Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Communities of Practice (COP)

The Office of Community Services (OCS) is funding six three-year cooperative agreements, each worth $725,000, to establish Communities of Practice (CoPs) focused on training and technical assistance for the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) network. These CoPs will serve CSBG-funded states, territories, tribes, state associations, and eligible entities across the United States. The goal is to build capacity that helps families with low incomes move toward economic security through coordinated services and systems alignment. Each award recipient will lead a grouping of CSBG stakeholders and deliver evidence-informed training that accounts for regional, state, city, county, tribal, and community characteristics. The work must address jurisdictional levels, demographic categories, socioeconomic tiers, and community resources. The training should be scalable so that states, territories, tribes, and eligible entities can implement it locally. The focus areas include improving earned income, employment stability, and asset development for families with low incomes. The OCS sits within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. ACF oversees federal programs that promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals, and communities. OCS specifically administers the CSBG program, which funds a nationwide network of local agencies that combat poverty. This funding opportunity reflects a broader federal push toward data-driven decision-making, stronger service delivery, enhanced reporting and compliance, and reduced fraud, waste, and abuse across the anti-poverty network. The CoPs will also support the A Home for Every Child administrative priority, which focuses on safe and stable housing. Living and working in the United States comes with significant variation depending on location. Monthly living costs average $1,200 to $2,200, influenced by housing, health insurance, and regional differences. The country offers diverse climates, from coastal areas to continental regions, and a vibrant professional with world-class research infrastructure. For international applicants, F-1 visa holders can work up to 20 hours per week on-campus during academic terms and may apply for CPT or OPT for off-campus industry training. However, note that foreign entities and individuals are not eligible for this particular funding opportunity.