Development, Volunteer, and Other Community Assistance Programs Act

Development, Volunteer, and Other Community Assistance Programs Act - Title I: Domestic Volunteer Services - Provides for the establishment of the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program of full-time volunteer service. States that the purpose of this Act is to strengthen and supplement efforts to eliminate poverty and poverty-related human, social, and environmental problems in the United States. Authorizes the Director of the program to recruit, select, and train persons to serve in full-time volunteer programs consistent with the provisions, and to carry out the purposes, of this Act.

Authorizes the Director to provide a stipend to volunteers, while they are in training and during their assignments, enrolled for periods of service of not less than one year under this Act. States that such stipend shall not exceed $50 per month during the volunteer's service.

Provides for the University Year for ACTION (UYA) program of full-time volunteer service by students enrolled in institutions of higher education. States that the purpose of this Act is to strengthen and supplement efforts to eliminate poverty and poverty related human, social, and environmental problems. Authorizes the use of funds for special service-learning programs.

Empowers the Director to engage in special volunteer programs or demonstration programs, such as a program to provide alternatives to the incarceration of youthful offenders.

Sets up a series of national older American volunteers programs, including: (1) a retired senior volunteer program; (2) a foster grandparent program; and (3) an older American community service program. Details the conditions for the making of grants and contracts for such programs.

Provides for national volunteers programs to assist small businesses and promote volunteer service by persons with business experience. Sets up the framework for the organization and administration of such programs.

Title II: Community Services - Provides for community action programs and agencies, prescribes the structure, and describes the functions of community action agencies. Authorizes financial assistance to community programs and related projects and activities. Enumerates the authorities which a community action agency must hold to qualify for designation under this Act. Provides for the establishment of boards of not more than 51 members to govern the community action agencies, detailing the powers and functions of such agencies.

Requires each agency to encourage the establishment of housing developments and service organizations to focus on the housing needs of low-income families and individuals.

Prescribes the general provisions to be followed by the Director in providing financial assistance to community action agencies in carrying out programs under this Act. Provides for the development of special programs relating to: (1) legal services; (2) emergency food and community nutrition; (3) environmental action; and (4) rural housing development and rehabilitation.

Calls for the development of neighborhood centers and employment of area residents in carrying out the purposes of this Act. Provides for the allotment of funds among the States and sets limitations on assistance.

Empowers the Director to make grants to community-based design and planning organizations to provide technical and architectural service to persons and organizations not otherwise able to afford such assistance.

Provides for the creation of a youth recreation and sports program for disadvantaged youth and for consumer action and cooperative programs to low-income persons. Directs the Director to further the extension of benefits to residents of rural areas.

Requires the submission of plans to State Governors prior to the granting of assistance under this Act. Sets special financial and regulatory limitations on programs, including that the use of family services shall not be a prerequisite to the receipt of other services under this Act.

Establishes a series of special programs to combat poverty in rural areas, including rural loan programs and assistance for migrant and other seasonally employed farmworkers and their families.

Provides for assistance in establishing and strengthening small business concerns. Empowers the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to provide aid for technical and managerial assistance for projects.

Sets up work experience, training, and day care programs. Provides for the establishment of special programs of assistance to agencies conducting activities which are directed toward the solution of critical problems existing in particular low-income communities. Prescribes the requirements to be met before financial assistance will be granted for such purposes.

Provides for support to self-help programs which promote the economic development and independence of low-income persons in rural areas.

Requires the Director to provide for the continuing evaluation of programs under this Act. Calls for cooperation among Federal agencies. Requires the publication of evaluation results and the evaluation of programs by other administering agencies.

Title III: Administration and Coordination - Establishes in the executive branch the Agency for Development, Volunteer, and Other Community Assistance Programs, headed by a Director. Outlines the powers and duties of the Director and places restrictions on any political activities pursuant to this Act.

Creates in the Agency a National Advisory Council on Community Services to advise the Director and review programs under this Act. Creates in the Agency a National Voluntary Service Council to perform policy and advisory duties.

Expresses the intent of Congress that the problems of the elderly poor shall be considered in carrying out this Act. Sets limitations: (1) on benefits to those who are voluntarily poor; (2) with respect to specified unlawful activities; and (3) on Federal administrative expenses.

Provides for: (1) notice and hearing procedures for suspension and termination of financial assistance; (2) the distribution of benefits between rural and urban areas; and (3) audits and the transfer of personnel of ACTION and the Office of Economic Opportunity.

Details the responsibilities of the Director and provides for coordination of the programs under this Act with other appropriate and related projects. Establishes an information center to insure maximum use is made of available programs under this Act.

Title IV: Transfer of Programs - Headstart - Follow Through Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to provide financial aid to Project Headstart agencies. Authorizes appropriations for such purposes. Enumerates the required powers and functions of Headstart agencies prior to receiving funds under this Act. Requires annual revision of the poverty line which shall be used as a criterion of eligibility for participation in Headstart programs.

Requires the Secretary to make a public announcement of research or demonstration contracts. Provides for the continuing evaluation of programs under this title. Defines the terms used in this Act. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1977 to carry out the purposes of this part.

Native American Program Extension Act - Provides for financial and technical assistance to promote the economic and social self-sufficiency for American Indians and Alaskan natives. Authorizes appropriations for such programs.

Empowers the Secretary to provide aid for pilot and demonstration projects which are designed to test or assist in the development of new methods to overcome special problems or otherwise further the purposes of this title. Authorizes appropriations of such sums as necessary for fiscal years 1975-1977 for such aid.

Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) in the Administration on Aging, a Senior Opportunities and Services Program to identify and meet the needs of older, poor persons over sixty; and (2) a Comprehensive Health Services Program to concentrate on health services for the poor.

Title V: Authorization of Appropriations - Authorizes appropriations for specified titles and provisions of this Act.

Title VI: General Provisions - Defines the terms used in this Act. Repeals the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 and the Economic Opportunity Act of 1974.