Formula for the Distribution of Community Service Block Grant Funds to Community Action Agencies

PURPOSE: This rule outlines how the Family Support Division (division) will distribute Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) mandatory funds to Community Action Agencies (CAA). (1) Definitions. (A) “Community Action Agency” or “CAA” means a private, not-for-profit agency within the state of Missouri designated by the governor of the state of Missouri as an eligible entity as defined by 42 U.S.C. section 9909. (B) “CSBG” means Community Service Block Grant program established by 42 U.S.C. section 9901 et seq and section 660.370 et seq, RSMo. (C) “Mandatory funds” means at least ninety percent (90%) of the total amount of CSBG funds required to be allocated to CAAs from the CSBG grant annually awarded to the state of Missouri by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Support, for the administration of the CSBG program. (2) The division shall allocate the mandatory funds on the basis of federal fiscal years beginning October 1 as follows: (A) A portion of the mandatory funds shall be distributed such that each CAA shall receive a base amount of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000); (B) The portion of mandatory funds remaining after deducting the sum of the base amount awarded to CAAs shall be distributed based on the CAA’s poverty population relative to the state’s total poverty population utilizing the following formula: ((Total mandatory funds) – ($200,000 x # of CAAs)) x (poverty population of the CAA/total state poverty population) = CAA poverty population allocation 1. Total state poverty population shall be the total poverty population according to the most recent data published annually by the American Community Survey of the United States Census Bureau. 2. The poverty population of the designated geographic area served by a CAA shall be the total poverty population within the area as determined by the most recent data published by the American Community Survey of the United States Census Bureau. (3) Allocations of mandatory funds to CAAs shall be based on the most recent information on availability and amounts of CSBG funding to be awarded to Missouri by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Services as of the date that the Family Support Division issues the award. Any and all distributions to CAAs are contingent on the availability of CSBG funds for that fiscal year. The division may increase or decrease the funds awarded to a CAA during the grant term depending on the availability of CSBG funds awarded to the state of Missouri by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Services, for the administration of the CSBG program. Any increase or decrease in the amount awarded to a CAA shall be based upon the formula set forth in subsection (2)(B) of this rule. (4) The division shall issue a Notice of Award to the CAA. The Notice of Award shall specify the amount of the grant and the basis for the Family Support Division’s Calculation. The Notice of Award shall be issued electronically. (5) If a CAA has its CSBG funding terminated or reduced below the proportional share of funding the entity received in the previous fiscal year then that CAA may request a hearing on the record to the director of the Family Support Division pursuant to 42 U.S.C. section 9908(b)(8). The request for hearing shall be in writing and served on the director of the Family Support Division no later than thirty (30) days from the date of the Notice of Award. The request for hearing shall specify in detail the legal and factual basis for the CAA’s request for hearing and shall include any factual documentation in support of the CAA’s position. The hearing shall be held before the director of the Family Support Division or his/her designee. The final decision of the director shall be subject to review by the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as provided in 42 U.S.C. section 9915(b). AUTHORITY: section 660.376, RSMo 2000.* Original rule filed Oct. 31, 2013, effective June 30, 2014. *Original authority: 660.376, RSMo 1984.