0650 Office of Planning & Research
Program Descriptions

11 - STATE PLANNING AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT

The major activities of the Office include: (1) recommending and implementing state policies with regard to land-use and growth planning; (2) carrying out a program of policy research for the Governor and Cabinet; (3) providing technical advice to local governments with regard to planning; (4) advising permit applicants and government agencies on provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act and operating the State Clearinghouse for environmental and federal grant documents; (5) preparing guidelines and providing assistance to local agency formation commissions; and (6) conducting other activities as the Governor may direct.

21 - CALIFORNIA VOLUNTEERS

The California Volunteers is charged with increasing the number of Californians involved with service and volunteerism throughout the state. The California Volunteers administers programs such as AmeriCorps, Citizen Corps, and the Cesar Chavez Day of Service and Learning, guides policy development to support the non-profit and service fields, and is responsible for the coordination of a statewide network (californiavolunteers.org) that matches Californians to volunteer opportunities in their communities. Through the efforts of the California Volunteers, Californians of all ages and abilities are provided with ongoing opportunities to volunteer, to become better prepared to respond to emergencies and disasters, and ultimately, to embrace a lifetime ethic of service.