(a) 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) 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) 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) A community action agency shall initiate and sponsor community projects to help meet the needs of low–income persons with particular sons to participate in community action programs and projects. (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) 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) 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) 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 unity 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.
Maryland Legal Code