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Office of Community Service (left header) skip to primary page contentIncreasing the Capacity of Individuals, Families and Communities (right header)

Question and Answers from the 2008 CED/JOLI New Grantee Conference


Question 1- Our organization develops part time jobs? Do they count?

Answer 1 – No. The intent of the Community Economic Development (CED) program is to assist in the creation of new jobs for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients and other low-income individuals. The new jobs reduce poverty and increase the capacity of individuals and families to become self-sufficient. A self-sufficient person is one who does not require public assistance to provide for his/her needs and his/her immediate family. A part time job is unlikely to result in self-sufficiency. Therefore, the design of the proposed project should be to create full time jobs to assist the low-income individuals in reaching these ultimate self-sufficient goals in the targeted local communities.

Question 2 - Can I use two part time jobs to then create the Full Time Equivalent (FTE)?

Answer 2 - No. The purpose of the program is for the creation of full time jobs with suitable living wages to low-income individuals so they are able to become economically self-sufficient.

Question 3 - Regarding the living wage concept, does this apply to your community context?

Answer 3 - Yes. The objective is to provide new full time jobs for low-income persons in your local community, with realistic living wages in context with your targeted local community project.

Question 4 - In San Francisco we have a living wage City ordinance, so is this what I use to report on a living wage?

Answer 4 – The Office of Community Services (OCS) does not require grantees to report on “living wage” only on the number of full time jobs created. However, the goal is to assist your proposed-targeted local low-income families become economically independent in your particular community.

Question 5a - Our city (San Francisco) is going to provide universal health care coverage for persons who work at least nine hours a week. This means that my organization does have to do this step - right?

Answer 5a - Your organization is responsible for complying with the variety of all local, state and Federal statutory, policy and program requirements.

Question 5b - How do I report this?

Answer 5b – Regulations at 45 CFR § 74.51 state that “recipients are responsible for managing and monitoring each project, program, sub award, function or activity supported by the award.” In exercising its stewardship responsibilities, the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) requires that all grantees and awarding offices employ sound management practices to ensure that program objectives are met. Standard Form (SF) 269, Financial Status Report is to be used for monetary reporting to your assigned Office of Grants Management Specialist. .

Question 6 - We also heard questions about the quarterly phone calls, with one grantee stating that she did not see this requirement in the Program Announcement or other OCS documents.

Answer 6 - The timely provision of technical advice and guidance is part of the Federal role our office performs to ensure the implementation of good project performance management and to help grantees stay consistent and effective in reaching proposed project goals. Our division will have quarterly technical assistance conference calls in which important guidance and program information will be shared with our grantees. Participating organizations will be notified via e-mails on the dates and topics. Together we strive for continued program improvement utilizing Federal and community resources efficiently and effectively.