The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) is a federal fund administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Services.  The fund provides assistance to states and local communities to alleviate poverty, revitalize communities and empower low-income families to become fully self-sufficient through a network of public and non-profit agencies. Most of these agencies are Community Action Agencies (CAAs) created through the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. The national network of CAAs is 1,122 strong.

In Washington State, CTED contracts with 31 CAAs, serving every county of the state, to assist over 450,000 low-income individuals each year.    The current CSBG allocation is approximately $7,500,000 - leveraging almost $4 of federal, local and private contributions for every CSBG dollar spent.  In addition, the state community action network administers over $200,000 in annual resources.