Arkansas Administrative Code › Agency 016 - DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES › Division 20 - Division of County Operations › Rule 016.20.13-002 - 2014-15 Community Services Block Grant State Plan.

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 6, June, 2024
I.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The State of Arkansas hereby submits the Community Services
				Block Grant State Plan and Application for Fiscal Years 2014-2015. This plan
				contains the necessary provisions, which adequately describe the programs for
				which assistance is sought under this subtitle, and which are consistent with
				the requirements of the CSBG Act.
A.
CSBG State Legislation
The State of Arkansas' statutory authority for the Community
				Services Block Grant Program is the "Community Service and Community Action
				Program Act of 1985" (Act 345). See Attachment VII for the State Legislation.
				Through this Act, the Arkansas Legislature institutionalized the Community
				Services Program and determined that it will be carried out primarily through
				the State's local Community Action Agencies. The Act also determined service
				areas of these agencies to include all seventy-five counties and mandated 90
				percent pass through of CSBG funds to these agencies. The Act limits state
				administrative expenditures of CSBG funds to five percent; the remaining five
				percent will be used as discretionary funds. The types of community services
				provided are consistent with requirements of the CSBG Federal Act.
B.
Designation of Lead
			 State Agency
Governor Mike Beebe, as the Chief Executive for the State of
				Arkansas, designates the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of
				County Operations, Office of Community Services, as the lead agency for
				administration of the Community Services Block Grant. In addition, through Act
				345 of 1985, the Arkansas Legislature has made the Department responsible for
				carrying out all aspects of the Act. See p.ii for a letter of designation
				signed by Governor Mike Beebe.
C.
Public Hearing Requirements
The State of Arkansas has complied with public and legislative
				hearing requirements of the CSBG Act regarding the State Application and Plan,
				as follows:
1.
Public
			 Hearing
The Act requires the designated lead agency to conduct at least
				one Public Hearing to provide an opportunity for comment on the proposed use
				and distribution of funds, in conjunction with development of the State
				Application and Plan. Arkansas held one public hearing, on June 4, 2013, in
				Bryant, Arkansas. Notice of the hearing was published in the statewide daily
				newspaper for three consecutive days and posted on the Arkansas Department of
				Human Services website. The public was offered the opportunity to comment on
				the proposed use and distribution of funds for the plan period (fiscal years
				2014-2015). See Attachment IV for documentation of the Public Hearing.
2.
Legislative
			 Hearing
The Act requires the State to hold at least one legislative
				hearing every three (3) years in conjunction with the development of the State
				Plan. The Arkansas Legislative Council of the Arkansas General Assembly
				conducted a legislative hearing for fiscal years 2012-2013 on August 15, 2011.
				The Legislative Council also held a legislative hearing in conjunction with the
				development of the 2014-2015 State Plan on July 15, 2013. See Attachment IX for
				documentation of the legislative hearing.
3.
Public Inspection of State
			 Plan
The Act requires the State to make the Plan available for
				public inspection, to facilitate review of and comment on the plan. The State
				Plan for fiscal years 2014-2015 was made available for public inspection and
				comment from May 10, 2013-June 10, 2013, at the Arkansas Department of Human
				Services website and the Office of Community Services. Those who wished to
				comment could respond orally at the Public Hearings or submit comments directly
				to the Office of Community Services. Notice of the public hearing and comment
				period was provided in the Arkansas statewide daily newspaper and via the
				Arkansas Department of Human Services website.
Copies of the plan will be made available at the Arkansas State
				Library, Arkansas Department of Human Services, Legislative Council, Community
				Action Agencies, and the DHS website.