CCAP Foundational Concepts & Principles 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which federal legislation established the framework for Community Action Agencies and the War on Poverty?
- Social Security Act of 1935
- Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 (Correct answer)
- Community Services Block Grant Act of 1981
- Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996
Correct answer: Economic Opportunity Act of 1964
The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 created the legal foundation for Community Action Agencies as part of President Johnson's War on Poverty.
Question 2: The tripartite board structure of a Community Action Agency requires representation from which three sectors?
- Federal, state, and local government
- Low-income community, elected public officials, and private sector (Correct answer)
- Nonprofit, for-profit, and faith-based organizations
- Education, healthcare, and housing sectors
Correct answer: Low-income community, elected public officials, and private sector
CAA governing boards must include at least one-third low-income community members, one-third elected public officials or their representatives, and one-third private sector representatives.
Question 3: What is the primary funding mechanism that supports Community Action Agencies at the federal level?
- Title XX Social Services Block Grant
- Community Development Block Grant
- Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) (Correct answer)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Correct answer: Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) is the core federal funding stream that flows to states and then to Community Action Agencies.
Question 4: In the context of community action, 'self-sufficiency' is best described as:
- Complete independence from all government assistance programs
- A family's ability to meet basic needs without relying on emergency services
- The progressive movement of individuals and families toward economic security and well-being (Correct answer)
- Maintaining stable housing for at least 12 consecutive months
Correct answer: The progressive movement of individuals and families toward economic security and well-being
Self-sufficiency in community action refers to the gradual, ongoing process of individuals and families achieving greater economic security and independence over time.
Question 5: Which principle best describes the community action approach to addressing poverty?
- Charity-based service delivery focused on immediate relief
- Holistic, two-generation strategies that address root causes (Correct answer)
- Income transfer programs to redistribute wealth
- Punitive measures to incentivize workforce participation
Correct answer: Holistic, two-generation strategies that address root causes
Community action emphasizes holistic approaches that address the systemic root causes of poverty across generations, not just immediate needs.
Question 6: The National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP) primarily serves which function?
- Direct service delivery to low-income families nationwide
- Training and technical assistance for CSBG state administrators and CAAs (Correct answer)
- Setting federal poverty guidelines annually
- Certifying individual Community Action Professionals
Correct answer: Training and technical assistance for CSBG state administrators and CAAs
NASCSP provides training, technical assistance, and advocacy support to state CSBG administrators and the broader community action network.
Question 7: ROMA (Results Oriented Management and Accountability) is a performance management framework specifically designed to:
- Track federal expenditures and prevent grant fraud
- Measure and improve outcomes for low-income individuals served by CAAs (Correct answer)
- Standardize hiring practices across community action agencies
- Comply with IRS nonprofit reporting requirements
Correct answer: Measure and improve outcomes for low-income individuals served by CAAs
ROMA provides a systematic approach for CAAs to plan, implement, and measure the outcomes of their services for low-income individuals and communities.
CCAP Foundational Concepts & Principles 2
Which federal legislation established the framework for Community Action Agencies and the War on Poverty?