As a Community Action Agency, Schuylkill Community Action is governed by its Board of Directors. Schuylkill Community Action's Board consists of twenty-one (21) members, 1/3 of which are elected by low-income groups as representatives from designated organizations, groups or target areas; 1/3 representing elected public officials and 1/3 representing the private sector. This multi-sector participation allows those three groups to leverage distinct perspectives, understandings and strengths to the task of helping low-income people become more self-sufficient.

Primary funding originated from the Federal Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, which gave legal authority for local governments to establish community action agencies. This Act was a major part of President Johnson's "War on Poverty." The Economic Opportunity Act was the first major Legislation that required active citizen participation in planning and implementing federally funded programs at the local level.

In 1974, Congress amended the Economic Opportunity Act, creating the Community Services Administration. Implementation of CSA activities and monitoring was conducted through ten (10) Regional Offices. The Community Services Administration also funded State Economic Opportunity Offices, which were designated by the Governors in each state to mobilize resources at the state level to assist community action agencies.

In 1981, federal legislation known as the Omnibus Reconciliation Act repealed most of the Economic Opportunity Act. The Community Services Administration was eliminated as a separate federal agency and the Omnibus Reconciliation Act, Subtitle B, Section 671, established the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG). Funds provided to community action agencies through CSBG were now channeled through the states instead of coming directly from the federal government. The Federal Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Services now administers the CSBG Program. In Pennsylvania, the Department of Community & Economic Development, Office of Community Services receives the block grant funds, which are distributed by formula to community action agencies.

Schuylkill Community Action is currently the primary organization for addressing the needs of low-income residents of Schuylkill County. SCA still utilizes the Community Services Block Grant Program as its core funding source, and employs those funds to leverage a wide range of federal, state, local and private resources.