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Presentation, discussion, and possible action on awards for 2026 Community Services Block Grant discretionary funds for education and employment services to 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 approximately $1,850,000 for CSBG discretionary projects, of which $300,000 was programmed for Native American and Migrant and Seasonal Farm Worker (MSFW) population education and employment initiatives;
WHEREAS, a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) was released on September 9, 2025, for education and employment services to Native American and MSFW populations;
WHEREAS, staff has reviewed and evaluated the applications received under the NOFA targeting education and employment services to Native American and MSFW populations and recommends Board approval of awards totaling $300,000 to three eligible applicants that applied and met the requirements for funding; and
WHEREAS, a Previous Participation Review of the applicants has been performed for the applicants and each have satisfied the Previous Participation Review and Approval Process (PPRAP), and are recommended for award with no conditions;
NOW, therefore, it is hereby
RESOLVED, that the Executive Director and his designees, each of them be and they hereby are, authorized, empowered, and directed, for and on behalf of the Department, to take any and all such actions as they or any of them may deem necessary or advisable to effectuate the awards and issue contracts for these funds; and
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the budget for USHHS has not yet been passed by Congress nor signed by the President, and the Department reserves the right to cancel or adjust the amount of this NOFA at its sole discretion if insufficient 2026 CSBG funding is received, and may adjust the start or end dates of the Contract depending on when or if the Department receives 2026 CSBG funding.
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BACKGROUND
The Department set aside $300,000 for education and employment services to Native American and MSFW populations as approved at the Board meeting of June 12, 2025.
On September 9, 2025, the Department released a NOFA to make available $300,000 for education and employment initiatives for Native American and MSFW populations. The NOFA encouraged applicant organizations to apply for either the Native American or MSFW award, or both; however, applicants applying for both categories were limited to receiving an award in only one category (unless no other eligible applications under either category were recommended). Only the two highest scoring applications for assistance to the MSFW population and the one highest scoring application for assistance to the Native American population would be funded.
In response to the NOFA, staff received four applications - two applications for the MSFW award and two applications for the Native American award. The applicants for the MSFW award were Opportunity Center for the Homeless and Family Service Association of San Antonio. The applicants for the Native American award were Adults and Youth United Development Association (AYUDA) and Texas Native Health. All applications were found to satisfy threshold requirements and scored accordingly. The two highest scoring applicants for the MSFW award are Opportunity Center for the Homeless and Family Service Association of San Antonio. The highest scoring applicant for the Native American award is Texas Native Health. Scoring notices were sent to each applicant and no appeals were filed. Therefore, staff is recommending that these three applications be funded. Please refer to Attachment A for a listing of the applicants, their scores, and recommended award amounts.
If authorized by the Board, awardees will utilize the funding to administer services to eligible Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers and Native Americans that will improve their employment outcomes and enhance their education related skills. Such services include teaching them job search skills, interview skills, resume writing skills, financial literacy, referrals and enrollment in educational (GED) and employment programs, providing tuition assistance, conducting outreach, case management and counseling. For example, in the most recently completed program year of 2024 (April 1, 2024-March 31, 2025), the following combined performance data was measured and collected from the three funded organizations:
• 151 individuals obtained employment;
• 11 individuals received assistance with vocational training, job readiness, job referrals, job placement, resume development, coaching, adult literacy classes, interview skills, pre-employment physicals, background checks, career counseling;
• 44 individuals enrolled to work towards obtaining a recognized credential, certificate, or degree related to the achievement of educational or vocational skills (e.g., trade school, community college);
• 23 individuals gained competencies required for employment by obtaining a high school diploma or GED;
• 20 individuals worked towards a BA degree;
• 2 individuals worked towards an Associate’s degree;
• 81 individuals improved basic education or received adult literacy classes, ESL, basic education, or applied technology education and workshops, etc.;
• 268 units of service related to assistance with tools, uniforms, clothes, equipment, tuition aid, books, and supplies which enable them to obtain or retain a job or complete their education goals;
• 203 units of service related to assistance with rent, food, utilities, childcare, transportation, and other needs to enable them to obtain or retain a job or complete their education goals; and
• 31 individuals received financial literacy education and counseling; and
• 245 individuals received case management.
The Previous Participation Rule (10 TAC, Chapter 1, Subchapter C, §1.302) includes a review of CSBG-D awards prior to contract execution. This award is subject to this rule. The review has been performed and the three applicants have satisfied the PPRAP for award with no conditions.