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

   1. (1) evaluate information on the causes and problems of poverty in the community;
   2. (2) assess the use and impact of current financial assistance; and
   3. (3) establish priorities among projects, activities, and target areas to achieve the best and most efficient use of resources.

2. (b) A community action agency shall:

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

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

   1. (1) focusing resources on the most needy;
   2. (2) providing employment opportunities for low-income persons;
   3. (3) closing service gaps; and
   4. (4) enabling low-income persons to participate in community action programs and projects.

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

   1. (1) establishing a pool of resources to serve a variety of community action programs;
   2. (2) developing versatile approaches and services; and
   3. (3) implementing stopgap measures pending the expansion or modification of community action programs.

5. (e) A community action agency shall:

   1. (1) establish procedures for community residents to:

      1. (i) influence the character of their community action programs; and
      2. (ii) participate regularly in implementing those programs; and
   2. (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.

6. (f) 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. (1) use private resources and capabilities for new employment opportunities;
   2. (2) stimulate investments that measurably reduce poverty in areas of concentrated poverty; and
   3. (3) provide residents in those areas with methods to work with private organizations, firms, and institutions to seek solutions to problems of common concern.

Added by Acts 2005, c. 26, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2005. Amended by Acts 2005, c. 25, § 13, eff. April 12, 2005; Acts 2025, c. 288, § 1, eff. July 1, 2025.