A community action agency shall plan systematically for an effective community action program, and in doing so shall: evaluate information on the causes and problems of poverty in the community; assess the use and impact of current financial assistance; and establish priorities among projects, activities, and target areas to achieve the best and most efficient use of resources. A community action agency shall: 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 provide technical and organizational assistance to the subsidiary boards, councils, and agencies. A community action agency shall actively supplement local efforts to combat poverty by: focusing resources on the most needy; providing employment opportunities for low–income persons; closing service gaps; and enabling low–income persons to participate in community action programs and projects. A community action agency shall initiate and sponsor community projects to help meet the needs of low–income persons with particular emphasis on: establishing a pool of resources to serve a variety of community action programs; developing versatile approaches and services; and implementing stopgap measures pending the expansion or modification of community action programs. A community action agency shall: establish procedures for community residents to: influence the character of their community action programs; and participate regularly in implementing those programs; and provide the necessary technical and advisory support to enable low–income persons and community groups to secure public and private financial assistance for themselves. 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: use private resources and capabilities for new employment opportunities; stimulate investments that measurably reduce poverty in areas of concentrated poverty; and provide residents in those areas with methods to work with private organizations, firms, and institutions to seek solutions to problems of common concern.