CSBG 2021/2022 State Plan Draft Responses

The 2021/2022 CSBG State Plan is due September 1, 2020. Below are responses to select questions that IHCDA has drafted for network review. Please consider each question and response, identify if you agree with the draft responses and explain why not as necessary. In order to give IHCDA time to consider your responses, please complete this form by Monday, June 8 at 5pm Eastern Time.

3.2 Statewide goals: Describe the state's CSBG-specific goals for state administration of CSBG under this State Plan.

1. Select any of the following goals that you believe should be included in the State Plan. IHCDA will most likely include 3-4 in the final Plan.*

Option 1: Develop relationship with Head Start State Collaboration Office. Strategies would include meeting regularly Collaboration Office Director and exchanging reporting data when possible.Option 2: Improve communication between eligible entities and State Office, asmeasured by the ASCI. Strategies would include IHCDA leading more direct training sessions and providing regular e-newsletters and/or conference calls.Option 3: Improve CAR Scores. Strategies would include IHCDA leading more direct training sessions, IHCDA working with a contractor to develop an “Intro to CSBG and Community Action” training series for new staff in the network, and discretionary funds being set-aside for agencies to use for direct T&TA with contractors when necessary.Option 4: Improve awareness of community action agencies across the state.Strategies would include marketing materials and press releases developed byIHCDA’s Marketing and Communications team and official recognition of CommunityAction Month by the Governor’s Office.Option 5: Support Eligible Entities in becoming or continuing to be recognized community leaders across the state. Strategies would include community leadership training offered to agencies, agencies developing or joining local or regional poverty councils and IHCDA supporting efforts with discretionary funds.Option 6: Prepare plan to have all Eligible Entities using a statewide database within five years. Strategies would include researching current data-tracking resources and practices as well as data-tracking needs and cost of a statewide system.Other

Please describe any suggested edits you have to the above goals or to a new goal you would like to be considered. If commenting on a goal above, please reference the Option #. Write NA if you have no comments to provide*

7.9 Use of Remainder/Discretionary Funds (See Section 675C(b)(1) of the CSBG Act)

IHCDA's Proposal, based on previous federal award amounts and on State Plan-provided categories:

Training/technical assistance to eligible entities: $180,000 ($100,000 for general training, $80,000 for ad hoc training)
Coordination of state-operated programs and/or local programs: $0
Statewide coordination and communication among eligible entities: $50,000
Analysis of distribution of CSBG funds to determine if targeting greatest need: $0
Asset-building programs: $0
Innovative programs/activities by eligible entities or other neighborhood groups: $200,000
State charity tax credits: $0
Other activities: $100,000 (Research into innovative solutions to decrease poverty)

2. The above line items are the activities that IHCDA plans to support with CSBG discretionary funds. Are there any additional activities that you would like to see IHCDA support with discretionary funds?*

Yes, there are one or more items I'd like to be funded with discretionary funds, which I will describe belowNo, I agree with the chosen items above and have no additional suggestions

If you chose "Yes," please describe what you'd like to see funded with CSBG discretionary funds. If you chose "No," please put NA.*

8.1 Describe the State's plan for delivering CSBG-funded training and technical assistance to eligible entities under this State Plan

IHCDA's proposal, using State Plan-provided categories:

FFY1 Q1 (Training): The last of INCAA's 2020 training sessions, listed individually once they are finalized.
FFY1 and FFY2 Q1 (Training): Community Action Plan training, led by IHCDA
FFY1 and FFY2 Q2 (Training): CAR training, led by IHCDA
FFY1 and FFY2 Q2 (Training): Annual Report training, led by IHCDA
Ongoing/Multiple Quarters (Technical Assistance): Correcting Significant Deficiencies Among Eligible Entities
Ongoing/Mulitple Quarters (Training): Intro to CSBG training series
Ongoing/Mulitple Quarter (Training): Some combination of topics, as outlined in the annual training contract

3. The above line items are the training and technical assistance topics that IHCDA plans to support with CSBG discretionary funds. Are there any additional topics that you would like to see IHCDA support with discretionary funds?*

Yes, there are one or more T/TA topics I'd like supported with discretionary funds, which I will describe belowNo, I agree with the chosen topics above and have no additional suggestions

If you chose "Yes," please describe the training topics you'd like to see funded with CSBG discretionary funds. If you chose "No," please put NA.*

8.1b. Training and Technical Assistance Collaboration: Describe how the state will collaborate with the State Association and other stakeholders in the planning and delivery of training and technical assistance.

IHCDA's proposed response: As a part of the annual Community Action Plan, agencies suggest topics for trainings that IHCDA should host or fund. That list of topics is used along with feedback that the State Association gathers from individual agencies and from committees, as well as with monitoring results, to plan a series of trainings each year, delivered by IHCDA, IN-CAA and other consultants.

4. Are there any other specific stakeholders or partners that you believe IHCDAand IN-CAA should engage to help plan or deliver CSBG-related training?*

Yes, there are other stakeholders that I would like to see our network work with, which I will describe in the text box belowNo, there are no other stakeholders that I think our network needs to work with

If you chose "Yes," please describe the stakeholders that you think IHCDA and IN-CAA should engage for training and technical assistance. If you chose "No," please put NA.*

8.2a Address Unmet Organizational Standards: Describe the state's plan to provide T/TA to eligible entities to ensure they address unmet Organizational Standards.

IHCDA's proposed response: Each year, IHCDA uses CSBG discretionary funds to support free trainings open to the entire network; many of the training topics are inspired by trends in monitoring, specifically by commonly unmet organizational standards. Often, by attending those trainings and updating documents or policies that are covered by the trainings, agencies are able to show that they have addressed the unmet standard. For anything that is not covered by a statewide training, the CSBG Program Monitor works directly with each agency to ensure they complete and turn in necessary documents to show that they have addressed the unmet standard; this is done via monthly phone calls and regular emails, until the monitor determines the standard is met. For agencies with more difficult Organizational Standards deficiencies, funding will be provided for a consultant or similar direct support.

5. Should IHCDA be providing any other types of T/TA to agencies to ensure they address unmet Org. Standards?*

Yes, there are other type of T/TA that I think IHCDA should be providing, which I will describe belowNo, the T/TA described above suffices

If you chose "Yes," please describe the T/TA that you think IHCDA should plan to provide. If you chose "No," please put NA.*

9.3b How agencies develop linkages to fill gaps in services: Describe how the eligible entities will develop linkages to fill identified gaps in the services, through the provision of information, referrals, case management, and follow-up consultations.

IHCDA's Draft Response: CSBG Eligible Entities rely on their triennial community needs assessment, as well as their strategic planning processes to identify and plan to fill services gaps. Based on those processes, agencies develop new and/or strengthen current linkages between their own programs, and with the programs provided by other local organizations. Many agencies use a Family Development Matrix or similar tool, to measure different areas of need for each client, and to connect that client with relevant resources and programs to meet those needs; this tool is often used in conjunction with case management or coaching. Most agencies also keep a service referral sheet on hand and ready to pass-out to clients, to help clients identify services within the agency or at partnering agencies that could be helpful.

6. Does the above description fit your agency’s processes and procedures for developing linkages to fill gaps in services?*

Yes, the above description fits my agency's processes and proceduresNo, my agency has other ways of developing linkages to fill service gaps, which I will address below

If you chose "No," please explain how your agency develops linkages to fill identified gaps in the services. If you chose "Yes," please put NA.*

9.7 How agencies will coordinate CSBG funds with other public and private resources: Describe how the eligible entities will coordinate CSBG 90 percent funds with other public and private resources.

IHCDA's Draft Response: Most CSBG Eligible Entities combine CSBG funds with other federal, state and local funding to support their services. Many agencies also solicit private donations and in-kind services for further funding support. In a few cases, agencies subgrant CSBG funds to local partners who are able to provide certain services with either greater efficiency and/or at greater capacity than the agency could with their own available resources.

7. Does the above description fit your agency’s processes and procedures for coordinating CSBG funds with other public and private resources?*

Yes, the above description fits my agency's processes and proceduresNo, my agency has other ways of coordinating CSBG funds with public and private resources, which I will address below

If you chose "No," please explain how your agency coordinates CSBG funds with other public and private resources. If you chose "Yes," please put NA.*

9.8. Coordination among Eligible Entities and State Community Action Association: Describe state activities for supporting coordination among the eligible entities and the state community action association.

IHCDA's Draft Response: All of the CAAs in the State of Indiana choose to be members of the Indiana Community Action Association (IN-CAA). IN-CAA, who receives CSBG discretionary funding from IHCDA to provide technical assistance, training, and resources to help CAAs increase network capacity. These resources must be made available to all CAAs that receive CSBG funds from IHCDA, even if they choose not to be an IN-CAA member.

8. Should IHCDA be providing any other support for coordination between agencies and IN-CAA?*

Yes, I believe there are additional things IHCDA could do to support coordination, which I will describe below.No, I believe the support outlined above suffices

If you chose "Yes," please explain the additional support you believe IHCDA should provide to support coordination among eligible entities and IN-CAA. If you chose "Yes," please put NA.*

If you want IHCDA to be able to contact you directly about any of your responses, or if you want IHCDA to know for certain that your agency responded to the questions, please provide some or all of the information below. It is NOT required however, so you may submit this form anonymously.

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CSBG 2021/2022 State Plan Draft Responses

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