[Federal Register: February 28, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 40)]
[Notices]               
[Page 9331-9332]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28fe02-139]                         

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION

 
Program Letters 02-2, State Planning and the Reconfiguration 
Process, and 02-3, State Planning Configuration Standards

AGENCY: Legal Services Corporation.

ACTION: Notice of Issuance of Program Letters 02-2, State Planning and 
the Reconfiguration Process, and 02-3, State Planning Configuration 
Standards.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: LSC is providing notice of the issuance of two new Program 
Letters relating to State Planning. These Program Letters have been 
sent to each LSC grant recipient. The Programs Letters are publicly 
available on the LSC Web site at: http://www.lsc.gov/FOIA/foia_pl.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Randi Youells, Vice President for 
Programs, Legal Services Corporation, 750 First Street, NE., 
Washington, DC 20002-4250; 202/336-7269 (phone); youellsr@lsc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: LSC is issuing this notice to advise the 
public of the issuance of two Program Letters relating to State 
Planning. Specifically, LSC has issued Program Letter 02-2, State 
Planning and the Reconfiguration Process and Program Letter 02-3, State 
Planning Configuration Standards.

[[Page 9332]]

Program Letter 02-2, State Planning and the Reconfiguration Process

    On November 17, 2001, the LSC Board of Directors adopted the Report 
of the LSC Task Force to Study and Report on Configuration of Service 
Areas. The Board action codifies LSC's standards for reconfiguration of 
service areas and amends LSC's review process for configuration 
decisions, previously contained in Program Letter 01-4. Program Letter 
02-2 implements the review process outlined in the Report adopted by 
the Board. The new reconfiguration review process is based on the 
premise that while the LSC President, as LSC's Chief Executive Officer, 
should be knowledgeable about state planning, he/she should be 
sufficiently removed from the particulars of decision making in a given 
state so that he/she retains the ability to render a final decision on 
service area configuration that is impartial and based upon his or her 
independent review of the relevant materials. It also more clearly 
provides that the LSC Vice-President and President shall provide 
written notice of the reasons for their decisions. Finally, it would 
give some limited participation in the review process to stakeholders 
who may not be part of the designated state planning body (DSPB).

Program Letter 02-3, State Planning Configuration Standards

    On November 17, 2001, the LSC Board of Directors adopted the Report 
of the LSC Task Force to Study and Report on Configuration of Service 
Areas. The Board action codifies LSC's standards for reconfiguration of 
service areas and amends LSC's review process for configuration 
decisions. Program Letter 02-3 formally adopts the configuration 
standards adopted by the LSC Board. Under these guidelines, LSC will 
exercise its statutory responsibility to insure that grants and 
contracts are made so as to provide the most economical and effective 
delivery of legal assistance to persons in both urban and rural areas.
    These Program Letters have been sent to each LSC grant recipient. 
The Programs Letters are publicly available on the LSC Web site at: 
http://www.lsc.gov/FOIA/foia_pl.htm, or may be requested by contacting 
Ms. Youells as noted above.

Victor M. Fortuno,
General Counsel and Vice President for Legal Affairs.
[FR Doc. 02-4693 Filed 2-27-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7050-01-P