CCAP Program Planning & Execution 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), eligible entities must demonstrate fiscal accountability through:
- Monthly audits conducted by state agencies
- An annual independent financial audit per 2 CFR Part 200 (Correct answer)
- Quarterly reports submitted to local government
- Bi-annual peer reviews by other CAAs
Correct answer: An annual independent financial audit per 2 CFR Part 200
2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance) requires eligible entities receiving federal funds to undergo annual independent audits.
Question 2: When developing a program theory of change, the 'if-then' logic should flow from:
- Outcomes to inputs to activities
- Resources to activities to outcomes to impact (Correct answer)
- Impact to outcomes to inputs
- Activities to resources to assumptions
Correct answer: Resources to activities to outcomes to impact
A theory of change follows the causal chain: resources enable activities, which produce outcomes, which collectively create long-term impact.
Question 3: Which principle of the Community Action model distinguishes it from traditional social service delivery?
- Reliance on government funding as primary revenue
- Tripartite board governance with resident representation (Correct answer)
- Centralized decision-making by professional administrators
- Focus on individual behavior change over systemic barriers
Correct answer: Tripartite board governance with resident representation
The tripartite board—one-third low-income community members, one-third public officials, one-third private sector—is the defining governance structure of Community Action.
Question 4: A program manager notices that only 40% of enrolled participants are achieving the target employment outcome. The MOST appropriate response is to:
- Lower the target to reflect current performance
- Conduct a root cause analysis to identify barriers (Correct answer)
- Discontinue the program and reallocate funds
- Increase enrollment to improve absolute numbers
Correct answer: Conduct a root cause analysis to identify barriers
Root cause analysis identifies the specific barriers preventing outcome achievement, enabling targeted programmatic improvements.
Question 5: Which evaluation type is conducted DURING program implementation to allow real-time improvements?
- Summative evaluation
- Impact evaluation
- Formative evaluation (Correct answer)
- Cost-benefit analysis
Correct answer: Formative evaluation
Formative evaluation is ongoing during program delivery, providing feedback that enables adjustments before the program concludes.
Question 6: In grant management, 'allowable costs' are primarily determined by:
- The CAA's internal cost allocation plan
- The funding source's program regulations and 2 CFR Part 200 (Correct answer)
- The state's administrative requirements
- The board-approved annual budget
Correct answer: The funding source's program regulations and 2 CFR Part 200
Federal regulations (2 CFR Part 200) and program-specific statutes define which costs can be charged to federal grants.
Question 7: A community needs assessment reveals that 65% of residents identify affordable housing as the top priority, but the CAA's existing programs focus on job training. The agency should:
- Disregard the housing data since the agency lacks expertise in that area
- Immediately shut down job training and pivot to housing services
- Explore partnerships or new funding streams to address the identified housing need (Correct answer)
- Report the finding to the state without taking action
Correct answer: Explore partnerships or new funding streams to address the identified housing need
CAAs are mandated to be responsive to identified community needs, making exploration of partnerships and new funding the appropriate strategic response.
CCAP Program Planning & Execution 3
Under the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), eligible entities must demonstrate fiscal accountability through: