Sec.17-470-4. Authority of community action agencies

A community action agency shall have authority to enter into contracts with private and public nonprofit agencies, to receive and administer funds received pursuant to Chapter 311 of the Connecticut General Statutes, to receive and administer funds and contributions from private and local public sources which may be used in support of a community action program, and to receive and administer funds under any federal or state assistance program pursuant to which a public or private nonprofit agency, organized in accordance with this chapter could act as grantee, contractor or sponsor of projects appropriate for inclusion in a community action program. Community action agencies and limited purpose agencies previously funded by the Community Services Administration, subject to federal law or regulation, shall be given first priority in the allocation of federal funds under the Community Services Block Grant Act or of any subsequent federal funds that were previously designated as Community Services Administration funds. Such funds shall be distributed through an agreement between the commissioner and the community action agencies. The agreement will be based on criteria that include the percentage of population that is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guideline established by the Office of Management and Budget in each Community Action Agency service district; the demography of each Community Action Agency service area; the availability of funds; and the discretion of the Commissioner. If such agreement is not reached by four weeks before the block grant plan is to be submitted to the general assembly pursuant to section 4-28b, the governor and the commissioner shall make the final decision on distribution. In the event the community services block grant is eliminated, each community action agency shall also be given due consideration, subject to the restrictions of applicable law or regulations, in the distribution of federal, state or municipal funds that are available to support antipoverty programs that have been administered by that agency on or after July 1, 1981. A community action agency, subject to the approval of its governing board, shall have authority to transfer funds received and to delegate powers to other agencies.

(Effective March 5, 1986)