Md. Code, Housing and Community Development § 8-107

(a) A community action agency shall plan systematically for an effective community action program, and in doing so shall:

(1) evaluate information on the causes and problems of poverty in the community;

(2) assess the use and impact of current financial assistance; and

(3) establish priorities among projects, activities, and target areas to achieve the best and most efficient use of resources.

(b) A community action agency shall:

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

(2) provide technical and organizational assistance to the subsidiary boards, councils, and agencies.

(c) A community action agency shall actively supplement local efforts to combat poverty by:

(1) focusing resources on 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.

(d) A community action agency shall initiate and sponsor community projects to help meet the needs of low–income persons with particular emphasis on:

(1) establishing a pool of resources to serve a variety of community action programs;

(2) developing versatile approaches and services; and

(3) implementing stopgap measures pending the expansion or modification of community action programs.

(e) A community action agency shall:

(1) establish procedures for community residents to:

(i) influence the character of their community action programs; and

(ii) participate regularly in implementing those programs; and

(2) provide the necessary technical and advisory support to enable low–income persons and community groups to secure public and private financial assistance for themselves.

(f) A community action agency shall join with and encourage business, labor, and other private or public officials and organizations to support community action programs that:

(1) use private resources and capabilities for new employment opportunities;

(2) stimulate investments that measurably reduce poverty in areas of concentrated poverty; and

(3) provide residents in those areas with methods to work with private organizations, firms, and institutions to seek solutions to problems of common concern.