§ 8-107. Duties of community action agency

   (a) Program plan. -- A community action agency shall plan systematically for an effective community action program, and in doing so shall:

   (1) evaluate information on the causes and problems of poverty in the community;

   (2) assess the use and impact of current financial assistance; and

   (3) establish priorities among projects, activities, and target areas to achieve the best and most efficient use of resources.

(b) Encouraging and assisting subsidiary bodies. -- A community action agency shall:

   (1) encourage subsidiary boards, councils, and agencies engaged in projects related to a community action program to plan for, secure, and administer available financial assistance on a cooperative basis; and

   (2) provide technical and organizational assistance to the subsidiary boards, councils, and agencies.

(c) Supplementing local anti-poverty efforts. -- A community action agency shall actively supplement local efforts to combat poverty by:

   (1) focusing resources on the most needy;

   (2) providing employment opportunities for low-income persons;

   (3) closing service gaps; and

   (4) enabling low-income persons to participate in community action programs and projects.

(d) Community projects. -- A community action agency shall initiate and sponsor community projects to help meet the needs of low-income persons with particular emphasis on:

   (1) establishing a pool of resources to serve a variety of community action programs;

   (2) developing versatile approaches and services; and

   (3) implementing stopgap measures pending the expansion or modification of community action programs.

(e) Encouraging resident participation. -- A community action agency shall:

   (1) establish procedures for community residents to:

      (i) influence the character of their community action programs; and

      (ii) participate regularly in implementing those programs; and

   (2) provide the necessary technical and advisory support to enable low-income persons and community groups to secure public and private financial assistance for themselves.

(f) Supporting community action programs. -- A community action agency shall join with and encourage business, labor, and other private or public officials and organizations to support community action programs that:

   (1) use private resources and capabilities for new employment opportunities;

   (2) stimulate investments that measurably reduce poverty in areas of concentrated poverty; and

   (3) provide residents in those areas with methods to work with private organizations, firms, and institutions to seek solutions to problems of common concern.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 83B, § 12-101(h); 2005, ch. 26, § 2.