COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT (CSBG)
The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), created by the federal Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1998 provides funds to alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty in communities across this country. It is designed to provide a range of services which assist low-income people to attain skills, knowledge, and motivation necessary to achieve self-sufficiency. Local programs create, coordinate, and deliver essential services to poor and near poor Americans.
In general, CSBG programs emphasize both preventive aid as well as extended assistance, when necessary, to enable individuals to become economically self-sufficient. Emergency help is sometimes essential, but the programs use this opportunity to begin moving individuals away from temporary solutions fixes and towards long-term solutions. In our service areas of Aiken, Barnwell, and Lexington counties, we are coordinating a response to emergency conditions and providing case management/employment supportive services such that there can be stabilization of household acute conditions.
In general, CSBG programs emphasize both preventive aid as well as extended assistance, when necessary, to enable individuals to become economically self-sufficient. Emergency help is sometimes essential, but the programs use this opportunity to begin moving individuals away from temporary solutions fixes and towards long-term solutions. In our service areas of Aiken, Barnwell, and Lexington counties, we are coordinating a response to emergency conditions and providing case management/employment supportive services such that there can be stabilization of household acute conditions.
GENERAL EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROJECT (GEAP)
Additionally, within our three-county service areas, the General Emergency Assistance Project (GEAP) provides an immediate response to household emergency needs. This includes prevention of court-ordered eviction, financial assistance for establishing affordable housing, and assistance with limited medical emergencies. Budget counseling and referrals to other community resources and/or services are provided where appropriate. GEAP services are provided in collaboration with a myriad of community partners, including local faith based entities.
CASE MANAGEMENT/EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTIVE PROJECTThe Case Management/Employment Supportive Project is designed to respond to documented community needs. Barriers to employment are exacerbated by protracted periods of high unemployment and recovery from 2007-2008 across our service areas have been unbalanced. Our Case Management specialists' approach focuses on providing services to those needing assistance to remove barriers to initial or continuous employment. The main objective is to provide supportive services for individuals who are under-employed or unemployed, needing skills training and/or education. The primary goal for these individuals is to become self-sufficient by obtaining viable rewarding employment.
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YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM (YLP)
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The Youth Leadership Project (YLP) provides low-income households which contain at-risk youth with a goal of developing leadership and character-building skills. YLP currently operates in collaboration with Helping Hands, Inc., an Aiken county residential facility that provides transitional shelter, education, advocacy, and counseling to high risk youth.
All projects operate each calendar year with limited funding within each county. Customers must be income and program eligible (assistance may vary with household situations). Income eligibility is based on the annual Federal Poverty Levels and is determined by previous thirty (30) days' gross income for the household. Additionally, prospective customers must be able to document and establish federal, state and county residency through officially issued IDs and Social Security Cards. |
AGENCY CSBG ADMINISTRATION
For more information about CSBG, please contact:
Senior Administrator: Bertie A. McKie
CSBG Area Manager: TBA