Illinois Administrative Code › Title 47 - HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT › Part 120 - STATE ADMINISTRATION OF THE FEDERAL COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM › Section 120.110 - Program Types-Description

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 28, July 12, 2024
a) General Program Purposes - The Grantee
			 will use the Community Services Block Grant available through the State of
			 Illinois for purposes as described under Section 676 of the Act (
			 42 USC 9908
			 ).
b) Program Priorities - The
			 Department's priorities parallel those of the Act, and fall into the following
			 categories:
1) Economic Development -
			 Reflecting the importance of a community's economic viability for the poor, the
			 Department has placed its highest CSBG priority on job creating economic
			 development programs which result in the employment and self-sufficiency of
			 low-income persons. Each CAA designs and operates an individualized economic
			 development program. At least 10 percent of each CAA's annual CSBG funding is
			 allocated for economic development/job creation activities. Most CAAs operate a
			 loan program through which below market rate loans are made for business
			 expansion and start-up which results in the hiring of low-income persons.
			 Various other job-creating activities are undertaken, including self-employment
			 training.
2) Education -
			 Recognizing the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty,
			 priority is given to education programs which are designed to increase the
			 capability of the poor to function productively in society. A broad spectrum of
			 educational assistance is provided through the CSBG program. Specific examples
			 include: workplace orientation, vocational skills training, family planning
			 education, cultural opportunities for disadvantaged children, energy
			 conservation education, post-secondary education scholarships, GED assistance
			 for high school dropouts, adult and youth literacy training and nutrition
			 education for single parents and the elderly.
3) Income Management - Counseling and
			 instructing low income individuals and families in the management of their
			 income is an acceptable program activity. This could take the form of
			 addressing consumer education issues, assistance in preparation of federal and
			 State income tax reports, and the provision of workshops on income savings
			 measures. Many CAAs offer programs to encourage better use of available income.
			 A majority of this assistance is in the form of family budget counseling.
			 Information also is provided through workshops or brochures on such topics as
			 financial management, credit, income taxes and Social Security.
4) Housing - The primary housing activities
			 include aid to renters seeking a residence, landlord/tenant rights education
			 and arbitration, information about purchasing/financing a home, packaging
			 housing and housing rehabilitation loans and providing for minor energy
			 efficiency or health and safety related home repair. These activities may be
			 linked with other housing related assistance in the community, such as the
			 Energy Assistance and Weatherization programs.
5) Emergency Assistance - Recognizing that
			 crisis situations (some life threatening) frequently occur within the low
			 income population, priority is given to programs that intervene for purposes of
			 alleviating the crisis situation. Most CAAs maintain clothes closets and food
			 pantries, many of them in conjunction with other community groups and local
			 churches. Some agencies provide redeemable vouchers or grants to clients that
			 enable them to meet immediate and urgent family needs such as health services,
			 nutritious food, housing, employment-related assistance, day care, medical
			 services and transportation.
6)
			 Nutrition - Poor nutrition and/or lack of proper diet are often synonymous with
			 the effects of poverty. Activities designed to increase eligible clients'
			 awareness of proper diet and food preparation is a concern to the total
			 community. CSBG funding is a primary resource for leveraging and providing
			 nutritional assistance. Typical programs include: federal surplus food
			 distribution, community gardening projects, food banks, senior citizen and
			 youth feeding projects, Christmas food packages and assistance in accessing
			 food stamps, WIC and other nutrition-related programs. These activities may
			 include the storing and distribution of surplus United States Department of
			 Agriculture (USDA) agricultural commodities; preparation and service of hot
			 meals; food baskets; and programs designed to prevent malnutrition.
7) Linkages - CSBG funding regularly supports
			 extensive outreach, information and referral services, transportation services,
			 youth recreation and self-sufficiency programs for low-income
			 citizens.
8) Self-Sufficiency -
			 Many CAAs provide for comprehensive family case management programs that
			 promote, empower and nurture family members toward self-sufficiency.
9) Health - CAAs provide many health related
			 activities in the form of transportation to medical services, medical/dental
			 screening, immunization, drug and alcohol abuse prevention and other services
			 which promote good health.
10)
			 Community Involvement - CAAs conduct programs to encourage and facilitate
			 low-income clients to achieve greater participation in the affairs of their
			 communities, including the development of local partnerships with law
			 enforcement agencies, schools, housing authorities and private sector
			 businesses, clubs and other community organizations.
11) Youth Development Programs - CAAs conduct
			 programs that support the primary role of the family in youth development and
			 the prevention of youth problems and youth crime. Additionally, programs such
			 as after school child care and linking grade school students with senior
			 mentors and tutors are targeted to preteen youth.