History Flashcards

The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 was the centerpiece of what major presidential initiative?

Answer: The Great Society

The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 was the principal legislation of President Lyndon B. Johnson's 'Great Society' agenda and was enacted to lead his 'War on Poverty'. This act created Community Action Agencies and various programs to combat poverty nationwide.

A new Community Action Agency is establishing its board of directors. To comply with federal statutes, which of the following compositional requirements must be met?

Answer: At least one-third must be elected public officials, at least one-third must represent the low-income community, and the remainder from the private sector.

Federal law mandates a tripartite board structure for Community Action Agencies to ensure diverse community representation. This structure requires at least one-third of the board to be elected public officials, at least one-third to be representatives of the low-income community, and up to one-third to be leaders from the private sector.

Who was the first director of the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) and a key architect of the 'War on Poverty'?

Answer: Sargent Shriver

Sargent Shriver was appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson as the first director of the Office of Economic Opportunity. He was a driving force behind the creation and implementation of many 'War on Poverty' programs, including Head Start, VISTA, and Job Corps.

Which of the following concepts, central to the original Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, emphasized the importance of involving residents of the communities being served in the planning and administration of programs?

Answer: Maximum Feasible Participation

The phrase 'maximum feasible participation' was a key and sometimes controversial component of the Economic Opportunity Act. It mandated that Community Action Programs be developed and administered with the deep involvement of the residents they were intended to serve.

A Community Action Agency manager is explaining the agency's primary source of federal funding to a new board member. In 1981, the funding mechanism for Community Action Agencies was significantly altered by consolidating various funding streams into what?

Answer: The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)

In 1981, during the Reagan administration, the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) was created, consolidating the core federal funding for Community Action Agencies. This shifted administrative responsibility from the federal government to the states.

Which program, now a cornerstone of early childhood education for low-income families, originated from the Office of Economic Opportunity as part of the War on Poverty?

Answer: Head Start

Head Start was one of the original and most enduring programs launched by the Office of Economic Opportunity under the leadership of Sargent Shriver in 1965. It was designed to provide comprehensive early childhood education, health, nutrition, and parent involvement services to low-income children and their families.