reform goals of the Recovery Act with special attention to creating and sustaining economic growth and employment opportunities.
Under the CSBG program, eligible entities use funds to provide services and activities addressing employment, education, better use of available income, housing, nutrition, emergency services and/or health to combat the central causes of poverty. Such services continue to be supportable under the CSBG Recovery Act funds.
CSBG ARRA Jobs Creation & Retention Excel Spreadsheet
Client Intake Form
Consultant Contract
Consultant Time Sheet
CSBG ARRA Recovery Disclaimer Form
Fiscal Monitoring Report
Mileage Reimbursement
Painless Time Log
Personnel Certification Form
Request for Budget Modification
Summary Sheet
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) would like New Jersey eligible entities to focus on the following areas:
Eligible Activity
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Use
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City's Proposed Use
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Innovative
Employment |
Services and activities related to skill enhancement, job training and the creation of green jobs. |
Services and activities related to skill enhancement, job training and the creation of green jobs.
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Individual Development Accounts/ Financial Education
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IDA – Special savings account program aimed towards low-income individuals and families where accumulated savings are matched in order to encourage asset building.
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IDA program for low-income adults and youth.
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Housing
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Seminars and classes focused on areas such as foreclosure prevention, homeownership, budgeting, etc.
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Education of foreclosure prevention.
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Health Care
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Health Care Treatment and management of illness and the preservation of health through services offered by medical, dental, pharmaceutical, and various professionals.
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Medical care for low-income persons.
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Nutrition
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Provide and educate low-income individuals and families with healthy foods, dietary supplements and healthy living choices.
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Provide and educate low-income individuals and families with healthy foods, dietary supplements and healthy living choices. Nutritious meals and/or food supplies for low-income families.
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