The history of CSD began with the State Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO), created by the federal Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 and under the direction of Sergeant Shriver. The Act provided funding for Community Action Agencies, which have directly served the needs of the low-income for more than 40 years. In 1996 the California Legislature renamed the OEO to more accurately reflect its purpose.

CSD is the state partner that administers California’s funding share for several federal programs. CSD does this by contracting with a statewide network of local community service providers (both public and private nonprofit organizations) dedicated to assisting low-income Californians in achieving self-sufficiency. Funding from federal agencies includes:  

• Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) ( U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)  Over 100 organizations in California, including community action agencies, migrant and seasonal farm worker organizations, limited purpose agencies, and American Indian agencies provide a broad range of services and activities to help reduce poverty in California’s communities. Programs include assistance in nutrition, job training, employment, education, housing, and emergency assistance in the community setting.
• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services) LIHEAP provides assistance to eligible low-income households to meet their immediate home heating and/or cooling needs. The Home Energy Assistance Program provides financial assistance to eligible households to offset the costs of heating and/or cooling residential dwellings, and the Energy Crisis Intervention Program provides payments for supply shortage and weather-related or energy-related emergencies. The Weatherization Program provides free weatherization services to reduce heating and cooling costs and improve the energy efficiency of homes, including attic insulation, weather-stripping, minor housing repairs, and related energy conservation measures.
• Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) (U.S. Department of Energy) The WAP provides eligible households with services designed to improve the energy efficiency of their home, reducing energy usage/costs, while safeguarding the health and safety of the household.  Households are also educated on basic energy efficiency practices, and instructed on the proper use and maintenance of the measures installed.  Typical weatherization measures may include: weather-stripping, insulation, caulking, water heater blankets, refrigerator replacement, electric water heater repair/replacement, heating and cooling system repair/replacement, compact fluorescent lamps, and thermostats.
• Lead-Based Paint Hazard Control Program (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) The federal government makes grants available to states and local governments to evaluate cost-effective approaches to remediate lead in low-income privately owned housing. Residents built prior to 1978 and occupied by a child under the age of six are targeted for lead hazard control, and units that are occupied by an elevated blood level child are also eligible for services. CSD contracts with four community-based and local government organizations to provide services in six targeted counties. 

In addition to our partnership with a statewide network of community service providers, CSD also partners with Goldberg DW, Wilson JP. USC WebGIS Services. Available online at https://webgis.usc.edu  for address normalization and geocoding service.