The U.S Department of Health and Human Service's Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) is awarded to states for a broad range of social services, to reduce or eliminate dependency; achieve or maintain self-sufficiency for families; help prevent neglect, abuse or exploitation of children and adults; prevent or reduce inappropriate institutional care; and secure admission or referral for institutional care when other forms of care are not appropriate. SSBG serves low-income children and families, people with disabilities, and the elderly with documented need. The program provides state and local flexibility in allocating federal funds and enables states to target populations that might not otherwise be eligible for services needed to remain self-sufficient and economically independent.
As a subgrantee of DCS, ICJI has been provided funds to assist providers who shelter victims of domestic violence and their dependents. Funding is provided for shelter, food, and transportation. This funding is intended to offer financial support to operate a shelter so other funding may be used to provide services such as case management, medical and legal advocacy, education and training, support groups and referrals to other community resources.
ICJI's portion of the SSBG program is to support residential domestic violence shelters through funding for the following three purpose areas; shelter nights, food and transportation.
- Shelter/Bed Nights (Unit Rate): Provide funding to residential domestic violence shelters to maintain facilities for the purpose of serving victims (and their dependents) in crisis that need emergency shelter. Grant subrecipients can achieve this by:
- Maintaining residential services and accepting victims in crisis along with their dependents.
- Following best practice standards in the maintenance of the facility.
- Following domestic violence program (FVPSA and DVPT) guidelines in accepting and serving clients, including confidentiality standards.
- Meals for Shelter Residents: Provide funding to residential domestic violence shelters to purchase food items for congregate meals/food items for shelter residents and their dependents. Grant subrecipients can achieve this by:
- Ensuring that food for meals is available at reasonable times for clients and their dependents. The term congregate meals” does not necessarily mean meals prepared and eaten together as a group.
- Transportation for Shelter Residents: Provide, or arrange for, transportation for shelter residents/their dependents, as necessary to secure needed services. This could include trips for legal or medical purposes, for job interviews, to meet with other community resources, etc. Funding is allowable for mileage reimbursement for staff travel at the approved State rate, cab or bus fare, or gas cards for clients to use. Gas cards should be specifically for the purchase of fuel and not general cash cards which could be used for other purchases.