The Health Systems Agencies created to plan and coordinate the development of health care systems in 205 health service areas across the states have a need to be legitimized and operationalized in community contexts in order to achieve their purpose. Community psychologists have both research and consultation roles to play in contributing to understanding of these agencies and to their effective performance. Specific tasks exist for participating psychologists, particularly the guidance of agency self-assessments. Involvement in regional health planning may also stretch the perspectives of community psychologists. (Author)