The Community Services Block Grant Act (CSBG) (49 U.S.C. 9901 et seq.) is a noncompetitive federally funded block grant offered through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The program is meant to support the national network of Community Action Agencies (CAAs) and their work to alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty.

The federal Community Action Program was founded in 1964 by the Economic Opportunity Act (EOA), as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. Originally, federal Community Action Program funds flowed directly to local public and private CAAs. In 1981, Congress repealed the federal Community Action Program and replaced it with CSBG, a state-administered block grant.

Community action's mission is to address the issues of poverty and to increase the self-sufficiency of low-income families. They offer a broad range of anti-poverty programs and work collaboratively with other agencies to build a network of support for Indiana’s most vulnerable populations. CSBG programs include:

• Housing and related services.
• Reduction of Poverty.
• Revitalization of low-income communities.
• Empowering low-income families and individuals in rural and urban areas to become self-sufficient.

Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA)

Pursuant to Indiana Code 4-4-33-1-(2), in 2007, Indiana Governor Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr., designated IHCDA as the Lead Agency for the purposes of carrying out State activities for CSBG. IHCDA has continued to be designated the lead agency with each new governor, most recently in July 2017 by Governor Eric Holcomb. As the lead agency, IHCDA has the following responsibilities:

• Accept CSBG funds from HHS and distribute at least 90% directly to all 22 CAAs in Indiana.
• Disseminate, interpret, and build on federal regulations and guidance.
• Monitor CAA use of CSBG funds as well as compliance with federal and state rules and regulations.
• Provide opportunities for training and technical assistance to CAA Executive Directors, staff, and board members.
• Collect and submit performance-based data from CAAs and submit to HHS.

• 2024 CSBG Manual
• 2024 CSBG Policy Manual Appendix 1: CSBG Service Map
• 2024 CSBG Policy Manual Appendix 2: Allowability and Reasonable Cost
• 2024 CSBG Policy Manual Appendix 3: Guide to Budgets and Amendments
• 2024 CSBG Policy Manual Appendix 4: Guide to Carryover and Closeout
• 2024 CSBG Policy Manual Appendix 5: Typical Annual Timeline
• 2024 CSBG Policy Manual Appendix 6: CSBG Claims Requirements Sheet
• 2024 CSBG Policy Manual Appendix 7: CSBG Claims Cover Sheet
• 2024 CSBG Policy Manual Appendix 8: Monitoring Preparation and Visit Information
• 2024 CSBG Policy Manual Appendix 9: Guide Requesting Monitoring T/TA Awards
• 2024 CSBG Policy Manual Appendix 10: Budget Form
• 2024 CSBG Policy Manual Appendix 11: Carryover Form
• 2024 CSBG Policy Manual Appendix 12: Closeout Forms
• 2024 CSBG Policy Manual Appendix 13: CSBG Resources
• 2024 CSBG Policy Manual Appendix 14: Blank Award Agreement
• 2024 CSBG Policy Manual Appendix 15: Indiana Code CAAs
• 2024 CSBG Policy Manual Appendix 16: Commonly Used Acronyms

• 2026 Community Action Plan Main Document - Final
• Attachment 1: CAA Board Governance Management Tool
• Attachment 3: Organizational Standards Self-Assessment (Monitoring Toolkit Part 1)
• Attachment 5: Individuals and Families
• Attachment 6: CSBG Programs
• Attachment 9: Certification of Information

CSBG-2020-03 - Charging Other Programs to CSBG

• Pre-Onsite Monitoring Matrix
• Monitoring Resource Bundle
• Appendix A - Common CAA Acronyms
• Appendix B - Common CAA Operational Definitions
• Appendix C - CSBG Monitoring Standards Matrix
• Appendix D - Governing Board CSBG Action Chart
• Appendix E - Fiscal Segregation of Duties Chart
• Appendix F - Self Assessment Quick Check
• Appendix G - National Business Calendar
• CSBG Monitoring Toolkit - Introduction
• Indiana CSBG Monitoring Toolkit
• Indiana CAA Board Governance Management Tool 3.0

• 2025-2026 Indiana CSBG State Plan
• CSBG IM #82 Tripartite Boards
• Common CAA Acronyms

PACE Addresses Overlooked Health Barrier

In 2025, Pace addressed an often-overlooked barrier to health and economic stability – period poverty – through its innovative Pad and Tampon Drive, led by the Health Connection program. Access to menstrual hygiene products is a basic health need that, when unmet, can result in missed work, school, and community participation. Recognizing this, our agency launched a communitywide initiative to promote health equity and dignity for individuals experiencing poverty. Through collaboration with local partners including schools, churches, civic organizations, and businesses, we collected and distributed 49,124 menstrual hygiene products. Key partners included Walmart, First Farmers Bank & Trust, Firefly Children and Family Alliance, American Legion, and several local churches and sororities.

CSBG funds supported this initiative by covering outreach materials, and coordination of donation collection sites, and staff time dedicated to community engagement and distribution logistics. These resources ensured that products reached those in need across multiple counties we serve. This creative approach not only met an immediate basic need but also increased community awareness about period poverty and health inequity. By mobilizing partners and volunteers, Pace demonstrated how small, coordinated efforts can create large-scale impact, reduce barriers to education and employment, and foster compassion and inclusion within the community.

REAL Addresses Housing Instability

In 2025, REAL Services addressed housing instability—one of the core drivers of poverty—through an innovative community initiative centered on education, prevention, and systems change. In October, we hosted “Providers on the Frontline: Upholding Housing as a Human Right,” a community forum that brought together the City of South Bend, Notre Dame Law Clinic, Volunteer Lawyer Network, United Way, and local service providers.

This event directly led to a new partnership with the City of South Bend focused on:

• Eviction sealing clinics to remove barriers to housing and employment,
• Landlord engagement sessions to improve communication and accountability, and
• Tenant rights education to help residents understand and protect their housing stability.

CSBG funds supported staff coordination, planning, outreach, materials, and follow-up assistance for residents identified as at risk of eviction or homelessness.

Outcomes so far include over 75 community members engaged, a formal city partnership to expand eviction prevention, increased landlord participation, and improved tenant knowledge of their rights—directly strengthening families’ ability to remain stably housed.

For more information about CSBG, please contact:

Rolanda Herron

Community Development Grants Manager

CSBG@ihcda.in.gov