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Initiated in 1965 as part of Lyndon B. Johnson’s "war
on poverty", CAAs comprise a nationwide network of 1,122 agencies
serving more than 10 million low-income people annually (of which 3
million are children) in 96% of the nation’s counties (100% of Michigan
counties are covered).
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CAAs primarily serve the "working poor". These
are individuals/families that are employed, but do not make livable
wages and it is difficult for them to afford basic household needs.
Customers include single parent households, families, children, seniors,
persons with disabilities, and households with emergency needs.
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CAAs may be public or private entities, but all are
governed by a local tripartite Board of Directors comprised of
representation from the public (local government), private (business),
and consumer sectors. Ninety percent of CAAs are private, nonprofit
corporations.
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Based on FY 2000 data, CAAs reported the use of over
27 million volunteer hours.
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Michigan’s 30 CAAs serve over 1.5 million residents
annually and employ over 4,000 people.
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Michigan’s CAAs administer over a quarter billion
dollars in federal, state and local resources. A primary financial
resource for CAA operation is the Community Services Block Grant, which
provides core funding for many activities. Through this federal support,
the CSBG dollar leverages almost $4 in state, local and private
contributions.
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CAAs collaborate with a wide range of local entities
to maximize resource capabilities, i.e. FIA, Red Cross, Salvation Army,
to cost share expenses for emergency services. Cooperative
arrangements are also in place with schools, faith-based organizations,
and childcare groups to provide children’s programs. In addition, CAAs
work with groups and local units of government in implementing
strategies for various improvements, to solve problems, and address
unmet needs.
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CAAs have the broad-based resources, organizational
capacity and accountability emphasis necessary to make them the logical
focus for many of the state’s effort to support families and
individuals. They bring together a wide range of federal, state and
local resources to implement the best approaches to solving the problems
of poverty.
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CAAs are multi-purpose…they operate a variety of
programs and provide services that promote and support self-sufficiency.
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CAAs are knowledgeable and experienced in the areas
of Education, Health Care, Housing, Community Development, Senior
Services and Welfare Reform.
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CAAs identify unmet needs in their communities and
coordinate and leverage resources to develop short-term and long-term
solutions to meet the needs.
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