americorps 101
DESCRIPTION
AmeriCorps 101. The Massachusetts Service Alliance. The Massachusetts Service Alliance, established in 1991, is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as the governor appointed state commission on community service and volunteerism. Invest Convene Build capacity Advocate. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
AmeriCorps 101
The Massachusetts Service Alliance
The Massachusetts Service Alliance, established in 1991, is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as the governor appointed state commission on community service and volunteerism.
• Invest• Convene• Build capacity• Advocate
Presentation Objectives Provide background on National Service Initiatives
History of National Service and AmeriCorps Different funding streams under CNCS
Explain in detail what an AmeriCorps program entails What organizations can host an AmeriCorps program What AmeriCorps is and is not Getting Things Done, Participant Development, and Strengthening Communities
Explain the elements of strong program design
Provide overview of program and fiscal management requirements
Brainstorm/discuss ways AmeriCorps could fit into your organization
History of National Service
Service Timeline
1933-1942: Franklin D. Roosevelt creates the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to call young citizens to service during the Great Depression
1961: President John F. Kennedy establishes the Peace Corps with the help of Sargent Shriver, sending young citizens oversees to volunteer in foreign countries
1964: President Lyndon B. Johnson and Congress create VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), a National Teacher Corps, the Job Corps, and University Year of Action
1960s/70s: The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (now called RSVP), the Foster Grandparent Program, and the Senior Companion Program (which today comprise National Senior Service Corps) are developed
1970s: Federal Youth Conservation Corps and first non-federal state youth corps, the California Conservation Corps, are established to engage youth in community service
1980s: Many non-governmental service organizations are founded, including Campus Compact and Youth Service America
Service Timeline (cont.)
1988: President George H.W. Bush comments that individuals serving their neighbors were like “a thousand points of light,” and the Points of Light Foundation is created
1990: The National and Community Service Act signed by President George H.W. Bush formally launches current national service movement
1993: President Bill Clinton signs the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, creating AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National and Community Service to expand opportunities for Americans to serve their communities; VISTA and the Senior Corps become part of the new Corporation
Service Timeline (cont.)
2002: President George W. Bush calls Americans to engage in a “lifetime of service,” creating an umbrella network for volunteerism called the USA Freedom Corps and doubling the size of AmeriCorps
2007: Governor Deval Patrick signs state legislation creating the Commonwealth Corps in Massachusetts
2009: President Barack Obama signs the Serve America Act, re-authorizing the Corporation for National and Community Service and calling for AmeriCorps to triple in size over the next several years
Service Timeline (cont.)
National Service Funding Streams
The mission of the Corporation for National and Community Service is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.
National Service Chart
Senior Corps engages over 500,000 citizens over the age of 55 in meaningful volunteer opportunities across the country, including the Foster Grandparents program, Senior Companions program, and RSVP.
Learn and Serve America supports and encourages service-learning across the country, enabling over one million students grades K through college to make meaningful contributions to their community while building their academic and civic skills.
AmeriCorps is a network of local, state, and national service programs that connects more than 75,000 citizens (nearly 2,000 in MA) each year in intensive service to meet our country’s critical needs in education, the environment, public safety (including disaster preparedness and response), health, etc.
AmeriCorps Service Chart
State and National
AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty.
VISTA volunteers serve individually for one year at a nonprofit organization or local government agency, doing indirect service full-time in the area of organizational capacity building.
The administration and oversight of VISTA grants are done directly by the Corporation for National and Community Service.
Organizations interested in hosting a single AmeriCorps member should contact the state office of the Corporation for National and Community Service to apply for a VISTA volunteer:
Sherry McClintock10 Causeway Street, Room 473
Boston, MA 02222-1038
Phone: (617) 565-7006
Email: [email protected]
AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) is a full-time, 10-month, team-based residential program for men and women ages 18 to 24.
NCCC members are assigned to one of five campuses located in California, Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, or Mississippi, and travel throughout their assigned region to do direct service by implementing community service projects for various nonprofit organizations and local government agencies.
The administration and oversight of NCCC is done directly by the Corporation for National and Community Service.
Organizations interested in requesting the assistance of an NCCC team for a specific six to eight week project should submit a project application to their regional NCCC office:
NCCC Atlantic RegionVA Medical Center
P.O. Box 27Perry Point, MD 21902-0027Tel: 410-642-2411 ext. 6852
E-mail: [email protected]
The largest of AmeriCorps programs, AmeriCorps State and National provides funds to local and national organizations committed to using national service to address critical community needs in education, public safety, health and the environment.
These organizations and agencies use their AmeriCorps funding to recruit, place, and supervise AmeriCorps members in direct service opportunities.
State and National
State and National
AmeriCorps National Direct programs utilize service and volunteering to address compelling community needs in at least two states.
An organization identifies a community need, designs a program to meet that need through the service of AmeriCorps members and volunteers, and applies directly to the Corporation for funding.
AmeriCorps National Direct
Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to administer and monitor a federal, multi-site, multi-state grant; have developed relationships with organizations in different states that will operate the local programs; and have in place the components of a successful National Direct program.
The administration and oversight of AmeriCorps National Direct programs is done directly by the Corporation for National and Community Service.
AmeriCorps National Direct
AmeriCorps State programs utilize service and volunteering to address compelling community needs in a single state.
An organization identifies a community need, designs a program to meet that need through the service of AmeriCorps members and volunteers, and applies to their state commission for funding (in MA, the Massachusetts Service Alliance).
AmeriCorps State
Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to administer and monitor a federal grant; have developed relationships with organizations in their state that will operate the local programs; and have in place the components of a successful AmeriCorps program.
The administration and oversight of AmeriCorps State programs in Massachusetts is done by the Massachusetts Service Alliance.
AmeriCorps State
As the state commission, our mission is to catalyze the innovation and growth of service and volunteerism by creating partnerships that maximize resources, expertise, capacity, and impact.
MSA Programs
• AmeriCorps• Commonwealth Corps• Mentoring• Other Volunteer Initiatives
The MSA Portfolio of 2009-2010 Programs Across the Commonwealth
= AmeriCorps
= Commonwealth Corps
= Mentoring
State and National
Mentoring
Volunteer Initiatives
VISTA NCCC AmeriCorps State
Members must be 18+ Members age 18 to 24 Members must be 17+
Members serve individuallyMembers serve in teams of 8 to
12Programs have 10+ members
One year commitment 10 month commitment 10 to 12 month commitment
Full-time Full-time Full, half, quarter, or min time
Indirect service Direct service Direct service
Serve in one organization Serve in multiple states Serve in one state
Around $9500 living stipend $4000 living stipend FT $11,800 minimum stipend
Education Award or post service stipend
Education Award Education Award
Non-residential Residential Varies
College or 3 yrs work experience
High School Diploma or GEDRequirements vary; HS
Diploma/GED at minimum
Member management mainly overseen by host organization
Program management overseen by NCCC Regional Office
Program management overseen by organization
Oversight of grant by/apply through CNCS State Office
Oversight by/apply through NCCC Regional Office
Oversight of grant by/apply through MSA
Designing Your AmeriCorps Program
Who can apply to develop and host an AmeriCorps Program?• Public or private nonprofit organizations [501(c)3s] including labor
organizations
• Community organizations, including faith-based organizations
• Institutions of higher education
• Government entities within states or territories (e.g. cities, counties)
• Indian Tribes
• A partnership or consortia of the aforementioned are also eligible to apply
AmeriCorps is…
A year of stipended service
A team of members addressing compelling needs
A way to leverage local and federal resources
A way to build organizational capacity to meet needs through volunteer generation and partnership building
AmeriCorps is NOT…
Cheap labor
A staffing system
A funding source
Program replacement
Overall Goals of AmeriCorps
Getting Things Done What is the need and what is AmeriCorps doing about it?
Developing Participants What are the benefits for AmeriCorps members?
Strengthening Communities How are you engaging community members and building
sustainability?
CNCS Priority Areas
Education Healthy Futures Economic Opportunity Clean Energy/Environment Veterans
A successful program design:
Describes and substantiates the community need(s) Identifies any gaps in services available to meet that need Explains why AmeriCorps members are an appropriate strategy
to address the need Describes the specific service activities of AmeriCorps members Outlines plans to ensure that members will effectively carry out
these activities Forecasts the results of member service activities Defines how such results will be measured
Community Need
Supported with data, preferably local NOT the need for the program or activities,
but the issue(s) addressed through program activities
Members’ needs may also be additional focus of the program
What is the desired outcome or change in the need?
Needs and Service Activities Direct service – meet needs by providing a direct
benefit to the community
Capacity building – activities such as volunteer recruitment and management to meet community needs and ensure sustainability of AmeriCorps-supported activities
Direct Service Indirect Service
Tutoring in an afterschool program
Recruiting tutors for afterschool programs
Renovating low-income housing
Organizing volunteers to renovate low-income housing
Prohibited Activities
Members are prohibited from engaging in: Lobbying; religious instruction; advocacy; some
fundraising Clerical and/or custodial positions Management of any administrative aspects of the
AmeriCorps grant or program Supervision or management of other members All prohibited activities outlined in the AmeriCorps
Regulations/Provisions and Application Instructions
Program Models
Single Site
Multi-siteLocal, regional, statewide
Team-based
Residential
Member Service Terms
Service Term Minimum # of Hours
MSY
Full-time 1700 1.000
One-year Half-time 900 0.500
Reduced Half-time 675 0.381
Quarter-time 450 0.265
Minimum-time 300 0.212
Service must be completed in 12-month period
Members may serve the equivalent of two FT terms
Member Service Years (MSY’s) 1 MSY = 1 full-time year of service
NOT equivalent to FTE – for example:4 Quarter Time ≠ 1 Full Time
Must request a minimum of 10 full-time members or MSY equivalent; MSA recommends 15
Can request any combination of types of members
Activities
Be specific: Where does the activity take place? How many hours per day on each activity? How many days per week for each activity? Does service dosage satisfy the need?
ALL activities should be clearly tied to the identified need and the targeted goals of the program
Program Impact
What are the goals of your program? Outcomes of service activities Logic Models and Performance Measure
Worksheets Reporting requirements
Need Activities Outcomes
Developing Participants
What do members gain from participating in your program?
Civic Engagement – develop lifelong ethic of service
Training – receive year-long training
Leadership –opportunities for members to develop and practice leadership skills
Strengthening Communities
Programs strengthen communities by: Mobilizing community assets Generating volunteers Involving the community Engaging diverse staff and AmeriCorps
members
AmeriCorpsBudget
BUDGET Section I: Program Operating Costs
Personnel & Fringe Staff and Member Training Staff and Member Travel Supplies
Section II: Member Costs Living allowance FICA, worker’s comp Health care
Section III: Administrative/Indirect Costs
BUDGET 1 MSY = 1 full time service year
Max cost per MSY = $13,000
Cost per MSY Ed Award only = $800
Education award not included in cost per MSY or award amount
Example: 30 half time members (15 MSY) = $195,000 maximum CNCS request
BUDGET
Living Allowance
Service Term Minimum # of Hours
MSY Minimum Living
Allowance
MaximumTotal Living
Allowance
Full-time 1700 1.000 $11,800 $23,600
One-year Half-time 900 0.500 n/a $12,500
Reduced Half-time 675 0.381 n/a $9,370
Quarter-time 450 0.265 n/a $6,250
Minimum-time 300 0.212 n/a $4,160
Members may waive all or part of the living allowance
BUDGET
Match Requirements
In-kind and cash match
Years 1, 2, 3 – 24% minimum match
Match increases each year after Year 3
BUDGETExample:20 FT members – max request $260,000Minimum match: 24% (cash and in-kind)
CNCS Grantee Total
Section I $3,485 $77,814 $81,299
Section II $243,522 $32,597 $276,119
Section III $12,993 $0 $12,993
Total $260,000 $110,411 $370,411
% Share 70% 30%
What is an AmeriCorps Member? Must be at least 17 years of age Must be a U.S. citizen, national, or legal
permanent resident alien of the U.S. Each program determines other eligibility
requirements Experience, skills, etc. Educational background
Member Benefits
Living Allowance Minimum of $11,800 for full-time Other slot types are not required to have living allowances
Personal and Professional Development Service Gear Health Care (full-time only) Child Care (full-time only) Education Award, tied to Federal Pell Grant
Deferment of Student Loans (if applicable)
Program and Fiscal Management
Program Management Member Management Required Meetings Progress reporting Site Visit
Fiscal Management Accounting Systems Reimbursement Requests Quarter Fiscal reporting Site Visit
Program Management
Planning
Supervision, Communication,
Evaluation
Reflection and Recognition
Recruitment and Selection
Orientation and
Training
Member Management Cycle
Program Management
Recruitment
Timeline
Target Audience
Method of Recruitment
Process for Recruitment
Program Management
Selection
What is the relevant experience necessary for the position?
What do I need to know to decide whether or not this person can perform the essential functions of this position?
Program Management
Orientation and Training
What are the skills and knowledge members need to perform their service?
How will you determine these needs? What are the ongoing training opportunities
throughout the service year?
Program Management
Supervision and Evaluation
Who will: Provide supervision Evaluate members Provide/receive feedback to members
Fiscal Management
Expected financial systems: Disbursements Receipts Account Reconciliation Overhead Allocation Actual to Budget Variance Analysis
Fiscal ManagementIn order to meet the CNCS reporting standardsaccounting systems must be capable of:
Accounts for each award/grant separately Distinguishing grant versus non-grant related expenditures Identifying costs by program year Identifying costs by budget category Differentiating between direct and indirect costs (administrative
costs) Maintains Federal/non-Federal matching funds separately from
grant funds Records in-kind contribution as both revenues and expenses Directly correlates to financial reports submitted to CNCS (PERs
and FSRs)
Fiscal Management
Summary of Relevant OMB Circulars
Educational Institutions
Non-Profit Organizations
State & Local Governments
Uniform Administrative Requirements
45 CFR 2543 & Circular No. A-110
45 CFR 2543 & Circular No. A-110
45 CFR 2541 & Circular No. A-87
Cost Principles Circular No. A-21 Circular No. A-122 Circular No. A-102
Audits
Circular No. A-133 Circular No. A-133 Circular No. A-133
Each of the specific circulars can be downloaded from the internet at the following address:
Http://www.whitehouse. gov/OMB/circulars/index.html
All Corporation grants are governed by the Office of Management & Budget (OMB) circulars.
Grantee RequirementsMeetings Initial training and orientation (2 ½ days) 5 Program director meetings annually
(1 day every other month)
Reporting Mid and year end progress reporting Quarterly Fiscal reporting
Programmatic and Fiscal site visits
Organizational Capacity
Federal Grant Extensive Regulations and Provisions Significant reporting requirements Administrative program management Fiscal Requirements
What can AmeriCorps do for you? National Service Movement Address a community need Build capacity Sustainability Build partnerships Training and Technical Assistance
RFP Process
Summer – RFP is releasedTA Sessions
Early Fall – Concept Papers are due Fall – Community Review Late Oct. – Notification about full application Mid-Jan. – Full application due May – Final notification of award
Next Steps
Organizational Capacity AmeriCorps Culture Community Need Member Management Fiscal Management