Reviewing the 2015 AmeriCorps Applications & Conducting the Review AmeriCorps External Review.
AmeriCorps*State Outreach Community Meeting · 2014-07-22 · AmeriCorps members also receive a...
Transcript of AmeriCorps*State Outreach Community Meeting · 2014-07-22 · AmeriCorps members also receive a...
Commission on Service and Volunteerism
AmeriCorps*State Outreach Community Meeting
Governor’s Office for Children, Youth and Families
• The Governor’s Office for Children, Youth & Families (GOCYF) achieves the Governor’s vision for strengthened and empowered families and communities by:
• Providing Resources
• Promoting Citizen Engagement
• Leading innovative projects
• Organized into several areas:
• Children
• Community and Youth Development
• Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment
• Women
• Experienced and knowledgeable professionals with expertise in their particular areas staff each area and act as resources to our funded partners.
Community and Youth Development
• Works to support issues relating to national service programs, service-
learning, volunteerism, positive youth development and youth workforce
development.
• Administers AmeriCorps*State programs.
• Staffs the Governor’s Youth Commission, and the Commission on
Service and Volunteerism.
Commission on Service and Volunteerism
• Makes policy recommendations to the Governor for community service
and volunteer-related issues.
• Funds and oversees the administration of AmeriCorps*State programs
• Provides training and technical assistance for national service programs
in Arizona.
• Supports volunteer program development, community service initiatives
and policy issues affecting volunteers.
• Twenty-five members serve by appointment by the Governor and
represent the diversity and unique nature of Arizona’s communities.
Commission Initiatives
• Growth of national service
• Youth Development
• Statewide volunteerism
• Disability in volunteerism and national service
• Civic engagement
• Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards
• Arizona Summit on Volunteerism and Service-Learning
• Quality Training & Technical Assistance
AmeriCorps*State
Through funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS),
the Governor’s Commission on Service and Volunteerism awards funds to local
organizations and agencies to support AmeriCorps programs as an effective
strategy that extends organizational capacity to address critical community needs in
economic opportunities, education, emergency preparedness, healthy futures, and
in the environment.
Each of these organizations and agencies, in turn, uses their AmeriCorps funding to
recruit, place, and supervise AmeriCorps members, who provide direct service to
the community in the identified area of need.
After successful completion of their term of service, AmeriCorps members earn a
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award that can be used to pay for vocational, college
or graduate school at Title IV schools, or to repay qualified student loans. Fulltime
AmeriCorps members also receive a modest living allowance, health care benefits,
and child care assistance.
Who are AmeriCorps Members?
United States citizen or lawful permanent resident
At least 17 years of age
Meet other program specific qualifications
H.S. Diploma or certificate, GED or promise to complete
From the local neighborhood or recruited nationally
Primarily engage in direct service to community
Recruit and engage a cadre of volunteers
Successfully completed background checks at three levels;
National Sex Offender Public Website, Arizona Department of
Public Safety and FBI
AmeriCorps programs provide meaningful orientation and
ongoing training and support for AmeriCorps members both
during their terms of service and after completing their terms of
service.
Benefits for AmeriCorps Members
After successful completion their terms of service, AmeriCorps members earn a
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award that can be used to pay for vocational, college
or graduate school at Title IV schools, or to repay qualified student loans. The
current 2014 value of a Segal Education Award for a full-time terms of service is
$5,645.
Fulltime AmeriCorps members also receive a modest living allowance, health care
benefits, and child care assistance.
http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/segal-americorps-education-award
Who benefits from AmeriCorps programs?
National Service Resources In Arizona 2013-2014
Meeting Community Needs in Arizona: More than 4,400 people of all ages and
backgrounds are helping to meet local needs, strengthen communities, and
increase civic engagement through national service in Arizona. Serving at more than
730 locations throughout the state, these citizens tutor and mentor children, support
veterans and military families, provide health services, restore the environment,
respond to disasters, increase economic opportunity, and recruit and manage
volunteers. This year, the CNCS will commit more than $16,680,000 to support
Arizona communities through national service initiatives. Through a unique public-
private partnership, this federal investment will leverage an additional $5,070,000 in
other resources to strengthen community impact, build local support, and increase
return on taxpayer dollars.
• AmeriCorps – State, National, NCCC, VISTA and Tribal
• Senior Corps – RSVP, Foster Grandparent, and Senior Companions
•
AmeriCorps*State Opportunity for Funding
• Projected federal funds available: Approximately $2.3 M
• Additional national competitive funding opportunity available
• Projected Application Release Date: October 1, 2014
• Projected Application Due Date: November 15, 2014
• Funding Period: September 1, 2015 to August 30, 2018 (with annual
renewal applications for the second and third years)
State Procurement Vendor Registration
http://SPO.AZ.GOV
Select Commodity Codes:
Request for Grant Application Posting
http://gocyf.az.gov/Grants/index.asp
AmeriCorps Member Service Years
All AmeriCorps Program budgets are based on the number of AmeriCorps
Member Service Years (MSY) that an organization requests.
• Full Time (1,700 hours)
• Half Time (900 hours)
• Reduced Half Time (675 hours)
• Quarter Time (450 hours)
• Minimum Time (300 hours)
AmeriCorps member slots that a organization requests can be all one type of
slot or can be any combination of slots that will best serve to help meet the
identified need (except for Full-Time Fixed Cost and Professional Corps
program models).
2014 AmeriCorps Segal Education Awards
Term of Service Min # of
Hours
Education
Award*
Full Time 1,700 $5,645
One-year Half-time 900 $2,822
Reduced Half-Time 675 $2,150
Quarter-Time 450 $1,493
Minimum -time 300 $1,195
*The Education Award is provided to all AmeriCorps members that
successfully complete their terms of service, at no cost to the AmeriCorps
program. For Budgetary purposes, the Education Award is budget neutral.
Types of AmeriCorps Programs
All AmeriCorps Program budgets are based on the number of AmeriCorps
member slots that an organization requests.
• Cost Reimbursement
• Full-Time Fixed Cost
• Education Award Fixed Cost
• Professional Corps Fixed Cost
Types of AmeriCorps Program Models
• Cost Reimbursement Grants
Organizational Requirement – Capacity to operate at least three month of programming
Can be a members slots with living allowances and other benefits, or a combination of slots
with living allowances and Education Award slots only
Submit for Monthly reimbursement
Match Requirement: starting at 24% documented cash and/or in-kind
Maximum federal share cost for Member Service Year (MSY) - $13,300
• Full-Time Fixed Cost Grants
Provides for only Full Time AmeriCorps member slots with benefits (living allowance, health
insurance and childcare)
Submit monthly for prorated allocation for AmeriCorps members enrolled
No Match requirement
Maximum federal share cost for MSY - $13,000
Types of AmeriCorps Program Models
• Education Award Fixed Amount Grants
Typically a combination of Half-Time, Quarter Time and Minimum Time Member Slots
Provides for only Segal Education Award slot
Submit monthly for prorated allocation for AmeriCorps members enrolled
No Living Allowance or Match requirement
Maximum federal share cost for MSY - $800
• Professional Corps Fixed Amount Grants
Can only be Full Time Member Slots
Provides for only Segal Education Award slot
Submit monthly for prorated allocation for AmeriCorps members enrolled
Members must receive a full salary (from Match sources)
No Match requirement
Maximum federal share cost for MSY - $2,000
Organizations Eligible for Funding
• Community and faith-based organizations
• Nonprofits
• K-12 schools (public, private, charter)
• Community colleges
• Colleges and universities
• Local government
• Tribal government
• Collaborations
• Organizations interested in serving as regional intermediaries
Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) Focus Areas for
AmeriCorps programs include:
• Disaster Services – Grant activities will increase the preparedness of individuals, improve individuals’
readiness to respond, help individuals recover from disasters, and help individuals mitigate disasters.
• Economic Opportunity – Grants will provide support and/or facilitate access to services and resources
that contribute to the improved economic well-being and security of economically disadvantaged people.
Grant activities will help economically disadvantaged people to have improved access to services aimed at
contributing to their enhanced financial literacy; transition into or remain in safe, healthy, affordable housing;
and have improved employability leading to increased success in becoming employed.
• Education – Grants will provide support and/or facilitate access to services and resources that contribute
to improved educational outcomes for economically disadvantaged individuals, especially children. Of
special interest are program designs that support youth engagement and service-learning as strategies to
achieve improved academic outcomes. Grant activities will improve school readiness for economically
disadvantaged young children; educational and behavioral outcomes of students in low-achieving
elementary, middle, and high schools; and the preparation for, and prospects of success, in post-secondary
educational institutions for economically disadvantaged students.
Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) Focus Areas for
AmeriCorps programs include: • Environmental Stewardship - Grants will provide support for direct services that contribute to increased
energy and water efficiency, renewable energy use, or improving at-risk ecosystems. In addition, grants will
support increased individual behavioral change leading to increased efficiency, renewable energy use, and
ecosystem improvements particularly for economically disadvantaged households and communities. Grant
activities will decrease energy and water consumption; improve at-risk ecosystems; increase behavioral
changes that lead directly to decreased energy and water consumption or improved at-risk ecosystems;
and increase green training opportunities that may lead to decreased energy and water consumption or
improved at-risk ecosystems.
• Healthy Futures - Grants will provide support for health needs within communities including access to
care, aging in place, and childhood obesity. Grant activities will improve access to primary and preventive
health care for communities served by the AmeriCorps programs; increase seniors’ ability to remain in their
own homes with the same or improved quality of life for as long as possible; and increase physical activity
and improve nutrition in youth with the purpose of reducing childhood obesity.
• Veterans and Military Families - Grants will positively impact the quality of life of veterans and improve
military family strength. Grant activities will increase the number of veterans and military service members
and their families served by the AmeriCorps programs and increase the number of veterans and military
family members engaged in service through the AmeriCorps program. To the greatest extent possible,
proposed activities should be aligned with the Veteran and Military Family National Performance
Measures.
Arizona AmeriCorps*State Priorities include:
• Economic Opportunity
• Education
• Diversity and Inclusion – Intentional efforts to include people of all ages,
backgrounds and abilities in national service and volunteer efforts in
Arizona
Special Consideration will be given for programs that include:
• Youth Development – Positive, effective youth development practices that
help Arizona meet real needs and solve real in communities
• Diversity and Inclusion – Address the engagement of SSI and SSDI
through the Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work program
Application Key Components
Real Community Need
Program Design
AmeriCorps Member Activities
Community Outputs and Outcomes
Performance Measurement
Organizational Capability
Cost Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy
Evaluation
Performance Measurement
Communicates potential value of program
Develop a set of aligned performance measures for primary service
activity
Clarify the achievable results
Identify the key program elements to be tracked to assess program’s
effectiveness
Make clear program premises and make visible stakeholder
assumptions
Improve program planning and performance by identifying the ways to
measure program success and areas for improvement
END
OUTCOME
NEED Inputs Activities Outputs
Short
Term
Outcomes
Need - Identified local need to address.
Inputs - Resources that will be used to address the need
Activities - What program does with resources to address need
Outputs - Counts of services delivered/people served
Short-Term Outcomes - Changes in knowledge, skills, attitudes, opinions (KSAO)
Medium-Term Outcomes - Changes in behavior/action that result from KSAO
End Outcomes - Meaningful change in the community/individuals served
Performance-Based Logic Model
Medium
Term
Outcomes
AmeriCorps Member
Slots/Terms of Service
Full-Time Member: (40 hours per week for 6 weeks or more – up to a year) –
Living allowance, health care, child care, full uniform, Education Award.
Part-Time Member: (6-12 months of service) – Living allowance, full uniform,
Education Award.
Education Award or Professional Corps Member: (up to 12 months of
service) - No living allowance or related benefits provided through grant
funds, Uniform, Education Award.
2014 AmeriCorps*Members Slots with Living Allowances and Education Awards
Term of Service Min # of
Hours
MSY
Value
Min. Living
Allowance
Max. Living
Allowance
Education
Award*
Full-Time 1,700 1.000 $12,100 $24,200 $5,645
One-year Half-Time 900 0.500 $6,405 $12,500 $2,822
Reduced Half-Time 675 0.3809524 $4,804 $9,370 $2,150
Quarter-Time 450 0.26455027 $3,127 $6,250 $1,493
Minimum-time 300 0.21164022 $2,135 $4,160 $1,195
2014 AmeriCorps*Members Slots with Education Award Only
Term of Service Min # of
Hours
MSY
Value
Education
Award*
Full Time 1,700 1.000 $5,645
One-year Half-time 900 0.500 $2,822
Reduced Half-Time 675 0.3809524 $2,150
Quarter-Time 450 0.26455027 $1,493
Minimum -time 300 0.21164022 $1,195
*The Education Award is provided to all AmeriCorps members that successfully complete their
terms of service, at no cost to the AmeriCorps program. For Budgetary purposes, the Education
Award is budget neutral.
Additional Information About Living Allowance and Education Awards
Individuals that receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) through the
Social Security Administration and that choose to serve in AmeriCorps may
receive AmeriCorps benefits without interfering with receipt of their SSI (The
HEART Act of 2008).
The Education Award is provided to all AmeriCorps members that
successfully complete their terms of service, at no cost to the AmeriCorps
program. For budgetary purposes, the Education Award is budget neutral.
Additionally, Education Awards earned by AmeriCorps members 55 years and
older are able to transfer their award to children and/or grandchildren.
Application Budget
• Based on number of AmeriCorps member slots and Member
Service Years (MSY) requested
• Covers the majority of costs of the added human resource
Calculating the Federal Share of the AmeriCorps*State Program Budget
The federal share of the AmeriCorps program budget is
calculated using the following method:
AmeriCorps Member Slots with Living Allowance
Total of Member Service Years (MSY) x $13,300
AmeriCorps Members Slots with Education Award Only
Total of Member Service Years x $800
Calculating the Federal Share -- EXAMPLE
Full-Time Members – 8 8.00 MSY
Half-Time Members – 16 8.00 MSY
Quarter-Time Members – 16 4.24 MSY
TOTAL 20.24 MSY
20.24 MSY x $13,300 = $269,192
Federal Share = $269,192
Program Match Requirements
Minimum local share is 24% of the overall program costs for the first
three years. Overall local share of total program costs increases
gradually beginning in Year 4 to 50% by the tenth year of funding and
any year thereafter.
It is required that local and/or state sources of both cash and in-kind
match be documented. If it is desired that federal sources be
proposed as match, both federal agencies involved must provide prior
approval.
Calculating the MATCH-- EXAMPLE
If applying for the first time, applicant must match with cash or in-kind
contributions at least 24% of the project’s total Operating Costs
Federal Share = $263,120
269,192 = ___X___
76 24
76X = 6,460,608
X = $85,008
Local Match = $85,008
TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET: $269,192 + $85,008 = $354,200
Matching Funds
• The acceptable sources of matching funds are federal, state, local, private sector,
and/or other funds in accordance with applicable AmeriCorps requirements.
• The source and total dollar amount of cash match from private, state and local and
federal funds, and the source and total amounts of in-kind are included in the
proposed budget.
• Define all acronyms the first time they are used.
• The Corporation’s legislation permits the use of non-Corporation federal funds as
match for the grantee share of the budget. Please discuss your intention of using
their funds to match an AmeriCorps grant with the other agency prior to submitting
your application.
AmeriCorps Program Budgetary Considerations
The program budget must directly support the proposed AmeriCorps program,
and must be broken into the federal share and local share, and includes:
Personnel and benefits costs associated with administering the program
AmeriCorps member living allowance and benefits costs, as appropriate
Other program costs, including:
Staff travel
Member travel
Equipment and supplies
Contractual and consultant services
Staff training
Member uniform and training
Evaluation
Other costs
Background checks (required)
Office space rental
Utilities, phone, internet, etc.
Recognition Costs
Two Methods of Calculating Indirect Administrative Costs
Five Percent (5%) Fixed Administrative Cost Option -- the federal share of
the budget is multiplied by 5.26% to determine the federal share and the total
of the local share is multiplied by 10% to determine the local share.
OR
Federally Approved Indirect Cost Rate Method -- five percent (5%) of the
federally approved rate can be charged to the federal share and the balance
can be charged to the local share of the budget (and used as in-kind match).
http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps
http://www.nationalservice.gov/build-your-
capacity/grants/managing-americorps-grants
https://www.nationalserviceresources.gov/
https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/publicRequestSearch.do
QUESTIONS?