Iowa Code Title VI. Human Services [Chs. 216-255A] § 216A.96. Duties of community action agency

1. Plan and implement strategies to alleviate the conditions of poverty and encourage self-sufficiency for citizens in its service area and in Iowa. In doing so, an agency shall plan for a community action program by establishing priorities among projects, activities, and areas to provide for the most efficient use of possible resources.

2. Obtain and administer assistance from available sources on a common or cooperative basis, in an attempt to provide additional opportunities to low-income persons.

3. Establish effective procedures by which the concerned low-income persons and area residents may influence the community action programs affecting them by providing for methods of participation in the implementation of the community action programs and by providing technical support to assist persons to secure assistance available from public and private sources.

4. Encourage and support self-help, volunteer, business, labor, and other groups and organizations to assist public officials and agencies in supporting a community action program by providing private resources, developing new employment opportunities, encouraging investments in areas of concentrated poverty, and providing methods by which low-income persons can work with private organizations, businesses, and institutions in seeking solutions to problems of common concern.