To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Katherine Smith, Director, Community Resources Department
Prepared By:
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Courtney Stryker, Senior Resources and Veteran Services Division Manager, Community Resources Department
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presenter
Presenter: Courtney Stryker, Senior Resources and Veteran Services Division Manager, Community Resources Department
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Subject:
title
2:30 PM* 2026 Community Services Block Grant Community Needs Assessment
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
The purpose of this study session is to provide the results of the 2026 Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) Community Needs Assessment to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). As required by the CSBG process, we are requesting that the BOCC formally accept the Community Needs Assessment and approve the plan and application to continue providing the Homemaker Program for the 2027-2029 grant cycle.
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Alignment with Strategic Plan: Good Governance - Operate in transparent, inclusive, and communicative manner.
Background and Discussion: Arapahoe County Community Resources receives Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds on behalf of Arapahoe County Government annually. CSBG funds are federal funds that originate from the Office of Community Services, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services then DOLA at the State oversees the allocations. Allocations are determined by the percent of poverty in each County in Colorado.
Our anticipated allocation for 2027 is $547,000. We currently utilize these funds for our Homemaker Program, Veteran Service Officer Trainings and program administration.
The Community Services Block Grant requires grantees to undertake a needs assessment every three years.
The needs assessment must:
1. Determine the causes and conditions of poverty in the community
2. Determine the unmet needs of low income community members
3. Examine current data specific to poverty and its prevalence related to gender, age, race and ethnicity
4. Gather data from people living in poverty
5. Gather data from community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, the private sector, public sector, and educational institutions
6. Analyze both qualitative and quantitative data
7. Make recommendations for actions within the scope of the CSBG grant that may impact identified needs or gaps
Following discussions with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs and the Colorado Community Action Association, and success from our 2023 assessment, it was decided that we would complete the Community Needs Assessment as an in-house project with Community Resources Staff rather than working with an outside organization for the purposes of retaining more of the funding to use directly with clients. It is likely that we will need to occasionally hire a consultant to undertake this project but not each time.
The top identified Community Needs identified in the 2026 assessment were:
1. Housing Stability and Affordability
2. Food Access
3. Transportation
4. Employment and Childcare
5. Navigation and Digital Help
6. Senior Supports (Homemaker/Chore)
7. Coordination and Referrals
CSBG Recommendations:
The following are program specific recommendations for Arapahoe County, Colorado. The programs and services outlined each meet at least one of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) federal standards.
• Expand homemaker and chore programs. Increase access to counseling, mental health supports, and technology-learning assistance (computers, smartphones, digital navigation). Provide outreach to ensure residents understand available supports.
• Continue rental, utility, security deposit, and mortgage assistance. Continue emergency stabilization and case management focused on maintaining housing and reducing household crises.
• Expand food access partnerships.
• Increase medical and dental access, including dental maintenance and denture resources for low-income seniors.
• Partner with regional transportation networks. Explore vouchers, fare supports, and volunteer driver options.
With the results of the Community Needs Assessment showing the continued need for in-home services for seniors and those with a disability, asset building through the Veteran Service Office, we applied for the 2027-2029 CSBG application for continued homemaker services and VSO asset building training.
We will revisit the budget allocation, goals and objectives for 2028 and 2029 and allocate appropriately based on other available funds.
Alternatives: The results of the CSBG Needs Assessment are informational only. The Board may also suggest other funding allocations for use of CSBG funds. As a result, current homemaker programming in the County for older adults would end or need to secure alternate funding.
Fiscal Impact: CSBG funds are allocated on a formula basis to Arapahoe County. The County currently provides General Funds (1.5 FTE) to supplement funding for Homemaker clients, allowing the income threshold to be 200% of the Federal Poverty Level as opposed to the CSBG 125% threshold, thus being able to serve more clients. The request being presented today would have no additional fiscal impact to the County and would solidify the use of an external grant funding allocation.
Alignment with Strategic Implementation Strategies: N/A
Staff Recommendation: Community Resources staff recommend approval of the recommended CSBG allocation for homemaker services and Veteran Services based on the current programming and the needs identified in the 2026 Community Needs Assessment.
Concurrence: In The Community Needs Assessment, Action Plan and 2027-2029 application plan were presented to the CSBG Advisory Board on October 28, 2026, and all members approved moving forward with the staff’s recommendation.