What is a Community Action Agency (CAA)?

Community Action Agencies (CAAs) are non-profit private and public organizations originally established under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 for fight America's War on Poverty.  Today, there are nearly 1,000 CAAs across the United States, in fact CAAs can be found in 98 percent of our cities and counties.  CAAs are a primary source of support for more that 38 million Americans who are living in poverty in both rural and urban areas.  Through their innovative programs, these CAAs are able to help thousands of people achieve self-sufficiency each year.

The core source of funding for CAAs comes from the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), which was created in 1981 by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act.  The CSBG channels Federal funds through the States to local agencies to fight poverty and promote self-sufficiency.  CSBG funding accounts for less than 10 percent of CAA funding.  CAAs use these Federal dollars to build and attract additional investments in their programs from State, local, and private sources.  In fact, CAAs have consistenly been successful in leveraging an average of $13 for every $1 of CSBG funding.

Most poverty-related organizations focus on a specific area of need, such as Job Training, Health Care, Housing, or Economic Development.  Community Action Agencies reach out to low-income people in their communities, address their multiple needs through a comprehensive approach, develop partnerships with other community organizations, involve low-income clients in the agency's operations, and administer a full range of coordinated programs designed to have a measurable impact on poverty.

Escambia County Community Action Program Committee, Incorporated is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.  Like all CAAs, ECCAPC is governed by a uniquely structured tripartite Board of Directors comprising representatives from public, private, and neighborhood sectors which oversees the programs and sets policies.