PBJCEOC

WHAT IS A COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY?

Pine Bluff Jefferson County

Economic Opportunities Commission

PBJCEOC is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization committed to alleviating

poverty and assisting low-income individuals and families to secure

knowledge, skills and opportunities to become self-sufficient and to lead lives of dignity. We operate a wide range of both

locally and nationally developed programs that offer opportunities, services and

support to help individuals and families gain the basic necessities and achieve

economic self-sufficiency.

The Economic Opportunity Act In 1964 the Economic Opportunity Act was

passed creating a federal Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO)

Led efforts on the War on Poverty by creating economic opportunity offices at the state level

Community Services Block Grant The Economic Opportunity Act evolved into

the Community Service Act of 1974 The Community Service Act of 1974

preceded the CSBG Act of 1981.

CAAs receive a small amount of their total funding from CSBG. CSBG sets guidelines as to which organizations qualify as community action.

CSBG today…

CSBG provides assistance to states and local communities working through a network of community action agencies and other neighborhood-based organizations: For the reduction of poverty The revitalization of low-income

communities The empowerment of low-income families

and individuals in rural and urban areas to become fully self-sufficient

CSBG today….

Strengthens community capabilities for planning and coordinating the use of a broad range of federal, state and local assistance related to the elimination of poverty so the assistance meets local needs and conditions

Organizes a range of services related to the needs of low-income families and individuals so these services may have a measureable and potentially major impact on the causes of poverty

CSBG today…

Uses innovative and effective community-based approaches to attacking the causes and effects of poverty and of community breakdown

Maximizes participation of residents of the low income communities and members of the groups served to empower such residents and members to respond to the unique problems and needs within their communities

What is community action?

A community action agency: is a non-for-profit

corporation has authority under its

charter and bylaws to receive funds to administer community action programs

Was officially designated as a community action agency or a community action program under the provisions of federal law Section 210 of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 for fiscal year 1981

Why CAAs are unique

Only agencies that receive CSBG funding can be designated as CAAs

CSBG funding is used to support the infrastructure of local offices, staff, agency administration and to support a variety of other agency programs

CAAs are comprehensive and serve as a catalyst

PBJCEOC Services

CSBG LIHEAP Weatherization Medical Aid Head Start Case

Management Coat Closets In-home Services

Mission and purpose of CAAs In order to reduce poverty in its

community, a CAA works to better focus available local, state, private and federal resources to assist low-income families to acquire useful skills and knowledge, gain access to new opportunities and achieve economic self-sufficiency.

What is a tripartite board?

Effective tripartite boards reflect and promote the unique anti-poverty leadership, action, and mobilization responsibilities assigned by law to community action agencies.

Boards are responsible for assuring that agencies continue to assess and respond to the causes and conditions of poverty in their community, achieve anticipated family and community outcomes, and remain administratively and fiscally sound.

Who is on a tripartite board? Elected officials or their representatives

One-third must be elected officials, holding office at their time of selection, or their representatives.

Major groups and interests in the community served One-third of members must be chosen from “business,

industry, labor, religious, law enforcement, education, or other major groups and interests in the community served.”

Low-income individuals and families “assure decision-making and participation by low-

income individuals in the development, planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs…”