About CAAP

The Community Action Association of Pennsylvania (CAAP) is a statewide membership organization representing all 43 Community Action Agencies in the Commonwealth.

CAAP acts as a statewide voice for local Community Action Agencies and low-income citizens. It is the primary source of advocacy, education, technical assistance, news and networking for the Community Action network of Pennsylvania.

For over 40 years, CAAP has served the needs of its member agencies by helping to identify and sponsor professional training in anti-poverty areas, facilitating regular meetings of Community Action Agency leadership staff and board members, serving as the conduit for resource development, advocating for public policy conducive to the locally-developed goals of its membership and promoting legislation and regulations which support economic opportunity efforts, community development and locally-designed strategies.

CAAP is a private non-profit corporation governed by a Board of Directors comprised of representative from member agencies. An Advisory Council consisting of representatives from public and private organizations, statewide interest groups and low-income individuals, provides guidance and perspective related to the diverse needs of low-income persons.

Core funding for CAAP is provided through member agency dues. Program and training funds are provided in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Federal Office of Community Services and the Corporation for National Community Service.

Mission Statement

CAAP empowers community action agencies to solve community problems.

Vision Statement

CAAP is recognized by Pennsylvania's policy setting and legislative groups as the authority on issues of poverty, self-sufficiency, and community development.

CAAP Core Values

• Compassion
   
• Honesty
   
• Reliability

CAAP Strategic Goals

Goal #1: Build a membership service organization that supports community action agencies in increasing their capacity to achieve measurable results.

Goal #2: Define and build support for a membership supported public policy agenda that enables Pennsylvanians to achieve self-sufficiency.

Goal #3: Generate new and expanded funds and resources for community action agencies to increase their capacity to achieve results.

Goal #4: Increase the visibility of CAAP and its membership, and build expanded partnerships with like-minded organizations.

Download 2011 CAAP annual report