Joint Public Hearing: The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program

Joint – Senate Standing Committee on Social Services
Chair: Senator Roxanne Persaud
and Senate Standing Committee on Finance
Chair: Senator Liz Krueger
and Assembly Standing Committee on Social Services
Chair: Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal
and Assembly Standing Committee on Government Operations
Chair: Assembly Member Kenneth Zebrowski,
Public Hearing: The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program
Place: https://www.nysenate.gov/events; : https://www.nyassembly.gov/av/live
Time: 10:00 A.M.
Contact: Dennis Weakley (518) 455-2790 ; Jennifer Marrero (518) 455-4371
Media Contact:  Senate Press Office (518) 455-2415 ; Assembly Press Office (518) 455-3888 

SUBJECT:     The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Program

PURPOSE:   To obtain input regarding the Department of State's CSBG Application and Plan.

Federal Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds are awarded to grantees in all counties in New York State.  Community action agencies, community-based organizations, and Native American tribes or tribal organizations receive CSBG funds to provide advocacy, outreach, services and programs for economically disadvantaged persons in their local communities.

This hearing will focus on the New York State Department of State's CSBG Application and Plan.  The Plan delineates the manner in which funds will be expended and how the State will meet the federal CSBG program requirements.

Copies of the Department of State's draft CSBG Plan may be obtained from the Department of State website, prior to the hearing at https://dos.ny.gov/reports-management-plans-and-guides  or by contacting:

New York State Department of State
Division of Community Services
99 Washington Avenue Suite 1020
Albany, NY 12231
518-474-5741

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committees at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form by June 14, 2021.  It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified of means by which to testify and/or in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to 10 minutes duration.  In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committees will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances.  These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as early as possible. 

Written testimony should be submitted via email two days prior to the hearing.

Attendees and participants at any legislative public hearing should be aware that these proceedings are video recorded. Their likenesses may be included in any video coverage shown on television or the internet. 

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Committee’s interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Legislature, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities.  For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to the Legislature’s facilities and activities.