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TextWhat Are Community Action Programs
Community Action Programs (CAPs) are public-private partnerships,
locally managed and controlled by volunteer boards of directors, for
the purpose of reducing poverty and promoting self-sufficiency of the
poor.
Since their founding under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, the
network of Community Action Agencies (currently 1,100 agencies) has
served both the long-term and the temporary poor, public assistance
recipients, the working poor, low-income elderly, adults and children
with disabilities, the unemployed, the homeless, and any other
population that meets the eligibility criterion of having income at or
below 125% of the federal poverty line (e.g. in FY 2013 eligibility for
a family of four is capped at $28,813 a year).
The philosophy of Community Action provides that, to be responsive to
local needs, each program should be as unique as the locality it
serves. Thus, although the mission of Community Action is to fight
poverty and increase self-sufficiency among the poor, the programs and
services provided vary based upon the needs identified at the local
level.
CAPs receive core support from the Federal Community Services Block
Grant (CSBG). Virginia CAPs also receive supplemental core funding from
the Virginia General Assembly. CAPs use these core dollars as the
foundation for all of the Federal, State, and local programs which they
operate and as seed money for the development of new initiatives. Core
funding is the "glue" that holds Community Action Programs
together, providing administrative and program support, and paying for
needed services when other funding is inadequate or unavailable.
Community Action Programs are flexible. They quickly implement new
initiatives and readily integrate new programs. CAPs are accessible and
user-friendly. They are effective in reaching and relating to
low-income people. After more than three decades of operation, CAPs are
recognized and established community catalysts, able to bring together
organizations and mobilize local resources to address the problems of
the poor and the multiple and diverse issues associated with poverty.
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