wisconsin campus compact americorps*vista · timeline of host sites applying or renewing with the...

Wisconsin Campus Compact ∙ 432 N. Lake St., Room B121B ∙ Madison, WI 53706 (608) 890-3223 ∙ Email: [email protected]

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Wisconsin Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA Community-Campus Partnership Project

Host Site Application 2012

This packet provides basic information about the Wisconsin Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA Community-Campus Partnership Project and application instructions for sites interested in obtaining AmeriCorps*VISTA members to assist in building community-campus partnerships that address poverty issues in the local community. A resource guide also accompanies this packet to provide additional information about application requirements and AmeriCorps VISTA.

The WiCC AmeriCorps VISTA Program is a grantee of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Additional financial and/or advisory support is provided by Wisconsin Campus Compact, UW-Extension, and UW-Oshkosh Business Success Center

Timeline of Host Sites applying or renewing with the WiCC Campus-Community Partnership Project January 10, 2012 Request for Proposals released January 25, 2012 VISTA Host Site Application Webinar- focus on new sites (10am –11:30am) January 26, 2012 VISTA Host Site Application Webinar- focus on renewing sites (3pm – 4:30pm) March 2, 2012 Host Site Applications due to Wisconsin Campus Compact (by 5pm) March, 2012 Host Site Applications reviewed March 16, 2012 Award notifications, Memorandums of Understanding and Cost-Share

Commitment forms sent out March 30, 2012 2012-2013 Memorandums of Understanding and Cost-Share Commitments due

back to WiCC

Review of applications will begin March 2nd, 2012 and will continue until a full complement of sites has been selected. First priority will be given to applications received by March 2nd, 2012. *Note: VISTA Site Supervisors are encouraged to attend one of the webinars in January. Webinar Link: http://www.anymeeting.com/wicampuscompact1Dial-in Number: (512) 400-4809; Participant Access Code: 401 2119. Content in January 25th webinar will be more detailed in focus for first time applicants; however, anyone is able to register for either/both webinars. Please register to indicate which training you will be attending by completing a brief survey. Do not hesitate to contact the WiCC office at 608-890-3221 with any questions about the VISTA Host Site application.

http://www.anymeeting.com/wicampuscompact1

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3SLXBV8


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Table of Contents

HOST SITE APPLICATION PACKET: SECTION A: INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3 SECTION B: CAMPUS-COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PROJECT VISION……………………………………………. 4

Project Priorities……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4 WiCC AmeriCorps VISTA Goals and Performance Milestones…………………………………………… 5 Eligibility to apply to be a VISTA Host Site………………………………………………………………………… 5

SECTION C: PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS………………………………………………………………………………………. 6 Stakeholder Roles and Responsibilities……………………………………………………………………………………….. 6

Wisconsin Campus Compact Roles and Responsibilities…………………………………………………… 6 Host Site Roles and Responsibilities…………………………………………………………………………………. 6 Award Information and Duration…………………………………………………………………………………….. 8 Costs to Host Site…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8

AMERICORPS*VISTA Member Overview& Requirements……………………………………………………………. 9 AmeriCorps VISTA Member Roles and Responsibilities……………………………………………………. 9

SECTION D: SUBMISSION PROCESS……………………………………………………………………………………………… 10 Enrollment Dates and Deadlines……………………………………………………………………………………… 10 Proposal Requirements……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 11

SECTION E: HOST SITE APPLICATION CHECKLIST………………………………………………………………………….. 12 Application Instructions………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12 Cover Sheet (see Appendix A) ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 12 Description of the Project and Planning Process……………………………………………………………… 12

Position Description (1 page or less)………………………………………………………………………………… 12 Community Need…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 12 VISTA Assignment Description (VAD) (See Appendix B)…………………………………………………… 13 Advisory Council/Board (1 page max)……………………………………………………………………………… 14 Sustainability Plan (1 page max)………………………………………………………………………………………. 14 Organizational Capacity & Support (2 page max)…………………………………………………………….. 14 Appendices (Optional, up to 5 pages)………………………………………………………………………………. 15 ATTACHMENTS: Appendix A: Host Site Application Cover Page…………………………………………………………………………….. 16 Appendix B: VISTA Assignment Description (VAD)………………………………………………………………………. 17 RESOURCE GUIDE (separate attachment): Appendix C: WiCC VISTA Suggested Activities……………………………………………………………………………… 2 Appendix D: AmeriCorps*VISTA Position Description………………………………………………………………….. 5 Appendix E: AmeriCorps*VISTA Member Qualifications……………………………………………………………… 6 Appendix F: AmeriCorps*VISTA Member Terms, Conditions, and Benefits…………………………………. 7 Appendix H: Supervisor Role vs. VISTA Role………………………………………………………………………………… 8 Appendix G: Frequently Asked Questions……………………………………………………………………………………. 9


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SECTION A: INTRODUCTION

WISCONSIN CAMPUS COMPACT (WiCC) is a coalition of college and university presidents committed to

strengthening civic engagement and service-learning partnerships between Wisconsin’s postsecondary institutions and the communities they serve. WiCC fosters civic engagement partnerships that build on the strengths of communities and higher education institutions to address significant social and environmental problems. We work to ensure that all involved develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to solve these problems over the long term. For more information and a current list of members, please go to www.wicampuscompact.org

AMERICORPS* VISTAis a national service program in which full-time volunteers aged 18 and older live

in the communities they serve, designing programs that will continue after they complete their service. Created in 1965, VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America) was designed to meet the needs of underserved communities and to address and combat poverty. In 1993, AmeriCorps was created and the existing VISTA program became part of the AmeriCorps network. The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) (www.cns.gov and/or www.americorps.gov) was created in 1993 and oversees all AmeriCorps programs. AmeriCorps*VISTA members are entrepreneurial in their thinking and driven in their desire to create positive, long-term, sustainable change. The VISTA program operates under the following core principles:

Anti-Poverty Focus – The purpose of the VISTA program is to support efforts to fight poverty. Any nonprofit organization, educational institution, tribal or public agency with a program that is poverty-related in scope can apply to sponsor a VISTA project. Community Empowerment – Sponsors must ensure the involvement of community residents in planning, developing, and implementing the VISTA project. The project must be responsive and relevant to the lives of the community residents, and should tap into existing community strengths and resources. Capacity-Building – VISTA achieves its mission by assigning VISTA members to organizations to expand the ability of those organizations to fight poverty. Rather than providing services to low-income individuals and communities, VISTAs strengthen and support organizations by building infrastructure, expanding community partnerships, securing long-term resources, and numerous other activities that strengthen antipoverty efforts. Sustainable Solutions – VISTAs are a short-term resource to help sponsoring organizations address a new or existing program area related to their mission. VISTAs are assigned to help build an organization to implement its antipoverty program on its own after a period (typically three years). Organizations should develop a long-term sustainability plan beginning in year one of the project’s existence, showing the eventual phase-out of the VISTA resource.

http://www.wicampuscompact.org/

http://www.cns.gov/

http://www.americorps.gov/


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SECTION B: CAMPUS-COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PROJECT VISION The WISCONSIN CAMPUS COMPACT AMERICORPS*VISTA COMMUNITY-CAMPUS PARTNERSHIP PROJECTwas first funded in 2010 by the Corporation for National and Community Service. In 2012-2013 it will allow 25 AmeriCorps*VISTA members to serve as change agents throughout Wisconsin. The primary objective of this project is to increase the capacity of local community organizations and programming that provides services to members of low-income groups in order to help them escape from poverty. The AmeriCorps*VISTA members’ focus will be on facilitating, and assisting to maintain, mutually beneficial community-campus partnerships that result in the intellectual, human, and material resources of institutions of higher education being mobilized to address community-identified issues of concern related to poverty.Towards that end, AmeriCorps*VISTA members provide leadership and coordination for campus/community partnerships with community organizations that provide low-income individuals and communities with: 1) increased access to economic opportunities through financial literacy, affordable housing, and employment opportunities; 2) increased educational opportunities; and 3) increased access to information and programs that lead to improved health and healthy lifestyles.

PROJECT PRIORITIES

The proposed project is broadly focused at the state level to address the AmeriCorps*VISTA priority areas of: 1) economic opportunities, 2) educational opportunities and 3) improved health and healthy lifestyles. Each site must focus their partnership project on one of the following priority areas: 1) Economic opportunities programs can be broken into these broad categories:

Housing – programming dedicated to connecting families and individuals to emergency housing and transitional service, providing affordable permanent housing, working with low-income homeowners facing foreclosure, and encouraging advocacy with populations in need of housing.

Employment – programming that enables individuals to obtain or train for employment that is sufficient to avoid or exit poverty, provide necessities, and allow individuals to save for the future.

Financial Literacy & Asset Development—programming that empowers low-income individuals and communities the ability to budget, plan, manage, and capitalize on financial opportunities.Also includes micro enterprise initiatives, which help low-income individuals become self-sufficient by developing their own businesses and to programs focusing both on general financial literacy and asset savings programs

2) Educational opportunities can be broken down into these broad categories:

Educational Advancement – programs that promote education among at-risk youth, encourage education access and assistance to youth, and connect youth with the resources that will lead them to college. Projects working with K-12 youth through mentoring or tutoring programs will be required to include resources related to college access or readiness to program participants and will be asked to test participants’ knowledge of college access.

Bridging the Digital Divide – programs that work with community organizations to provide low-income individuals access to computer technology by setting up neighborhood based computer learning centers, securing resources for hardware and software, and recruiting


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community and campus volunteers for a variety of activities, including hardware installation, instruction, mentoring, and staffing computer laboratories.

3) Improved health and healthy lifestyles can be broken down into these broad categories:

Food – programming that increases access to affordable and nutritious food for low-income individuals and/or families. Projects may include working to establish community gardens, increasing capacity for food banks and pantries, and raising awareness of the FoodShare program in order to give more families access to affordable and nutritious food.

Health – programming for low-income individuals that increases access to affordable mental and physical health care and programs focused on nutrition and healthy lifestyles.

WICC AMERICORPS VISTA PROJECT GOALS AND PERFORMANCE MILESTONES Goal 1:Establish and/or maintain sustainable community partnerships between their host institutions and local community that address local poverty issues

Performance Milestone 1:Each AmeriCorps*VISTA member (30 out of 30 AmeriCorps*VISTA members) works with community stakeholders to create/update asset maps to better understand the community issues and potential avenues to address those issues.

Goal 2:Document and create awareness of the community projects in which their host institutions are involved, and the poverty issues which these projects address, in order to ensure that the campus-community partnerships garner the resources needed to insure their sustainability beyond the AmeriCorps*VISTA members' terms of service

Performance Milestone 2:Each AmeriCorps*VISTA Host Site (30 out of 30) will create an Advisory Board made up of at least 51% low-income individuals to ensure that the project is guided/sustained by community voices.

Goal 3: Provide leadership and coordination for campus-community partnerships with community organizations that address local poverty issues as defined by the site focus areas (see section E of Host Site Application). Performance Milestone 3:

Economic Opportunities: 75% of individuals participating in economic opportunity VISTA programs have increased access to economic opportunity

OR Educational Opportunities: 75% of PK-12 students receiving tutoring or mentoring services in partnerships coordinated by VISTAs have increased knowledge of higher education opportunities.

OR Health and Healthy Lifestyles: 75% of participants in healthy lifestyle VISTA coordinated projects have increase knowledge about improving their health and maintaining healthy lifestyles.

ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY TO BE A VISTA HOST SITE Proposals must be submitted by a current Wisconsin Campus Compact member campus in partnership with a community organization (including a K-12 school or district). Either the affiliated campus or the community partner may be designated as the host site. Membership with Wisconsin Campus Compact must be maintained throughout the life of the grant.


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It is expected that the both partners are involved in developing the project proposal and are both committed to achieving the goals of the project proposal and the VISTA Assignment Description. Only proposals with clear mutually beneficial campus-community partnerships created to address local poverty issues will be considered. The scope of the VISTA work must be to address poverty issues in their local community in Wisconsin (see resource guide for more information). The following information outlines the responsibilities of the various stakeholders in the Wisconsin Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA Community-Campus Partnership Project.

SECTION C: PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

STAKEHOLDER ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES WISCONSIN CAMPUS COMPACT ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Assist host sites with recruiting for available positions, including the production of

recruitment/application/enrollment packets and advertising in statewide and national venues.

Review application and enrollment materials of all final applicants for AmeriCorps*VISTA positions, and will make the final determination of the applicant’s suitability for the position.

Coordinate enrollment procedures for the provision of health and child care for eligible AmeriCorps*VISTA members.

Through CNCS, provide Pre-Service Orientation (PSO) for each VISTA member prior to starting their position.

Each AmeriCorps*VISTA member will be provided with an annual living allowance of $11,124 or $10,704 (depending on the geographic location of the host site), and a $5,350 end-of-term education award OR $1,500 end-of-term stipend.

Reimburse AmeriCorps*VISTA members for up to $360/year for local, project-related travel expenses.

Provide up to 4 training opportunities throughout the year, such as volunteer recruitment and management, building campus-community partnerships, conflict resolution, diversity training, program evaluation, community assessment and impact, and public speaking.

Visit each AmeriCorps*VISTA host site at least once throughout the year to provide technical assistance and support.

Maintain contact with The Corporation for National and Community Service and provide current information to host sites.

HOST SITE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Each Host Site is required to:

Enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with WiCC.

Meet the WiCC VISTA performance milestones by the completion of the VISTA term of service (as listed in Section B).

Create an Advisory Council that will provide guidance to the AmeriCorps*VISTA member throughout the year. Members of the local community and of the projects targeted population must be represented on this council. Per CNCS requirements, 51% of the advisory board must be made up of low-income individuals.


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Recruit, screen, interview, and select a final candidate for their AmeriCorps*VISTA member. Upon selection the site must notify the WiCC VISTA Program Director who will then interview the candidate and determine their suitability for the position.

Identify an On-Site Supervisor who will provide daily supervision year round. If the on-site supervisor is unable to provide daily support to the AmeriCorps*VISTA member then another full-time staff person in the department/office must be identified as a secondary contact for the VISTA member. On-Site Supervisors should schedule one hour each week to meet with the AmeriCorps*VISTA member to discuss projects, goals, and accomplishments, in addition to informal daily check-ins. The On-Site supervisor should allocate at least 10 percent of his/her time for accomplishing the goals of the local project and supervising the AmeriCorps*VISTA member.

Attend mandatory Annual AmeriCorps*VISTA Supervisor Meeting, hosted by WiCC.Before the Supervisors’ Orientation, read and become familiar with theVISTA Supervisor Manual and theVISTA Member Handbook.

Provide the AmeriCorps*VISTA member with an in-depth on-site orientation to the project partners, including the campus and surrounding community and provide training for job specific tasks.

Provide the AmeriCorps*VISTA member with a workspace and equipment, including access to a computer, printer, e-mail, phone with voice mail and fax machine.

Provide the AmeriCorps*VISTA member with a campus ID with library privileges (if higher education institution is host site). If the AmeriCorps*VISTA member is placed at a community organization it is strongly encouraged that the partnering campus arrange for the VISTA member to have a campus ID.

Provide access to transportation (or reimburse the AmeriCorps*VISTA member for use of personal transportation) to/from in-state training events. WiCC estimates that a maximum of four meetings will take place in a central location. It is possible that fewer meetings will take place, and participants at sites in close proximity to each other will be encouraged to carpool.

Complete Monthly and Quarterly Reports documenting progress on meeting anticipated outcomes.

Provide travel accommodations. Ifthere is a cost for employee parking, a parking pass or a public transportation pass must be provided to the AmeriCorps*VISTA member. Host sites must also provide travel reimbursement for project-related travel above the $360 WiCC reimbursement.

Pay a $1,000 cost-share per VISTA member hosted at their organization.

Relieve the VISTA member of duties so he/she can attend WiCC/CNCS VISTA trainings and retreats; as well as for days of service initiatives such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.

RECRUITMENT OF AMERICORPS*VISTA MEMBERS is primarily the responsibility of the host site. Host

Sites recruit and identify a final candidate for their AmeriCorps*VISTA position, Wisconsin Campus Compact will interview the final candidate and will make a determination of the final candidate’s suitability for the position. The State Corporation for National Service office, however, ultimately approves (and in very rare occasions rejects) AmeriCorps*VISTA candidates. Once the host sites are approved, they will receive a recruitment packet to aid them in this process. Wisconsin Campus Compact will do some state-level and national recruitment (via advertisements and posting to relevant listservs and networks). In general VISTA typically tend to be recent college graduates and recently retired individuals are recruited; however, we encourage sites to recruit beyond these demographics. They are not experts in any specific field but typically they have had some experience in college level community service and/or service-learning programs. WiCC AmeriCorps*VISTA members provide community organizations, faculty, staff, and students with on-site training and assistance focused on specific needs of the local community and campus. WiCC AmeriCorps*VISTA members are placed on campuses and at non-profit organizations to work on projects that are part of a VISTA Assignment

http://vistacampus.org/mod/book/view.php?id=2223





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Description agreed upon by WiCC and the host site. Each WiCC AmeriCorps*VISTA member remains connected to the WiCC AmeriCorps*VISTA network all year, allowing each host site to benefit from a network of 25 AmeriCorps*VISTA members and the sharing of best practices among the sites. Host sites are encouraged (but not required) to provide the following support in addition to the required elements outlined above. Providing any or all of the support, though not required, will improve recruitment efforts. Some past host sites have offered the following support:

Partial or full room and board (housing and a meal plan)

Post-service scholarship or scholarship to take a course while enrolled in VISTA

Access to Campus Fitness Center

Theater, Music and Athletic Tickets NOTE: Sites may not make direct cash payments to the AmeriCorps*VISTA member to supplement or increase the living allowance provided by Wisconsin Campus Compact (per federal policy). However, sites are allowed to provide a housing stipend paid directly to the landlord.

AWARD INFORMATION AND DURATION Wisconsin Campus Compact will award 25 AmeriCorps*VISTA slots throughout the year. AmeriCorps*VISTA projects are funded for one calendar year (VISTAs report to their host site immediately following the Pre-Service Orientation). Assignment of an AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteer to a host site is contingent upon continued funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service. Projects are eligible for renewal on a yearly basis, for up to three years*, contingent on the progress of the program and renewal of federal funding. A renewal application must be submitted each year. *Host sites may apply for a fourth year of funding, giving a compelling statement of why a fourth year of funding is crucial to the sustainability of the program, however, priority will be given to successful projects still within the 3 year period and new projects that address the identified project goals.

COSTS TO HOST SITE WiCC member institutions receive full-time VISTA members at a minimal cost. Host sites are required to reimburse AmeriCorps*VISTA members travel to and from WiCC sponsored training (maximum of 4 during a service year)—WiCC will provide a travel budget up to $360/year for local travel for each VISTA member. Host sites will be responsible for paying a $1,000 fee per VISTA member hosted at their organization. These funds will help to cover the costs of some of the AmeriCorps*VISTA slots, since not all VISTA member slots are covered by the grant. The fee will help to cover the VISTA member living allowance (up to $11,124 per member) and training costs (up to $550 per member). This cost-share model follows a common practice in Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA programs across the country and allows for WiCC to remain competitive in the grant process. When applicable, host sites are also required to supply the AmeriCorps*VISTA member with a parking or public transportation pass.


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AMERICORPS*VISTA MEMBER OVERVIEW & REQUIREMENTS AMERICORPS*VISTA MEMBERS are provided a small living allowance of $11,124 or $10,704 (depending

on the geographic location of the host site), health care, and child care (if eligible) during their terms of service, a choice of an education award ($5,350) or end of year stipend ($1,500) and are expected to serve a minimum of 35 hours per week during the normal operating hours of the host agency. This support helps sustain the AmeriCorps*VISTA members during their term of service. AmeriCorps*VISTA members are not considered employees of the host agency. AmeriCorps*VISTA members will be seen as resource, not an expert in the areas to which they are assigned. VISTA members will facilitate, and assistin maintaining, mutually beneficial community-campus partnerships that result in the intellectual, human, and material resources of institutions of higher education being mobilized to address community-identified issues of concern related to poverty.

AMERICORPS VISTA MEMBER ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES • VISTA member will leverage higher education resources and engage students in activities that build

capacity for communities to ameliorate issues related to poverty. • VISTA members will engage in activities guided by their VISTA Assignment Description (VAD). • VISTA members and their host site institution will evaluate progress of their project and by the end

of the VISTA term meet the WiCC VISTA performance milestones (as listed in section B) • VISTA member will commit to serving as a full-time VISTA for one year and be available 24 hours a

day, 7 days a week. • VISTA member will have a college degree or commensurate life/volunteer experience. • VISTA member will attend VISTA Pre-Service Orientation (all costs for this training will be covered by

CNCS) and any training events as prescribed by WiCC and/or CNCS (also covered by WiCC or CNCS). • VISTA member will participate in national days of service including Martin Luther King Day, National

Volunteer Week, Youth Service Day, and Make a Difference Day if projects are organized by VISTA sponsor or in the local community.

ELIGIBILITY AmeriCorps*VISTA members will work to build the capacity of host agencies and their partners to address locally defined issues. To qualify to serve in AmeriCorps*VISTA, applicants must: • Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident, be team-oriented, and be willing to

take on a wide range of challenges. • Be at least 18-years old upon entering VISTA training. There is no upper age limit; and many

AmeriCorps*VISTA members bring significant work and life experiences to their assignment. • Be in a position to offer full-time service for one year without regard to regular working hours and

without being employed in any other capacity during the term of service. • To the maximum extent practicable, be willing to live among and at the economic level of the low-

income people served by the project. For a specific list of AmeriCorps*VISTA member qualifications, terms, conditions, and benefits please see Appendices E & F.

PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES The following are restrictions on the use of AmeriCorps*VISTA positions:


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WiCC AmeriCorps*VISTA members are not permitted to engage in any political or lobbying activities—including voter registration.

WiCC AmeriCorps*VISTA members are not permitted to hold another job, or receive additional compensation for work performed.

WiCC AmeriCorps*VISTA members are not permitted to proselytize or engage in related activities.

WiCC AmeriCorps*VISTA members are not permitted to serve as the legal applicant or coordinate any federally sponsored grant programs, or bear sole responsibility for such programs.

WiCC AmeriCorps*VISTA members may not replace or eliminate staff position. They are not to be used as an administrative stopgap.

WiCC AmeriCorps*VISTA members cannot be enrolled in school while serving without prior approval from the WiCC VISTA Program Director.

SECTION D: SUBMISSION PROCESS

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS All applicants must identify at least one primary community partner with whom they will be involved during the course of the project. The community partner(s) mustbe actively involved in developing the proposed project proposal and committed to working with the applicant institution to achieve the goals of the project proposal and VISTA Assignment Description.The National Academy of Public Administrationidentifies a partnership as “a mutually beneficial and reciprocal relationship among entities that share responsibilities, authority, and accountability for results” (Barnett, 2003). The application process consists of the following stages:

Stage One: Potential host sites submit “Host Site Application” to WiCC (review begins March 2

nd, 2012)

Stage Two: Approved host sites are notified by WiCC of application status (Mid March). Stage Three: Host sites recruit and select a final candidate for the AmeriCorps*VISTA position (March to Early May) Stage Four: WiCC reviews the preferred AmeriCorps*VISTA member’s application and enrollment materials,

interviews candidate, makes a final determination of the applicant’s suitability for the program, notifies host sites of the final determination and completes the enrollment process (March to early May).

Stage Five: AmeriCorps*VISTA Member attends Pre-Service Orientation and report to their host site the following Monday for their year of service (likely July 17-20 and August 14-17).

NOTE: The host site selection is a competitive process. The number of host sites selected will be limited to the number of AmeriCorps*VISTA positions available. Should additional openings become available during the year, a new review process will be initiated.

ENROLLMENT DATES AND DEADLINES AmeriCorps*VISTA members serve for one calendar year. AmeriCorps*VISTA members’ terms of service begin immediately following the mandatory Pre-Service Orientation. Pre-Service Orientation is conducted by the regional CNCS Staff and trainers. First-time AmeriCorps*VISTA members must attend the Pre-Service Orientation (PSO) before beginning their term of service immediately after PSO. PSOs


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are typically held in July and August; slots for the July PSO will be given on a first come basis. Candidates must be selected and have all enrollment paperwork submitted and approved by the recruitment deadline given to sites. If a viable candidate is not found for the position, the site might not be able to participate in the AmeriCorps*VISTA program for that program year.

PRIORITY SITES Priority will be given to successful, renewing sites that have not gone beyond the 3 year period. Typically AmeriCorps*VISTA projects follow a three-year cycle, reliant on funding.

SUSTAINABILITY AmeriCorps*VISTA projects typically follow a three-year cycle with the goal of sustainability at the end of three years. Each year is meant to build on the previous year. Because projects are not typically funded for more than three years, it is essential to develop a plan for sustaining project activities beyond this time frame. Proposals must address how the host site will pursue sustainability.

PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS The original application must be received by 5 p.m. on March 2nd, 2012 for first priority consideration. Please do not place applications in folders or binder. If you are submitting an application for more than one position, please note that on the Cover Sheet and submit an individualized “VISTA Assignment Description” (VAD) for each position. If more than one project is being proposed an application must be submitted for each project. Whether applications are submitted by mail or email, please email a Microsoft Word version of the VISTA Assignment Description (VAD). Applications should be mailed to:

Stephanie Jung Wisconsin Campus Compact 432 N. Lake Street, Room B121B Madison, WI 53706

If an electronic copy is submitted ([email protected]) an original signed copy of the cover page must be mailed (Appendix A) and a Microsoft Word version of the VAD must be submitted. Include in subject line: VISTA Host Site Application. Application will not be considered complete until all materials are received by the WiCC office. Faxes will not be accepted.

APPLICATION ASSISTANCE Further questions regarding the WiCC VISTA application may be directed to: Stephanie Jung, WiCC AmeriCorps*VISTA Program Director 608.890.3223 or [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


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SECTION E: HOST SITE APPLICATION CHECKLIST

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS All applicants must identify at least one community partner with whom they will be involved during the course of the project. The community partner(s) must be actively involved in developing the proposed project proposal and committed to working with the applicant institution to achieve the goals of the project proposal and VISTA Assignment Description.

Complete applications include the following: Cover Sheet (see Appendix A) (10 points)

The cover sheet should include: 1) the campus supervisor's name, address, phone, fax and email address; 2) the representative from the partnering community organization’s name, address, phone, fax and email address; and 3) the signatures of the appropriate authorizing officials for both the campus and the partnering organization. Same for new and renewing sites.

Description of the Project & Planning Process (3 page max- 20 points)

Provide a description of no more than three pages of:

The process by which the proposed plan was developed. Include the roles played by both campus and community partner personnel. NOTE: Your community partner must be involved in the development of your proposal and VISTA Assignment Description.

The overall proposed project, outlining the immediate (2012-2013 program year) and long-term goals for the proposed projects, and the general activities the VISTA member will be involved in. Specifically describing how the VISTA member will mobilize campus and community resources to address real poverty issues in your community while working with the identified community partner(s).

Sites submitting a renewal application should simply provide the accomplishments completed thus far and outline the work for the 2012-2013 year.

Position Description (see Appendix D in resource guide) (1 page or less- 10 points)

Provide a clear and concise position description. This will be used for recruitment purposes and to describe your program throughout the year and should be ready for publication. It should include

The name of the host site

The overall vision for the VISTA position

A list of proposed activities for the year

The specific qualifications needed.

Any additional benefits your site is able to offer (such as campus housing) This position description will be utilized to advertise the VISTA position in the recruitment process should your proposal be accepted. Same for new and renewing sites.

Community Need (10 points) Describe the specific needs of the community that the AmeriCorps*VISTA project will be addressing. Data demonstrating that this is an identified need is required. Illustrate how the proposed AmeriCorps*VISTA position will strengthen your institution’s capacity to address the needs of the community. Demonstrate why a WiCC AmeriCorps*VISTA position is an appropriate way to address these needs. Renewing sites can provide any updates to information provided on their original application.


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VISTA Assignment Description (VAD) See Appendix B (20 points) The VISTA Assignment Description (VAD) is a vital tool that outlines the work that the VISTA will carry out during the 2012-2013 academic year. It is important that the VAD is a clear outline of the work that the VISTA will carry out at their host site and with the identified community partners. Same for new and renewing sites.

1. All proposed VADs must include goals 1, 2, & 3. The first activity listed under each goal correspond to the WiCC VISTA performance milestones. These are standard for all WiCC VISTA host sites.

2. With each goal detail the activities and steps the VISTA will take to work towards that goal. Be sure to include how the VISTA will address the specific tasks listed with each goal. It is acceptable to have activities in addition to those already required/outlined. Feel free to delete or add rows for additional or fewer activities.

3. Under “target/expected outcomes” specify the expected outcome for each activity when applicable. For example, if the activity is to recruit volunteers for a tutor program, the expected outcome might be to recruit 40 volunteers. These should be measureable and attainable within the course of a year.Not all activities will necessarily have expected outcomes.

4. Fill in the timeline corresponding to each of the activities. If the activity is episodic, list only the month during which it will occur. If the activity is ongoing, list the range of months during which it will occur.

5. For Goal 3 each VISTA host site must identify the anticipated community impact and outline a plan for measuring the impact. Sites will be required to report results on a semester or annual basis depending on the project. The community impact must align with at least one of the focus areas (independent living, educational opportunities, and improved health and healthy lifestyles). It is okay for a project to address more than one focus area; if that is the case then a goal should be listed for each focus area being addressed. On the next page example goals or indicators of success are listed for each focus area. These examples are simply meant to serve as a guide to creating a goal that is specific to each VISTA host site.

Economic Opportunity programs (see detailed descriptions in Section B):

Housing

Employment

Financial Literacy & Asset Development Example Goals: Through VISTA efforts 55 individuals/families received foreclosure counseling and have identified specific action steps to avoid foreclosure. Through VISTA efforts 25% more people are served at VITA tax sites from the previous year. Through VISTA efforts 3 new job search courses are offered to clients, with 85% of participants reporting an increase in knowledge related to searching for and applying for a job (pre/post surveys).

Educational opportunities (see detailed descriptions in Section B):

Educational Advancement

Bridging the Digital Divide All projects working with K-12 youth through tutoring or mentoring programs will be asked to provide college access or readiness resources to participants and will be asked to demonstrate that participants’ knowledge of college access has increased. Through VISTA efforts 75% of mentor participants report an increase in their understanding of what it takes to be accepted into college. Through VISTA efforts 5 nonprofits that address local poverty needs report an increase in their capacity as a result of a new, functioning website.


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Improved health and healthy lifestyles (see detailed descriptions in Section B):

Food

Health Through VISTA efforts a functioning community garden is established which provides at least 25 low-income families access to fresh, nutritional food. Through VISTA efforts 500 individuals have attended workshops that demonstrate ways to prepare healthy food on a budget and 75% report an increase in knowledge of preparing fresh, healthy food (pre/post surveys).

Over the lifespan of the AmeriCorps*VISTA program at your site, the activities and anticipated results will change. The VAD should only address the activities planned for 2012-2013. Keep in mind the VAD is a proposed set of action steps towards the goals outlined; if necessary the VAD can be updated and changed during the VISTA year with prior approval from the WiCC Office. Same for new and renewing sites.

Advisory Council/Board (1 page max- 10 points) Each site must create an advisory council/board that will provide guidance to the AmeriCorps*VISTA member throughout the year. The group should be made up of at least 5 members. Members of the local community and of the projects targeted population must be represented on this board. Per CNCS requirements, 51% of the board must be comprised of low-income individuals. Give a summary of how this board will be established. For sites submitting a renewal application, submit updated information.

Sustainability Plan (1 page max- 10 points) Sustainability outcomes are the impacts that lead to the institutionalization of the new programming effort (staff positions funded to continue activity, student leadership of activities, new programs maintained by existing staff, etc.). Provide a one-page (maximum) explanation of how AmeriCorps*VISTA initiatives will be sustained beyond funding. Same for new and renewing sites.

Organizational Capacity & Support (see Section C) (2 page max- 10 points)

Describe the institutional capacity that exists to support each AmeriCorps*VISTA position. For satisfactory job performance, AmeriCorps*VISTA members will need the following:

Secure office/desk space with office supplies

For higher education sites, a college ID with library privileges

Parking pass or public transportation pass when applicable

Designated on-site supervisor responsible for daily supervision and the completion of reporting and evaluation requirements including Quarterly Reports

Daily access to phone and private voicemail

Daily access to computer with internet and individual email account

Access to fax, photocopier, and printer

$1000 fee paid to WiCC per VISTA member

Travel budget for travel to/from WiCC VISTA trainings

Describe any additional support that your organization or its partners can provide. Though not all sites have residential living opportunities, WiCC encourages applicants to provide housing and/or a meal plan for the AmeriCorps*VISTA members whenever possible. This allows WiCC to recruit nationally for positions and assimilates the AmeriCorps*VISTA members into the daily life of the


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community. At minimum, sites should describe how they will assist the AmeriCorps*VISTA member in locating appropriate housing. See Section C for a list of what other sites have offered in the past. Describe the roles and responsibilities of key individuals or groups involved (specifically on-site supervisor, but may also include faculty, campus staff, community organization staff, and students). It is particularly important that the roles of the postsecondary and the community partner(s) be articulated. Keep in mind the on-site supervisor must attend a WiCC AmeriCorps*VISTA Supervisor Annual Meeting; accommodate at least one site visits a year; and complete Quarterly Reports with their AmeriCorps*VISTA members for required WiCC Quarterly Reports. With few exceptions, WiCC strongly recommends that one person per site serve as the On-Site Supervisor. For sites submitting a renewal application, update the information provided on the original application.

Appendices (Optional, up to 5 pages) Applicants may submit up to five pages of appendices. These may include short biographies of staff, letters of support, newspaper articles, video (under 5 minutes, by web link), etc. They may not include books or other large publications. Same for new and renewing sites.


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Wisconsin Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA Community-Campus Partnership Project

Host Site Application Cover Page Host Organization:

Number of AmeriCorps*VISTA Positions Requested (a separate VAD must be submitted for each position):

Project Focus Area (please check one): ___ Economic Opportunity ___ Educational Opportunity ___ Health and Healthy Lifestyle

Grant Year (please check one): ___ New Project Application ___ Renewal Year 2 ___ Renewal Year 3

Immediate Supervisor of AmeriCorps*VISTA:

Supervisor Title/Department:

Address:

Supervisor Phone: Fax:

Supervisor Email:

Partnering Organization:

Partnering Organization Representative:

Representative Title/Department:

Address

Phone: Fax:

Email:

The legal applicant certifies that to the best of her/his knowledge that this data is true and correct, that the filing of this application has been duly authorized by the governing body of the applicant, and that the applicant will comply with the assurances required if the proposal is approved.

Signature: Date:

On-Site Supervisor

Signature: Date:

Partnering Organization Representative

Signature: Date: Name & Title:

Authorizing Official (Please Print) (This person must have authority to commit and receive funds on behalf of the host organization/ legal applicant).


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Appendix B

AmeriCorps*VISTA Assignment Description (VAD)

Please complete per instructions found in Section E of Host Site Application Focus on activities for 2012-2013

VISTA Project: Wisconsin Campus Compact

VISTA Member Name:(leave blank at this time)

Site Name:

Date:2012-2013

Goal 1: AmeriCorps*VISTA members will establish and/or maintain sustainable community partnerships between their host intuitions and community organizations, that address local poverty issues. Activities in this goal should explain how the VISTA will work to:

Establishing/maintaining partnerships with your identified community partner(s)

Identify needs/assets of community partner(s)

Create Memorandum of Agreements with community partners

Maintain regular communication with community partners

Incorporate projects into college coursework, internships, student research project; as well as into student volunteer projects in order to address the needs identified

Train volunteers or community partners in order to better prepare them for the projects at hand

Track volunteers and service-learners working community with partners

If applicable, create guidelines or handbooks for the service-learning or community service project

Activity Target/Expected Outcomes Dates Activity 1: Create and Maintain Community Asset Map Step 1: Attend WiCC asset mapping

training and review sample maps at VISTA Annex

Step 2: Identify Relevant stakeholders Step 3: Conduct asset mapping in

collaboration with stakeholders

Step 4: Develop living asset map document

Each AmeriCorps*VISTA member works with community stakeholders to create/update asset maps to better understand the community issues and potential avenues to address those issues.

By September: Initial asset map completed Quarterly: update

Activity 2: Step 1: Step 2: Step 3:


Activity 4:


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Step 1: Step 2: Step 3:

Goal 2: AmeriCorps*VISTA members will document and create awareness of the anti-poverty projects, the campus-community partnerships, and the poverty related issues they are addressing to ensure that the community-campus partnerships they have helped to initiate/maintain are sustained beyond the AmeriCorps*VISTA members' terms of service. Activities in this goal should explain how the VISTA will work to:

Have projects/partnerships covered in the media throughout the year

Work with an advisory council that is made up of 51% low-income individuals

Plan a presentation for the end of the academic year that will summarize the accomplishments of the VISTA project (with campus and community in attendance)

Activity Target/Expected Outcome Dates Activity 1: Create an Advisory Board to guide and sustain the VISTA project Step 1: Identify individual

stakeholders including those being served by program

Step 2: Support participation of low-income members by considering barriers such as transportation, childcare and meeting times.

Step 3: Convene a minimum of two advisory board meetings

Step 4: Incorporate guidance gained from board meetings to inform programming.

Each AmeriCorps*VISTA will create an Advisory Board made up of at least 51% low-income individuals to ensure that the project is guided/sustained by community voices.

By December: Members recruited for board By February: Convene first meeting




Goal 3: {{insert site specific goal here}}

In the box above create your own goal indicating the anticipated community impact, following instructions found in Section E of Host Site Application. Activities in this goal should explain how the VISTA will work to:


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Demonstrate (through surveys or other assessment tools) that the identified goal is met. Sites will be required to report results to the WiCC office on a semester or annual basis.

Activity Target/Expected Outcome Dates Activity 1: VISTA members will conduct a survey of participants in VISTA-coordinated projects focused on:

economic opportunities OR educational opportunities OR health and healthy lifestyles.

Step 1: Implement programming Step 2: Utilize WiCC VISTA Community

Impact survey and other site specific assessment tools

Step 3: Collect data and report to WiCC

75% of individuals participating in economic opportunity VISTA programs have increased access to economic opportunity

OR 75% of PK-12 students receiving tutoring or mentoring services in partnerships coordinated by VISTAs have increased knowledge of higher education opportunities.

OR 75% of participants in healthy lifestyle VISTA coordinated projects have increase knowledge about improving their health and maintaining healthy lifestyles.

Ongoing: programming and assessment Quarterly: report on data End of Term: target outcome met




wisconsin campus compact americorps*vista · timeline of host sites applying or renewing with the...

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