CSBG DCL Office of Community Services Restructure

Publication Date: September 28, 2016
Current as of:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Administration for Children and Families
Office of Community Services
Division of State Assistance
330 C Street, SW, 5th Floor
Mail Room 5425
Washington, D.C. 20201
www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/programs/csbg

Community Services Block Grant
Dear Colleague Letter

Re: Office of Community Services Restructure

Date: September 28, 2016

Dear Colleagues:

The Office of Community Services (OCS) is responsible for administering programs that provide essential services and support to individuals and families with low-incomes and the communities in which they live. To meet this responsibility and provide high quality services to states, territories, tribes, and discretionary grantees, it is critical that the management and administration of OCS programs are always improving. The expectations and work load of OCS programs have changed over time and a different structure is needed to maintain the integrity and impact of our programs. More specifically, both the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) have undergone significant changes in volume of oversight and complexity in the last several years. Additionally, since 2009, the Director of the Division of Community Discretionary Programs (DCDP) has served as the Acting Director of the Division of Community Demonstration Programs (DCDEP).

To ensure efficient and effective management of OCS programs, the Office of the Director (OD) requested and received approval from the Acting Assistant Secretary of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) to restructure OCS Divisions. Per this approval, OCS will separate the Division of State Assistance (DSA) into two divisions, the Division of Community Assistance (DCA) and the Division of Social Services (DSS). Under this structure DCA will be responsible for CSBG and DSS will be responsible for SSBG. OCS also received approval to consolidate the DCDP and DCDEP into one division, the Division of Community Discretionary and Demonstration Programs (DCDDP). Under this structure DCDDP will be responsible for the Assets for Independence (AFI), Community Economic Development (CED), and Rural Community Development (RCD) programs.

As noted above, effective on October 1, 2016 CSBG and SSBG will be administered by two distinct divisions within the Office of Community Services. OCS remains committed to providing a seamless transition in service delivery to grantees during the transition. Mr. Seth Hassett will continue to serve as the Director of the Division of Community Assistance and oversee CSBG Program Operations. Mr. David Barrie will continue to oversee CSBG state assessments as Chief of the Financial Operations and Accountability Branch.

In addition to the notification of amended office structure, please note that the position of CSBG Program Operations Chief is currently vacant. Nonetheless, OCS continues to strive in providing quality services to families, communities and excellent customer services to every grantee. As such, please join OCS in welcoming Ms. Maxine M. Maloney as the SSBG Branch Chief.

Business practices for grantees will remain generally unchanged. This includes:

CSBG Block Grant Recipients

  • Program Specialist and Grants Management Specialist assignments — Your assigned Program Specialist and Grant Management Specialist contact information will not change as a result of this restructuring.
  • State Liaison Staff — A list of Program Specialists assigned to each state is available on the following website: /ocs/resource/csbg-staff-assignments-by-region.
  • Technical assistance to grantees — OCS will continue to provide programmatic support and technical assistance to grantees as provided prior to the restructuring. There will be no changes to existing grant awards or program operations.
  • Information and reporting — Grantees will continue to submit your annual report as outlined in the Terms and Conditions of Awards.

Discretionary Grant Recipients

  • Program Specialist and Grants Management Specialist assignments — Your assigned Program Specialist and Grant Management Specialist contact information will not change as a result of this restructuring.
  • State Liaison Staff — You can view your Program Specialist assignment and contact your Program Specialist through GrantSolutions (www.grantsolutions.gov ).
  • Technical assistance to grantees — OCS will continue to provide programmatic support and technical assistance to grantees as provided prior to the restructuring. There will be no changes to existing grant awards or program operations.
  • Information and reporting — Grantees will continue to access information, correspond, and submit Performance Progress Reports (PPRs) and SF-425 via GrantSolutions (www.grantsolutions.gov ).

Thank you for your continued partnership and cooperation with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Administration for Children and Families (ACF) as we work together to continue providing quality service to vulnerable individuals, children, and families.

Sincerely,

Jeannie L. Chaffin                                    Seth Hassett
Director                                                    Director, Division of State Assistance
Office of Community Services                  Office of Community Services