Community Services Block Grant Act was enacted to assist low-income individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency. Serving the citizens of Alabama while reducing welfare dependency is a daily function for us at Community Service. We take part in the management of a wide variety of undertakings, our goal is to help low-income citizens, through a variety of programs and community activities, to become gainfully employed and improve their quality of life. The activities in the Community Service Block Grant Program include but are not limited to the following: To secure and retain meaningful employment; To encourage and enhance economic development To attain an adequate education; To make better use of available income; To obtain and maintain adequate housing and suitable living environment. To obtain emergency assistance through loans or grants to meet immediate and urgent individual and family needs including the need for health services, nutrition, food, housing and employment related assistance. To remove obstacles and solve problems which block the achievement of self-sufficiency To achieve greater participation in the affairs of the community. To make more effective use of other programs related to the purpose of the Community Services Block Grant Act. To enhane youth and family development, including after school child care and youth mediation. To provide an emergency basis for the provision of such supplies and services, nutritious foodstuffs, and related necessary to counteract conditions of starvation and malnutrition among the poor. To coordinate and establish linkages between governmental and other social services programs to assure the effective delivery of services to low income individuals. In accordance with the Community Services Block Grant Act, Alabama’s 22 Community Action Agencies will assist in meeting the needs of whole family structure as well as addressing the needs of an individual in the areas of: Customer/client evaluations and assessments Information and referral based on client needs for education, employment or other assistance services (some services and assistance provided in house). Job readiness and skills counseling Limited skill development computers, day care and others (not all agencies) Job placement and development with local employers Employability skills orientation and classes Limited on-the-job training (not all agencies) Programs for youth and family development Day Care and Head start services (not all agencies) After school and summer programs for youth Transportation (not all agencies) Emergency and special needs Client/customer case management, follow-up/tracking and results management SOURCE OF FUNDS: Department of Health and Human Services Office of Community Services FUNDS RECEIVED: Approximately $11 million annually DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS: Ninety-five percent (95%) of the block grant is distributed to twenty-two (22) Community Action Agencies Statewide NATIONAL WEB SITES: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/acs/csbg/index.htm http://www.acf.dhhs.gov