ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY

In 1964, the U. S. Congress enacted the Economic Opportunities Act which required that local community action programs be "developed, conducted and administered with the maximum feasible participation of residents of the areas and members of the groups served" in order to qualify for federal grants. On October 19, 1965, the Montgomery County Council created the Community Action Committee (CAC) with the authority and responsibility for developing and coordinating community action programs. Its members were comprised of representatives from public agencies, civic and other County organizations, and residents from areas with high levels of poverty.

The Economic Opportunities Act also mandated the establishment of a Community Action Agency (CAA) which could be a private organization or a department of the local government. The tasks of this agency were to define the conditions that caused or continued poverty in the area, determine what resources were available, and plan a program that would attempt to eliminate some cause or causes of poverty. The Montgomery County CAA was required to submit its proposals to the Community Services Administration (CSA), formerly the Office of Economic Opportunity, which administered the program. Upon approval, the CSA granted funds to the CAA to cover most of the administrative costs of the program. The local agency supplied the rest of the cost, either in cash or in services, staff, or facilities.

In 1975, it was decided that the County formulate a law reflecting the federal and county amendments that had been enacted over the years. The County Council therefore created a new CAA within the Executive Branch "to serve as an advocate on behalf of low-income groups, maintaining an overview of public or private actions and proposals which affect them, and taking constructive action in their best interest; to research and analyze materials relating to activities for these citizens; to review plans of other governmental units concerning them; to conduct educational programs and meetings; to counsel and advise residents and governmental units concerning the needs of low-income families and individuals; and to conduct programs to meet those needs that are not being met, or cannot be met, by existing or proposed agencies." Its members numbered between 27 and 39 and were appointed by the County Executive subject to confirmation by the Council. At least one-third represented low-income areas, approximately one-third came from public agencies, and the rest from business, community and civic organizations. The CAC was its designated governing board, and it was staffed by County employees under an executive director.

The CAC continues to represent the interests of low-income residents by initiating, monitoring and evaluating programs that meet their needs, and by focusing local resources on assisting these citizens to attain the skills, knowledge and motivation necessary for self-sufficiency. Primarily a referral and information agency, the CAC also provides transportation and health services, legal aid, training and educational programs, and other community improvement activities.

PROCESSING PROCEDURES

General processing procedures consisted of discarding duplicates, unnecessary binders, and routine transmittals. Oversized documents and photographs were removed from the original location in their assigned series and placed in separate containers. Separation sheets were inserted in the original location within the folder to indicate the new location of any records placed elsewhere.

Preservation copying of newspaper clippings was performed whenever feasible. Records in folders were arranged, unless otherwise indicated, in forward chronological order, with undated records appearing at the end of the folder.

PROVENANCE

Some of the minutes were transferred from Rockville Library in 1998 and 1999.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The records of the Montgomery County Community Action Committee comprise 1.0 cubic feet of materials dating from 1968 to 1996 and document the activities of its board of directors. Records consist primarily of minutes, agendas, reports, memoranda, and correspondence. There is a gap in the materials from 1980 to 1990.

The records are arranged in three series:

Series I: Administrative

Series II: Minutes

Series III: Subcommittees.

SERIES DESCRIPTIONS

Series I: Administrative, 1968-1980 (0.1 cu.ft.)

These records document the early organization, plans, proposals, projects, reports, and surveys of the Committee. They also include copies of Counteraction, the newspaper of the Community Action Agency Board; progress reports; brochures; and grant-related materials.

Series II: Minutes, 1973-1996 (0.8 cu.ft.)

This series contains minutes, agendas and handouts for Board meetings. Many minutes are missing, and there is a large gap from July 1980 to February 1990. Other materials include correspondence, memoranda, press releases, statements, notes, newspapers and newsletters, membership lists, bylaws, notices, and clippings.

Series III: Subcommittees, 1972-1976 (0.1 cu.ft.)

This series contains minutes, notes, sample forms, reports, correspondence, lists, agendas, and memoranda relating to various subcommittees of the Community Action Committee.

Box 1

Series I: Administrative

[General], 1968-1978

[General], 1979-1980

Series II: Minutes

October-November 1973

January-July 1974

September 1974

October 1974

May-July 1975

May-June 1976

September 1976

October-December 1976

Box 2

January 1977

February-June 1977

July 1977

September 1977

November 1977

December 1977

February-September 1978

November 1978

December 1978

January 1979

March 1979

April 1979

May 1979

June-December 1979

Box 3

November 1979

January 1980

February 1980

March 1980

April-June 1980

July 1980

February-November 1990

March-December 1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

Series III: Subcommittees

Food Stamp Advisory Committee, 1972

Health Committee, May-June 1975

Welfare Subcommittee, 1975-1976