For Immediate Release

April 13, 2009

Contact: Paul Mounds: 860-278-8888

Connecticut to Receive $12 Million From the Community Services Block Grant

Recovery Act Funding to Aid State

Hartford, CT-Today, The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Congressman John B. Larson, Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, announced the State of Connecticut will receive $12,060,854 from the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG). The funding was provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Nationwide, $1 billion in new funds was released under the Recovery Act through the CSBG; the funding is in addition to the approximately $750 million distributed from the CSBG to states in the Fiscal Year 2009 budget.

 "The community services block grant provides the necessary funding to help with the economic and health plights within our States and cities. The Obama Administration and Congress understand the inevitable link between economic downturns and the need for quality and essential programs to address the needs of low-income individuals and families," said Larson.

"This funding will provide the short term relief and long term assistance needed in our current economic situation by generating employment opportunities and meeting the nutrition and health needs of our state and cities' most vulnerable residents."

Administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Community Services Block Grant program provides funding to services and activities that directly address employment, education, housing, nutrition and health services of low income individuals and families as well as the homeless and the elderly.

The Connecticut Department of Social Services directs the majority of the CSBG funding to local community action groups such as the Connecticut Renewal Team; an anti-poverty agency based in Hartford. The organization uses the funding to address the childcare needs of Hartford's youth and seniors through the HeadStart, Meals on Wheels, and other programs.

###