Summary: GAO discussed ACTION efforts to redirect the VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) program funds, new ACTION initiatives directed toward achieving antipoverty-related results, the use of assigned volunteers, and hiring practices of noncareer employees. Currently, major programs of ACTION include VISTA, Young Volunteers in Action (YVA), and the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program (VVLP), as well as Older American Volunteer Programs. A current ACTION goal is to end the VISTA program. The President's budget proposed terminating VISTA in 1984. In 1981, ACTION denied refunding for 14 VISTA projects on the basis that the projects had been receiving VISTA funding beyond 3 years, but required that ACTION competitively judge those projects seeking renewal for a fourth year, along with other projects. GAO stated that, based on a review of YVA activity reports, it appears that more than 75 percent of the YVA activities can be described as community services rather than poverty-related services. However, approximately 40 percent of the activities being performed by VISTA volunteers on VVLP projects seem inappropriate.
