A. Prior to rescission of designation of a community action agency, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce shall:

1. Determine whether the existing or proposed community action agency is in compliance with Sections 41, 42 and 43 of this act;

2. Evaluate the existing or proposed community action agency service area, and, as may be necessary, modify the boundaries of the service area so that services will be adequately and efficiently provided;

3. Provide a written notice containing the reasons for the anticipated action to the chairman of the board of the existing or proposed community action agency.

B. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce may rescind the designation of a community action agency if it is found that the community action agency is not in compliance with any or all of the provisions of Sections 41, 42 and 43 of this act.

Any agency whose designation is rescinded pursuant to this section may appeal the order of rescission in accordance with existing state and federal law. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce shall consider a community action agency or agencies for the assumption of all or a portion of the service area of a community action agency with contiguous borders whose designation may be rescinded.

Added by Laws 1986, c. 207, § 45, operative July 1, 1986.

74-5040. Purpose and activities of community action agency.

A. A community action agency shall serve as a primary advocate for the reduction of the causes, conditions and effects of poverty and shall provide social and economic opportunities that foster self-sufficiency for low-income persons. Any service provided by a community action agency through the Community Services Block Grant opportunity shall be made available to all eligible persons within the community action agency's service area. The activities of a community action agency shall, subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, include but not be limited to the following:

1. Informing state and local governments, private agencies and organizations, and citizens of the nature and extent of poverty within the service area;

2. Developing, administering, and operating community social and economic programs to reduce poverty within the entire area;

3. Providing and advocating for training and technical assistance to the poor and other residents within the service area to better define human problems, improve services, and facilitate citizen participation;

4. Promoting interagency cooperation and coordination in providing services to low-income persons;

5. Entering into contracts with federal, state, and local public and private agencies and organizations as necessary to carry out the purposes of this act; and

6. Engaging in any other activity necessary to fulfill the intent of this section and Sections 5034 through 5039 of this title.

B. The Department of Commerce shall not execute a contract with a community action agency until the applicant submits, and the Department approves, a budget work program for expenditure of funds. Each contract shall require audits of expenditures, as provided in rules promulgated by the Department.

Added by Laws 1986, c. 207, § 46, operative July 1, 1986. Amended by Laws 2012, c. 301, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2012.