In 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared the "War on Poverty" and created a task force headed by Sargent Shriver to assist with developing policy for his anti-poverty agenda. The result of this effort was the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. The EOA Act defined a model local delivery entity called a Community Action Agency and defined their purpose. The organizations were
"...to stimulate a better focusing of all available local, State, private, and Federal resources upon the goal of enabling low-income families, and low-income individuals of all ages, in rural and urban areas, to attain the skills, knowledge, and motivation to secure the opportunities needed for them to become self-sufficient."
Funding to the CAAs came directly from the federal level to the local entity.
Under President Gerald Ford's administration, the Economic Opportunity Act was terminated and replaced with the Community Service Act. Although the name changed, the purpose and structure remained the same and funding continued to come directly to the CAAs, by-passing the States. In 1981 under President Ronald Reagan, the Community Service Act created the Community Service Block Grant and defined the role of the States to administer the funds. An office was established in the Department of Health and Human Services to transfer funds to the States. The purpose and utilization of CAAs remained the same.
In 1989, the Community Service Block Grant Act was passed into law and is the legislation in which CAAs operate under today.
For over 50 years Central WV Community Action, Inc. has played an integral part of a state and nation-wide network of Community Action Agencies dedicated to eliminating poverty. CWVCAA has worked continuously to deliver critical services that can most effectively address the root causes and effects of poverty.
