Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 81.djvu/732

 698

PUBLIC LAW 90-222-DEC. 23, 1967

[81 STAT.

financial assistance on its merits. Before extending financial assistance to a new community action agency under this section, and in determining the amount of and conditions on which such assistance shall be extended, the Director shall consider the extent and nature of poverty in the community and the probable capacity of the agency to carry out an effective program. I n reviewing or supplementing financial assistance to a previously existing community action agency, he shall consider the progress made in carrying on programs by such agency. "SPECIAL PROGRAMS AND ASSISTANCE

"SEC. 222. (a) I n order to stimulate actions to meet or deal with particularly critical needs or problems of the poor which are common to a number of communities, the Director may develop and carry on special programs under this section. This authority shall be used only where the Director determines that the objectives sought could not be effectively achieved through the use of authorities under section 221, including assistance to components or projects based on models developed and promulgated by him. I t shall also be used only with respect to programs which (A) involve activities which can be incorporated into or be closely coordinated with community action programs, (B) involve significant new combinations of resources or new and innovative approaches, or (C) are structured in a way that will, within the limits of the type of assistance or activities contemplated, most fully and effectively promote the purposes of this title. Subject to such conditions as may be appropriate to assure effective and efficient administration, the Director may provide financial assistance to public or private nonprofit agencies to carry on local projects initiated under such special programs; but he shall do so in a manner that will encourage, wherever feasible, the inclusion of the assisted projects in community action programs, with a view to minimizing possible duplication and promoting efficiencies in the use of common facilities and services, better assisting persons or families having a variety of needs, and otherwise securing from the funds committed the greatest possible impact in promoting family and individual self-sufficiency. Programs under this section shall include those described in the following paragraphs: stl'rt'"^^'^* Head^^{^) A program to be known as 'Project Headstart' focused

Thi^ru ^h*"

serwcfs^"

upon children who have not reached the age of compulsory school attendance which (A) will provide such comprehensive health, nutritional, education, social, and other services as the Director , finds will aid the children to attain their full potential, and (B) will provide for direct participation of the parents of such children in the development, conduct, and overall program direction at the local level. " (^) ^ program to be known as 'Follow Through' focused pri; marily upon children in kindergarten or elementary school who . were previously enrolled in Headstart or similar programs and designed to provide comprehensive services and parent participa;. tion activities as described in paragraph (1), which the Director ,P finds will aid in the continued development of children to their '; full potential. Funds for such program shall be transferred diJ. rectly from the Director to the Secretary of Health, Education, ., and Welfare. Financial assistance for such projects shall be pro,.4 vided by the Secretary on the basis of agreements reached with the Director directly to local educational agencies except as otherwise provided by such agreements, " (^) ^ 'Legal Services' program to further the cause of justice among persons living in poverty by mobilizing the assistance of lawyers and legal institutions and by providing legal advice, legal representation, counseling, education, and other appropriate serv-

�