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Federal block grants provide funds for broad purposes to states or localities. There are human needs block grants distributing funds for social services, public health, community development, and juvenile justice programs. Part of the rationale for block grants is to allow states more flexibility in administering services. Over the years, however, block grants have often been used as a strategy to shrink the federal role to provide services, by combining programs into one block grant with inadequate funding and fewer federal standards or protections. Any block grant, new or old, should be judged on whether it maintains a proper balance of adequate funding, state or local flexibility, and accountability to ensure that the funds are used appropriately to help the target population.
In recent years, the Bush Administration and/or Congress have proposed new block grants covering Medicaid, housing vouchers, child welfare services, Head Start, and other programs. Many of these proposals have raised concerns about shrinking federal responsibilities to help low-income people, especially during a time when states have been making cutbacks. CHN is tracking the progress and projected impact of these proposals on people, states and communities. To receive or share more information about this project, contact Deborah Weinstein at dweinstein@chn.org
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