[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 7, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7172-7176]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-3005]



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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE


Selection of AmeriCorps* VISTA Sponsors and Projects; Guidelines

agency: Corporation for National and Community Service.

action: Notice of guidelines with respect for comment.

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summary: The Corporation for National and Community Service (the 
Corporation) is issuing this notice concerning guidelines for the 
selection of AmeriCorps*VISTA sponsors and projects. The Corporation 
will refer to this program as AmeriCorps*VISTA. These guidelines 
outline the way AmeriCorps*VISTA will operate, the overall programmatic 
direction of the AmeriCorps*VISTA program, criteria for selection of 
AmeriCorps*VISTA sponsors and projects, and AmeriCorps*VISTA project 
approval procedures. The Corporation invites all interested parties to 
comment on the issues discussed in this notice. Any comments received 
will be given careful consideration in the development of the final 
guidelines.

dates: This notice is effective February 7, 1995. Comments must be 
received on or before March 24, 1995.

addresses: Comments may be mailed to the AmeriCorps*VISTA Office, The 
Corporation for National Community Service, Room 9217, 1201 New York 
Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20525. Comments received may also be 
inspected at Room 9120 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

for further information contact: Diana B. London, Deputy Director, 
AmeriCorps*VISTA, (202) 606-5000, extension 228. For individuals with 
disabilities, information will be made available in alternative 
formats, upon request.

supplementary information: The Final Notice of VISTA Guidelines, as 
published in the Federal Register, 50 FR 30982, July 31, 1985 and 55 FR 
9343, March 13, 1990, are no longer valid. Pursuant to Subtitle B, 
Chapter 1, section 321 of the National and Community Service Trust Act 
of 1993 (the Act) Pub. L. 103-82, the purpose of AmeriCorps*VISTA as 
provided in the Domestic Volunteer Service Act (42 U.S.C. 4950 et seq.) 
has been broadened to include strengthening local organizations to 
carry out the purpose of the program. Section 327 of the Act provides 
additional factors in approving applications for assistance under 
AmeriCorps*VISTA.
    This notice outlines the guidelines for the selection of 
AmeriCorps*VISTA sponsors and projects. The following provisions 
address the criteria for sponsorship of new and existing 
AmeriCorps*VISTA projects, criteria for project selection, and explain 
the approval process at the State level. In addition, the process for 
selecting national competitive and national demonstration 
AmeriCorps*VISTA projects is addressed.

Guidelines for Selection of AmeriCorps*VISTA Sponsors and Projects

Part I. Program Directions

    The Corporation for National and Community Service was established 
by the National and Community Service Act Trust Act of 1993, enacted 
into law on September 21, 1993. The Corporation manages several types 
of service initiatives, including the AmeriCorps National Service 
Network of programs. AmeriCorps is locally driven, offering resources 
to communities to design and implement their own solutions while 
maintaining a national AmeriCorps identity.
    The mission of AmeriCorps has four components:
    Getting Things Done--achieving demonstrable results in meeting 
Americans' educational, public safety, human, and environmental needs.
    Strengthening Communities--uniting citizens from different 
backgrounds and bringing together diverse institutions in partnerships 
to transform communities in need.
    Encouraging Responsibility--strengthening the spirit of citizenship 
through service, education about service, and understanding of 
communities.
    Expanding Opportunity--offering education awards in return for 
service, and providing invaluable life- and job-skills to members which 
they will carry through the rest of their lives.
    Within the AmeriCorps National Service Network of programs is 
AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America), authorized under 
Title I, Part A of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, as 
amended (Pub. L. 93-113). The statutory mandate of AmeriCorps*VISTA is 
``to eliminate and alleviate poverty and poverty-related problems in 
the United States by encouraging and enabling persons from all walks of 
life, all geographical areas, and all age groups * * * to perform 
meaningful and constructive volunteer service * * * where the 
application of human talent and dedication may assist in the solution 
of poverty and poverty-related problems and secure and exploit 
opportunities for self-advancement by persons afflicted with such 
problems. In addition, the objective of (AmeriCorps*VISTA) is to 
generate the commitment of private sector resources, to encourage 
volunteer service at the local level, and to strengthen local agencies 
and organizations to carry out the purposes (of the program)'' (42 
U.S.C. 4951).
    AmeriCorps*VISTA provides full-time, full-year members to local 
public [[Page 7173]] and private non-profit organizations which have 
goals in accord with AmeriCorps*VISTA's legislative mission, and have 
projects determined and defined by those to be served. Each 
AmeriCorps*VISTA project must focus on the mobilization of community 
resources, the transference of skills to community residents, and the 
expansion of the capacity of community-based and grassroots 
organizations to solve local problems. Programming should encourage 
permanent, long-term solutions to problems confronting low-income 
communities rather than short-term approaches for handling emergency 
needs. AmeriCorps*VISTA project sponsors must actively elicit the 
support and/or participation of local public and private sector 
elements in order to enhance the chances of a project's success, as 
well as to make the activities undertaken by AmeriCorps*VISTA self-
sustaining when the Corporation for National Service no longer provides 
those resources.

Part II. Criteria for Selection of AmeriCorps*VISTA Sponsors and 
Projects

A. Criteria for Sponsorship

    The following provisions explain the organizational requirements 
that must be met to sponsor an AmeriCorps*VISTA project; and the 
criteria necessary for selection of any AmeriCorps*VISTA project.
1. Organizational Selection Criteria
    The applicant must:
    a. Be a public sector organization or a private organization 
designated as non-profit by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). 
(Organizations that have submitted applications for non-profit status 
from the IRS will also be considered.)
    b. Comply with applicable financial and fiscal requirements 
established by the Corporation for National Service or other elements 
of the Federal Government.
    c. Have resources available for AmeriCorps*VISTA members to perform 
their tasks; i.e., space, consumable supplies, telephone, on-the-job 
transportation reimbursement; and be able to provide emergency cash 
advances when needed.
    d. Be able to mobilize community, public, and private sector 
resources to achieve short-term program goals and long-term project 
self-sufficiency goals, and to encourage local part-time volunteer 
service.
    e. Have the capacity and commitment to recruit, orient, train, 
supervise, and otherwise support locally and nationally-recruited 
AmeriCorps*VISTA members in appropriate capacity-building roles.
    f. Have an understanding of the concept of, and be committed to, 
promoting national service and AmeriCorps.
    g. Be experienced in the issues related to the beneficiaries of 
service and those being addressed by the proposed project.
    h. Have the capacity to build community partnerships and 
collaborative efforts in order to achieve project self-sufficiency.
2. Project Selection Criteria
    The proposed project must:
    a. Address the needs of low-income communities and otherwise comply 
with the provisions of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, 
(DVSA) as amended (42 U.S.C. 4951 et seq.) applicable to 
AmeriCorps*VISTA and all applicable published regulations, guidelines 
and Corporation policies.
    b. Lead to building organizational and/or community capacity to 
continue the efforts of the project once AmeriCorps*VISTA resources are 
withdrawn. This will be demonstrated through measurable goals and 
objectives and the stated AmeriCorps*VISTA tasks which are attainable 
within the time-frame of the project.
    c. Be designed to generate public and/or private sector resources 
and to promote local, part-time volunteer service.
    d. Describe in measurable terms the anticipated self-sufficiency 
outcomes at the conclusion of the project, including outcomes related 
to the sustainability of the project activities.
    e. Clearly state how AmeriCorps*VISTAs will be trained, supervised 
and supported to ensure the achievement of program goals and objectives 
as stated in the project work plan.
    f. Be internally consistent; the problem statement which 
demonstrates need, the project work plan, the AmeriCorps*VISTA 
assignment description, and all other components must be related 
logically to each other.
    g. Ensure that AmeriCorps*VISTA and community resources sufficient 
to achieve project goals and objectives are available.
    h. Involve beneficiaries of service in project development and 
implementation throughout the life of the project.
    i. Have the management and technical capability to implement the 
project successfully.
    j. Describe how the number of AmeriCorps*VISTA members being 
requested is appropriate for project goals and objectives, and how the 
skills qualifications described in the application are appropriate for 
the assignment(s).
    k. Describe how AmeriCorps*VISTA assignments are designed to 
utilize the full-time member's time to the maximum extent.

B. Prohibited Activities

    Applicant and current sponsoring organizations must ensure that the 
following prohibitions on AmeriCorps*VISTA and sponsor activity are 
observed:
    1. AmeriCorps*VISTA are prohibited by law from participating in:
    (a) Partisan and nonpartisan political activities, including voter 
registration and transporting voters to the polls.
    (b) Direct or indirect attempts to influence legislation, or 
proposals by initiative petition.
    (c) Any outside employment while in AmeriCorps*VISTA service.
    2. AmeriCorps*VISTA sponsoring organizations are prohibited by law 
from:
    (a) Carrying out projects resulting in the identification of such 
projects with partisan or nonpartisan political activities, including 
providing voters with transportation to the polls and any voter 
registration activity other than making voter registration applications 
and nonpartisan voter registration information available to the public 
on the premises.
    (b) Assigning AmeriCorps*VISTAs to activities which would otherwise 
be performed by employed workers and which would supplant the hiring of 
or result in the displacement of employed workers, or impair existing 
contracts for service.
    (c) Requesting or receiving any compensation for the services of 
AmeriCorps*VISTA members.
    (d) Using funds to finance, directly or indirectly, labor and anti-
labor organization and related activities.
    (e) Using funds appropriated to carry out AmeriCorps*VISTA 
programming for any activity for the purposes of influencing the 
passage or defeat of legislation or proposals by initiative petition 
unless otherwise permitted under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 
1973, as amended.
    3. AmeriCorps*VISTA members are prohibited from engaging in any 
religious activities as part of their duties. AmeriCorps*VISTA sponsors 
are prohibited from conducting any religious instruction, worship, 
proselytization or other religious [[Page 7174]] activity as part of 
the AmeriCorps*VISTA project.

Part III. Americorps*VISTA Project Approval Process

A. Project Approval Process for New Sponsors Selected at State Level

    In order to assure all potential sponsors equal consideration, the 
project approval process for new AmeriCorps*VISTA projects described 
below is to be followed. Existing projects seeking to change their 
programmatic emphasis areas and/or substantially change the scope of 
the activities and duties performed by AmeriCorps*VISTA members (e.g. 
from literacy to health care) must also comply with these procedures.
1. AmeriCorps*VISTA Pre-Application Requests
    a. Requests from potential sponsors for AmeriCorps*VISTA pre-
application forms must be submitted, in writing, to the Corporation 
State Office. The request should briefly outline the proposed use of 
AmeriCorps*VISTA members.
    b. Corporation State Office staff must respond to such requests 
within 5 working days of receipt by sending a pre-application form to 
the potential sponsoring organization, or advising the requestor that 
the organization would be an inappropriate sponsor (e.g. a for-profit 
organization).
    c. Potential sponsors must complete and return the pre-application 
form to the Corporation State Office within timeframes established by 
the State Office.
    d. Corporation State Office staff will review the pre-application 
form and advise the applicant in writing, within 10 working days of 
receipt of the form, as to whether to proceed with the development of a 
full AmeriCorps*VISTA project application. That decision is based on 
AmeriCorps*VISTA programming priorities, information on the applicant 
organization's track record within the community, and conformance with 
the Corporation State Office's Annual Plan that is due by March 1995, 
and thereafter, in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year.
2. AmeriCorps*VISTA Project Application Review
    a. Corporation State Office staff will send an AmeriCorps*VISTA 
project application and technical assistance materials to potential 
sponsoring organizations whose proposed project is consistent with 
AmeriCorps*VISTA program priorities and the Corporation State Office's 
approved Annual Plan. Applications submitted prior to the approval of 
the Annual Plan in March 1995 will be considered without the 
requirement of conformance with the Corporation State Office's Annual 
Plan.
    b. Prior to submission of the application, the State Office staff 
will arrange for a site visit to the applicant organization to provide 
technical assistance and to enhance Corporation State Office staff's 
knowledge of the applicant organization and the community to be served 
by the proposed project.
    c. The applicant organization will submit a completed application 
form to the Corporation State Office within the timeframe established 
by the State Office.
    d. The Corporation State Director will review the project 
application and render a final decision within 15 working days of 
receipt. For approved applications, the Corporation State Director may 
convene a community and/or peer panel for the purpose of strengthening, 
or adding value to, the proposed project. If a project application is 
approved, the Corporation State Director will advise the sponsoring 
organization in writing that the project has been approved for one year 
subject to the availability of funds. The Corporation State Office 
staff will also provide the organization with appropriate information 
on AmeriCorps*VISTA recruitment, placement, and training. The 
Corporation State Director will prepare, sign, and send a Memorandum of 
Agreement to the sponsoring organization for signature by an authorized 
official within the organization.
    e. The Corporation State Office staff will send to AmeriCorps*VISTA 
Headquarters a copy of the approved project application and letter to 
the sponsor. The official project document file will be retained in the 
Corporation State Office.
    f. Applicant organizations whose proposals are disapproved will be 
informed in writing by the Corporation State Director and provided 
reasons for disapproval.
    g. Project applications from current AmeriCorps*VISTA sponsors 
proposing to change programmatic emphases and/or substantially change 
the scope of activities performed by the AmeriCorps*VISTA members from 
those previously approved are not subject to the denial of refunding 
procedures contained in section 412 of the Domestic Volunteer Service 
Act of 1973, as amended, and 45 CFR part 1206, subpart B. Such 
applications will be treated as new project applications in accordance 
with the procedures outlined in III A above.

B. Project Approval Process for Existing AmeriCorps*VISTA Sponsors

    AmeriCorps*VISTA projects will be reviewed at the time of their 
renewal request to determine the extent to which approved project work 
plan goals and objectives are being met, paying special attention to 
capacity building and project self-sufficiency goals as well as to 
AmeriCorps*VISTA member retention and satisfaction with the service 
experience.
    The project approval process outlined below is to be followed for 
all AmeriCorps*VISTA sponsors seeking renewal of their existing 
AmeriCorps*VISTA projects with the exception of sponsors proposing to 
change programmatic emphasis and/or substantially change the scope of 
activities as described in paragraph A.2.g.
    1. At least 120 calendar days prior to the end of the Memorandum of 
Agreement, Corporation State Office staff will send out a renewal 
package to the sponsoring organization. In addition to an application 
form, the package should include any programmatic recommendations which 
the Corporation State Office staff believes are needed to improve the 
quality of the project based on information gleaned during site visits, 
from project progress reports, and from discussions with project staff 
and AmeriCorps*VISTA members.
    2. At least 90 calendar days prior to the end of the current 
Memorandum of Agreement, the sponsoring organization will submit the 
renewal project application to the Corporation State Office.
    3. The Corporation State Office staff will review the renewal 
application within 15 working days of receipt, or at least 75 calendar 
days prior to the end of the current Memorandum of Agreement. The 
review will include: a compliance review with AmeriCorps*VISTA 
regulations and program criteria; a review of progress being made 
toward achievement of capacity building and self-sufficiency goals; and 
conformance to the Corporation State Office's approved Annual Plan.
    4. If the renewal proposal is approved by the Corporation State 
Office staff, the Corporation State Director will send an approval 
letter to the sponsor along with a new Memorandum of Agreement for 
signature by an authorized official. The project will be continued for 
one year subject to the availability of funds. [[Page 7175]] 
    5. Corporation State Office staff will send to AmeriCorps*VISTA 
Headquarters a copy of the approved project application and a copy of 
the Corporation State Director's letter to the sponsor. The official 
project document file will be retained in the Corporation State Office.
    6. If the Corporation State Director disapproves the renewal 
project application, the sponsor will be notified by the Corporation 
State Director at least 75 calendar days in advance of the end of the 
current project period that the Corporation for National Service 
intends to deny the application of renewal. The sponsor will be given 
reasons for the tentative decisions and an opportunity to show cause 
why the application should not be denied in accordance with section 412 
of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, and 45 CFR part 1206, 
Subpart B. The project will be continued at its existing level of 
AmeriCorps*VISTA member and project support pending a final decision in 
accordance with 45 CFR part 1206, subpart B.
    7. If the final decision denies project renewal, AmeriCorps*VISTA 
whose terms of service extend beyond the project's expiration date are 
covered by the provisions of 45 CFR 1210.3-2(d).

C. Project Approval Process for Inter-Cluster Competitive Slots

    1. Upon receiving program priorities, guidance, and timeframes from 
AmeriCorps*VISTA Headquarters, Corporation field offices will develop a 
strategy for programming and soliciting concept papers from qualified 
application organizations. AmeriCorps*VISTA Project Applications which 
are currently under development may also be considered for competition 
through the submission of a concept paper. Application organizations 
will be notified that their concept papers are being entered into an 
inter-Cluster competitive process. (Corporation Clusters represent a 
group of Corporation State Offices.)
    2. Each Cluster Director shall appoint a review panel comprised of 
Corporation State Directors/Program Specialists with the Cluster 
Director serving as chair. The panel shall review and prioritize all 
concept papers, according to the selection criteria contained in Part 
II above. The Cluster Director shall submit all concept papers to the 
Director, AmeriCorps*VISTA, along with a written justification for its 
prioritized list.
    3. The Director, AmeriCorps*VISTA, shall review all concept papers 
and render a decision on which concept papers are approved for full 
development as AmeriCorps*VISTA projects. AmeriCorps*VISTA Headquarters 
staff will notify Cluster Directors in writing of its decisions and 
establish a time-frame for submission of completed applications to 
Corporation State Offices. The Corporation State Office staff shall 
notify all organizations which have submitted a concept paper of 
Headquarters' decisions.
    4. Corporation State Office staff shall provide AmeriCorps*VISTA 
project applications to organizations with approved concept papers and 
follow procedures for new sponsor development at the State level 
contained in Part III, A2 above. In this process, the approved concept 
paper takes the place of the pre-application form.
    5. Renewal applications from competitively-selected projects will 
follow the procedures set forth in III B above.

D. Project Approval Process for New AmeriCorps*VISTA National 
Demonstration Projects

    1. Applications for national demonstration projects will be 
generated by AmeriCorps*VISTA Headquarters staff which will arrange for 
technical assistance to be provided to potential sponsors.
    2. In addition to being reviewed by AmeriCorps*VISTA Headquarters 
staff, applications will be made available to those Corporation State 
Offices having components of proposed national demonstrations operating 
in their State. Corporation State Office staff will be asked to review 
such applications and to provide AmeriCorps*VISTA Headquarters with the 
results of their review focusing on components proposed for operation 
in their State.
    3. The Director of AmeriCorps*VISTA has approval authority for new 
national demonstration projects. Upon approval of a demonstration 
project, the Director of AmeriCorps*VISTA will take appropriate action 
to operationalize the project including coordination with Corporation 
State Offices having components within their jurisdiction.

E. Project Approval Process for Existing AmeriCorps*VISTA National 
Demonstration Projects

    Projects will be reviewed at the time of their renewal request to 
determine the extent to which approved work plan goals and objectives 
are being met, paying special attention to capacity building and 
project self-sufficiency goals as well as to AmeriCorps*VISTA member 
retention and satisfaction with the service experience.
    The project approval process outlined below is to be followed for 
all AmeriCorps*VISTA national demonstration projects seeking renewal.
    1. At least 120 calendar days prior to the end of the current 
Memorandum of Agreement, AmeriCorps*VITA Headquarters staff will send 
out a renewal package. In addition to an application form, the package 
should include any programmatic recommendations which Headquarters 
believes are needed to improve the quality of the project based on 
information gleaned during site visits, from project progress reports, 
from discussions with project staff at national and local levels, from 
discussions with AmeriCorps*VISTA members, and from recommendations 
received from Corporation State Offices regarding local components.
    2. At least 90 calendar days prior to the end of the current 
Memorandum of Agreement, the sponsoring organization submits the 
renewal project application to AmeriCorps*VISTA Headquarters.
    3. Upon receipt of the renewal application, Headquarters staff will 
provide a copy of the application to appropriate Corporation State 
Offices for review and comment.
    4. Within 15 working days of receipt of the national demonstration 
renewal application, Corporation State Office staff will review and 
submit written comments on project components within their 
jurisdiction.
    5. Headquarters staff will complete their review of renewal 
applications within 20 working days of receipt, or at least 75 calendar 
days prior to the end of the current Memorandum of Agreement. The 
review will include a compliance review of AmeriCorps*VISTA regulations 
and program criteria, as well as a review of progress being made toward 
achievement of capacity building and self-sufficiency goals.
    6. If the renewal proposal is approved, the Director of 
AmeriCorps*VISTA will send an approval letter to the sponsor along with 
a new Memorandum of Agreement prepared and signed by the Director. The 
project will be continued for one year subject to the availability of 
funds. The Director will take all other appropriate administrative 
action to maintain the operational status of the project.
    7. If the Direct of AmeriCorps*VISTA disapproves the renewal 
project application, the sponsoring organization will be notified by 
the Director at least 75 calendar days in advance of the end of the 
current project period that the Corporation for National Service 
intends to deny the application for renewal. The [[Page 7176]] sponsor 
will be given reasons for the tentative decision and an opportunity to 
show cause why the application should not be denied in accordance with 
section 412 of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, as amended, 
and 45 CFR, part 1206, subpart B. The project will be continued at its 
existing level of AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteer and project support 
pending a final decision in accordance with 45 CFR part 1206, subpart 
B.
    8. Where a final decision denies project renewal, AmeriCorps*VISTA 
members whose terms of service extend beyond the project's expiration 
date are covered by the provisions of 45 CFR 1210.3-2(d).

F. Extensions of Current AmeriCorps*VISTA Projects

    In certain circumstances, current AmeriCorps*VISTA sponsors may 
wish to extend previously approved projects for up to six months in 
order to allow already assigned AmeriCorps*VISTAs to complete their 
terms of service, and/or to conclude activities designed to complete 
the capacity building and/or self-sufficiency goals of the project 
prior to the time AmeriCorps*VISTA resources are withdrawn.
    In such instances, the AmeriCorps*VISTA sponsor will send to the 
Corporation State Office, at least 60 days prior to the end of the 
current project period, a detailed justification, along with Section 
III of the AmeriCorps*VISTA Project Application form, describing the 
activities to be performed during the extension period.
    The Corporation State Director will review the project extension 
request and make a determination to approve or disapprove the request 
within 15 working days of receipt.
    The Corporation State Director will take all necessary action to 
implement an approval decision including extension of the current 
Memorandum of Agreement. The Corporation State Director will forward a 
copy of the extension material to AmeriCorps*VISTA Headquarters.
    Denial of project extension requests of six months or less are not 
subject to denial of refunding procedures contained in section 412 of 
the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, as amended, and 45 CFR part 
1206, subpart B.

G. Increases in Approved Levels of AmeriCorps*VISTA Volunteers

    1. Existing AmeriCorps*VISTA projects seeking to increase the 
number of AmeriCorps*VISTAs from their previously approved level must 
submit their request in writing to the Corporation State Director 
justifying the requested increase.
    2. The Corporation State Director will review the request within 
the context of the Corporation State Office's approved Annual Plan and 
render a decision within 15 working days of receipt. The Corporation 
State Director will notify the sponsor of the decision in writing and 
provide a copy of the decision to AmeriCorps*VISTA Headquarters. For 
approved requests, the Corporation State Director will amend the 
current Memorandum of Agreement and submit a request to increase the 
number of AmeriCorps*VISTA members to the Governor or other Chief 
Executive Officer of the State/jurisdiction prior to placement of 
additional volunteers on the project.
    3. Denial of a request to increase the number of AmeriCorps*VISTA 
members on an approved project is not subject to denial of refunding 
procedures contained in Section 412 of the Domestic Volunteer Service 
Act of 1973, as amended, and 45 CFR part 1206, subpart B.

H. Intergovernmental Review of AmeriCorps*VISTA Projects

    Agencies and organizations submitting new or renewal 
AmeriCorps*VISTA project applications must comply with the provisions 
of Executive Order 12372, the ``Intergovernmental Review of Federal 
Programs and Activities'' as set forth in 45 CFR part 1233. Corporation 
State Office staff will provide applicant organizations with technical 
assistance regarding this requirement.

I. Governor's Approval of AmeriCorps*VISTA Projects

    No AmeriCorps*VISTA members may be assigned to serve in a program 
or project in any community until the Governor or other Chief Executive 
Officer of the state has been given 45 days within which to review the 
application for such program or project and disapprove, in writing, the 
proposed submission.
    Governor's approval must be sought by the Corporation State 
Director for all new AmeriCorps*VISTA projects as well as for ongoing 
projects which are requesting an increase in members or substantially 
changing AmeriCorps*VISTA activities.

J. Freedom of Information Act Requests Related to AmeriCorps*VISTA 
Project Reviews

    All Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests generated by the 
project review process shall be directed to the FOIA Office in the 
Corporation for National Service Headquarters for reply (even if 
initially addressed to Corporation State or Cluster Office).
Shirley Sagawa,
Executive Vice President and Executive Director.
[FR Doc. 95-3005 Filed 2-6-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-28-M