Mission and Vision
ACAAA’s mission is to provide education, advocacy, and a unified voice for Community Action Agencies to reduce poverty and promote thriving communities in Arkansas.
Arkansas Community Action Agencies Association serves as the hub for a historic network of local community-based private, nonprofit organizations that provide assistance to low- to moderate-income individuals across the state.
Community Action Agencies give people the chance to bring stability back into their lives while taking crucial steps towards self-sufficiency. CAAs enable participants to become engaged members of their community; clients are encouraged to embrace more fulfilling, productive, and enriching paths.
The role of ACAAA is to offer support to the state’s agencies, support which includes continuing education through training and technical assistance to comply with state and national regulations. Because a crucial element in the mission of community action is achieving substantive and measurable results, ACAAA’s efforts are fundamentally informed by a performance-based initiative known as “ROMA”—a.k.a. Results Oriented Management and Accountability.
Equally important is ACAAA’s role as a statewide champion for the agencies’ efforts and for the interests of those Arkansans that they serve. Community Action Agencies were created specifically to be tailored to the individual needs of their respective communities, but the collective voice of their shared mission to assist those in need speaks through the association as one.
Community Action in Arkansas
Community Action Agencies (CAAs) assist 130,00 – 200,000 Arkansas annually, providing vital services that create pathways to prosperity. CAAs operate in all 75 counties, working to stabilize families, reduce poverty, and promote self-sufficiency through tailored, community-driven solutions. Our work aligns with federal and state priorities, helping families achieve economic mobility and reducing long-term dependence on public assistance.
Funding Allocation
Community Action is a proven model for moving Arkansans out of poverty. Our network leveraged a $10,490,971 CSBG finding allocation during FY24 to create forward paths for Arkansas families – demonstrating tenacity, innovation , and a strong infrastructure to maximize impact with limited resources. Because we are results-oriented, we ensure every dollar is stretched to provide critical services, economic, mobility, and long-term stability for those we serve.
Childcare & Econmics
CAAs provide critical early childhood education services but also strengthen community ties and enhance economics stability across the state. Head Start Programs support children’s growth from ages 3 to 5 though services that enhance early learning and develoopment, health, and family well-being. For every $1 of Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding, Arkansas’s CAAs have leveraged $30.10 from fedreal, state, local, and private sources, including the value of volunteer hours.
Workforce
CAAs are integral to a statewide network of agencies offering employment, education, training, and related services, particularly to individuals facing employment barriers, including veterans, individuals with disabilities, dislocated workers, adults, and youths. Beyond employment, CAAs provide holistic support, including housing assistance, financial literacy, and various factors that influence an individual’s ability to secure and maintain employment.
Upward Mobility
CAAs in Arkansas play a pivotal role in promoting upward mobility by implementing comprehensive programs designed to address the multifaceted challenges faced by low-income individuals and families. These programs are tailored to enhance economic self-sufficiency, educational attainment, and overall quality of life.
Results-Driven Programs
Recent reporting shows that CAAs assisted 42,284 individuals in securing employment, enhancing their financial stability and contributing to local economies, supported 27,389 households in obtaining or maintaining safe and affordable housing, thereby reducing homelessness and housing insecurity, and facilitated educational opportunities for 46,859 participants, leading to improved literacy, school readiness, and the attainment of diplomas or higher education degrees.
The Necessary Choice
CAAs have a deep local presence, understanding the unique challenges in rural and urban communities alike. Our agencies work hand-in-hand with local businesses, faith-based organizations, and government partners to build stronger, more resilient communities. Community Action is not just a safety net – it is a results-driven movement focused on economic mobility. Through innovative programs and strategic partnerships, we help low-income individuals and families move from crisis to self-sufficiency.