NOTICES
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
2004 and 2005 Community Services Block Grant Program and the Community Food and Nutrition Program
[33 Pa.B. 4791] By this notice, the Department of Community and Economic Development (Department) publishes its Community Services Block Grant State Plan and the Community Food and Nutrition Plan sent to the Department of Health and Human Services for the 2004 and 2005 program years.
Comments will be received at a public hearing beginning at 10 a.m. on October 10, 2003, in Conference Room 4 East, Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North Street, Harrisburg.
Written comments should be submitted by 5 p.m. on October 10, 2003, to Dennis Darling, Director, Office of Community Services, Department of Community and Economic Development, Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120.
Persons with a disability who wish to attend the hearing and require an auxiliary aid, service or other accommodations to participate in the proceedings should contact Susan Butler at (717) 787-1984 to discuss how the Department may accommodate their needs.
Copies of the State Plan are available at the Office of Community Services, Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120, (717) 787-1984.
DENNIS YABLONSKY,
Secretary
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Community Services Block Grant State Plan
And
Community Food and Nutrition ApplicationI. Federal Fiscal Years Covered by this State Plan
This State Plan is for the federal fiscal years of 2004 and 2005.
II. Letter of Transmittal to the Office of Community Services
A letter of transmittal addressed to the Director, Office of Community Services, has been submitted with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development's State Plan. It includes the CSBG program contact person and the commonwealth's CSBG official who is to receive the CSBG Grant Award, complete with the address, telephone number and fax number.
III. Executive Summary
A. 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 (P. L. 1263, No. 116, as amended). 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 that presently exist throughout the Commonwealth for this purpose, and delineates the activities for which the federal funds can be used. The current amendment is effective to December 31, 2006.
B. Designation of Lead Agency
The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) has been designated, under Act 116, as amended (Act 2002-46), to be the lead agency for the administration of the CSBG. This letter can be found as Attachment 1. The current secretary of the department is Dennis Yablonsky.
C. Public Hearing Requirements
(1) Public Hearing
A public hearing is scheduled to be held on October 10, 2003. The State Plan will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin at least ten days prior to the hearing (September 27th). A copy of the Pennsylvania Bulletin, the minutes of this hearing and any comments on the State Plan can be found as Attachment 2 in the final Plan. Copies of the plan were also distributed to all Community Action Agencies (CAAs) and Limited Purpose Agencies (LPAs) and copies were available at each of DCED's regional offices prior to the hearing.
(2) Legislative Hearing
A legislative hearing was held for FFY 2004 in February 2003.
(3) Public Inspection of State Plan
The State Plan will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on September 27th. A copy of the Pennsylvania Bulletin can be found as Attachment 2 in the final Plan. Copies of the State Plan will be sent to each CAA and LPA prior to the public hearing for comment and to the Department's Regional Offices, where it was available for public inspection (Attachment 3: Transmittal Memo to CAAs and LPAs).
IV. Statement of Federal and CSBG Assurances
Programmatic Assurances
(1) Funds made available through this grant or 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. 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;
(v) obtain and maintain adequate housing and a suitable living environment;
(vi) obtain emergency assistance through loans, grants, or other means to meet immediate and urgent family and individual needs; and
(vii) 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 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 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. [§ 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 pursuant to 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)]
B. 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 percent 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 below. [§ 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 percent of the amount so distributed to such eligible entity for such fiscal year, the State agrees to redistribute 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 percent 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 675(c) 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 percent of the poverty line in order to prevent or alleviate poverty among such individuals and families. [§ 675(c)]
(6) That the lead agency will hold at least one hearing in the State with sufficient time and statewide distribution of notice of such 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 three years in conjunction with the development of the State plan. [§ 676(a)(3)]
(9) To make available for the 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 three-year period;
(b) an onsite review of each newly designated entity immediately after the completion of the first year in which such 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 such 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 § 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 such 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 in or part with community services block grant program funds. Any prohibition against discrimination on the basis of age under the Age Discrimination Act of 1974 (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 1973 (29 U.S.C. 12131 et seq.) shall also apply to any such program or activity. [§ 678F(c)]
(19) Section 679. Operational Rule.
''(a) Religious Organizations Included as Nongovernmental Providers.--For any program carried out by the Federal Government, or by a State or local government under this subtitle, the government shall consider, on the same basis as other non-governmental organizations, religious organizations to provide the assistance under the program, so long as the program is implemented in a manner consistent with the Establishment Clause of the first amendment of the Constitution. Neither the Federal Government nor a State or local government receiving funds under this subtitle shall discriminate against an organization that provides assistance under, or applies to provide assistance under, this subtitle, on the basis that the organization has a religious character.
(b) Religious Character and Independence.
(1) In General.--A religious organization that provides assistance under a program described in subsection (a) shall retain its religious character and control over the definition, development, practice, and expression of its religious beliefs.
(2) Additional Safeguards.--Neither the Federal Government nor a State or a local government shall require a religious organization--
(A) to alter its form of internal governance, except (for purposes of administration of the community services block grant program) as provided in section 676B; or
(B) to remove religious art, icons, scripture, or other symbols; in order to be eligible to provide assistance under a program described in subsection (a).
(3) Employment Practices.--A religious organization's exemption provided under section 702 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e-1) regarding employment practices shall not be affected by its participation in, or receipt of funds from, program described in subsection (a).
(c) Limitations on Use of Funds for Certain Purposes.-- No funds provided directly to a religious organization to provide assistance under any program described in subsection (a) shall be expended for sectarian worship, instruction, or proselytization.
(d) Fiscal Accountability.--
(1) In General.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), any religious organization providing assistance under any program described in subsection (a) shall be subject to the same regulations as other nongovernmental organizations to account in accord with generally accepted accounting principles for the use of such funds provided under such program.
(2) Limited Audit.--Such organization shall segregate government funds provided under such program into a separate account. Only the government funds shall be subject to audit by the government.
(e) Treatment of Eligible Entities and Other Intermediate Organizations.--If an eligible entity or other organization (referred to in this subsection as an 'intermediate organization'), acting under a contract, or grant or other agreement, with the Federal Government or a State or local government, is given the authority under the contract or agreement to select nongovernmental organizations to provide assistance under the programs described in subsection (a), the intermediate organization shall have the same duties under this section as the government.''
C. 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 Circulars 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
Dennis Yablonsky
__________
Administrator/Director of Designated Lead Agency Date
The Narrative State Plan
A. Administrative Structure
(1) State Administrative Agency
(a) The mission of the Department of Community and Economic Development 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. DCED is charged with achieving and maintaining a productive balance and synergy between the needs of Pennsylvania's communities and the dictates of Pennsylvania's businesses. As an agency, DCED promotes Pennsylvania's quality of life as well as the quality of its future. The mission of the Office of Community Services, which administers the CSBG, is to provide communities and individuals with the tools to address their most pressing needs while improving their quality of life.
(b) The goals and objectives of the CSBG program for 2004-2005 are to:
--Further develop Results-Oriented Management and Accountability (ROMA) by implementing an electronic reporting system;
--Continue Community Action Agency participation in Welfare Reform activities;
--Develop and support the capacity of CAAs to leverage resources and effectively manage comprehensive approaches to combating poverty;
--Encourage Community Action Agencies to develop partnerships with local school districts to address non-academic issues of poor student performance in public schools.
--Encourage asset building and asset accumulation as an effective means for increasing family and individual self-sufficiency.
(2) Eligible Entities
(a) & (b) Pennsylvania's CSBG funds are allocated to 42 Community Action Agencies and two Limited Purpose Agencies, including the migrant and seasonal farm worker organization, which provide services in all 67 counties in Pennsylvania. The Commissioners of Northumberland, Montour and Columbia counties have requested that the department designate Central Susquehanna Opportunities as the CAA for those counties. This would move the CSBG/CAA from Northumberland County government to this nonprofit, and co-locate CSBG programs with other complementary programs. The department is, as of this writing, processing this request, including surveying bordering CAAs concerning their interest in the CSBG program in those counties. A list of the eligible entities and the geographic areas served are included as Attachment 4.
(3) Distribution and Allocation of Funds
(a) Ninety percent (90%) of the CSBG funds will be distributed to the 44 eligible entities, five percent (5%) will be used as discretionary funds and up to five percent (5%) will be used for administration. Monies not utilized for administrative purposes will be allocated to the 90% or discretionary grant pools. Allocations to eligible entities for each of the two years will be based on a formula as described below.
B. Description of Criteria and Distribution Formula
Allocations to eligible entities for each of the two 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 (based on the most current census data available) on which 75% of the allocation will be based; and the number of unemployed persons in each service area (Pennsylvania Center for Workforce, Pennsylvania Civilian Labor Force Data by County of Residence, 2000 Annual Average) on which 25% of the allocation will be based. All base-level funded agencies will receive a proportionate increase if Pennsylvania's appropriation is increased, or will remain at the current level of $260,262 if funding decreases. The introduction of the 2000 Census statistics produced tremendous shifts in allocations that would have severely damaged many agencies. Therefore, the PA OCS instituted a three-year phase-in of the allocation formula, whereby agencies will receive 1/3 of any increase or decrease each year for three years.
Agencies that 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.
C. Description of Distribution and Use of Restricted Funds
CSBG funds will be allocated to 42 Community Action Agencies and two Limited Purpose Agencies. The entire commonwealth 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 following fiscal year.
Eligible entities will use CSBG funds to assist low-income individuals in attaining self-sufficiency. This will be accomplished, in part, through investment of 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. In addition, other activities may be utilized 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 into the subsequent state fiscal year.
D. Description of Distribution and Use of Discretionary Funds
For FFY 2004 and FFY 2005, CSBG Discretionary funds will be used:
* to support on-going technical assistance for CAA's via the Community Action Association of Pennsylvania, technical assistance for electronic ROMA reporting, and the use of ROMA data for evaluation and program planning;
* as incentive funding for CAAs to encourage CAAs to develop partnerships with local school districts to address non-academic issues of poor student performance in public schools.
* to respond to program initiatives originating from individual CAAs;
* and other initiatives/projects as determined by the Secretary.
E. Description of Use of Administrative Funds
No more than five percent (5%) of funds appropriated will be used for administrative purposes. Funds not used for administrative purposes will be distributed to grants. For FY 2004 and FY 2005, CSBG administrative funds are projected to be used as follows:
FY 2004 FY 2005 Personnel $300,000 310,000 Fringe Benefits 75,000 80,000 Indirect Costs 190,000 190,000 Travel 15,000 20,000 Operating Costs 300,000 325,000 Grants 480,000 445,000 Total $1,360,000 $1,370,000 Though Pennsylvania has no state charity tax credit program per se, we do administer the Neighborhood Assistance Program, which is a tax credit program designed to help improve distressed neighborhoods through the creation of effective partnerships between community-based organizations and the business community. No CSBG funds are utilized in this effort.
F. State Community Services Program Implementation
(1) Program Overview
(a) The Service Delivery System
CSBG funds will be allocated to 44 eligible agencies. The entire commonwealth's 67 counties will receive CSBG services through these 44 agencies. The agencies will provide services to low-income persons throughout the state that will result in alleviating temporary emergencies as well as providing services that will lead to self-sufficiency. In addition to emergency and self-sufficiency services, eligible entities will also provide, employment, education, income management, housing, nutrition and health services.
(b) Linkages
CAAs are strongly encouraged to develop partnerships and linkages with social service providers and other organizations and institutions in their service areas that allow them to fill identified gaps in services. Over 2,900 documented partnerships were developed with social service providers, religious organizations and local governments among Pennsylvania's CAAs during the 2000-2001 program year. In the 2001-2002 program year, there were 3,255 documented partnerships. These linkages were designed to assure effective delivery of services to low-income individuals. Examples of linkages are:
Faith-based Collaboration: Lycoming-Clinton Counties Commission for Community Action (STEP) collaborates with faith-based organizations in two ways: (1) they lease space from eight different churches in the two counties for Head Start and Aging services; (2) they operate Linkage Lycoming, a computerized emergency needs clearinghouse funded by the United Way. Through Linkage Lycoming, the agency coordinates partnerships with over 20 organizations that comprise a clearinghouse of emergency necessities. This includes food, shelter, personal items, rent and fuel. This type of coordination helps to prevent a duplication of services to needy families and individuals. Churches and other organizations provide data to the clearinghouse about the emergency services provided by their respective agencies. The clearinghouse is web-enabled, allowing multiple members to access information about when a client received services, the type of service provided to them, and the monetary value of the service.
Adult Literacy: Fayette County Community Action Agency (FCCAA) partners with the Community Action Education Center (CAEC), the Private Industry Council (PIC) and the Intermediate Unit Adult Learning Center (IUALC) to address the problem of adult literacy in Fayette County. The CAA's Family Service Center is one site utilized by the CAEC to conduct classes offering literacy, basic skills, GED preparation, life skills and employment readiness instruction. The PIC and IUALC collaborates with all other partners to identify needs and resolve problems of adult literacy in the county. FCCAA provides volunteer literacy tutors and also established the Pennsylvania Literacy Corp. program, in cooperation with Penn State University, to provide college student, volunteer literacy tutors as a part of Penn State's commitment to Service Learning.
The Lebanon County Human Services agency has partnered with Jubilee Family Ministries in the Lebanon County area. Jubilee owns and operates a business where they sell household items, clothing, and furniture. They have created, as a subdivision of the store, a construction company with a prison ministry component. The prison ministry provides therapy and counseling groups to imprisoned men. There is a training component to the ministry whereby the men who are ministered to in prison, once released, have an opportunity to learn new skills. A skilled professional carpenter provides carpentry training to the men. Through this training program, Jubilee provides low-cost repairs/renovations to properties owned by Lebanon County Human Services. As a result of this partnership, the men learn a new skill, become more responsible and employable.
(c) Coordination with Other Public and Private Resources
During the 2001-2002 program year, 3,255 documented partnerships were established and/or maintained with other social service providers, religious organizations and local governments. These partnerships resulted in $259,536,798 of additional funding for the CAAs. Coordination between other public and private resources enabled CAAs to expand existing programs and to design new programs targeted to assist low-income individuals, and to ensure a continuum of care for low-income individuals. There were a wide variety of partnerships, including United Ways, county governments, churches and utilities.
(d) Innovative Community and Neighborhood-Based Initiatives
Agencies employed CSBG funds, as well as monies leveraged by CSBG funds, to develop a variety of innovative initiatives to strengthen families and assist individuals to become self-sufficient. Among them are:
Campus of Services (Fayette County Community Action Agency): consisting of 60,000 square feet of office space and 30,000 square feet of warehouse space and 60 apartment units, the Campus of Services includes the Community Services Center (which houses the Senior Citizens Center and eight human service tenants); the food bank and warehouse (for the collection and storage of food for disadvantaged residents); the Family Service Center, which is a state-of-the-art facility that provides a multitude of services for residents of the community, including: medical and dental services and nine health and human services tenants, and a computer technology center; and the Meadow Heights Apartments, a 60-unit senior living facility for low-to-moderate income residents aged 62 and older.
Radio Outreach Program (Polish American Social Services): in order to reach those Polish American citizens, especially women, who are isolated due to language barriers, the Polish American Social Services (PASS) produced the Radio Outreach Program to disseminate vital social services information. Through updates, PASS kept current and prospective clients and informal caregivers informed of benefits programs, eligibility requirements and application procedures and deadlines within the comfort of their homes. Broadcasts in the Polish language aired Sunday through Friday and in English on Saturday. Listeners contacted PASS for further information and direct services.
Pennsylvania Economic Self-Sufficiency Project (Women's Association for Women's Alternatives): A major activity of the project was the statewide distribution of the Self-Sufficiency Standard (and subsequent updates) for Pennsylvania. This resource estimates the cost of self-sufficiency for low-income families in every county of PA. It is the only tool available that assists low-income persons and those working with and on their behalf, to identify what their real financial needs are based on actual figures. Persons utilizing the tool can facilitate the use of programs, services and tax benefits that can lead to self-sufficiency. The Standard has been requested by staff of several Workforce Investment boards for use in the development of their Strategic Plan for expenditure of funds provided to help workers obtain training to upgrade their skills, employability and career potential.
Other resources of the project, e.g., the Paths to Self-Sufficiency Guidebook, the Human Resources Packet and the computerized Budget Worksheet, have been developed and are constantly updated. The Human Resources Packet is a comprehensive packet of materials that outlines the economic supports available to low-income workers. The Packet contains information on subsidies, tax credits, and financial counseling services, and includes relevant application forms to assist individuals and families access and receive work supports.
The Pharmaceutical Bank (Commission on Economic Opportunity): The Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO) has worked as a collaborative partner with the Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy and the free medical clinics of Luzerne County, to increase pharmaceutical access for the uninsured and underinsured. The collaborative partners have developed a three-tiered approached to the problems of pharmaceutical access. (1)The Pharmaceutical Bank, via the professional expertise of the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy, has obtained a wholesale license and is able to purchase medications in bulk at wholesale cost for the clinic. A restricted formula developed by the clinics and partners provide first time, generic medications; (2) The case management service provided by CEO at all clinic sites assists patients to apply to indigent drug programs offered by the pharmaceutical industry. Prescriptions are offered either through the pharmaceutical bank or can be filled by local pharmacies with payment from the CEO; (3) Medication education and counseling is provided at the clinic sites by the Wilkes University Nesbitt School of Pharmacy student volunteers and faculty. Student volunteers also assist in the management of the pharmaceutical bank.
(2) Community Needs Assessments
A community needs assessment is required from all eligible entities as part of their application for funding each year. Each agency is responsible for conducting or securing their own needs assessment. The needs assessment of each agency describes how the assessment was conducted and provides results. The goals and objectives of each agency are based upon the findings of the assessment. The commonwealth realizes that agencies require flexibility in conducting needs assessments, as each area varies in the resources available and the services they would provide. As a result, a variety of resources are used, including: a county's Master Plan, the Child Health and Wellness Council survey, the United Way of America's Compass 11 tool, the Continuum of Care Planning Process, and Needs Assessment and Customer Survey forms.
(3) 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' applications also include an updated list of board members that contain 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 Office of Community Services provides the agencies with two directives related to board composition: CSBG Directive 2002-01: Administrative Procedures for CSBG Grants, which requires a tripartite board for private non-profit CSBG grantees; and CSBG Directive 2002-02: Administrative Boards, which requires a tripartite advisory board for grantees that are units of local governments. (Directives are designed to provide additional guidance to subgrantees on a particular subject. They are included in the contract by reference. The directives also specify guidelines referencing residence requirements, length of service, fiscal and program management, staff appointments/dismissals, non-discrimination, conflict of interest and policies pertaining to client files.) All public community action agencies have advisory boards with the required tripartite division.
(4) State Charity Tax Credit Program
The Office of Community Services 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 non-profit 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.
G. Programmatic Assurances
(1) (a) Assurance § 676(b)(1):
Funds made available through this grant or allotment will be used:
(1) 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. 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;
(v) obtain and maintain adequate housing and a suitable living environment;
(vi) obtain emergency assistance through loans, grants, or other means to meet immediate and urgent family and individual needs; and
(vii) 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;
(2) To address the needs of youth 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
(3) To make more effective use of, and to coordinate with, other programs (including State welfare reform efforts).
Implementation of Assurance 676(b)(1)
(1) Grantees submit an application specifically designed to implement this assurance. The OCS staff reviews each application for adherence to and conformance with these provisions. Activities eligible for funding consideration include, but are not limited to: intensive case management; employment and training programs as well as necessary support services; education initiatives and referrals that will enable low-income, chronically unemployed individuals to participate in job training programs (including locally initiated Title 1 or CareerLink sponsored job training programs); budget counseling, consumer education, credit counseling and weatherization services; home repair services, housing counseling and housing rehabilitation; emergency assistance programs, including loans and grants to meet the immediate and urgent individual and family needs; health services, nutritious food, and housing; and those geared toward achieving 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.
The Annual Report submitted to the federal Office of Community Services and the National Association for State Community Services Programs each year documents, to a greater extent, the extensive services and activities that CAAs in Pennsylvania provide, and includes client success stories that provide specific examples of how individuals and families achieve the specified objectives.
(2) 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 Lawrence County Social Services ''At-Risk'' youth program, designed to improve the social and emotional development of youth. Youth participating in the before-and-after school programs show increased academic, athletic and/or social skills in order to experience school success. Preschool program participants will participate in preschool activities designed to help develop school readiness skills and to get them developmentally prepared to enter kindergarten.
Keystone Community Action Program's Project YES (Youth Excellence Services), is a delinquency prevention program provided in collaboration with the Tuscarora Intermediate Unit, the Mifflin County School District, the Mifflin County Children and Youth, and Mifflin County Probation Department. It serves 30 middle school students and is funded in part by the Central PA Workforce Development Corporation Youth Council. Services include intensive case management, substance abuse education, home visiting, parenting education workshops, homework clubs, tutoring, after school and lunch time resiliency building activities, family activities, field trips, summer camp and community involvement clubs.
(3) The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW), administers the Supported Work Program. The program is funded by DPW and is intended to prepare and assist public assistance recipients to obtain unsubsidized employment and to provide work opportunities for post 24-month cash assistance recipients.
(4) 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 or work in cooperation with food pantries in their service area to counteract conditions of starvation and malnutrition among low-income individuals. The CAA and food pantry network also provides clients with assistance on food preparation and food budget management.
(5) 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 such services to low-income individuals and to avoid duplication of such services, and 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.
Implementation of Assurance 676(b)(5)
All CAAs are required to describe in their CSBG application, 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. For the 2001-2002 program year, there were over 3,200 documented linkages/partnerships.
In 1996, DCED initiated the Supported Work Program (SWP) in coordination with the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW) to provide employment and training services for TANF recipients, and to place 50% of participants into jobs. Over $7 million is available through the Department of Public Welfare for these services. Forty-two (42) CAAs/LPAs provide these services statewide.
In addition, the Director of the Office of Community Services is a member of Pennsylvania's Workforce Investment Task Force and several executive directors of the CAAs sit on local Workforce Investment Boards. Several CAAs have strong relationships with the Workforce Investment Boards, including acting as the CareerLink and/or sharing facilities.
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