Social Services Block Grant legislation enables states to claim limited federal funds to provide social services for individuals and families. The services are designed to assist individuals or families to become less dependent on others for financial support or personal care; to protect children and adults from neglect, abuse, or exploitation and to provide family maintenance; to avoid unnecessary or premature institutionalization; and to gain appropriate placement if institutionalization is necessary.

Each state is responsible for determining the social services most appropriate for its citizens. In Arkansas, citizens are involved in the planning process and have an opportunity to respond to planning decisions.

Arkansas uses the Pre-expenditure Report to inform the State's citizens of its plans for implementing the Social Services Block Grant program and to meet the Social Services Block Grant pre-expenditure reporting requirements. Arkansas posts the Pre-expenditure Report at the following website, http://www.arkansas.gov/dhs/NewDHS/DHSwork.html, which is available to the public. Arkansas considers any feedback received from the public, including service recipients, service providers, and other interested citizens, throughout the program year and in its preparation of updates that are necessary to reflect substantial changes which affect the overall intent of the Pre-expenditure Report. All updates are made available to the public at the above website as well.

For an update to the Pre-expenditure Report, in accordance with DHS Policy 1052, DHS submits the proposed update to Department of Human Services Executive Staff and the Department of Human Services Office of Policy and Legal Services for review and comment. Upon their approval, DHS proceeds to initiate the public review and comment period by publishing the short Notice of Rule Making in a newspaper of general, statewide circulation. In addition, DHS forwards a longer Notice of Rule Making to the Arkansas Secretary of State for their posting for a 30-day review and comment period on the Secretary of State website. This affords all interested members of the public a 30-day opportunity to submit comments, orally or in writing.

Questions and comments regarding the Pre-expenditure Report are welcomed at any time throughout the program year and should be sent to the Office of Finance and Administration at the address listed below.

Comments pertaining to aspects of the program for which a division or office has responsibility will be forwarded to that division or office for response. Changes made as a result of public comment will be included in an update to the Pre-expenditure Report.