The Community Action Network

Community Action Agencies are non-profit and public organizations established under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 to fight America’s War on Poverty. Community Action Agencies help people help themselves in achieving self-sufficiency. Today there are approximately 1,000 Community Action Agencies serving the poor in every state as well as Puerto Rico and the Trust Territories, connected by a national network that includes a national association, regional and state CAA associations, a national lobbying organization, and a National Association of Community Service Block Grant Administrators.

Community Action in Tennessee

The Community Action network plays a significant role in lessening the effects of poverty across the state of Tennessee. The network shares a commitment to helping each client achieve self-sufficiency, but each organization has tailored its programs and priorities to address those needs that are greatest in the local area.

Poverty affects one in every ten people living in Tennessee. Community Action Agencies in Tennessee have a history of assisting the poor and near poor, beginning in 1964. Over 100,000 low-income individuals found support and assistance through Tennessee’s Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) programs in 2004, which are operated through a network of 20 Community Action Agencies that geographically encompass the state.

CAAs not only provide a variety of services, such as nutrition assistance, transportation, and employment training education, but they also integrate and coordinate the delivery of these services throughout the local communities.

As the Community Action motto describes, “Community Action changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.”

CAAs are governed by a board of directors consisting of elected local public officials, appointed leaders from the private sector, and representatives of the low-income community. This unique public/private sector partnership is one of the keys to the success of the effort. It is designed to tap the knowledge, experience, and perspectives of all community stakeholders—including the poor themselves.

The Community Action network also utilizes a uniform measure of success, state-wide to determine client progress toward accomplishing and sustaining self-sufficiency. Agencies and programs can now be assessed by outcomes, rather than by levels of activity and can clearly demonstrate their effectiveness.