Summary

The Ohio Department of Development received a Community Services Block Grant (CSBG, CFDA 93.569) award of $20.3 million from the Office of Community Services, effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. This formula grant funds Ohio's comprehensive anti-poverty and community development initiatives designed to reduce poverty, revitalize low-income communities, and empower low-income individuals and families to achieve economic self-sufficiency. The CSBG program supports a broad range of services including workforce development, education, healthcare access, financial literacy, emergency assistance, and community-based support programs delivered through a network of community action agencies and neighborhood-based organizations throughout the state.

The prime awardee distributed CSBG funding to 17 sub-grantees across Ohio, including established community action organizations such as Hocking.athens.perry Community Action, Mahoning Youngstown Community Action Partnership, Great Lakes Community Action Partnership, Cincinnati Hamilton County, Stark County Community Action Agency, and numerous others. These sub-recipients utilize the funding to deliver direct services including emergency assistance for housing and utilities, energy bill assistance, weatherization programs, Head Start and early childhood education services, workforce training, and support for vulnerable populations including elderly residents and families transitioning from public assistance programs. The distributed sub-awards were issued beginning in late 2025, enabling community action agencies to continue their critical role in providing anti-poverty services and community development support to low-income Ohio residents.