COMMUNITY SERVICES, OFFICE OF
The Office of Community Services (OCS) was established within the HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT by section 676 of the
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (95
Stat. 516; 42 U.S.C. 9905). Its mission, as stated
on its website, is to “work in partnership with
states, communities, and other agencies to pro-
vide a range of human and economic development services and activities which ameliorate
the causes and characteristics of poverty and
otherwise assist persons in need.” The goal of
OCS services and programs is to help individu-
als and families become self-sufficient and to
revitalize communities throughout the United
States.
The OCS administers the Community Ser-
vices block grant and discretionary grant pro-
grams established by section 672 (95 Stat. 511;
42 U.S.C. 9901) and 681 (95 Stat. 518; 42 U.S.C.
9910) of the Reconciliation Act. The office
awards approximately $4 billion in block grants
and $47 million in discretionary grants. It also
provides grant money and technical assistance
to the over three thousand Community Action
Agencies and the Community Development
Corporations that are locally based throughout
the United States.
In 2002, the Office of Community Services
implemented some of President GEORGE W.
BUSH’s faith-based initiatives. It awarded almost
$25 million from its Compassion Capital Fund
to 21 intermediary organizations; these organi-
zations will provide technical assistance to help
faith-based and community organizations
access funding sources, operate and manage
their programs, develop and train staff, expand
the reach of programs into the community, and
replicate promising programs. The office also
awarded $850,000 in research grants to study
how religious-based organizations provide
social services and over $2 million to start a
national clearinghouse of information to help
faith-based organizations obtain government grants.
