About CSD

​​​​Mission

​CSD reduces poverty for Californians by leading the development and coordination of effective and innovative programs for low-income individuals, families, and their communities​​.

​History

​The history of the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) began with founding of the State Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) in 1964. The state OEO was created following the passage of federal Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 under the direction of Sargent Shriver.

In 1964, during the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson, Congress enacted Public Law 88-452, an omnibus bill titled the "Economic Opportunity Act of 1964." The Act established the Office of Economic Opportunity in the Executive Office of the President to direct and coordinate the mobilization of the "human and financial resources of the nation to combat poverty in the United States." The effort quickly became known as the “war on poverty.” In part, the Act stated: "It is the policy of the United States to eliminate the paradox of poverty in the midst of plenty in this nation by opening, to everyone, the opportunity for education and training, the opportunity to work, and the opportunity to live in decency and dignity."

The Act provided funding for Community Action Agencies, which are local non-profit and government organizations that have directly served the needs of the low-income. In 1996, the California Legislature renamed the OEO to more accurately reflect its purpose as the Department of Community Services and Development.


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​Partners Against Poverty​

​​As a department under the umbrella of the California Health and Human Services Agency, CSD works with non-profit and local government organizations dedicated to helping low-income families achieve and maintain economic security, meet their home energy needs, and reduce their utility costs through energy efficiency upgrades and access to clean renewable energy.​​

CSD administers California’s federal funding share for the Community Services Block Grant, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and Weatherization Assistance Program. In addition, CSD administers the state’s Low-Income Weatherization Program, one of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment--particularly in disadvantaged, low-income, and other priority population communities.​

State Leadership Accountability Act 

Government Code sections 13400 through 13407, known as the State Leadership Accountability Act (SLAA), was enacted to reduce the waste of resources and strengthen internal control. SLAA requires each state agency to maintain effective systems of internal control, to evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of these controls on an ongoing basis, and to biennially report on the adequacy of the agency's systems of internal control. ​​

CSD is one of twelve departments and five offices​ under the umbrella of the

California Health and Human Services Agency (C​​al​​HHS)

CDA     CDSS     DCSS     DDS     DHCS     DMHC     CD​PH​     DOR     DSH     EMSA     HCAI
CDII     OLES     OSG     OSI     OYCR    ​​

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