Plan for statewide use and distribution of money; public hearings on proposed plans; preparation and filing of final plan; distribution of allotment; applications for grants

1. The Director, after consulting with eligible entities, shall develop a plan for the statewide use and distribution of the money to be provided through the Community Services Block Grant Act as set forth in 42 U.S.C. § 9908. 2. The Director shall hold at least one public hearing to receive public comment on each proposed plan for the statewide use and distribution of the money to be provided through the Community Services Block Grant Act. 3. The Interim Finance Committee shall hold a public hearing to receive public comment on each proposed plan for the statewide use and distribution of the money to be provided through the Community Services Block Grant Act. 4. After reviewing the comments made at the public hearings held pursuant to subsections 2 and 3, the Director shall prepare the final plan for the statewide use and distribution of the money to be provided through the Community Services Block Grant Act and file a copy of the plan with the Interim Finance Committee. 5. The proposed distribution of the portion of each allotment set aside for eligible entities must allocate, as nearly as practicable: (a) A base amount for each community action agency which was authorized pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 2790 before that section was repealed and which received money from the allotment for the previous federal fiscal year; (b) A uniform base amount for each of the other eligible entities in the state; and (c) The remainder among all eligible entities based on the comparative number of persons in the respective counties whose income is at or below the federally designated level signifying poverty. 6. To apply for a grant, an eligible entity must submit an application to the Director in the manner established by the Director. The application must include a detailed description of the proposed use of the grant. 7. The Director shall provide for assistance and instruction for all potential applicants, including eligible entities, in the preparation of applications and the requirements related to the use of the grants.