Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

Assistance and Opportunities

The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program is a federal program that provides funds to support services that alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty. The Department of Human Services contracts with local agencies in the region to provide assistance and opportunities to El Paso County residents. CSBG funds may be available to provide qualifying persons with a one-time emergency or self-sufficiency assistance.

The Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) and the El Paso County Department of Human Services (DHS) does not provide cash grants to individuals or charge a fee for receiving grant funds within the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program. If you have been contacted by someone claiming to be a representative of a grant program managed by DOLA or DHS requesting personal information and offering grant funds, it may be a phishing or fraud attempt. For more information on fraudulent behavior you can visit the DOLA page on fraud, StopFraudColorado.gov, and the Federal Health and Human Services CSBG page on fraud.

Eligibility

To qualify for CSBG assistance, the person requesting assistance must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Must be a resident of El Paso County and provide documentation verifying current residence
  • Have a household income at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level

To receive assistance through the CSBG program, please visit one of the CSBG Community Agencies listed below.

All persons requesting assistance will need to provide evidence of income, to enable the agency to verify the Federal Poverty Level. Persons claiming to have zero income will be required to complete a zero-income affidavit.

CSBG Community Agencies

For more information on CSBG and how to contact participating entities, please review the sections below, or review the attached information sheet.

El Paso County 2024 – 2026 Information Sheet

Careers in Construction Colorado

Careers in Construction Colorado (CICC): Careers In Construction Colorado is a non-profit organization that brings construction based vocational education into high schools throughout the state of Colorado. Through this program students earn certificates which are recognized by the United States Department of Labor, and can acquire internships, job shadows, and entry level positions in the construction industry. CICC is focused on job placement and works to combat the employment gap by increasing awareness, generating interest, and connecting students to opportunities.

Students should contact their school counselors to express their interest in this program.

Address: 4585 Hilton Parkway Suite 100, Colorado Springs, CO 80907

Phone: 719-592-1800

CASA of the Pikes Peak Region

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA): CASA’s Supervised Exchange and Parenting Time (SEPT) Program provides a physically and emotionally safe environment where children can develop and maintain relationships with non-custodial parents who have been court ordered to complete supervised exchanges or parenting time. We serve families with a high level of conflict between parents, where protection orders are in place, where domestic violence has occurred, and/or where substance abuse or mental health concerns are present. By monitoring and documenting observations during court-ordered supervision, SEPT volunteers support safety, accountability, and healthy relationships between children and their parents.

ADDRESS: 418 S. Weber St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

PHONE: (719) 447-9898

Catholic Charities of Central Colorado - The Marian House

Catholic Charities – The Marian House provides a daily meal, community food pantry, employment services, housing assistance and case management services. The Marian House is located in downtown Colorado Springs.

ADDRESS: 14 West Bijou Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

PHONE: 719-475-7314

Community Partnership for Child Development (CPCD)

Community Partnership for Child Development (CPCD) provides a two-generational approach to job certification and training for caregivers of children enrolled in Head Start programs. Certificates offered under this program are child development associate, information technology, welding and family development.

ADDRESS: 2330 Robinson St., Colorado Springs, CO 80904

PHONE: (719) 635-1536

Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center

Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center: Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center provides transition and employment assistance, behavioral health and wellness, supportive services, connection to community resources, and safe event space for veterans, military members and their families. Mt. Carmel was a dream of Mr. Jay Cimino and his strong desire to support our veteran community in meaningful ways.

ADDRESS: 530 Communication Circle, Colorado Springs, CO 80905

PHONE: 719-772-7000

Partners in Housing

Partners in Housing: provides one year of transitional housing and supportive services to families with children in El Paso County experiencing homelessness or housing crisis. Supportive services include one on one casework, budget and credit counseling, employment assistance, housing navigation, technology support, and access to two donation centers.

ADDRESS: 455 Gold Pass Heights, Colorado Springs, CO, 80906

PHONE: (719) 473-8890

StableStrides

Since 1981, StableStrides has provided horse-centered activities for individuals from the ages of two to eighty two who have adaptive needs for the purpose of promoting positive physical, behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and social development.

We serve children, teens, adults, veterans, and service members with adaptive needs through Adaptive Riding, Mental Health Services, and Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy.

Clients come to StableStrides independently and through referrals from other local agencies in the Pikes Peak community, as well as several surrounding areas.

ADDRESS: 13620 Halleluiah Trail, Elbert, CO 80106

PHONE: 719-495-3908

Tri-Lakes Cares

Located in Monument, Tri-Lakes Cares (TLC) serves individuals and families in northern El Paso County through a food market, emergency food, and financial assistance for transportation, housing and medical needs.

ADDRESS: 235 North Jefferson St., Monument, CO 80132

PHONE: (719) 481-4864

CSBG Reports

Audits and other financial reports are posted online.

CSBG Needs Assessment Report 2024-2026

Annual Data Report Reports:

2024

2023

2022

CSBG Volunteer Advisory Board Information

Purpose:

The role of the El Paso County Community Services Block Grant Advisory Board is to actively participate in the development, planning, implementation and evaluation of the CSBG program in El Paso County to serve low-income communities and to make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners.

General Information:

Meetings are held quarterly on the second Friday in March, June, September and December from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Meetings are currently being held virtually. The meetings are open to the public. Contact Heather Cross (heathercross@elpasoco.com) for a link to the meeting.

Bylaws are available here

CSBG Advisory Board Meeting Minutes:

September 8, 2023

December 8, 2023

March 8, 2024

September 13, 2024

December 13, 2024

March 14, 2025

Membership:

The board consists of nine members: three public sector representatives, one of which is the County Commissioner currently serving as the liaison from the Board of County Commissioners; three low-income individuals or low-income representatives who reside in a low-income neighborhood in the county serviced by the CSBG program; and three private sector representatives from business, labor, industry, religious groups, public welfare, law enforcement, education or other groups or interests in the county.

Members are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners for three-year terms. Terms are limited to two full consecutive terms.

The CSBG Volunteer Advisory Board has a tripartite format and consists of nine members.

Current Advisory Board Members:

Low-Income Sector (Term Ends)

  • Camron Scott (January 2026)
  • Dan Hoff (April 2028)
  • Vacancy (Vacant as of June 2024)

Elected Officials (Term Ends)

  • Bill Wysong (Indefinite, Board of El Paso County Commissioners Liaison)
  • Michael Claudio (January 2026)
  • Amy Stephens (December 2027)

Private Organizations (Term Ends)

  • Greg Roosevelt (March 2028)
  • Vacancy (Vacant as of March 2025)
  • Shelley Cobau (April 2028)

Please contact Heather Cross at heathercross@elpasoco.com with any questions.