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Presentation, discussion, and possible action regarding authorization to release a Notice of Funding Availability for 2026 Community Services Block Grant Discretionary funds for education and employment initiatives for Native American and migrant and seasonal farm worker populations
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
recommendation
WHEREAS, Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds are awarded annually to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (the Department) by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USHHS);
WHEREAS, the Department reserves 90% of the allotment for CSBG eligible entities to provide services/assistance to the low-income population in all 254 counties; up to 5% for state administration expenses; and the remaining amount for state discretionary use;
WHEREAS, at the Board meeting of June 12, 2025, the Department established a set aside of $1,850,000 for 2026 and 2027 CSBG Discretionary (CSBG-D) activities in the 2026-2027 CSBG State Plan, including $300,000 per year for Native American and migrant and seasonal farm worker population education and employment initiatives; and
WHEREAS, CSBG-D funds for Native American and migrant and seasonal farm worker population education and employment initiatives will be made available to eligible applicants to carry out the purpose of the CSBG pursuant to 42 U.S. Code Chapter 106;
NOW, therefore, it is hereby
RESOLVED, that the Executive Director be granted the authority to release a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for 2026 CSBG-D funds for Native American and migrant and seasonal farm worker population education and employment initiatives;
FURTHER RESOLVED, that to the extent that subsequent revisions to the NOFA or iterations for a future NOFA with these funds are required in order to facilitate the use of the funds by the applicants, the Board also authorizes staff to make such revisions in accordance with, and to the extent limited by the CSBG federal and state regulations;
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the 2026 budget for USHHS has not yet been passed by Congress and the Department reserves the right to cancel this NOFA at its sole discretion if insufficient 2026 CSBG funding is received; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that staff is authorized, empowered, and directed, for and on behalf of the Department to execute such documents, instruments and writings and perform such other acts as may be necessary to effectuate the foregoing.
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BACKGROUND
Each year the Department sets aside 5% (approximately $1,850,000 for 2026 and 2027) of its annual CSBG allocation for state discretionary use. Each year funds from CSBG-D are used for specific identified activities that the Department supports and other ongoing initiatives such as employment and education programs for Native American and migrant and seasonal farm workers. For 2026, $300,000 has been targeted for Native American and migrant and seasonal farm worker populations for employment and education programs for which the Department is issuing this NOFA. This amount is unchanged from the amounts programmed for this activity last year. The Department will release funds competitively. The 2026 budget for USHHS has not yet been passed by Congress, and the Department reserves the right to cancel this NOFA at its sole discretion if insufficient 2026 CSBG funding is received.
In the event that the Department does not have sufficient eligible applications to fund this activity, the Department may, at the discretion of the Executive Director, reprogram the funds from this activity into another eligible discretionary activity specified in the 2026-2027 CSBG State Plan.
The Department’s anticipated Contract Term for Program Year 2026 CSBG-D Native American and migrant and seasonal farm worker education and employment initiatives is February 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027.
The NOFA and Scoring Attachment B are attached for review and approval as part of this item. The other attachments referenced in the NOFA, Attachments A and Attachments C through I, are submission forms of required information or certifications, and are not included within this Board Action Request.