In 1965, there were four single-county community action agencies struggling to find their roles in the war against poverty. There was much criticism and there were internal conflicts. Politics was, of course, involved in the individual counties. VISTA and Community Action workers were called Communists on many occasions.

An organization of unemployed coal miners and their families developed into an organization called the Appalachian Committee for Full Employment. In the fall of 1964, the organization submitted to OEO a proposal for a Community Action project for the four counties. This application was not approved because the organization did not represent any of the local leadership of the area.

A merger of the Upper Kentucky River counties was organized and did get funded and was incorporated under the name of Leslie, Knott, Letcher, Perry (LKLP) Community Action Council, Incorporated.