[29 Pa.B. 5179]
[Continued from previous Web Page] Termination for cause:
Termination for cause shall result when the Commonwealth determines that the agency has failed to comply with the conditions of the contract and/or Federal and State laws governing CSBG programs.
When the Department proposes to terminate a CSBG program, it will notify the agency, in writing, of the actions to be taken, the reasons for these actions, and the appeals procedure, including an opportunity for a hearing on the record. This notice shall be forwarded to the agency by certified mail.
Appeal Procedure:
If the agency wishes to appeal the determination, it must submit a written request by certified mail to the Secretary of the Department addressing the reasons for the proposed termination, and any corrective actions that has been or will be taken.
This request must be made within 20 calendar days of receipt of the termination notice.
The appeal may also include a request by the agency that the Secretary, or his/her designee, hold a public hearing before making a decision, in which case a public hearing shall be held.
The Secretary shall make one of the following decisions on the agency's appeal, and shall so notify the agency of the decision in writing within 30 calendar days following the appeal or following a hearing on the appeal:
* The Secretary may uphold the appeal and remove the notice of intent to terminate.
* The Secretary may remove the notice of intent to terminate but provide the agency with notice of specific corrective actions that must be taken.
If the agency subsequently fails to take corrective actions, the Secretary may reinstate the proposed termination procedures.
* The Secretary may deny the appeal, in which case the agency shall be notified of the effective date of termination. This date shall be either the date contained in the original notice of intent to terminate or a specified date at least 30 days after the Secretary sends the decision, whichever is later. The notice of the decision shall also contain all requirements pertaining to termination of CSBG related activities and return of CSBG funds.
The agency may appeal the Department's final determination to the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services in accordance with the Community Services Block Grant Act, Section 676 A (amended).
When an agency's contract is terminated for cause, the agency shall not incur new obligations for the terminated portion after the effective date, and shall cancel as many outstanding obligations as possible. The Department shall allow full credit to the grantee for any completed work that the Department deems satisfactory.
Fiscal Controls, Audits and Withholding
Assurance 676(b)(7)
The State will permit and cooperate with Federal investigations undertaken in accordance with section 678D of the act.
Implementation of Assurance 676(b)(7)
Pennsylvania agrees that it will permit and cooperate with any Federal investigations conducted in accordance with the Reauthorization Act.
Assurance 676(b)(8)
Any eligible entity in the State that received funding in the previous fiscal year through a community services block grant under the Community Services Block Grant program will not have its funding terminated under this subtitle, or reduced below the proportional share of funding the entity received in the previous fiscal year unless, after providing notice and an opportunity for a hearing on the record, the State determines that cause exists for the termination or the reduction, subject to review by the Secretary as provided in section 678C(b) of the act.
Implementation of Assurance 676(b)(8)
Pennsylvania Act 116 (amended) provides that:
As established by the formula...determination of annual funding levels shall be made by the Secretary based on input from local agencies and the CSBG Advisory Task Force. Any Community Action Agency or migrant and seasonal farm workers organization which received funding in the previous fiscal year under this Act will not have its present or future funding terminated under this Act or reduced below the proportional share of funding it received in the previous fiscal year unless, after notice and opportunity for hearing on the record, the Commonwealth determines that cause existed for such termination or such reduction, subject however to review under section 676 A of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (Public Law 97-35, Stat. 357).For purposes of making a determination with respect to a funding reduction, the term ''cause'' includes:a Statewide redistribution of funds under this Act to respond to the results of the most recently available census or other appropriate data;the establishment of a new eligible entity;severe economic dislocation; andthe failure of an eligible entity to comply with the terms of its agreement to provide services under this act.Assurance 676(b)(10)
The State will require each eligible entity in the State to establish procedures under which a low-income individual, community organization, or religious organization, or representative of low-income individuals that considers its organization, or low-income individuals, to be inadequately represented on the board (or other mechanism) of the eligible entity to petition for adequate representation.
Implementation of Assurance 676(b)(10)
The State will require each of its eligible entities to establish procedures under which a low-income individual, community organization, religious organization, or representative of low-income individuals, can petition the agency for adequate board representation. All eligible entities will be required to have these procedures in their by-laws.
Accountability and Reporting Requirements
Results Oriented Management and Accountability
Assurance 676(b)(12)
The State and all eligible entities in the State will, not later than fiscal year 2001, participate in the Results Oriented Management and Accountability (ROMA) System or another performance measure system for which the Secretary facilitated development under section 678(E)(b) of the act.
Implementation of Assurance 676(b)(12)
During the 1998-99 program year, Pennsylvania required all of its eligible entities to collect data to report on the six National Goals. Also, during that year, a ROMA Task Force was developed consisting of representatives from nine CAAs the Executive Director of the Community Action Association of Pennsylvania, a consultant and CEO staff to develop a ROMA reporting format.
This format was implemented beginning in State Fiscal Year 1998-99 ( July 1, 1998-June 30, 1999). All eligible entities were required to report on this new format (see Attachment 4). This report is modeled after the National Association for State Community Services Program's Information Systems Survey (CSBG/IS) and includes the six National goals and selected outcome measures. It also includes a section for: service counts by service category; client characteristics; outcome measures and results and program and management accomplishments. This report is submitted twice a year, January 20th, and July 20th.
Annual ReportPerformance Objectives
OUTCOME MEASURES AND RESULTS (1998-99) 1. Family Goals: Low-income people become more self-sufficient
Total # of Total # of Definition of the units to
units under units below Measure which this measure 125% of 125% of applies poverty poverty receiving achieving services this result A. The number of participants which enrolled in agency's employment programs and obtained employment a participant who was unemployed at the time of enrollment acquires a job that is continuously available, receives actual pay of the minimum wage or above, and works at least 20 hours per week 7,994 4,762 B. The number of participants which maintained the employment at least 90 days a participant who was unemployed at the time of enrollment acquires a job that is continuously available, receives actual pay of the minimum wage or above, and works at least 20 hours per week and keeps that job (or an equal or better one) for at least 90 days 5,107 2,549 C. The number of participants which enhanced or maintained their employment as a result of the agency's employment services a participant who was employed at the time of service provision keeps their continuously available job or improves their conditions of employment by gaining more hours, a better shift schedule, benefits, a raise or a promotion 4,870 3,903 2. Community Goals: The conditions in which low-income people live are improved.
Definition of the # of Measure units to which this # of such communities $ value of measure applies communities achieving increase this result A. The number of communities which realized an increase in assessed value of homes as a result of rehabilitation projects a total dollar amount of materials and labor (including in-kind contributions) installed in residences in targeted communities 208 128 2,828,080 B. The number of communities which realized an increase in low-income people's access to community services and resources identified communities are targeted for an increase in available activities and resources that improve the condition in which people at or below 125% of poverty live 223 199 3. Community Goals: Low-income people own a stake in their community.
# of such # of targeted Measure Definition of the units to targeted communities which this measure applies communities achieving this result A. The number of communities which increased or maintained the participation of low-income people in advocacy and intervention activities regarding funding levels, distribution procedures for programs and funding streams for their community in identified communities, the involvement of people at or below 125% of poverty who demonstrated positive, constructive activities of serving across a range of projects and purposes increased or remained the same 142 140 B. The number of communities which realized an increase in low-income people's participation in community service groups in identified communities, the involvement increased of people at or below 125% of poverty level who participated in organizations which provide services or interventions that improve the conditions in which low-income people live 113 104 4. Agency Goals: Partnerships among supporters and providers of services to low-income people are achieved.
Definition of the units to # of such # of targeted Measure which this measure
targeted communities applies communities achieving this result A. The number of communities which increased or maintained the participation of low-income people in advocacy and intervention activities regarding funding levels, distribution procedures for programs and funding streams for their community In such targeted communities, the involvement of people at or below 125% of poverty who demonstrated positive, constructive activities of serving across a range of projects and purposes increased or remained the same 1168 1140 B. The number of communities which realized an increase in low-income people's participation in community service groups In such communities, the involvement increased of people at or below 125% of poverty who participated in organizations which provide services or interventions that improve the conditions in which low-income people live 801 488 5. Agency Goals: Agencies increase their capacity to achieve results.
Measure
Definition $ A. The number of partnerships which mobilized nonCSBG resources. documented agreements among related parties make nonCSBG resources available to support the activities of the agency 106,825,968
Total # # new Measure funding funding Level of sources sources funding Last Year This Year this year B. The number of new funding sources which effect the total agency funding 726 99 1. Increased from $156,909,014 to $173,231,576
# programs Total # of targeted to Measure Definition
programs meet special needs C. The number of programs which are targeted to meet needs of special populations activities and strategies designed to ameliorate the problems of non-dominant society members under 125% of poverty 426 159 6. Family Goals: Low income people, especially vulnerable populations, achieve their potential by strengthening family and other supportive environments.
Total # of units # of units below under 125% of 125% of poverty Measure Definition of the units to which poverty receiving achieving this this measure applies services result A. The number of households which have their emergency needs ameliorated a solution is reached for any problem determined to be threatening individual and family stability at the time service is sought by a representative of/for the household 51,890 50,295 B. The number of households which acquire stable housing households that are homeless or living in transitional housing gain or obtain the rights for occupancy of a safe permanent residence where the length of residency is determined by the client without limitations 12,652 11,245 C. The number of participants which achieve educational goals the actual person undertaking activities in an agency's instructional programs demonstrates success in completing their individual goals 14,849 13,988 D. The number of elderly residents which maintain independent living for at least 90 days persons aged 55 or older who undertake activities in the agency's senior service programs are able to remain in the residence of their choice for at least 90 days 22,078 22,065 E. The number of participants that maintained or improved their desired health status the actual person in the agency's health or wellness program demonstrated the amelioration of a physical or mental health condition, took steps to prevent or avoid a future health crisis, or kept current physical or mental health conditions from deteriorating 36,741 35,349 Program Accomplishments and Activities
The Department also continued its efforts to have Community Action Agencies increase the provision of comprehensive family development/case management services so that families served have a greater opportunity to achieve self-sufficiency. During the 1998 program year, family development/case management services remained a top Statewide priority.
For the 1998 program year, other Statewide priorities included increased agency participation at higher levels in outcome based management, to implement a ROMA reporting document, to continue and expand CAA participation in Pennsylvania's' Welfare Reform activities, to increase CAA participation in case management programs utilizing a holistic approach to move low-income families and individuals toward self-sufficiency, to build upon and increase participation in Pennsylvania's Individual Development Account (IDA)/Family Savings Account Program, to increase CAA involvement in comprehensive community building programs and projects such as Pennsylvania's Comprehensive Services Program and to ensure compliance with all State and Federal regulations and directives through Statewide monitoring activities. Approximately 22 agencies were projected to be monitored.
Objective 1
To increase agency participation, at higher levels, in Outcome-Based Management (OBM), that is, to increase the number of agencies at the basic and intermediate levels of progress in transition to OBM. Included in this objective is the implementation of a data collection system that requires the Community Action Agencies to provide data on designated outcome measures for each of the six National goals. To accomplish this, the Department, through a contract with the State CAP Association, provides ongoing training to the CAAs in the area of basic and intermediate levels of OBM, and is developing scales to measure their improvement.
Results
The Department through a subcontract with the Community Action Association of Pennsylvania, provided a range of training and technical assistance services to the Community Action Agencies (CAAs) during the 1998 program year. A new survey is planned to be taken by the Association in September, 1999. Following are the results from the 1998 survey. All CAAs have implemented ROMA and are reporting outcomes based on the six National goals. Approximately 26 CAAs have developed and are using scales.
Ranking From 1997 Ranking From 1998 Assessment Process
Assessment Process
Advanced 0
0 Intermediate 2 Agencies, 5% 6 Agencies, 15% Basic 16 Agencies, 42% 26 Agencies 64% Elementary 19 Agencies, 50% 7 Agencies, 17% Baseline 1 Agency, 3% 1 Agency, 3% Objective 2
To implement a ROMA Reporting document to be used by all CAAs that reports progress on the six National goals. Working in conjunction with the State CAP Association and the Office of Community Services, it is projected that 60% of the CAAs will develop scales for measuring outcomes during 1999.
Results
A ROMA reporting document was implemented and will continue to be refined. Through training provided by the State CAP Association 26 agencies have developed and are using some form of scaling.
Objective 3
To continue and expand CAA participation in Pennsylvania's Welfare Reform activities. CAAs will continue to participate in joint Department of Public Welfare/Department of Community and Economic Development Welfare Reform initiative, the Supported Work Program. The objective of this partnership is to facilitate the quick transition into the workforce of TANF recipients.
Results
During the 1998-99 program year, the Department of Public Welfare contributed approximately $2,000,000 that was matched by $2,000,000 from the Department of Community and Economic Development. A total of 2,495 TANF recipients were enrolled, and 1,146 were placed into employment of at least 20 hours per week.
Objective 4
To continue CAA participation in case management programs utilizing a holistic approach to move low-income families and individuals toward self-sufficiency.
Results
Forty-two of the 44 CAAs and LPAs reported persons served under the self-sufficiency service category. A total of 13,082 persons received self-sufficiency services.
Objective 5
To build upon and increase CAA participation in Pennsylvania's Individual Development Account/Family Savings Account Program.
Results
Ten CAAs received Family Savings Account contracts during the 1998-99 program year. These ten CAAs are approved for $740,250 and 1,175 persons are to open accounts. This was the first year of a 2-year contract and six of the CAAs did not begin their program until the last few months of the program year. The number of accounts opened and the amount of money deposited in these accounts will not be available until the end of the 1999-2000 program year.
Objective 6
To increase CAA involvement in comprehensive community building programs and projects such as Pennsylvania's Comprehensive Services Program.
Results
One CAA, the Community Action Commission, has received a Comprehensive Services contract through the State's Neighborhood Assistance Program and over the next 10 years will receive contributions from a local bank (in return for a 70% tax credit) to be used to rehabilitate the Harrisburg neighborhood in which its agency is located.
Objective 7
To ensure compliance with all State and Federal regulations and directives through Statewide monitoring activities. Approximately 22 (50%) will be monitored onsite.
Results
Fifteen CAAs were monitored during the 1998-99 program year.
Comparison of Planned and Actual Expenditures for Prior Fiscal Year
Type of Funds
Planned Expenditures Actual Expenditures Entitlement 18,683,864 16,766,524 Discretionary 1,038,158 1,034,048 Administrative 601,468 601,468 Total 20,325,777 18,402,040 Planned Distribution of Funds to Eligible Entities (as shown in previous State plan) vs. Actual Expenditures
Agency
Planned Actual Expenditures Expenditures Allegheny County Department of Human Resources $1,109,576 $92,465 Pittsburgh Community Services 821,709 557,969 Armstrong County Community Action Agency 205,000 205,000 County of Beaver,Community Services Programs 308,529 308,529 Berks Community Action Program 389,224 325,352 Blair County Community Action Program 237,103 237,103 Butler County Community Action and Development 205,000 205,000 Bucks County Opportunity Council 422,036 422,036 Cambria County Community Action Council 307,767 223,379 Carbon County Action Committee for Human Services 205,000 117,133 Central PA Community Action 374,975 316,300 Chester County Office of Housing and Community Development 281,837 197,800 Community Action Commission 510,284 510,284 Community Progress Council 352,673 352,673 Community Action Agency of Delaware County 560,296 520,275 Greater Erie Community Action Committee 454,396 454,396 Fayette County Community Action Agency 363,786 363,786 Indiana County Community Action Program 205,000 205,000 Jefferson/Clarion County Community Action Agency 205,000 205,000 Keystone Community Action Program 336,184 336,184 Community Action Program of Lancaster County 452,816 452,816 Lawrence County Social Services 205,000 205,000 Lebanon County Human Services 205,000 205,000 Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley 673,584 673,584 Commission of Economic Opportunity of Luzerne County 547,116 547,116 Lycoming-Clinton Counties for Community Action 269,722 269,722 Mercer County Community Action Agency 205,000 170,830 Monroe County Commissioners 205,000 205,000 Montgomery County Community Action Development Commission 464,401 464,401 Northumberland County Board of Commissioners 290,691 187,155 Northern Tier Community Action Commission 205,000 143,000 Mayor's Office of Community Services 3,630,217 3,630,217 Economic Opportunity Cabinet of Schuylkill County 255,223 255,223 Scranton/Lackawanna Human Development Agency 351,901 351,901 South Central Community Action Program 239,030 200,000 Community Action Southwest 426,722 426,722 Tableland Services 205,000 205,000 Trehab Center 403,954 403,954 Union-Snyder Office of Human Services 205,000 205,000 Venango/Crawford Counties Office of Economic Opportunity 280,983 234,150 Warren-Forest Counties Economic Opportunity Council 205,000 205,000 Westmoreland Human Opportunities 560,071 560,071 Community Action Association of Pennsylvania 205,000 205,000 Rural Opportunities, Inc. 205,000 205,000 Total $18,683,864 $16,766,524 Planned Distribution of Funds for Discretionary Purposes (as shown in previous State plan) vs. Actual Expenditures
Agency
Planned Actual Expenditures Expenditures Carbon County Action Committee $25,000 $25,000 Lawrence County Social Services 42,000 42,000 Bucks County Opportunity Council 76,172 76,172 Beaver County Community Services 69,450 69,450 Keystone Community Action 132,400 132,400 Lawrence County Social Services, Inc. 25,156 25,156 Community Action Association of PA 144,676 144,676 Indiana County Community Action 24,728 24,728 Lawrence County Social Services 30,000 30,000 Economic Opportunity Cabinet of Schuylkill County 35,310 35,310 Warren-Forest Economic Opportunity Council 23,710 23,710 Cambria County Community Action Program 52,750 52,750 Blair County Community Action Program 31,361 31,361 Rural Opportunities 2,000 2,000 Community Action Southwest 68,256 68,256 Fayette County Community Action 50,000 50,000 Union-Snyder Office of Human Resources 30,832 30,832 Economic Opportunity Cabinet of Schuylkill County 45,000 45,000 Lebanon County Human Services 15,400 15,400 Trehab Center 40,000 40,000 Lawrence County Social Services 69,947 69,947 Total $1,034,148 $1,034,048 Planned Use of State Funds for Administration (as shown in previous State plan) vs. Actual Expenditures
Line Item
Planned Expenditures Actual Expenditures Personnel $210,299 $210,299 Fringe Benefits 62,157 62,157 Indirect Costs 163,267 163,267 Travel 11,399 11,399 Operating Expenses 136,051 136,051 Fixed Assets 18,295 18,295 Total $601,468 $601,468
Client Characteristics Report
A. Total unduplicated number of persons for whom characteristics were obtained 222,176 B. Total unduplicated number of persons for whom characteristics were not obtained 174,489 C. Total unduplicated number of families containing one or more persons served 113,317
Number of Persons 1. Gender a. Male 84,925 b. Female 124,439 2. Age a. 0-5 37,470 b. 6-11 24,330 c. 12-17 20,929 d. 18-23 17,618 e. 24-44 51,741 f. 45-54 16,314 g. 55-69 15,595 h. 70 + 19,093 3. Ethnicity/Race a. Black/Not Hispanic 30,525 b. White/Not Hispanic 148,197 c. Hispanic 11,893 d. Native American 281 e. Asian/Pacific Islander 463 f. Other 2,716 4. Education a. 0-8 28,019 b. 9-12 32,125 c. High School Grad/GED 44,669 d. Some Post Secondary 7,221 e. 2 or 4 Yr. College Grad 4,409 5. Other Characteristics a. Has Health Insurance 105,806 b. Disabled 20,789 c. Veteran 3,840 6. Family Type a. Single Parent/Female 31,004 b. Single Parent/ Male 3,784 c. Two Parent Household 22,169 d. Single Person 29,622 e. Two Adults/No Children 6,629 f. Other 1,503 7. Family Size a. One 1,503 b. Two 34,280 c. Three 15,669 d. Four 15,230 e. Five 5,905 f. Six 2,476 g. Seven 1,069 h. Eight or more 747 8. Source of Family Income a. No Income 6,183 b. TANF 11,536 c. SSI 17,021 d. Social Security 15,084 e. Pension 4,097 f. General Assistance 4,122 g. Unemployment Comp. 3,319 h. Employment + Other 11,291 i. Employment Only 24,189 j. Other 7,204 9. Level of Family Income a. Up to 75% 53,842 b. 76% to 100 18,712 c. 101%-125 15,639 d. 126%-150 6,279 e. 151% + 3,905 10. Housing a. Own 24,750 b. Rent 53,318 c. Homeless 5,138 11. Other Family Characteristics a. Receives Food Stamps 30,535 b. Farmer 159 c. Migrant Worker 599 d. Seasonal Farm Worker 592
Service Counts By Service Category
Service Category Number of Persons Served Employment 9,205 Education 15,106 Income Management 21,177 Housing 19,822 Emergency Services 50,522 Nutrition 117,932 Linkages 66,133 Self-Sufficiency 13,082 Health 11,725 Other 0 Total 324,704 Training and Technical Assistance provided by the State
Pennsylvania's Community Action Association, with CSBG funds, has provided outcome based training, ROMA training and scales and ladders training to CAAs throughout the FY98-99 program year. This training, as well as additional training, for example, grants writing, board training, and the like, will continue throughout the next 2 years.
Community Food and Nutrition Program
As Secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development, I hereby certify that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will comply with all the requirements of subsection 681(A) of the Community Services Block Grant to provide for community based, local and Statewide programs to accomplish the objectives of the Community Food and Nutrition Program as follows:
To coordinate private and public food assistance resources, where coordination is inadequate, to better serve low-income populations;To assist low-income communities to identify potential sponsors of child nutrition programs and to initiate these programs in underserved or unserved areas; andTo develop innovative approaches to meet the nutrition needs of low-income individuals.By the authority delegated to me by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, I certify to the above assurances of the CSBG Act.
__________
Samuel A. McCullough DateProposed CFN Funding
All funds will be awarded to the Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center (PHAC). PHAC is the only Statewide antihunger organization. For over 20 years the Center has worked to preserve publicly funded food assistance programs and build community support for hunger relief.
The Center's programmatic agenda for Fiscal Years 2000 and 2001 reflects a realistic look toward a future where government food and income assistance programs must be balanced and blended with community involvement and commitment.
The Hunger Action Center will use Federal Fiscal Year 2000 and 2001 funds to achieve the following objectives:
Objective 1
Inform the Pennsylvania public about hunger/food insecurity, the extent of the problem, its causes and its solutions. Food insecurity is defined as anxiety about running out of food and not having the resources to fill the gap.
Activities
Collect data that credibly describes the extent and impact of hunger.
Monitor the development and administration of public policies that have a direct impact on food security among Pennsylvanians living at or below the poverty line (that is, means-tested nutrition and cash assistance programs).
Distribute information collected through research and monitoring activities to the general public through: six issues of The Hunger Advocate newsletter; press releases and op-ed columns; and public speaking opportunities.
Update, on a regular basis, the Hunger Action Web Site.
Maintain a food security list-serve for antihunger groups in Pennsylvania.
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