NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
2000 and 2001 State Block Grant Program
[29 Pa.B. 5179] The Department of Community and Economic Development (Department) publishes its Community Services Block Grant State Plan to the Department of Health and Human Services for the 2000 and 2001 program years.
Comments will be received at a public hearing to be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, October 13, 1999, in Room 321 of the Forum Building, Commonwealth Avenue and Walnut Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120.
Written comments may be submitted to Dennis Darling, Director of the Community Empowerment Office, Department of Community and Economic Development, Room 352 Forum Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120, until 5 p.m. on October 13, 1999.
Persons with a disability who wish to attend this hearing and require an auxiliary aid, service or other accommodations to participate in the proceedings should contact Dennis Darling at (717) 787-1984 to discuss how the Department may accommodate their needs.
Copies of the State Plan are available in the Community Empowerment Office, Room 352 Forum Building, Harrisburg, PA 17120 or by calling (717) 787-1984.
SAMUEL A. MCCULLOUGH,
Secretary
Community Services Block Grant State Plan
Community Food and Nutrition Application Federal Fiscal Years Covered by this State Plan
This State Plan is for the Federal fiscal years of 2000 and 2001.
Letter of Transmittal to the Office of Community Services
The Department of Community and Economic Development (Department) has been designated by the Governor of Pennsylvania to act as the lead agency for the administration of CSBG. This letter can be found as Attachment 1. The current secretary is Samuel A. McCullough.
Executive Summary
CSBG State Legislation
As a result of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania accepted the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) for the purpose of providing a full range of services and activities having a measurable and potentially major impact on the causes of poverty in a community or those areas of a community where poverty is a particularly acute problem.
Recognizing the importance of a commitment by the State, the Pennsylvania General Assembly, as a matter of public policy, affirmed the commitment of the Commonwealth to eliminating the causes and effects of poverty by enacting and subsequently amending the Community Services Act of July 10, 1986 (act) (P. L. 1263, No. 116). The act is also intended to stimulate a better focusing of human and financial resources on the goal of eliminating poverty by providing for the continuity of programs which presently exist throughout the Commonwealth for this purpose, and delineates the activities for which the Federal funds can be used.
Designation of Lead Agency
As stated previously, the Department has been designated by the Governor of Pennsylvania to act as the lead agency for the administration of CSBG.
Public Hearing Requirements
Public Hearing
A public hearing was held on October 7,1999. Minutes of this hearing will be submitted when they are received.
Legislative Hearing
A legislative hearing was held for FFY 1999 in February, 1998. In accordance with section 676(a)(2)(B) of the act, the next legislative hearing will be held for the FFY 2002 State Plan.
Public Inspection of State Plan
The State Plan was published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on September 25, 1999. Copies were sent to each Community Action Agency (CAA) for their comments and to the Department's Regional Offices where it is available for public inspection. A copy follows.
Statement of Federal and CSBG Assurances
Programmatic Assurances
(1) Funds made available through this grant of allotment will be used:
(a) To support activities that are designed to assist low-income families and individuals, including families and individuals receiving assistance under Part A of Title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.A. § 601 et seq.), homeless families and individuals, migrant or seasonal farmworkers, and elderly low-income individuals and families to enable the families and individuals to:
(i) remove obstacles and solve problems that block the achievement of self-sufficiency (including self-sufficiency for families and individuals who are attempting to transition off a State program carried out under Part A of Title IV of the Social Security Act);
(ii) secure and retain meaningful employment;
(iii) attain an adequate education, with particular attention toward improving literacy skills of low-income families in the communities involved, which may include carrying out family literacy initiatives;
(iv) make better use of available income;
(vii) obtain and maintain adequate housing and a suitable living environment;
(viii) obtain emergency assistance through loans, grants or other means to meet immediate and urgent family and individual needs; and
(ix) achieve greater participation in the affairs of the communities involved, including the development of public and private grassroots partnerships with local law enforcement agencies, local housing authorities, private foundations, and other public and private partners to document best practices based on successful grassroots intervention in urban areas, to develop methodologies for widespread replication; and strengthen and improve relationships with local law enforcement agencies, which may include participation in activities such as neighborhood or community policing efforts;
(b) To address the needs of youth in low-income communities through youth development programs that support the primary role of the family, give priority to the prevention of youth problems and crime, and promote increased community coordination and collaboration in meeting the needs of youth, and support development and expansion of innovative community-based youth development programs that have demonstrated success in preventing or reducing youth crime, such as programs for the establishment of violence-free zones that would involve youth development and intervention models (such as models involving youth mediation, youth mentoring, life skills training, job creation and entrepreneurship programs); and after-school child care programs; and
(c) To make more effective use of, and to coordinate with, other programs (including State welfare reform efforts). [§ 676(b)(1)]
(2) To describe how the State intends to use discretionary funds made available from the remainder of the grant or allotment described in section 675C(b) of the act in accordance with the community services block grant program, including a description of how the State will support innovative community and neighborhood-based initiatives related to the purposes of the community services block grant program; [§ 676(b)(2)]
(3) To provide information provided by eligible entities in the State, including:
(a) a description of the service delivery system, for services provided or coordinated with funds made available through grants made under section 675C(a) of the act, targeted to low-income individuals and families in communities within the State;
(b) a description of how linkages will be developed to fill identified gaps in services, through the provision of information, referrals, case management, and follow-up consultations;
(c) a description of how funds made available through grants made under section 675(a) will be coordinated with other public and private resources; and,
(d) a description of how local entities will use the funds to support innovative community and neighborhood-based initiatives related to the purposes of the community services block grant, which may include fatherhood initiatives and other initiatives with the goal of strengthening families and encouraging effective parenting. [§ 676(b)(3)]
(4) To ensure that eligible entities in the State will provide, on an emergency basis, for the provision of such supplies and services, nutritious foods, and related services, as may be necessary to counteract conditions of starvation and malnutrition among low-income individuals. [§ 676(b)(4)]
(5) That the State and the eligible entities in the State will coordinate, and establish linkages between, governmental and other social services programs to assure the effective delivery of such services to low-income individuals and to avoid duplication of such services, and the State and the eligible entities will coordinate the provision of employment and training activities in the State and in communities with entities providing activities through Statewide and local workforce investment systems under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998; [§ 676(b)(5)]
(6) To ensure coordination between antipoverty programs in each community in the State, and ensure, where appropriate, that emergency energy crisis intervention programs under Title XXVI (relating to low-income home energy assistance) are conducted in such communities. [§ 676(b)(6)]
(7) To permit and cooperate with Federal investigations undertaken in accordance with section 678D of the act. [§ 676(b)(7)]
(8) That any eligible entity in the State that received funding in the previous fiscal year through a community services block grant under the community services block grant program will not have its funding terminated under this subtitle, or reduced below the proportional share of funding the entity received in the previous fiscal year unless, after providing notice and an opportunity for a hearing on the record, the State determines that cause exists for such termination or such reduction, subject to review by the Secretary as provided in section 678C(b) of the act. [§ 676(b)(8)]
(9) That the State and eligible entities in the State will, to the maximum extent possible, coordinate programs with and form partnership with other organizations serving low-income residents of the communities and members of the groups served by the State, including religious organizations, charitable groups and community organizations. [§ 676(b)(9)]
(10) To require each eligible entity in the State to establish procedures under which a low-income individual, community organization, or religious organization, or representative of low-income individuals that considers its organization, or low-income individuals, to be inadequately represented on the board (or other mechanism) of the eligible entity to petition for adequate representation. [§ 676(b)(10)]
(11) To secure from each eligible entity in the State, as a condition to receipt of funding, a community action plan (which shall be submitted to the Secretary, at the request of the Secretary, with the State plan) that includes a community-needs assessment for the community served, which may be coordinated with community-needs assessments conducted for other programs; [§ 676(b)(11)]
(12) That the State and all eligible entities in the State will, not later than fiscal year 2001, participate in the Results Oriented Management and Accountability System, another performance measure system for which the Secretary facilitated development under section 678E(b) of the act. [§ 676(b)(12)]
(13) To provide information describing how the State will carry out these assurances. [§ 676(b)(13)]
Administrative Assurances
The State further agrees to the following, as required under the act:
(1) To submit an application to the Secretary containing information and provisions that describe the programs for which assistance is sought under the community services block grant program prepared in accordance with and containing the information described in section 676 of the act. [§ 675A(b)]
(2) To use not less than 90% of the funds made available to the State by the Secretary under section 675A or 675B of the act to make grants to eligible entities for the stated purposes of the community services block grant program and to make such funds available to eligible entities for obligation during the fiscal year and the succeeding fiscal year, subject to the provisions regarding recapture and redistribution of unobligated funds outlined as follows. [§ 675C(a)(1) and (2)]
(3) In the event that the State elects to recapture and redistribute funds to an eligible entity through a grant made under section 675C(a)(1) when unobligated funds exceed 20% of the amount so distributed to such recaptured funds to an eligible entity, or require the original recipient of the funds to redistribute the funds to a private, nonprofit organization, located within the community served by the original recipient of the funds, for activities consistent with the purposes of the community services block grant program. [§ 675C(a)(3)]
(4) To spend no more than the greater of $55,000 or 5% of its grant received under section 675A or the State allotment received under section 675B for administrative expenses, including monitoring activities. [§ 675C(b)(2)]
(5) In states with a charity tax credit in effect under state law, the State agrees to comply with the requirements and limitations specified in section 675C regarding use of funds for Statewide activities to provide charity tax credits to qualified charities whose predominant activity is the provision of direct services within the United States to individuals and families whose annual incomes generally do not exceed 185% of the poverty line to prevent or alleviate poverty among these individuals and families. [§ 675C]
(6) That the lead agency will hold at least one hearing in the State with sufficient time and Statewide distribution of notice of the hearing, to provide to the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed use and distribution of funds to be provided through the grant or allotment under section 675A or 675B for the period covered by the State plan. [§ 676(a)(2)(B)]
(7) That the chief executive officer of the State will designate an appropriate State agency for purposes of carrying out State community services block grant program activities. [§ 676(a)(1)]
(8) To hold at least one legislative hearing every 3 years in conjunction with the development of the State plan. [§ 676(a)(3)]
(9) To make available for public inspection each plan or revised State plan in such a manner as will facilitate review of and comment on the plan. [§ 676(e)(2)]
(10) To conduct the following reviews of eligible entities:
(a) full onsite review of each entity at least once during each 3-year period;
(b) an onsite review of each newly designated entity immediately after the completion of the first year in which the entity receives funds through the community services block grant program;
(c) follow-up reviews including prompt return visits to eligible entities, and their programs, that fail to meet the goals, standards and requirements established by the State;
(d) other reviews as appropriate, including reviews of entities with programs, that have had other Federal, State or local grants (other than assistance provided under the community services block grant program) terminated for cause. [§ 678B(a)]
(11) In the event that the State determines that an eligible entity fails to comply with the terms of an agreement or the State plan, to provide services under the community services block grant program or to meet appropriate standards, goals, and other requirements established by the State (including performance objectives), the State will comply with the requirements outlined in section 678C of the act, to:
(a) inform the entity of the deficiency to be corrected;
(b) require the entity to correct the deficiency;
(c) offer training and technical assistance as appropriate to help correct the deficiency, and submit to the Secretary a report describing the training and technical assistance offered or stating the reasons for determining that training and technical assistance are not appropriate;
(d) at the discretion of the State, offer the eligible entity an opportunity to develop and implement, within 60 days after being informed of the deficiency, a quality improvement plan and to either approve the proposed plan or specify reasons why the proposed plan cannot be approved;
(e) after providing adequate notice and an opportunity for a hearing, initiate proceedings to terminate the designation of or reduce the funding to the eligible entity unless the entity corrects the deficiency. [§ 678C(a)]
(12) To establish fiscal controls, procedures, audits and inspections, as required under sections 678D(a)(1) and 678D(a)(2) of the act.
(13) To repay to the United States amounts found not to have been expended in accordance with the act, or the Secretary may offset these amounts against any other amount to which the State is or may become entitled under the community services block grant program. [§ 678D(a)(3)]
(14) To participate, by October 1, 2001, and ensure that all eligible entities in the State participate in the Results-Oriented Management and Accountability (ROMA) System [§ 678E(a)(1)].
(15) To prepare and submit to the Secretary an annual report on the measured performance of the State and its eligible entities, as described under section 678E(a)(2) of the act.
(16) To comply with the prohibition against use of community services block grant funds for the purchase or improvement of land, or the purchase, construction or permanent improvement (other than low-cost residential weatherization or other energy-related home repairs) of any building or other facility, as described in section 678F(a) of the act.
(17) To ensure that programs assisted by community services block funds shall not be carried out in a manner involving the use of program funds, the provision of services, or the employment or assignment of personnel in a manner supporting or resulting in the identification of these programs with any partisan or nonpartisan political activity or any political activity associated with a candidate, or contending faction or group, in an election for public or party office; any activity to provide voters or prospective voters with transportation to the polls or similar assistance with any such election, or any voter registration activity. [§ 678F(b)]
(18) To ensure that no person shall, on the basis of race, color, National origin or sex be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under, any program or activity funded in whole or in part with community services block grant program funds. Any prohibition against discrimination on the basis of age under the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (U.S.C. 6101 et seq.) or with respect to an otherwise qualified individual with a disability as provided in section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 19734 (29 U.S.C.A. § 12131 et seq.) shall also apply to any such program or activity. [§ 678F C]
(19) To consider religious organizations on the same basis as other nongovernmental organizations to provide assistance under the program so long as the program is implemented in a manner consistent with the Establishment Clause of the first amendment to the Constitution; not to discriminate against an organization that provides assistance under, or applies to provide assistance under the community service block grant program on the basis that the organization has a religious character; and not to require a religious organization to alter its form of internal government except as provided under section 678B or to remove religious art, icons, scripture or other symbols to provide assistance under the community services block grant program. [§ 679]
B. Other Administrative Certifications
The State also certifies the following:
(1) To provide assurances that cost and accounting standards of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB Circular A-110 and A-122) shall apply to a recipient of community services block grant program funds.
(2) To comply with the requirements of Public Law 103-227, Part C Environmental Tobacco Smoke, also known as the Pro-Children Act of 1994, which requires that smoking not be permitted in any portion of any indoor facility owned or leased or contracted for by an entity and used routinely or regularly for the provision of health, day care, education or library services to children under the age of 18 if the services are funded by a Federal grant, contract, loan or loan guarantee. The State further agrees that it will require the language of this certification be included in any subawards, which contain provisions for children's services and that all subgrantees shall certify accordingly.
__________
Signature__________
Administrator/Director of Date
Designated Lead AgencyThe Narrative State Plan
Administrative Structure
State Administrative Agency
The mission of the Department is to foster opportunities for businesses and communities to succeed and thrive in a global economy, thereby enabling Pennsylvanians to achieve a superior quality of life.
The Community Empowerment Office's (CEO) mission is to improve the quality of life for low-income Pennsylvanians. The CSBG Program lies within the CEO.
Eligible Entities
CSBG funds are allocated to 42 Community Action Agencies and two Limited Purpose Agencies which provide services to all 67 counties in Pennsylvania (Attachment 2).
Distribution and Allocation of Funds
Ninety percent of the CSBG funds will be distributed to 44 eligible entities, 5% will be used as discretionary funds and 5% will be used for administration. Allocations to eligible entities for each of the 2 years will be based on a formula as described within this notice.
Description of Criteria and Distribution Formula
Allocations to eligible entities for each of the 2 years will be based on a formula comprised of two factors: the number of persons with incomes below 125% of poverty in each service area ( 1990 U.S. Census Data) on which 75% of the allocation will be based; and the number of unemployed persons in each service area (Pennsylvania Office of Employment Security, Pennsylvania Civilian Labor Force Data by County of Residence, 1998 Annual Average) on which 25% of the allocation will be based. All agencies receive a minimum base level allocation which currently is $205,000.
Agencies which do not use all of their allocated funds in one State fiscal year are allowed to roll the funds over into the next fiscal year.
Description of Distribution and Use of Restricted Funds
CSBG funds will be allocated to 42 Community Action Agencies and two Limited Purpose Agencies. (A list of grantees and their geographic areas follows.) The entire State will receive CSBG services through these 44 agencies. Agencies having fund balances at the end of the State fiscal year may roll these funds into the next fiscal year.
Eligible entities will use CSBG funds to increase the availability of low cost housing and to promote economic development, employment and training initiatives, and education programs to increase literacy skills and other activities that can lead to economic self-sufficiency of low-income individuals and the chronically unemployed including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and General Assistance recipients. No funds have been recaptured and redistributed, as agencies are allowed to carry over balances.
Description of Distribution and Use of Discretionary Funds
For FFY 2000 and FFY 2001, CSBG Discretionary funds will be used:
to implement a technical assistance project on Fatherhood programs by the National Fatherhood Initiative;to provide funding for a television advertising campaign targeted to absentee and noncustodial fathers;as incentive funding for individual CAAs to develop and implement microenterprise projects based upon a successful project developed by another CAA in Pennsylvania; andto update the information technology capacity of individual CAAs.Description of Use of Administrative Funds
For FY 2000 and FY 2001, CSBG administrative funds are projected to be used as follows:
FY 2000 FY 2001 Personnel $230,000 250,000 Fringe Benefits 65,000 68,000 Indirect Costs 165,000 167,000 Travel 13,000 15,000 Operating Costs 125,000 127,000 Grants 100,000 150,000 Total $698,000 $777,500 The State's Charity Tax Credit Program is called the Neighborhood Assistance Program which is designed to help improve distress neighborhoods through the creation of effective partnerships between community based organizations and the business community. No CSBG funds are utilized in this effort.
State Community Services Program Implementation
Program Overview
The Service Delivery System
CSBG funds will be allocated to 44 eligible agencies. The entire State will receive CSBG services through these 44 agencies. These agencies will provide services to low-income persons throughout the State which will result in alleviating temporary emergencies as well as providing services which will lead to self-sufficiency. In addition to emergency and self-sufficiency services, these agencies will also provide employment, education, income management, housing, nutrition and health services.
Linkages
CAAs are strongly encouraged to develop partnerships and linkages with other social service providers in their service area that allows them to fill identified gaps of services. Seven hundred and twenty-six documented partnerships were developed with social service providers, religious organizations and local governments among Pennsylvania's CAAs during the 1998-99 program year.
Coordination with Other Public and Private Resources
During the 1998-99 program year, 726 documented partnerships were developed with social service providers, religious organizations and local governments. These partnerships resulted in $106,825,968 of additional funding for the CAAs.
Innovative Community and Neighborhood Based Initiatives
Agencies are using a variety of innovative initiatives to strengthen families. Among them are:
The Community Action Program of Lancaster County administers a Fatherhood Program that focuses on ensuring that fathers (especially noncustodial fathers) become and stay involved in the parenting of their children. Fathers attend classes dealing with child discipline, anger management, financial issues and economic self-sufficiency.
Mercer County Community Action Agency administers a Silent Partners Program. Under this Program, both corporations and individuals pledge an amount of money to be used by low-income individuals. When the CAA encounters a situation for which they cannot provide support, a silent friend is called to fulfill their pledge.
Armstrong County Community Action Agency has become a certified Driver Education Training agency and provides drivers education for their low-income clients not having a drivers license.
Bucks County Opportunity Council operates an Auto Works Program that provides transportation to and from a job for low-income clients. In addition, each client is assigned one driver, and this person also provides mentoring to the client.
The Trehab Center has developed a Microenterprise Program that provides technical assistance and follow-up support services for low-income people wanting to start their own business.
Community Needs Assessments
A community needs assessment is required from all eligible entities as part of their application for funding. Each entity is responsible for conducting their own needs assessment. The needs assessment must describe how the assessment was conducted and provide results. Goals and objectives must be based upon the findings in the assessment. Agencies may use the findings from Pennsylvania's Poverty Dialog 2000 as part of their needs assessment.
Tripartite Boards
Included with the submission of grantee applications is a breakout of the composition of the board, which is reviewed for compliance with section 676 (B) of the act. Agencies also include an updated list of board members containing names and addresses of the tripartite board members, and delineates which segment they represent. Additionally, as part of the monitoring process, board composition is reviewed. The Community Empowerment Office has two directives (directives are designed to provide additional guidance to subgrantees on a particular subject, and are included in the contract by reference) related to board composition: CSBG Directive 98-2: Administrative Procedures, requires a tripartite board for private nonprofit CSBG grantees; and CSBG Directive 98-4: CSBG Advisory Committees requires a tripartite advisory board for grantees that are units of local governments. All public community action agencies have advisory boards having the required tripartite division. They also must submit the information mentioned above in their application for funding.
State Charity Tax Credit Program
The Community Empowerment Office administers the Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit Program which is the oldest and largest State supported tax credit program in the country. Tax credits are awarded to businesses that contribute to nonprofit agencies to provide services to low-income persons. CSBG funds are not used to offset any revenue losses incurred by the State, or for any aspect of the program.
Programmatic Assurances
Assurance 676(b)(1)
Funds made available through this grant or allotment will be used:
To support activities that are designed to assist low-income families and individuals including families and individuals receiving assistance under Part A of Title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.A. § 601 et seq.), homeless families and individuals, migrant or seasonal farmworkers, and elderly low-income individuals and families to enable the families and individuals to:
remove obstacles and solve problems that block the achievement of self sufficiency (including self-sufficiency for families and individuals who are attempting to transition off a State program carried out under Part A of Title IV of the Social Security Act);secure and retain meaningful employment;attain an adequate education, with particular attention toward improving literacy skills of low-income families in the communities involved, which may include carrying out family literacy initiatives;make better use of available income;obtain and maintain adequate housing and a suitable living environment;obtain emergency assistance through loans, grants, or other means to meet immediate and urgent family and individual needs; andachieve greater participation in the affairs of the communities involved, including the development of public and private grassroots partnerships with local law enforcement agencies, local housing authorities, private foundations, and other public and private partners to document best practices based on successful grassroots intervention in urban areas, to develop methodologies for widespread replication; and strengthen and improve relationships with local law enforcement agencies, which may include participation in activities such as neighborhood or community policing efforts;To address the needs of low-income communities through development programs that support the primary role of the family, give priority to the prevention of youth problems and crime, and promote increased community coordination and collaboration in meeting the needs of youth, and support development and expansion of innovative community-based youth development programs that have demonstrated success in preventing or reducing youth crime, such as programs for the establishment of violence-free zones that would involve youth development and intervention models (such as models involving youth mediation, youth mentoring, life skills training, job creation and entrepreneurship programs); and after-school child care programs; and
To make more effective use of, and to coordinate with, other programs (including State welfare reform efforts).
Implementation of Assurance 676(b)(1)
Activities eligible for funding consideration out of the 90% grant moneys allocated to CAAs/LPAs, are those designed to assist TANF recipients, homeless families and individuals, migrant or seasonal farmworkers and elderly low-income individuals to:
attain self-sufficiency through intensive case management services;secure and retain employment, through employment and training programs and necessary support services;attain an adequate education, through education initiatives and referrals that will enable low-income, chronically unemployed individuals to participate in job training programs which can include locally initiated Private Industry Council or JTPA Service Delivery Area sponsored job training programs;make better use of available income through budget counseling, consumer education, credit counseling and weatherization services;obtain and maintain adequate housing and a suitable living environment by providing home repair services, housing counseling and housing rehabilitation.obtain emergency assistance through loans and grants to meet immediate and urgent individual and family needs, including the need for health services, nutritious food, housing and employment related assistance;achieve greater participation in the affairs of the community through the development of linkages and partnerships with local law enforcement agencies, local housing authorities, governmental employment and training agencies, educational institutions and other public and private resources in the community.Several CAAs administer youth development programs that give priority to the prevention of youth problems and crime and provide for increased community involvement. These programs include:The Community Action Agency of Delaware County administers a ''Summer Youth Career Exploration Program'' in which low-income tenth, eleventh and twelfth grade students are placed into private sector employment that most closely matches their career interest. The program also employs 12 college students who function as program mentors and monitors.This agency also operates a training program that provides training in the construction industry for 10 low-income adjudicated youth during the summer months.Lycoming-Clinton Counties for Community Action administers an ''Educational Mentoring Partnership Program'' in coordination with a local school district that provides services in teen fatherhood issues. Included in this program are both the prevention of teen fatherhood for at risk youth and ongoing support of identified teen fathers so they may continue their education and graduate from high school.The Economic Opportunity Cabinet of Schuylkill County operates a summer drug and alcohol education program in low-income housing developments throughout the county. Financial support is provided by the Pottsville and Schuylkill Housing Authorities.Westmoreland Human Opportunities provides the FAST Program to 17 school districts in Westmoreland County. This delinquency prevention program provides intensive in-home and in-school services that address the root causes of delinquent behavior at the middle school level, before it escalates to more aggressive, delinquent behavior.The Community Action Commission supports families and youth through its ''Community That Cares'' (CTC) Program. CTC coordinates programs that promote education and prevention of youth violence, delinquency and drug use.Assurance 676(b)(4)
Eligible entities in the State will provide, on an emergency basis, for the provision of such supplies and services, nutritious foods, and related services, as may be necessary to counteract conditions of starvation and malnutrition among low-income individuals.
Implementation of Assurance 676(b)(4)
All of the State's eligible entities either operate food pantries or know of food pantries in their service area in which to refer low-income individuals.
Assurance 676(b)(5)
The State and the eligible entities in the State will coordinate, and establish linkages between, governmental and other social services programs to assure the effective delivery of these services to low-income individuals and to avoid duplication of these services, and the State and the eligible entities will coordinate the provision of employment and training activities in this State and in communities with entities providing activities through Statewide and local workforce investment systems under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.
Implementation of Assurance 676(b)(5)
All CAAs are required to describe how they coordinate services and establish linkages with other social service agencies and local governments to assure the effective delivery of services to low-income individuals and avoid duplication of services. Seven hundred and twenty-six documented partnerships were established during the FY 1998-99 program year, as reported in Goal 5 of the annual report.
In 1996, in coordination with the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW), the Department initiated the Supported Work Program (SWP). In FY 1997-98, $1,925,000 of Department's money was matched with $1,900,000 from DPW to provide employment and training services for TANF recipients. Forty-two CAAs/LPAs provide these services Statewide.
In addition, the CEO's Director, Dennis Darling, is a member of Pennsylvania's Workforce Investment Task Force and the Executive Directors of the CAAs sit on local Workforce Investment Committees.
Assurance 676(b)(6)
To ensure coordination between antipoverty programs in each community in the State, and ensure, where appropriate, that emergency energy crisis intervention programs under Title XXVI (relating to low-income home energy assistance) are conducted in these communities.
Implementation of Assurance 676(b((6)
Some CAAs receive LIHEAP funds from DPW to provide energy crisis intervention programs. Also, CAAs that are weatherization providers receive LIHEAP funds that are coordinated with weatherization funds to provide weatherization services.
Assurance 676(b)(9)
The State and eligible entities in the State will, to the maximum extent possible, coordinate programs with and form partnerships with other organizations serving low-income residents of the communities and members of the groups served by the State, including religious organizations, charitable groups and community organizations.
Implementation of Assurance 676(b)(9)
In the year-end CSBG Report, eligible entities are required to report the number of partnerships their agency has established with other organizations serving low-income residents in their service area. All of the State's eligible entities have established these partnerships within their service area. Seven-hundred and twenty-six partnerships were formed during the last program year.
Fiscal Controls and Monitoring
State Program Monitoring
During FY 2000-2001, 15 of the State's eligible entities will receive a full onsite review. An additional 15 will receive an onsite review during FY 2001-2002 (see Attachment 3).
Monitoring procedures shall include an onsite monitoring visit conducted for the following purposes:
* to ensure programmatic and contractual compliance through the review of agency records and interviews with agency personnel, board members and clients;
* to clarify discrepancies that cannot be resolved from the program report review;
* to follow-up on program and personnel complaints, made directly or indirectly; and
* to comply with an agency's request for an onsite visit.
Following the onsite visit a report of the monitoring review shall be given to the agency during the exit interview. It shall identify strengths and weaknesses of the program and any required remedial actions.
The agency may request a conference with the Department's Community Empowerment Office (CEO) to discuss the report and/or the Office may request a conference with the agency to discuss the report and provide technical assistance.
The Department has no newly designated agencies, nor is it anticipating any during the FFYs 2000 and 2001.
If, after receiving technical assistance and implementing corrective action procedures, any agency that continues to fail to meet the State's goals, standards and requirements as determined during an onsite monitoring visit will receive an onsite follow-up review.
Upon notification, the Department will review entities that have other Federal, State or local grants (other than CSBG) terminated for cause.
The following are the dates of the last audit conducted and the period covered by the audit for each eligible entity.
Agency
Time Period Date Covered Completed Allegheny County Department of Federal Programs 1/1/97-12/31/97 3/23/98 Pittsburgh Community Services 1/1/98-12/31/98 2/9/99 Armstrong County Community Action Agency 7/1/97-6/30/98 2/99 County of Beaver, Community Services Programs 7/1/96-6/30/97 10/1/98 Berks Community Action Program 7/1/97-6/30/98 11/98 Blair County Community Action Program 7/1/97-6/30/98 1/99 Butler County Community Action and Development 1/1/98-12/31/98 1/99 Bucks County Opportunity Council 7/1/97-6/30/98 6/30/99 Cambria County Community Action Council 7/1/97-6/30/98 9/4/98 Carbon County Action Committee for Human Services 7/1/97-6/30/98 12/10/98 Central PA Community Action 7/1/97-6/30/98 9/4/98 Chester County Office of Housing and Community Development 1/1/98-12/31/98 5/24/99 Community Action Commission 7/1/97-6/30/98 9/98 Community Progress Council 7/1/97-6/30/98 6/30/98 Community Action Agency of Delaware County 7/1/97-6/30/98 12/23/98 Greater Erie Community Action Committee 10/1/96-9/30/97 6/26/98 Fayette County Community Action Agency 7/1/97-6/30/98 12/14/98 Indiana County Community Action Program 7/1/97-6/30/98 11/18/98 Jefferson/Clarion County Economic Opportunity Association 7/1/97-6/30/98 10/9/98 Keystone Community Action Program 10/1/97-9/30/98 12/28/98 Community Action Program of Lancaster County 7/1/97-6/30/98 12/28/98 Lawrence County Social Services 7/1/97-6/30/98 10-98 Lebanon County Human Services 1/1/97-12/31/97 10/98 Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley 7/1/97-6/30/98 10/5/98 Commission of Economic Opportunity of Luzerne County 7/1/97-6/30/98 4/13/99 Lycoming-Clinton Counties for Community Action 7/1/97-6/30/98 2/99 Mercer County Community Action Agency 7/1/97-6/30/98 11/24/98 Monroe County Commissioners 1/1/97-12/31/98 10/2/98 Montgomery County Community Action Development Commission 7/1/95-6/30/96 12/98 Northumberland County Board of Commissioners 7/1/96-6/30/97 12/97 Northern Tier Community Action Commission 7/1/97-6/30/98 3/20/99 Mayor's Office of Community Services 1/1/97-12/31/98 10/98 Economic Opportunity Cabinet of Schuylkill County 7/1/97-6/30/98 11/19/98 Scranton/Lackawanna Human Development Agency 7/1/97-6/30/98 11/24/98 South Central Community Action Program 7/1/97-6/30/98 10/98 Community Action Southwest 7/1/97-6/30/98 1/99 Tableland Services 7/1/97-6/30/98 12/20/98 The Trehab Center 7/1/97-6/30/98 11/98 Venango/Crawford Counties Office of Economic Opportunity 1/1/97-12/31/98 8/13/98 Union-Snyder Office of Human Resources Agency 7/1/97-6/30/98 11/98 Warren-Forest Counties Economic Opportunity Council 7/1/97-6/30/98 12/98 Westmoreland Human Opportunities 7/1/97-6/30/98 9/98 Community Action Agency of Pennsylvania 7/1/96-6/30/97 12/23/98 Rural Opportunities, Inc. 7/1/97-6/30/98 5/20/99 Butler County Community Action and Development 1/1/98-12/31/98 1/99 Corrective Action, Termination and Reduction of Funding
In the case of violations or discrepancies of Federal and State laws governing CSBG programs discovered through the Department's monitoring and auditing activities, the agency shall be notified of the violation or discrepancy immediately. The agency shall respond in writing to the notice of violation or discrepancy within 2 weeks of receipt of the notice. If necessary, a follow-up monitoring visit will be conducted to ensure that corrective action has been taken.
Agency Noncompliance--Noncompliance may result in probation until compliance is attained. Probationary status may include intensified monitoring, increased reporting requirements, provision of technical assistance by the Department or its designee and/or temporary suspension of grant payments.
Agency Violation--A violation with willful disregard of Federal and State laws governing CSBG programs may result in suspension of grant payments for a designated period of time. The agency will be required to rectify the violation and reestablish itself as competent to carry out the responsibilities governing CSBG programs, as determined by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED).
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