Community Action: Lessons from Forty Years of Federal Funding, Anti-Poverty Strategies, and Participation of the Poor

Abstract

ABSTRACT Since 1964, community action has been funded by the federal government to fight poverty at the local level. Its extensive network of Community Action Agencies (CAAs) is a long-standing example of public-private partnership that offers important lessons regarding federal devolution and anti-poverty efforts. This study examines three critical aspects of community action–reliance on federal funding, choice of anti-poverty strategies, and participation of the poor. The study's findings indicate that CAAs' current dependency on government support, service delivery model, and limited local involvement challenge their ability to reduce poverty. Implications for federal anti-poverty policy and practice are discussed.