42 U.S.C. § 9912 — Office of Community Services

Page 7958 TITLE 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE § 9912 lated to annual reports by Secretary, prior to the gen- eral amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 105–285. Another prior section 9911, Pub. L. 97–35, title VI, § 682, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 518; Pub. L. 97–115, § 17(c), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1609; Pub. L. 97–274, Sept. 30, 1982, 96 Stat. 1183, related to transition provisions, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 101–501, § 407(a). A prior section 677 of Pub. L. 97–35 was classified to section 9906 of this title, prior to the general amend- ment of this chapter by Pub. L. 105–285. § 9912. Office of Community Services (a) Office The Secretary shall carry out the functions of this chapter through an Office of Community Services, which shall be established in the De- partment of Health and Human Services. The Office shall be headed by a Director. (b) Grants, contracts, and cooperative agree- ments The Secretary shall carry out functions of this chapter through grants, contracts, or coopera- tive agreements. (Pub. L. 97–35, title VI, § 678, as added Pub. L. 105–285, title II, § 201, Oct. 27, 1998, 112 Stat. 2742.) Editorial Notes PRIOR PROVISIONS A prior section 9912, Pub. L. 97–35, title VI, § 684, for- merly § 683, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 519; Pub. L. 98–288, § 31(b), May 21, 1984, 98 Stat. 198; renumbered § 684, Pub. L. 103–252, title II, § 205(1), May 18, 1994, 108 Stat. 655, contained provisions repealing certain other statutory provisions, reauthorizing appropriations, and con- forming references, prior to general amendment of this chapter by Pub. L. 105–285. A prior section 678 of Pub. L. 97–35 was classified to section 9907 of this title, prior to the general amend- ment of this chapter by Pub. L. 105–285. § 9913. Training, technical assistance, and other activities (a) Activities (1) In general The Secretary shall use amounts reserved in section 9903(b)(2) of this title— (A) for training, technical assistance, plan- ning, evaluation, and performance measure- ment, to assist States in carrying out cor- rective action activities and monitoring (to correct programmatic deficiencies of eligible entities), and for reporting and data collec- tion activities, related to programs carried out under this chapter; and (B) to distribute amounts in accordance with subsection (c). (2) Grants, contracts, and cooperative agree- ments The activities described in paragraph (1)(A) may be carried out by the Secretary through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements with appropriate entities. (b) Terms and technical assistance process The process for determining the training and technical assistance to be carried out under this section shall— (1) ensure that the needs of eligible entities and programs relating to improving program quality (including quality of financial man- agement practices) are addressed to the max- imum extent feasible; and (2) incorporate mechanisms to ensure re- sponsiveness to local needs, including an ongo- ing procedure for obtaining input from the na- tional and State networks of eligible entities. (c) Distribution requirement (1) In general The amounts reserved under section 9903(b)(2)(A) of this title for activities to be carried out under this subsection shall be dis- tributed directly to eligible entities, organiza- tions, or associations described in paragraph (2) for the purpose of improving program qual- ity (including quality of financial manage- ment practices), management information and reporting systems, and measurement of pro- gram results, and for the purpose of ensuring responsiveness to identified local needs. (2) Eligible entities, organizations, or associa- tions Eligible entities, organizations, or associa- tions described in this paragraph shall be eli- gible entities, or statewide or local organiza- tions or associations, with demonstrated ex- pertise in providing training to individuals and organizations on methods of effectively addressing the needs of low-income families and communities. (Pub. L. 97–35, title VI, § 678A, as added Pub. L. 105–285, title II, § 201, Oct. 27, 1998, 112 Stat. 2742.) § 9914. Monitoring of eligible entities (a) In general In order to determine whether eligible entities meet the performance goals, administrative standards, financial management requirements, and other requirements of a State, the State shall conduct the following reviews of eligible entities: (1) A full onsite review of each such entity at least once during each 3-year period. (2) An onsite review of each newly des- ignated entity immediately after the comple- tion of the first year in which such entity re- ceives funds through the community services block grant program. (3) Followup reviews including prompt re- turn visits to eligible entities, and their pro- grams, that fail to meet the goals, standards, and requirements established by the State. (4) Other reviews as appropriate, including reviews of entities with programs that have had other Federal, State, or local grants (other than assistance provided under this chapter) terminated for cause. (b) Requests The State may request training and technical assistance from the Secretary as needed to com- ply with the requirements of this section. (c) Evaluations by the Secretary The Secretary shall conduct in several States in each fiscal year evaluations (including inves- tigations) of the use of funds received by the States under this chapter in order to evaluate compliance with the provisions of this chapter,