In 1964 Congress enacted PL 88-452, an omnibus bill, entitled the Economic Opportunity Act (EOA). The Act established the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) in the Executive Office of the President to direct and coordinate the mobilization of the human and financial resources of the nation to combat poverty in the United States. Initially, this War on Poverty was organized under seven titles. Title I, Youth Programs, established a Job Corps which provided education, work experience and vocational training in conservation camps and residential training centers for low income youth, age 16 through 21. Work Training programs enabled low income youth, age 16 through 21, to obtain full or part-time employment in order to continue or resume their education, and/or gain work experience. The Work-Study program offered part-time employment for low income students to enter or continue college level education. Title II, Urban and Rural Community Action Programs, created General Community Action Programs (CAP's) which elicited local initiative in the identification and resolution of poverty problems. Adult Basic Education Programs sought to instruct adults to read and write the English language effectively. Voluntary Assistance Programs for Needy Children encouraged personal, voluntary support of one or more needy children. Title III, Special Programs to Combat Poverty in Rural Areas, awarded grants up to $1,500. and loans up to $2,500. to low income rural families in order to increase the income of such families through improved farm operation. Migrant and seasonally employed agricultural workers and their families received housing, sanitation facilities, education and day care services. Dairy farmers who were required to remove pesticide-contaminated milk from commercial markets could now apply for indemnity payments. Title IV, Employment and Investment Incentives, authorized loans and guarantees of loans totaling no more than $25,000. for a 15 year period to small business concerns. Title V, Work Experience Program, conducted experimental pilot and demonstration projects in the training of unemployed fathers and other needy persons who were unable to support or care for themselves or their families. Title VI, Administration and Coordination, established the Office of Economic Opportunity and defined its authority. The Director of OEO was delegated to recruit, select and train Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA). Title VII guaranteed that an individual's opportunity to participate in certain programs under the Act should neither jeopardize nor be jeopardized by his receipt of public assistance.

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