(1) The community action agency network, established initially under the federal economic opportunity act of 1964 and subsequently under the federal community services block grant program of 1981, as amended, shall be a delivery system for federal and state antipoverty programs in this state, including but not limited to the community services block grant program, the low-income energy assistance program, and the federal department of energy weatherization program.
(2) Local community action agencies comprise the community action agency network. The community action agency network shall serve low-income persons in the counties. Each community action agency and its service area shall be designated in the state federal community service block grant plan as prepared by the department of commerce.
(3) Funds for antipoverty programs may be distributed to the community action agencies by the department of commerce and other state agencies in consultation with the authorized representatives of community action agency networks.