Press Room >> 2009 Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
May 22, 2009 

GOVERNOR, PATT- MCDANIEL ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $38 MILLION
IN COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT AWARDS
Low-Income Ohioans to Benefit from Federal Stimulus Funds 

COLUMBUS - Governor Ted Strickland and Lisa Patt-McDaniel, Interim Director of the Ohio Department of Development, today announced that the state will receive $38.9 million in additional funding for the Community Services Block Grant Program through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The funds, administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will be allocated to local community action agencies to provide services and activities addressing employment, emergency services, and a variety of activities to combat poverty.  Distribution of funds is expected to begin in June and continue over the next two years. Funding is contingent upon approval of the state’s Community Services Block Grant Program plan by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“The services provided through this program will help strengthen Ohio’s communities and families,” said Strickland. “President Obama’s decision to invest these funds in Ohio’s Community Services Block Grant Program will help more Ohioans get back on their feet during these tough economic times.”

The Community Services Block Grant Program funds, administered by the Ohio Department of Development’s Community Development Division and its Office of Community Services, may be used to assist families and individuals whose annual household income is at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines.  Funding is being allocated based on an existing formula methodology to local community action agencies.

“We are encouraging the community action agencies to focus the use of these Community Services Block Grant funds to support employment-related services and activities that create and sustain economic growth,” said Patt-McDaniel.  “The funds will also be critical in helping reduce poverty, revitalizing low-income communities, and empowering low-income families and individuals to be self-sufficient.”

Currently, the state receives approximately $27 million per fiscal year in Community Services Block Grant Program funding.  Due to the significant increase in funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, specific requirements will be necessary to ensure that the funds are used effectively, timely, and with maximum accountability and transparency.

The community action agencies will be required to coordinate all employment-related services with the local One-Stop Career Centers, which offer free resources for job seekers.  In addition, community action agencies are encouraged to link with the Ohio Benefit Bank, a service of the Governor’s Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives.  The Ohio Benefit Bank helps connect low and moderate-income families with services that can help them gain financial stability and security.  Office of Community Services staff will monitor and review Community Services Block Grant expenditures on a quarterly basis. 

The Ohio Community Services Block Grant Program Grantees are: 

The Community Services Block Grant Program is directed at the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's goals: to create and preserve jobs, promote economic recovery, and assist those most impacted by the recession.  For more information about the American Recovery and Investment Act and the Community Services Block Grant Program, visit recovery.ohio.gov. 

The Ohio Department of Development's Community Development Division administers a variety of state- and federally funded programs that benefit Ohio individuals and families. The Community Development Division coordinates its programs to form a comprehensive strategy to build stronger, healthier communities throughout the state. 

Working with our partners across business, state and local governments, academia, and the non-profit sector, the Ohio Department of Development works to attract, create, grow, and retain businesses through competitive incentives and targeted investments. Engaged every day in marketing, innovating, investing, and collaborating, the Ohio Department of Development works at the speed of business to accelerate and support the teamwork that is absolutely necessary for success by providing financial, informational, and technical assistance to those making an investment in Ohio’s future. 

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Media contacts: Eileen Turner at (614) 728-6674
or the Communications & Marketing Office at 614.466.2609