HD43 - Review of Community Action in Virginia
Executive Summary: Community action programs are designed to help low-income individuals become self-sufficient. Most community action programs are administered by community action agencies (CAAs). CAAs are locally operated agencies which are either nonprofit incorporated entities, agencies of local government, or quasi-public agencies. There are 27 local CAAs and four community action statewide organizations operating in Virginia. Community action is primarily federally funded and locally controlled. For the most part, CAAs are autonomous and able to determine their own particular missions, programs, operational requirements, and funding strategies. However, the Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) is charged with distributing some funds to the CAAs and statewide organizations and overseeing their operations. The department, the 27 CAAs, and the four statewide organizations comprise the community action "system" in Virginia. Although each CAA can describe case examples of successful program performance, a system-wide assessment showed that CAA performance is mixed. Not all CAAs perform equally well. Extreme variability is evident in the number of programs offered, as well as in the success with which these programs are conducted. CAA funding has increased over the past six years. Nearly $50 million was received by the community action system in FY 1988. Community action funding is received from numerous sources and is used to provide various program services. Varied programs and multiple funding sources make accountability imperative for CAAs. However, problems exist with certain CAA programs and procedures that make accountability difficult. Further, DSS needs to significantly strengthen its oversight of community action. This report summary briefly references study findings and recommendations. Detailed explanations are contained in the text of the report. |
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