What is Community Action
- Home
- /
- About Us
What is Community Action?
In 1964, the U.S. poverty rate affected 19 percent of Americans. In response to rising political forces demanding change, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared a War on Poverty. With the signing of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, the newly established White House Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO), numerous entities such as AmeriCorps, Head Start, and the Community Action Program (CAP) were born. These programs aimed to provide services, assistance, and activities to eliminate poverty by developing employment opportunities, improving human performance, and bettering living conditions.
The Economic Opportunity Act
Local Community Action Agencies (CAAs) became the primary vehicle for combating poverty nationwide with the signing of the Economic Opportunity Act in 1964. KCEOC Community Action Partnership was established that same year as one of the original 23 Community Action Agencies in the country, founded in response to President Johnson’s declaration of the War on Poverty. For six decades, KCEOC has provided assistance and promoted self-sufficiency for citizens of limited income.
KCEOC has grown from a single-county focus to serving 16 counties across eastern and central Kentucky, working alongside our communities through impactful services such as access to safe and affordable housing, financial empowerment and education, reducing energy burden with energy-savings and utility payment programs, educational support, advocacy, and contributing to the economic vitality of the region.
Some Key Points That All CAAs Share
Maximum Feasible Participation: A controversial feature of the Act required the active involvement of the people directly affected (primarily the poor) in decision-making about how federal funds would be spent in their communities. This challenged long-established power structures and emphasized community engagement. Every three years, KCEOC conducts a Community Needs Assessment where we dig deep and identify the top needs of our communities.
Tripartite Board Structure: Each CAA is governed by a board of directors consisting of at least one-third low-income community members, one-third public officials, and up to one-third private sector leaders. This structure ensures representation from multiple perspectives.
Programs and Initiatives: CAAs engage in a broad range of activities, including promoting citizen participation, providing utility bill assistance, home weatherization, housing assistance, and community coordination. In addition to these services, KCEOC provides early childhood education, housing and food assistance, economic development, job training, and emergency services, in an effort to meet as many needs as possible.
KCEOC is part of Community Action Kentucky (CAK), the statewide association representing and supporting all 23 Community Action agencies across the Commonwealth, and is also a member of the National Community Action Partnership, the national network connecting Community Action Agencies across the country.
KCEOC and other Community Action Agencies face multifaceted challenges, but our commitment to empowering communities remains unwavering. By staying adaptable, collaborative, and focused on our mission, we continue to make a positive impact on people’s lives. Community Action Agencies continue to connect children and families to greater opportunities, transforming lives and strengthening communities across the nation. KCEOC regularly assists thousands of individuals a year. Our commitment to self-sufficiency and “Helping People Help Themselves and Each Other” remains central to our mission.
Community Action Agencies are connected by our commitment to the Promise of Community Action: 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.