Ch. 654                                    1996 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(ii) Funds and contributions received from private or local public
sources for community action programs; and

(iii) Funds received from State or federal assistance programs under
which a public or private nonprofit agency may act as a grantee, contractor, or sponsor of
projects suitable for community action programs;

(2)     Receive and administer federal funds from federal block grants
previously designated as anti-poverty funds, subject to applicable federal law or
regulation; and

(3)     Transfer funds and delegate responsibility to a subsidiary board, council,
or similar agency for projects designed to further program objectives.

(h) In addition to the duties set forth elsewhere in this section, a community
action agency shall:

(1)     Plan systematically for an effective community action program,
including:

(i) An evaluation of information on the causes and problems of
poverty in the target community;

(ii) An assessment of the use and impact of current financial
assistance; and

(iii) The establishment of priorities between projects, activities, and
target areas in order to achieve the best and most efficient use of resources.

(2)     (i) Encourage subsidiary boards, councils, or agencies engaged in
community action program related projects to plan for, secure, and administer available
financial assistance on a cooperative basis;

(ii) Provide technical and organizational assistance to the subsidiary
boards, councils, or agencies; and

(iii) Take affirmative action to supplement local efforts to combat
poverty by:

1.       Focusing resources towards the most needy;

2.       Providing employment opportunities for low income persons;

3.       Closing service gaps; and

4.       Enabling low income persons to participate in community
action programs and projects.

(3)     Initiate and sponsor community projects responsive to the needs of the
poor, with particular emphasis on:

(i) The establishment of a pool of resources to serve a variety of
community action programs;

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