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What
Is a Community Action Agency?
Community Action Agencies are private non-profit or
public organizations that were created by the federal
government in 1964 to combat poverty in geographically
designated areas. Status as a Community Action Agency
is the result of an explicit designation by local or
state government. A Community Action Agency has a tripartite
board structure that is designated to promote the participation
of the entire community in the reduction or elimination
of poverty. Community Action agencies seek to involve
the community, including elected public officials, private
sector representatives, and especially, low-income residents
in assessing local needs and attacking the causes and
conditions of poverty.
Purpose
and Mission
In order to reduce poverty in its community, a Community
Action Agency works to better focus available local,
state, private, and federal resources to assist low-income
individuals and families to acquire useful skills and
knowledge, gain access to new opportunities and achieve
economic self-sufficiency.
Structure
A community action agency:
...has received designation as a Community Action Agency
either from the local government under the provisions
of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, or from the
state under the Community Services Block Grant Act of
1981,
...is recognized as an eligible entity as defined in
the CSBG Act and can receive funding from the state
under the Community Services Block Grant;
...has a governing board consisting of at least one-third
democratically selected representatives of low-income
people in one-third local public officials or their
designees, and the remainder represeataiives of business,
industry, labor, religious, social welfare, and other
private groups in the community; and
...belongs to a national network of similar agencies,
the majority of which received their initial designation,
federal recognition and funding under the amended Economic
Opportunity Act of 1964.
Mode of Operation
A Community Action Agency carries out its mission through
a variety of means including:
(a) community-wide assessments of needs and strengths,
(b) comprehensive anti-poverty plans and strategies,
(c) provision of a broad range of direct services,
(d) mobilization of financial and non-financial resources,
(e) advocacy on behalf of low-income people and
(f) partnerships with other community-based organizations
to eliminate poverty.
A Community Action agency involves the low-income population
it serves in the planning, administering and evaluating
of its programs.
Why Community Action Agencies
Are Unique
Most poverty-related organizations focus on a specific
area of need, such as job training, health care, housing,
or economic development. Community Action agencies reach
out to low-income people in their communities, address
their multiple needs through a comprehensive approach,
develop partnerships with other community organizations,
involve low income clients in the agency's operations,
and administer a full range of coordinated programs
designed to have a measurable impact on poverty. |
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