NCJ Number
43456
Date Published
1977
Length
101 pages
Annotation
THE NATIONAL URBAN COALITION CONVENED A NATIONAL MEETING TO ASSESS STATE AND LOCAL EXPERIENCES WITH BLOCK GRANTS, EXAMINE SUCCESSFUL USE OF BLOCK GRANTS, AND SUGGEST IMPROVEMENTS AND REFORMS IN BOTH FUNDING AND USE.
Abstract
SEVERAL SPEAKERS POINTED OUT THAT BLOCK GRANTS ARE BASED ON AN INCOME FORMULA WHICH MAKES THEM MORE ACCESSIBLE TO SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES THAN TO INNER CITIES. TO COMPOUND THIS PROBLEM, THE LACK OF STRUCTURE OF BLOCK GRANTS PUTS HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY ON CONTINUING CITIZEN OVERSIGHT TO ENSURE THAT GENERAL REVENUE FUNDS ARE PUT TO GOOD USE. THIS OVERSIGHT HAS BEEN STRONGLY LACKING IN POOR AREAS. NEWSPAPERS IN INNER-CITY AND ETHNIC NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE GIVEN SPOTTY COVERAGE TO BLOCK GRANT PROGRAMS, AND IN MANY CASES, HAVE BEEN UNAWARE OF EITHER THE AVAILABLE FUNDS OR ONGOING PROGRAMS. ON THE POSITIVE SIDE, BLOCK GRANTS HAVE HELPED TO OFFSET THE DISADVANTAGES OF CATEGORICAL PROGRAMS. USE OF BLOCK GRANTS IN FLORIDA TO HELP IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE HUMAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS DETAILED. FLORIDA'S YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAMS UTILIZE LEAA, COMPREHENSIVE EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ACT (CETA), AND TITLE 10 RESOURCES. IN THE FISCAL YEAR 1976-77, ABOUT $2.6 MILLION OF LEAA FUNDS WILL BE SPENT FOR NONSECURE DETENTION FACILITIES USING CONTRACTED PRIVATE HOMES OR COMMUNITY FACILITIES, STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING, WILDERNESS CAMPING EXPERIENCES UNDER THE 'OUTWARD BOUND' MOVEMENT, FAMILY GROUP HOMES, AND INTENSIVE COUNSELING OF DELINQUENT CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. LEAA FUNDS HAVE BEEN USED FOR INNOVATIVE CHANGES IN YOUTH SERVICES, PARTICULARLY IN DEVELOPING ALTERNATIVES TO INSTITUTIONALIZATION, WHILE CETA RESOURCES HAVE SUPPLEMENTED STAFF IN DETENTION CENTERS AND OTHER ESSENTIAL SERVICES. TITLE 10 SUPPLIES ABOUT $10.2 MILLION FOR SHORT-TERM, INTENSIVE TREATMENT SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGH THESE SAME YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAMS. CATEGORICAL GRANTS, SINGLY OR IN COMBINATION, FAIL TO MEET THIS VARIETY OF DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT WAYS BE FOUND TO MAKE SUCH GRANTS ACCESSIBLE TO MINORITIES, WOMEN, AND THE POOR, WHO SO OFTEN DO NOT HAVE VOICES ON THE CITY OR COUNTY PLANNING COUNCIL. BLOCK GRANTS CANNOT FILL THE GAP LEFT BY LACK OF A NATIONAL FULL EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME POLICY, BUT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE SERVICES NOT AVAILABLE THROUGH NORMAL LOCAL AND CATEGORICAL BUDGET FUNDS.