Community Action

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Community Action

• The Answer to Ending Poverty

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• The Community Action movement is deeply rooted in
  our culture and has its basis in philosophies
  that underlay the creation of the United States
  of America.

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We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all
men are created equal, that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty and the
pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these
rights, Governments are instituted among Men .
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President Lyndon B. Johnson declared War on
Poverty in 1964.

• In 196435 million (19) lived in poverty
• Social and racial unrest
• Establishment of the Great Society

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• Johnson gives speech at the University of
  Michigan commencement, May 1964.

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Equal Opportunity Act of 1964 (EOA)
Johnson charges Sargent Shriver with drafting
legislation to serve the Great Society
vision. EOA passes August 20, 1964. EOA
establishes the Office of Economic Opportunity
to coordinate all of the federal governments
anti-poverty efforts and programs and to be a
laboratory for program development.
The office established a direct federal local
relationship. It encouraged and funded the
development of community organizations.
Provided for State Economic Opportunity Offices
(SEOO) to involve Governors in the War on Poverty.
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Equal Opportunity Act of 1964 (EOA)
Programs established under EOA
VISTA Job Corps Neighborhood Youth Corps Head
Start Adult Basic Education Family
Planning Community Health Centers Congregate Meal
Preparation Economic Development Foster
Grandparents Legal Services RSVP Legal
Services Neighborhood Centers Summer Youth
Programs
Community Action Agencies
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Community Action Agencies
Purpose of Community Action Agencies to
stimulate a better focusing of all available
local, State, private, and Federal resources upon
the goal of enabling low-income families, and
low-income individuals of all ages, in rural and
urban areas, to attain the skills, knowledge, and
motivation to secure the opportunities needed for
them to become self-sufficient.

• The CAA was to make the entire community more
  responsive to the needs and interest of the poor
  by two activities
• Mobilizing Resources.
• Bringing about greater institutional sensitivity.

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Community Action Agencies
By 1968, over 1,600 CAAs opened serving single
county, multi-county or cities. CAAs set up
local centers, hired and trained the
poor. Maximum feasible participation caused
clashes with establishment. Local governments
complained about having no control over CAAs.
Green Quie Amendments reigned in
CAAs. Designation of CAA, tripartite board
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Community Action Agencies
Presidential difficulties 1968 Johnson
lessens support due top complaints about
inefficiencies. 1969 Nixon attempts to
undermine CAAs by cutting funding, moves programs
out of OEO 1974 Ford eliminates OEO, replaces
with Community Services Administration (CSA).
Flat funding. 1977 Carter attempts to restore
CAA reputation and strengthen leadership. 1981
Reagan eliminates CSA. Community Services
Block Grant (CSBG) established.
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Community Action Agencies
Community Action Agencies begin focusing more on
providing services than advocacy and community
organizing. Lose their common identity. Know by
a program name or service rather than for mission
of Community Action.
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Forty-three Community Action Agencies. Operate
in all 67 counties. Thirty-three are private
non-profit, 10 are government related
agencies. Have a variety of funding sources
CSBG provides core funding.
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Mission StatementThe mission of CAAP is to
provide services which enhance the capacity of
the Community Action network.Vision
StatementCAAP is highly respected by
Pennsylvanias policy setting and legislative
groups, and is recognized as the authority in
Pennsylvania on issues of poverty,
self-sufficiency and community development. CAAP
empowers community action agencies to solve
community problems.
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To achieve our mission and vision, the
Association Represents needs and
concerns Facilitates sharing and
learning Provides specialized and focused
results Keeps members informed Brings the
message to others Connects with others