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The Community Assets Network is based on an underlying software
platform formerly developed to support the Civic Action Network (CAN), which served the Pennsylvania
Cambria County area with a Program and Services system. The CAN project and software program
were originally developed by Dr. Jon Darling and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown with support
of a Link2Learn grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education. (Civic Action Network
History)
However, when the CAN project was suspended in 1999, the system became dormant. Subsequently,
the Community Action Association of Pennsylvania (CAAP) acquired the first version of the underlying
software program.
CAAP desired to:
Facilitate delivery of information about community resource assets in order to improve the quality of
life for citizens all across Pennsylvania.
Provide a no-cost tool to its Community Action network and other organizations enabling them to share
resource information in an uncomplicated manner.
Provide listings of vital community assets such as food, shelter, fuel assistance, childcare and many,
many more.
CAAP made it searchable by county, added a number of other features, and is now available on the World
Wide Web.
New York State Community Action Association (NYSCAA) has partnered with Community Action Association of Pennsylvania to create
a New York state counterpart for the Community Assets PA system: Community
Assets New York (CANY). CANY is a member of the growing number of states
joining the Community Assets information and referral family.
Today, CAAP offers easy, free access by individuals and organizations to community resources
offered by its member Community Action Agencies as well as neighborhood associations,
schools and colleges, governments, civic groups, faith-based organizations, and others. It
reduces the digital divide and takes full advantage of technology to help people change their
lives for the better.
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