2013-14 AmeriCorps Applicants Presentation AmeriCorps... · slide to read the notes. (3) Still...

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2013-14 AmeriCorps Applicants Presentation To view speaker notes as a self-guided presentation: (1) Download this PDF to your computer (the annotations sometimes don’t work in the browser format) (2) Double click on the comment bubble at the top left of each slide to read the notes. (3) Still having trouble? Contact [email protected] and request the presentation in PowerPoint format (4) Enjoy 1

Transcript of 2013-14 AmeriCorps Applicants Presentation AmeriCorps... · slide to read the notes. (3) Still...

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2013-14 AmeriCorps Applicants Presentation

To view speaker notes as a self-guided presentation:

(1) Download this PDF to your computer (the annotations sometimes don’t work in the browser format)

(2) Double click on the comment bubble at the top left of each slide to read the notes.

(3) Still having trouble? Contact [email protected] and request the presentation in PowerPoint format

(4) Enjoy

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Potential AmeriCorps Applicant Presentation 2013-14

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Welcome to the Potential AmeriCorps Applicant self-guided presentation. This presentation is intended for any organization that is considering applying for an AmeriCorps grant for the 2013-14 program year.
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What is AmeriCorps?

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Presenter
Presentation Notes
You might have seen this ad or one like it. This poster is a call to serve, a call to– as we like to say– Get Things Done for America. But that can take many different forms. You as applicants determine what that means in South Carolina. Think of who you know who has served– your neighbor’s son? the VISTA in your office? Aren’t they all AmeriCorps? Yes, they are all AmeriCorps, and I hope today to clarify what that means. The term "AmeriCorps" actually refers to hundreds of federally funded volunteer programs across the country. The statement, “I think I’m going to join AmeriCorps” is the same as “I think I’m going to get a job in New York City” – it doesn’t really narrow it down. Some programs are full-time, some part-time; some require a college degree, some don't; some programs are residential; some aren't; some AmeriCorps members wear uniforms; some wear dress pants.  AmeriCorps member positions are as diverse as jobs in NYC. This recruitment poster– telling you to “Join AmeriCorps”– is an invitation to explore AmeriCorps VISTA, AmeriCorps NCCC, and plain ole AmeriCorps. If you hear that your neighbor’s son “did AmeriCorps” that could mean a lot of things. Maybe he served a full year, maybe he served just a summer while in college. Maybe he served part-time throughout one year of college. Maybe he spent a year mentoring children at your local elementary school before college. Or maybe he spent a year after college as a VISTA developing programming for children of incarcerated youth at a nonprofit three states away. You get the drift---- “My neighbor’s son did AmeriCorps” could mean a lot of things….. And as potential applicants, it’s important that you understand the term. Maybe a bit confusing, but definitely appropriate, because the needs of our country are diverse and require a diverse strategy if we are to address them effectively. The goal today is to help you decide if an AmeriCorps application through our office is the right fit for your organization and whether or not it is the best strategy to meet the community needs that you’ve identified.
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AmeriCorps is our “Domestic Peace Corps”

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The wisdom of the idea is that someday we’ll bring it home to America. -JFK

Presenter
Presentation Notes
First, a very, very abbreviated history to provide some context... When JFK proposed the Peace Corps in 1961, he stated that “The wisdom of the idea is that someday we’ll bring it home to America.” AmeriCorps is considered our “domestic peace corps” because of the similar model that individuals act as committed volunteers for a term of service to meet critical needs in a community.
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Volunteers In Service To America

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Presenter
Presentation Notes
Shortly after the establishment of the Peace Corps, just 3 years later in 1964 the VISTA program– that is– Volunteers in Service To America--- was established as part of Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty. VISTA members then and now focus on poverty alleviation and capacity building. VISTA members receive a living stipend just 5% above poverty to understand the populations they serve, and do the behind-the-scenes, indirect service. They were not called AmeriCorps VISTA until 30 years later, but I’ll get to that in a minute. This presentation and the application process that I’m going to describe today is NOT for VISTA programs. Though VISTA is also AmeriCorps, VISTA grants are not administered through our office. Please follow up with me after this presentation if indeed you are looking for a VISTA application, and I can put you in touch with the VISTA office representative in SC. The behind the scenes, capacity building stuff like project coordination or fundraising, are VISTA roles but not AmeriCorps*State (that’s us) roles, and thus, while undeniably valuable, is not under the purview of this commission.
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AmeriCorps members meet critical needs

• Disaster Services

• Economic Opportunity

• Education

• Environmental Stewardship

• Healthy Futures

• Veterans and Military Families

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Presenter
Presentation Notes
In 1993 President Clinton created what we know today as AmeriCorps. At this time, VISTA became AmeriCorps VISTA. The first class of AmeriCorps members was 20,000 strong and today there are more than 85,000 members serving nationally. I am now going to focus on AmeriCorps*State, that’s the type of grants that we administer, and talk about what AmeriCorps*State members actually do to give you a little context for thinking about whether AmeriCorps as strategy is right for your organization. Yes, AmeriCorps is community service, but it’s not picking daisies and handing them to little old ladies crossing the street. Our members serve to meet critical needs, specifically: see list I have Education and Veterans and Military Families in bold here because the SC commission has identified these two issue areas for funding priority, but any application within these six focus areas will be considered. Applicants proposing programs that receive priority consideration are not guaranteed funding. AmeriCorps members are intended to be temporary. To create systems that will be sustainable after the grant has expired. They fill a unique niche in a community where critical needs are not being met by existing resources. They are not staff, and they are not volunteers. They provide people power for an organization to provide enhanced client contact and do what they are already doing much better.
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What AmeriCorps members do Disaster Services:

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• Increase the preparedness of individuals

• Increase individuals’ readiness to respond

• Help individuals recover from disasters

• Help individuals mitigate disasters

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Here’s a little more detail about each of these focus areas so you can think about whether or not your AmeriCorps program idea is a good match for this funding opportunity. This is the identical information available in the NOFO on our website on the same page that you used to access this presentation.
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What AmeriCorps members do Economic Opportunity:

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• Improve access to services and benefits aimed at contributing to enhanced financial literacy

• Help economically disadvantaged individuals transition into or remain in safe, healthy, affordable housing

• Help individuals improve employability leading to increased success in becoming employed

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What AmeriCorps members do Education: ***

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• Improve school readiness for economically disadvantaged young children

• Improve educational and behavioral outcomes of students in low-achieving elementary, middle, and high schools

• Improve the preparation for and prospects of success in post-secondary education institutions for economically disadvantaged students

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Many of our AmeriCorps programs in SC are focused here.
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What AmeriCorps members do Healthy Futures:

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• Increase seniors’ ability to remain in their own homes with the same or improved quality of life for as long as possible

• Increase physical activity and improve nutrition in youth with the purpose of reducing childhood obesity

• Improve access to primary and preventative health care

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What AmeriCorps members do Veterans and Military Families: ***

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• Improve the quality of life of veterans

• Strengthen military families

• Engage veterans and military families in national service

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What AmeriCorps members do

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• Tutor at-risk youth • Recruit volunteers • Teach conflict resolution skills • Environmental conservation

activities • Assist crime victims • Build homes • Restore parks • Mentor at-risk youth • Teach computer skills • Facilitate after-school programs • Connect people with resources • Other direct service activities…

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Here’s a list of example direct service activities that plain ‘ole AmeriCorps do to meet those critical needs. You’ll notice the action verbs--- tutoring, building, teaching, restoring, etc..
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What AmeriCorps members do NOT do (Prohibited Activities)

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• Attempt to influence legislation

• Organize or engage in protests, strikes, petitions, or boycotts

• Assist, promote, or deter union organizing

• Impairing existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements

• Any political activities

• Engaging in religious instruction

• Providing abortion services or referrals

• Providing a direct benefit to… oA business organized for profit oA labor union oA partisan political organization

Presenter
Presentation Notes
There is also a list of things AmeriCorps members do not do. Here is a list of the activities that are prohibited for AmeriCorps members by federal regulation. Of course, they may do whatever they choose on their own time, but they may not participate in these activities while wearing the AmeriCorps logo or while counting service hours. The reason for this is that the spirit of AmeriCorps is nonpartisan and neutral. (Oh, and, of course, they are funded by federal dollars (I tried to think of a good photo for this slide since it’s so bare, but it’s difficult to find a photo of AmeriCorps members doing what they are NOT supposed to be doing….)
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What AmeriCorps members do NOT do

• Perform only clerical work

• Answer phones

• Perform janitorial duties

• Supervise other members

• Manage organizational paperwork of financial issues

• Supplant current staff or fill a position that was recently dissolved

• Individuals who serve in National Service programs are called members - they are not volunteers or employees

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Presenter
Presentation Notes
Additionally, you may have noticed that I didn’t use the term “AmeriCorps Worker.” That’s because AmeriCorps members are not employees of their host organization, therefore it is not appropriate for members to: see above. The SC commission will not fund any program that is suspected to be wanting AmeriCorps members to perform any of these staff duties.
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AmeriCorps is not…

• A staffing program

• a one person team

• Cheap labor

• A way to fund your organization

• A bricks and mortar grant

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How AmeriCorps is Funded

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AmeriCorps*State

Presenter
Presentation Notes
Now I’d like to give you a little bit of information on how AmeriCorps is funded. In addition to creating the AmeriCorps program in 1993, Clinton also established the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency and the nation’s largest grantmaker supporting service and volunteering. You will hear us as commission staff speak of “the feds” and “the corporation,” and this is who we are referring to. The Corporation funds other volunteering and national service initiatives that you may have heard of including Senior Corps (RSVP, Foster Grandparents), Learn and Service, the Volunteer Generation Fund, and the Social Innovation Fund. Money for AmeriCorps grants come out of the federal budget and…
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How AmeriCorps is Funded

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AmeriCorps*State

Presenter
Presentation Notes
…is disbursed to individual state commissions based on population size. The system was designed this way under the philosophy that each state understands its own critical needs better than those in DC do, so you as commissioners get to make the decisions regarding who gets funded and where our state priorities lie. As is the nature of federal appropriations, our state’s allocation is unpredictable from year to year. We may or may not experience a cut in funding for AmeriCorps programs in 2013-14. We may or may not be able to fund new programs. Because the Corporation doesn’t announce state allocations until mid May (2 months after your applications are due), I can’t tell you anything about the availability of funds for the 2013-14 grant year.
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How AmeriCorps is Funded

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AmeriCorps*State

Presenter
Presentation Notes
And then all the money and all of the AmeriCorps programs and members funded through our commission serve within our state. ***If you are considering an application that would place AmeriCorps members across state lines, this application process it not for you and I’d be happy to discuss a multi-state application with you offline, but not during this webinar.
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South Carolina Commission for National and Community Service – “The State Commission”

The United Way Association of South Carolina

• Promote volunteerism and civic engagement in the State

• Primary Grant Holder

• Responsible for developing and monitoring all sub-applicants in the state

• Directed by Governor-appointed Commissioners and UWASC Board of Directors

• Responsible for developing and monitoring all sub-applicants in the state

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South Carolina AmeriCorps Programs 2012-13 United Way of Anderson County

City Year Columbia

Claflin University

Charleston Co School District

United Way of Greenville County

Teach for America

Lancaster County School District

Spartanburg School District One

Spartanburg School District Seven

Trident United Way

WINGS for Kids

United Way of Florence County

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Presenter
Presentation Notes
We currently fund 12 AmeriCorps programs, representing over 500 AmeriCorps members, in South Carolina. The organizations listed here are funded for the 2012-13 program year.
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Eligible Applicants

• Educational institutions

• Government or state entities

• Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)3 status (public or private)

• Native American tribes

• Organizations that have been convicted of a federal crime are disqualified

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Program and Grant Size

• Aim for at least 10 FTE AmeriCorps Members, and no more than 50 AmeriCorps members (part time or full time) for year 1

• Target grant request at $13,300/FTE

• Grant size is determined by program size

• Grant size may be limited based on funding availability

• Current grants range from $130,118 to $325,768

• Grants are awarded on a 3-year cycle but must re-apply for continuation status every year.

• Program year runs August 1- July 31

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Member Terms of Service

• Members may serve:

• Full Time or Part Time

• 1700, 900, 675, 450, or 300 hours

• Members must complete a term of service within 365 days.

• Members may serve additional terms, up to the equivalent of two full terms of service

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Program Models

• Determined by the applicant and based on community need

• Single site or multi-site

• Local, regional, or statewide

• Fixed Amount or Cost Reimbursement

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Presenter
Presentation Notes
Fixed Amount- For programs that enroll full time members only. Programs receive a fixed amount of money per FTE and money is disbursed based on the number of hours served by the members. Cost reimbursement grants- the most appropriate option for most applicants. All but one of our 12 grants are cost reimbursement grants. Programs may request up to 20% of program costs up front, then all other grant funds are disbursed on a reimbursement basis. Back-up documentation must be provided for all costs. If this is your first time exploring AmeriCorps as an option for your organization, then chances are good that a cost reimbursement model is the best route to explore. If you’d like to discuss this further, please contact me individually to talk through your idea.
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Member Benefits

• Living Allowance

• 1700 hour positions receive a minimum of $12,100

• Part time members may receive a prorated living stipend or none at all

• Health care and child care for full time positions only

• Education Award ranges from $1,175 - $5,550 per term

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Presenter
Presentation Notes
The costs of the living allowance health care premiums must be worked into your budget, but the education awards are not. Additionally, and obviously, AmeriCorps members also receive valuable experience, training, sometimes even certifications, and connections that often propel them into a career following their term of service. EAP (Education Award Programs)- do not provide a living allowance to members. This program model may be appropriate to meet certain community needs. For example, a program that enrolls only current college students as AmeriCorps members to serve 300 hours throughout a calendar year may choose to offer an education award only.
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Match Requirements

• First three years of funding:

76% grant/ 24% grantee

• Fourth year and beyond:

Increases incrementally to 50/50 by year 10

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Presenter
Presentation Notes
Work toward sustainability by increasing cash and in-kind match over time
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Demonstrating Impact

• All programs must collect data and account for impact and outcomes

• Programs are strongly encouraged to utilize the National Performance Measures referenced in the application instructions

• Applicant-determined performance measures must be based on evidence-based best practices

• Applications that do not include performance measures will not be considered for funding

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Presenter
Presentation Notes
I can not emphasize this enough. National Performance Measures are available, organized by issue area, on the CNCS website here: Disaster Services: http://www.americorps.gov/pdf/13_1031_2013_nofo_pm_instructions_disaster_services.pdf Education: http://www.americorps.gov/pdf/13_1031_2013_nofo_pm_instructions_education.pdf Economic Opportunity: http://www.americorps.gov/pdf/13_1031_2013_nofo_pm_instructions_economic_opportunity.pdf Environmental Stewardship: http://www.americorps.gov/pdf/13_1031_2013_nofo_pm_instructions_environmental_stewardship.pdf Healthy Futures: http://www.americorps.gov/pdf/13_1031_2013_nofo_pm_instructions_healthy_futures.pdf Veterans and Military Families: http://www.americorps.gov/pdf/13_1031_2013_nofo_pm_instructions_veterans_and_military_families.pdf
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Grantee Responsibilities

• Designate a full time Program Director

• Recruit, select, train, and supervise members

• Select and support member service sites

• Coordinate additional days of service to honor 9/11 and MLK Day

• Submit quarterly progress reports and monthly expenditure reports

• Participate in monthly Program Director meetings with Commission staff

• Participate in an annual site visit and audit of program by Commission staff

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Presenter
Presentation Notes
The take home message from this slide should be that an AmeriCorps grant is NOT another grant that your organization “goes and gets.” It’s kind of a beast to manage. Training, reporting, monitoring, and an additional full time staff person are all required to manage the grant. Please think carefully if your organization is willing and able to make this kind of investment and commitment.
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Application Process

(Before you apply, read the NOFO carefully .)

1) Register for one of three technical assistance workshops in February.

2) Applications are due via eGrants on April 1 at 5pm EST and will include:

– Program Narrative (no more than 26 pages)

– Budget and Budget Narrative

– Latest Financial Audit

Funding announcements made late June 2013 after internal and external review.

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Presenter
Presentation Notes
The NOFO is available on our website: http://www.uwasc.org/bring-americorps-your-community Register for one of three technical assistance workshops (also via the website) to take place the week of February 4, 2013. 3 a) Submit application online via eGrants on April 1, 2013 at 5pm EST. b) Email a complete Financial Management Survey to [email protected] by April 1 at 5pm EST. c) Email a copy of your organization’s latest financial audit to [email protected] by April 1at 5pm EST. *** Note that detailed application instructions have not yet been released. It will be posted on our website by January 2013.