SSBG Planning and Participation Processes: Are the States Becoming Stronger Partners?

Abstract

This article is based on a 1986 survey of state changes in participation and planning under the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG). In 1981 the Title XX program was converted to SSBG, virtually eliminating national planning and citizen participation requirements. States have adopted a variety of means to continue citizen involvement in the planning process and have used SSBG in combination with other state processes. Almost all states have exceeded the national minimum standard of public review in some way, suggesting that in the absence of stringent requirements, states have the willingness and capacity to move toward a partnership in such federal programs.