Office of Community Services (OCS)

OCS Programs

The Office of Community Services (OCS) partners with states, Tribes, territories, and non-profit and community-based organizations to reduce the causes and consequences of poverty, increase opportunity and economic security of individuals and families, and revitalize communities. Our social service and community development programs work in a variety of ways to improve the lives of many.

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Affordable Housing and Supportive Services Demonstration (AHSSD)

AHSSD strengthens supportive services for residents of affordable housing to build individual and family safety, stability, and economic mobility.

Learn More About AHSSD

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Community Economic Development
(CED)

CED funds well-planned, financially viable, business development projects that create jobs and build economies in communities across the country.

Learn More About CED

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Community Services Block Grant
(CSBG)

CSBG funds states and local organizations to deploy local solutions that alleviate the causes and conditions of poverty.

Learn More About CSBG

 
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Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research Pilot (DDDRP)

DDDRP expands existing networks to connect caregivers with diapers for their children and support services that increase economic mobility.

Learn More About DDDRP

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Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
(LIHEAP)

LIHEAP helps keep families safe and healthy by helping households with low incomes lower their energy costs.

Learn More About LIHEAP

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Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

LIHWAP helps families keep the water on by helping households with low incomes lower their water and wastewater bills.

Learn More About LIHWAP

 
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Medical-Legal Partnerships Plus
(MLP+)

MLP+ supports medical-legal partnerships to expand and strengthen legal services and wraparound social services for people with low incomes.

Learn More About MLP+

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Rural Community Development
(RCD)

RCD funds regional and Tribal organizations to help rural communities build and manage safe and sustainable water and wastewater systems.

Learn More About RCD

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Social Services Block Grant
(SSBG)

SSBG supports a wide range of social services for people in vulnerable situations, including older adults, youth, and people with disabilities.

Learn More About SSBG

 

Need Help?

OCS administers a multitude of social service and community development programs to alleviate the causes and consequences of poverty and improve the lives of children, individuals, and families with low incomes. If you are a community organization, a Tribal entity, or individual, learn how you can get help with energy and water bill assistance, disaster relief, diaper assistance, job training, medical-legal assistance, and much more.

Get Help

OCS Videos

Grid of three screenshots that show the interface of the OCS Video Hub

OCS Video Hub

The Office of Community Services (OCS) Video Hub serves as a library for our office’s video content, including spotlight and informational videos on different programs. The Hub makes it easy to find videos by topic, language, and program, as well as newly released video content. We invite you to explore our library and help us spread the word about the impact of OCS programs by sharing the videos below!

 

Explore the OCS Video Hub

Featured Spotlight Videos

The Unified Impact of LIHEAP and LIHWAP in American Samoa

Discover how the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Low Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) are making a difference in supporting families across American Samoa. These programs provide funding which when blended and braided together, help ensure the preservation of safe and healthy living environments for vulnerable demographics, including older adults, young children, and individuals with disabilities.

Diaper DASH South Carolina Supporting Young Families with Essentials

Learn how the South Carolina Association of Community Action Partnerships (SCACAP) is leveraging funds for the Office of Community Services (OCS) new Diaper Distribution Demonstration and Research pilot (DDDRP) across the state to provide families with diapers and connect them with other essential services. SCACAP has built a network of community action agencies and childcare centers to offer diapers to families in need, even on the weekend.

CSBG Building Futures RurAL CAP’s Mutual Self-Help Housing Program in Alaska

Supported by the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), the Self-Help Housing Program by the Rural Alaska Community Action Program (RurAL CAP) is paving the way for low-income Alaskan families to access affordable and secure housing within their communities.

OCS Disaster Flexibilities Hub

Screenshot of OCS Disaster Flexibilities Hub Dashboard

OCS' block grant funding has built in flexibility to support grant recipients in disaster response. The OCS Disaster Flexibilities Hub provides a one-stop shop for all the information you need to help you and your organization start to prepare for or respond to a disaster using OCS funding.

View the OCS Disaster Flexibilities Hub

LIHEAP Heating Season Toolkit

Image of a town in the winter with language about how LIHEAP serves over 5 million households

The LIHEAP Heating Season Toolkit contains resources intended to help LIHEAP grant recipients and stakeholders ensure that available funding reaches households that need assistance with their heating costs this winter.