18 Miss. Code R. § 15-1-1-9

Current through October 31, 2024

Section 18-15-1-1-9 - State Linkages and Communication

Note: This section describes activities that the state may support with CSBG remainder/discretionary funds, described under Section 675C(b)(1) of the CSBG Act. The state may indicate planned use of remainder/discretionary funds for linkage/communication activities in Section 7, State Use of Funds, items 7.9(b) and (c).

9.1.State Linkages and Coordination at the State Level: Describe the linkages and coordination at the state level that the state intends to create or maintain to ensure increased access to CSBG services to low-income people and communities under this State Plan and avoid duplication of services (as required by the assurance under Section 676(b)(5)). Describe additional information as needed. [Check all that apply from the list below and provide a Narrative, 5000 Characters]

Note: This response will link to the corresponding CSBG assurance, Item 14.5. In addition, this information is associated with State Accountability Measure 7Sa and pre-populates the Annual Report, Module 1, Item G.1.

[x] State Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) office

[x] State Weatherization office

[x] State Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) office

[] Head Start State Collaboration offices

[] State public health office

[] State education department

[x] State Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) agency

[x] State budget office

[x] Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

[] State child welfare office

State housing office

[x] Other

The State has established working relationships with Dept. of Medicaid, Rehabilitation Services, Workforce Development, and internal department programs such as SNAP, Aging Programs, Youth Services, Child Support, TANF, etc. to address needs of the family. IRS, Energy Vendors, United Way, Salvation Army, Public Service Commission are other partnerships that the State maintains.

9.2.State Linkages and Coordination at the Local Level: Describe the linkages and coordination at the local level that the state intends to create or maintain with governmental and other social services, especially antipoverty programs, to assure the effective delivery of and coordination of CSBG services to low-income people and communities and avoid duplication of services (as required by assurances under Section 676(b)(5) - (6)).

Through case management, low-income families are assessed and referred to other DHS programs and local programs. Entities are required to develop partnerships and pool resources with social service providers, local organizations, religious organizations to increase support and opportunities for low-income families and communities, and to avoid duplication of services. To fully address the needs of families and to evaluate the outcome of their work, entities must follow up with families to ensure services were provided by the organizations they were referred to.

9.3.Eligible Entity Linkages and Coordination

9.3a.State Assurance of Eligible Entity Linkages and Coordination: Describe how the state will assure that eligible entities will coordinate and establish linkages to assure the effective delivery of and coordination of CSBG services to low-income people and communities and avoid duplication of services (as required by the assurance under Section 676(b)(5)).

The State requires eligible entities to submit documentation on their partnerships with other service providers and organizations as part of their community action plan in their subgrants for funding. Eligible entities link families to resources within the entity and within the community. Outcomes from these linkages are reported as part of their NPIs.

Note: This response will link to the corresponding CSBG assurance, Item 14.5. and pre-populates the Annual Report, Module 1, Item G.3a.

9.3b.State Assurance of Eligible Entity Linkages to Fill Service Gaps: Describe how the eligible entities will develop linkages to fill identified gaps in the services, through the provision of information, referrals, case management, and follow-up consultations, according to the assurance under Section 676(b)(3)(B) of the CSBG Act.

Eligible entities are required as part of their community action plan to develop partnerships with local and state social service providers, religious organizations, local governments to fill gaps in the services the entity cannot provide. Referrals are made and follow up is done to ensure services were delivered. The State assures this requirement by requiring entities to submit a list of the local and other partnerships to fill gaps in their service delivery, as part of their annual subgrant for funding.

Note: This response will link to the corresponding CSBG assurance, Item 14.3b. and pre-populates the Annual Report, Module 1, Item G.3b.

9.4.Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Employment and Training Activities: Does the state intend to include CSBG employment and training activities as part of a WIOA Combined State Plan, as allowed under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (as required by the assurance under Section 676(b)(5) of the CSBG Act)? [] Yes [x] No

Note: This response will link to the corresponding CSBG assurance, Item 14.5.

9.4a.WIOA Combined Plan: If the state selected yes under Item 9.4, provide the CSBG-specific information included in the state's WIOA Combined Plan. This information includes a description of how the state and the eligible entities will coordinate the provision of employment and training activities through statewide and local WIOA workforce development systems. This information may also include examples of innovative employment and training programs and activities conducted by community action agencies or other neighborhood-based organizations as part of a community antipoverty strategy.

9.4b.Employment and Training Activities: If the state selected no under Item 9.4, describe the coordination of employment and training activities, as defined in Section 3 of WIOA, by the state and by eligible entities providing activities through the WIOA system.

MDHS has a Division of Workforce Development which participates in the statewide WIOA employment and training activities. Eligible entities coordinate their CSBG employment and training activities with the local WIOA.

9.5.Emergency Energy Crisis Intervention: Describe how the State will assure, where appropriate, that emergency energy crisis intervention programs under title XXVI (relating to Low-Income Home Energy Assistance) are conducted in each community in the State, as required by the assurance under Section 676(b)(6) of the CSBG Act).

Note: This response will link to the corresponding CSBG assurance, Item 14.6.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is administered by eligible entities. They are required as part of the community action plan to coordinate LIHEAP services as part of a case plan for low-income families. Entities are required to work with local energy providers to resolve crisis situations, provide energy saving materials, and conduct energy conservation workshops. The State allocates a percentage of discretionary funds for federal or state-declared disasters to provide emergency services.

9.6.Faith-based Organizations, Charitable Groups, Community Organizations:

Describe how the state will assure local eligible entities will coordinate and form partnerships with other organizations, including faith-based organizations, charitable groups, and community organizations, according to the state's assurance under Section 676(b)(9) of the CSBG Act.

Note: this response will link to the corresponding assurance, Item 14.9

The State requires eligible entities to submit documentation on their partnerships with other service providers and organizations, including faith-based, charitable and community organizations as part of their community action plan in their subgrants for funding. The documentation addresses referrals to and from each partner, and the services to be provided by the entity and the partner. Many of these organizations are represented on the eligible entity's board of directors.

9.7.Coordination of Eligible Entity 90 Percent Funds with Public/Private Resources:

Describe how the eligible entities will coordinate CSBG 90 percent funds with other public and private resources, according to the assurance under Section 676(b)(3)(C) of the CSBG Act.

Note: This response will link to the corresponding assurance, Item 14.3c.

Eligible entities use their CSBG funds to leverage additional public and private resources, which assist with achieving outcomes within the framework of the national goals. CSBG resources are used to support the infrastructure of the entities to include sound governance, fiscal, programmatic, and personnel management. This results in greater accountability and capacity, thus enabling entities to leverage public and private resources through their community outreach and partnerships. As reported in the 2021 Leveraging Report, eligible entities leveraged $2,653,757.58.

9.8.Coordination among Eligible Entities and State Community Action Association:

Describe state activities for supporting coordination among the eligible entities and the State Community Action Association.

Note: This information will pre-populate the Annual Report, Module 1, Item G.5.

In FFY 2024, a percentage of CSBG discretionary funds will be contracted to the State Association to support training and technical assistance needs of the eligible entities, quality improvement, and other state-wide initiatives. The State meets with the State Association on a regular basis to discuss program requirements and updates. The State Association convenes an annual conference in which the State partners and provide training based on the topics outlined in the CSBG T&TA Plan.

9.9.Communication with Eligible Entities and the State Community Action Association: In the table below, detail how the state intends to communicate with eligible entities, the State Community Action Association, and other partners identified under this State Plan on the topics listed below.

For any topic that is not applicable, select Not Applicable under Expected Frequency.

Communication Plan

Subject Matter	Expected Frequency	Format	Brief Description of "Other"
Upcoming Public and/or Legislative Hearings	Annually	Email
State Plan Development	Annually	Email
Organizational Standards Progress	Annually	Email
State Accountability Measures Progress	Annually	Email
Community Needs Assessments/Community Action Plans	Annually	Letters/Hard Copies
State Monitoring Plans and Policies	Annually	Email
Training and Technical Assistance (T/TA) Plans	Annually	Email
ROMA and Performance Management	Quarterly	Email
State Interagency Coordination	Annually	Email
CSBG Legislative/Programmatic Updates	Annually	Email
Tripartite Board Requirements	Annually	Email
Click or tap here to enter text.	Choose an item.	Choose an item.

Note:ADD-A-ROW FUNCTION - States can add rows for each additional communication topic. To add a row within this form: highlight the row and then select the plus sign (+) at the end of the row. Brief Description of "Other" allows for 250 characters.

9.10.Feedback to Eligible Entities and State Community Action Association: Describe how the state will provide information to local entities and State Community Action Associations regarding performance on State Accountability Measures.

Note: This information is associated with State Accountability Measure 5S(iii) and will pre-populate the Annual Report, Module 1, Item G.6.

GUIDANCE: Under this question, include how the state will provide information to local entities and state associations within 60 days of receiving feedback from OCS.

Communication by letter or memo will be sent to eligible entities and the State Association regarding performance on the State Accountability Measures. Entities will be asked to respond within 30 days. Emails, phone calls, and one-on-one consultations are conducted as needed.

9.11.Performance Management Adjustment: Describe any adjustments the state made to the Communication Plan in this State Plan as compared to past plans. Any adjustment should be based on the state's analysis of past performance, and should consider feedback from eligible entities, OCS, and other sources, such as the public hearing. If the state is not making any adjustments, provide further detail.

Note: This information is associated with State Accountability Measures 7Sb; this response may pre-populate the state's annual report form.

The State will conduct compliance reviews with the entities to address issues, policy, and training needs of the entities. A report will be sent to all entities for comment before final adjustments are made. The State has upgraded the Virtual ROMA system, which will allow for more electronic communication to and from the State. Smart sheet and Virtual ROMA 2 (current system) are used to provide information and communication to the entities, and they can provide feedback as well.

18 Miss. Code. R. § 15-1-1-9

Adopted 9/3/2015

Amended 10/15/2016

Amended 12/13/2017

Amended 12/20/2018

Amended 2/14/2020

Amended 4/12/2021

Amended 1/9/2022

Amended 2/23/2024