In FY 2019, USAID committed to the key areas of success codified in our FOIA‐Backlog‐ Reduction Plan (“Plan”): obtaining leadership support; routinely reviewing processing metrics; using resources more effectively; increasing staff training and engagement; increasing proactive disclosure; and communicating effectively with internal and external stakeholders. Through this commitment, USAID reduced our backlog of requests from 273 in FY 2018 to 238.
A key component of the January 2019 FOIA‐Backlog‐Reduction Plan is ensuring the designation of FOIA Liaison Officers (FLO) across all of the Agency’s Operating Units. The FLOs are responsible for coordinating and facilitating the search and collection of potentially responsive records, in addition to obtaining recommendations for the release of documents and monitoring the production of records and recommendations on release to the assigned FOIA Specialists. The Plan mandates that senior leadership of each Operating Unit designate one FLO. In addition, it mandates that all FLOs complete training in the management of records and information. Compliance with the FOIA is everyone’s responsibility and the FLOs are vital to the success of the USAID’s FOIA program.