Programs

Save Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Funding

Scroll down for listing of contacts, resource links, sample documents and listing of related news stories.

NEW - CSBG Survival Kit

We are redoubling our efforts on data collection. Download the revised 'CSBG Data Template' which allows agencies to "fill in the blanks" and provide text where appropriate. View the presentation slides from NCAF that explains how the data is being used to fight for CSBG with pointers on the types of data that are most useful.

We need the data by June 20. Utilize the following naming conventions so that all data ends up in the proper file: Begin each document with STATE (postal abbr.), then Agency Name, and then document title (e.g. MI CACS Board of Directors 2011). Send all documents to dataforncaf@gmail.com and copy joe@thecaap.org.

What’s going on?

During the State of the Union Address, President Obama recommended cutting the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) – “I’ve proposed cuts to things I care deeply about, like community action programs” – the primary funding source for Community Action Agencies. On February 14, the Obama Administration made true on the State of the Union comment with the release their Fiscal Year 2012 budget proposal. The President is requesting that CSBG be funded at $350 million, or half the FY 2010 level of regular funding.

NEW - U.S. Debt Ceiling

In addition to FY 2012 funding challenges, the looming debt ceiling debate could have devastating ramifications for CSBG and Community Action Agencies. On May 16, the United States reached the legal amount of money it can borrow. The Treasury Department estimates the government would begin to default on its loans by August 2 if Congress does not vote to raise the debt limit.

What is the debt ceiling? It's a cap set by Congress on the amount of debt the federal government can legally borrow. The cap applies to debt owed to the public (i.e., anyone who buys U.S. bonds) plus debt owed to federal government trust funds such as those for Social Security and Medicare. The first limit was set in 1917 and set at $11.5 billion, according to the Center for a Responsible Federal Budget. Previously, Congress had to sign off every time the federal government issued debt.

How high is the debt limit right now?The ceiling is currently set at $14.294 trillion.

How is the ceiling determined?Based on policies in place, such as the $858 billion tax cut compromise passed in December, lawmakers have already committed to incurring the obligations that require them to raise the debt ceiling.

How many times has the ceiling been raised?Since March 1962, the debt ceiling has been raised 74 times, according to the Congressional Research Service. Ten of those times have occurred since 2001.

What happens if Treasury hits the limit?Treasury would not have authority to borrow any more money. That can be a problem since the government borrows to make up the difference between what it spends and what it takes in. It uses that borrowed money to help fund operations and pay creditors.

On May 31, the U.S. House of Representatives rejected an increase in the national debt ceiling with a vote of 318 to 97. The "clean" vote was put forth by House Republicans as a show that any debt ceiling increase that does not include a debt reduction plan will never pass. The Republican Study Committee has sent a letter to Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor, signed by 103 House Republicans, on the debt ceiling vote. The committee is asking for:

1. Discretionary and mandatory spending reductions that would cut the deficit in half next year.

2. Statutory, enforceable total-spending caps to reduce federal spending to 18% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

3. A Balanced Budget Amendment (BBA) with strong protections against federal tax increases and including a Spending Limitation Amendment (SLA).

Three Pennsylvania U.S. Representatives are signed onto the letter: Representatives Mike Kelly (3), Tom Marino (10) and Joseph Pitts (16). If you are in one of these legislators districts, please contact them to express concern over drastic domestic spending cuts in relation to the debt ceiling.

Why is this a problem?

CSBG is the ONLY federal program focused on comprehensive services to people in need. If eliminated, the 1,100 Community Action Agencies across the country will be forced to slash programs, or close their doors.

Community Action Agencies are locally focused organizations designed to offer programs that are specifically based on local community assessment of needs. This means that Community Action Agencies deliver programs that are of the most need to the community and its citizens – reducing duplication of services offered by other organizations and maximizing efficiencies of delivery of service.

What about Pennsylvania?

There are 43 Community Action Agencies in Pennsylvania, serving all 67 counties. In FY 2009, Pennsylvania’s Community Action Agencies served 874,064 individuals and families with services and programs that provide economic security and stability. Programs such as job training and placements, housing counseling and foreclosure abatement, neighborhood revitalization and micro-enterprise and entrepreneurial support will be at risk for elimination.

In FY 2010 Pennsylvania’s Community Action Agencies received $29,459,779 in Community Services Block Grant funds. Without funds from the Community Services Block Grant, Pennsylvania’s Community Action Agencies will not be able to continue to serve the same numbers of people or to offer the wide variety of programs.

For every $1 in Community Services Block Grant funding spent by a Pennsylvania Community Action Agency, an additional $12 in local and private funding is raised. Eliminating the $29,459,779 also means eliminating the additional $353,517,348 in private, local and foundation funds raised by Pennsylvania’s Community Action Agencies.

What can you do?

Write letters, make phone calls and send emails to the President and your federal elected officials. It is especially important for Community Leaders (business owners/executives, local officials, religious community, veterans affairs) to be part of the message.

Friend us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and post your comments of support.

Links are provided below to contact the President and your U.S. Senators and Representatives.

Sample documents and links to various resources are also provided.

This site will be continually updated with current information.

Contacts

Write to President Obama

Write to Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senators

Write to Pennsylvania’s U.S. Representatives

Sample Documents & Logo

These documents are designed to provide a framework for contacting elected officials about the cutting of CSBG funds. They should be personalized to your community as much as possible.

Sample letter to President Obama

Quote from Barack Obama when he was still a Senator:
"We can't allow this kind of suffering and hopelessness to exist in our country. We can't afford to lose a generation of tomorrow's doctors and scientists and teachers to poverty. We can make excuses for it or we can fight about it or we can ignore poverty altogether, but as long as it's here it will always be a betrayal of the ideals we hold as Americans. It's not who we are." -- Sen. Barack Obama, Washington, D.C., July 18, 2007.

Sample letter to Senator

Sample letter to Representative

Legislative Visit Report - use this to record your interaction with elected officials

Damage Assessment template - use this to record what the CSBG cuts will mean to your agency and community. Follow the Damage Assessment Guidelines to complete.

Save CSBG Logo (use on letters, blogs, etc) .eps format.

Loss of CSBG funds impact document from Community Action Agency of Delaware County. Great example of public education piece.

Support CSBG Resolution template for County Commissioners.

Resources

Links to various resources for information to save CSBG funding.

The National Association of Counties has issued a white paper in support of CSBG. This is a very important partnership support. Use the document in your meetings with elected officials, media and the public.

CSBG Accountability - Short report on the accountability Community Action Agencies have to CSBG funds using Results Oriented and Management Accountability (ROMA) . Additional information from the National Association for State Community Services Programs data collection, use and dissemination.

CAPLAW has provided guidance for Community Action Agencies to prepare in case there is a federal government shutdown.

A Better Budget for All - report released by the Coalition on Human Needs

Pennsylvania CSBG Report FY 2009 - comprehensive report on services and outcomes for Pennsylvania's usage of CSBG funds. Good resource for facts and figures.

National Community Action Foundation

Budget & Appropriations information

CSBG specific information

Community Action Partnership

National Association for State Community Services Programs

CSBG specific information

FY 2009 CSBG highlights- national numbers on performance

Best Practices research

Storytelling guide– how to best tell the Community Action story

Social Media guide– how to use social media to spread the word

Results Oriented Management and Accountability(ROMA) – information on the performance based system used by Community Action Agencies

VirtualCAP– clearing house of Community Action best practices, resources and latest news items

Community Action Works– website developed by Boston-based Community Action Agency in response to proposed CSBG budget cuts

News Stories on CSBG Cuts

CAAP collects news stories that are specific to Pennsylvania or are of such significance as to be useful in advocacy and information. A more comprehensive listing of news stories from across the country can be found at Virtual CAP's Newsroom.

In southwest Va., as more need help, aid organization has less to give - Washington Post front page article

Radio interview with Joe Ostrander, CAAP and Kathy Possinger, Community Action Commission on Community Action (podcast)

Local View: A human face to budget cuts - Op ed by director of Community Action of Nebraska

Agencies facing block grant elimination

Of all the crazy notions

50% CSBG cut will roadblock local aid agencies

Franklin County programs wait to hear about funding cuts

Bracing for cuts

Mike Snyder: SELF mission endangered by cuts to CSBG funds

Mr. President, help those in poverty

The Human Cost of Budget Cutting

Alan Simpson: Cut Entitlements, Defense; Not Aid To Poor