N.D. Cent. Code § 54-44.5-01: Definitions

In this chapter, unless the context or subject matter otherwise requires:

1."Community action agency" means a not-for-profit corporation that has authority under its charter and bylaws to receive funds to administer community action programs and which was officially designated as a community action agency or a community action program under section 210 of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 [Pub. L. 88-452; 78 Stat. 508; 42 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.] or any federal law concerning a block grant program or other appropriate federal funding of social or community services, unless the community action agency or a community action program lost its designation as a result of failure to comply with the provisions of federal law.

2."Community action program" means a community-based and operated program that includes an intake assessment and referral capability in each of its counties and is designed to include a number of projects or components to provide a range of services and activities having a measurable and potentially major impact on causes and conditions of poverty in the community or those areas of the community where poverty is a particularly acute problem. These services and activities may include activities designed to provide opportunities for eligible persons to:

a.Secure and retain meaningful employment;

b.Attain an adequate education;

c.Make better use of available income;

d.Obtain and maintain adequate housing and suitable living environment;

e.Obtain emergency assistance through grants and loans to meet immediate and urgent individual and family needs, including the need for health services, nutritious food, housing, and employment-related assistance;

f.Maximize the role community action agencies play in supportive mechanisms available to North Dakota families;

g.Remove obstacles and solve problems that block achievement of self-sufficiency;

h.Achieve greater participation in the affairs of the community;

i.Make more effective use of other programs; and

j.Engage in activities eligible for federal funding, including funding through a block grant for social or community services.

3."Department" means the department of commerce.

4."Director" means the director of the division.

5."Division" means the department division of community services.