AmeriCorps 101

The Massachusetts Service Alliance

The Massachusetts Service Alliance, established in 1991, is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as the governor appointed state commission on community service and volunteerism.

• Invest• Convene• Build capacity• Advocate

Presentation Objectives Provide background on National Service Initiatives

History of National Service and AmeriCorps Different funding streams under CNCS

Explain in detail what an AmeriCorps program entails What organizations can host an AmeriCorps program What AmeriCorps is and is not Getting Things Done, Participant Development, and Strengthening Communities

Explain the elements of strong program design

Provide overview of program and fiscal management requirements

Brainstorm/discuss ways AmeriCorps could fit into your organization

History of National Service

Service Timeline

1933-1942: Franklin D. Roosevelt creates the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) to call young citizens to service during the Great Depression

1961: President John F. Kennedy establishes the Peace Corps with the help of Sargent Shriver, sending young citizens oversees to volunteer in foreign countries

1964: President Lyndon B. Johnson and Congress create VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), a National Teacher Corps, the Job Corps, and University Year of Action

1960s/70s: The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (now called RSVP), the Foster Grandparent Program, and the Senior Companion Program (which today comprise National Senior Service Corps) are developed

1970s: Federal Youth Conservation Corps and first non-federal state youth corps, the California Conservation Corps, are established to engage youth in community service

1980s: Many non-governmental service organizations are founded, including Campus Compact and Youth Service America

Service Timeline (cont.)

1988: President George H.W. Bush comments that individuals serving their neighbors were like “a thousand points of light,” and the Points of Light Foundation is created

1990: The National and Community Service Act signed by President George H.W. Bush formally launches current national service movement

1993: President Bill Clinton signs the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, creating AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National and Community Service to expand opportunities for Americans to serve their communities; VISTA and the Senior Corps become part of the new Corporation

Service Timeline (cont.)

2002: President George W. Bush calls Americans to engage in a “lifetime of service,” creating an umbrella network for volunteerism called the USA Freedom Corps and doubling the size of AmeriCorps

2007: Governor Deval Patrick signs state legislation creating the Commonwealth Corps in Massachusetts

2009: President Barack Obama signs the Serve America Act, re-authorizing the Corporation for National and Community Service and calling for AmeriCorps to triple in size over the next several years

Service Timeline (cont.)

National Service Funding Streams

The mission of the Corporation for National and Community Service is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.

National Service Chart

Senior Corps engages over 500,000 citizens over the age of 55 in meaningful volunteer opportunities across the country, including the Foster Grandparents program, Senior Companions program, and RSVP.

Learn and Serve America supports and encourages service-learning across the country, enabling over one million students grades K through college to make meaningful contributions to their community while building their academic and civic skills.

AmeriCorps is a network of local, state, and national service programs that connects more than 75,000 citizens (nearly 2,000 in MA) each year in intensive service to meet our country’s critical needs in education, the environment, public safety (including disaster preparedness and response), health, etc.

AmeriCorps Service Chart

State and National

AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty.

VISTA volunteers serve individually for one year at a nonprofit organization or local government agency, doing indirect service full-time in the area of organizational capacity building.

The administration and oversight of VISTA grants are done directly by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Organizations interested in hosting a single AmeriCorps member should contact the state office of the Corporation for National and Community Service to apply for a VISTA volunteer:

Sherry McClintock10 Causeway Street, Room 473

Boston, MA  02222-1038  

Phone: (617) 565-7006

Email: ma@cns.gov

AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) is a full-time, 10-month, team-based residential program for men and women ages 18 to 24.

NCCC members are assigned to one of five campuses located in California, Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, or Mississippi, and travel throughout their assigned region to do direct service by implementing community service projects for various nonprofit organizations and local government agencies.

The administration and oversight of NCCC is done directly by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Organizations interested in requesting the assistance of an NCCC team for a specific six to eight week project should submit a project application to their regional NCCC office:

NCCC Atlantic RegionVA Medical Center

P.O. Box 27Perry Point, MD 21902-0027Tel: 410-642-2411 ext. 6852

E-mail: rnixon@cns.gov

The largest of AmeriCorps programs, AmeriCorps State and National provides funds to local and national organizations committed to using national service to address critical community needs in education, public safety, health and the environment.

These organizations and agencies use their AmeriCorps funding to recruit, place, and supervise AmeriCorps members in direct service opportunities.

State and National

State and National

AmeriCorps National Direct programs utilize service and volunteering to address compelling community needs in at least two states.

An organization identifies a community need, designs a program to meet that need through the service of AmeriCorps members and volunteers, and applies directly to the Corporation for funding.

AmeriCorps National Direct

Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to administer and monitor a federal, multi-site, multi-state grant; have developed relationships with organizations in different states that will operate the local programs; and have in place the components of a successful National Direct program.

The administration and oversight of AmeriCorps National Direct programs is done directly by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

AmeriCorps National Direct

AmeriCorps State programs utilize service and volunteering to address compelling community needs in a single state.

An organization identifies a community need, designs a program to meet that need through the service of AmeriCorps members and volunteers, and applies to their state commission for funding (in MA, the Massachusetts Service Alliance).

AmeriCorps State

Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to administer and monitor a federal grant; have developed relationships with organizations in their state that will operate the local programs; and have in place the components of a successful AmeriCorps program.

The administration and oversight of AmeriCorps State programs in Massachusetts is done by the Massachusetts Service Alliance.

AmeriCorps State

As the state commission, our mission is to catalyze the innovation and growth of service and volunteerism by creating partnerships that maximize resources, expertise, capacity, and impact.

MSA Programs

• AmeriCorps• Commonwealth Corps• Mentoring• Other Volunteer Initiatives

The MSA Portfolio of 2009-2010 Programs Across the Commonwealth

= AmeriCorps

= Commonwealth Corps

= Mentoring

State and National

Mentoring

Volunteer Initiatives

VISTA NCCC AmeriCorps State

Members must be 18+ Members age 18 to 24 Members must be 17+

Members serve individuallyMembers serve in teams of 8 to

12Programs have 10+ members

One year commitment 10 month commitment 10 to 12 month commitment

Full-time Full-time Full, half, quarter, or min time

Indirect service Direct service Direct service

Serve in one organization Serve in multiple states Serve in one state

Around $9500 living stipend $4000 living stipend FT $11,800 minimum stipend

Education Award or post service stipend

Education Award Education Award

Non-residential Residential Varies

College or 3 yrs work experience

High School Diploma or GEDRequirements vary; HS

Diploma/GED at minimum

Member management mainly overseen by host organization

Program management overseen by NCCC Regional Office

Program management overseen by organization

Oversight of grant by/apply through CNCS State Office

Oversight by/apply through NCCC Regional Office

Oversight of grant by/apply through MSA

Designing Your AmeriCorps Program

Who can apply to develop and host an AmeriCorps Program?• Public or private nonprofit organizations [501(c)3s] including labor

organizations

• Community organizations, including faith-based organizations

• Institutions of higher education

• Government entities within states or territories (e.g. cities, counties)

• Indian Tribes

• A partnership or consortia of the aforementioned are also eligible to apply

AmeriCorps is…

A year of stipended service

A team of members addressing compelling needs

A way to leverage local and federal resources

A way to build organizational capacity to meet needs through volunteer generation and partnership building

AmeriCorps is NOT…

Cheap labor

A staffing system

A funding source

Program replacement

Overall Goals of AmeriCorps

Getting Things Done What is the need and what is AmeriCorps doing about it?

Developing Participants What are the benefits for AmeriCorps members?

Strengthening Communities How are you engaging community members and building

sustainability?

CNCS Priority Areas

Education Healthy Futures Economic Opportunity Clean Energy/Environment Veterans

A successful program design:

Describes and substantiates the community need(s) Identifies any gaps in services available to meet that need Explains why AmeriCorps members are an appropriate strategy

to address the need Describes the specific service activities of AmeriCorps members Outlines plans to ensure that members will effectively carry out

these activities Forecasts the results of member service activities Defines how such results will be measured

Community Need

Supported with data, preferably local NOT the need for the program or activities,

but the issue(s) addressed through program activities

Members’ needs may also be additional focus of the program

What is the desired outcome or change in the need?

Needs and Service Activities Direct service – meet needs by providing a direct

benefit to the community

Capacity building – activities such as volunteer recruitment and management to meet community needs and ensure sustainability of AmeriCorps-supported activities

Direct Service Indirect Service

Tutoring in an afterschool program

Recruiting tutors for afterschool programs

Renovating low-income housing

Organizing volunteers to renovate low-income housing

Prohibited Activities

Members are prohibited from engaging in: Lobbying; religious instruction; advocacy; some

fundraising Clerical and/or custodial positions Management of any administrative aspects of the

AmeriCorps grant or program Supervision or management of other members All prohibited activities outlined in the AmeriCorps

Regulations/Provisions and Application Instructions

Program Models

Single Site

Multi-siteLocal, regional, statewide

Team-based

Residential

Member Service Terms

Service Term Minimum # of Hours

MSY

Full-time 1700 1.000

One-year Half-time 900 0.500

Reduced Half-time 675 0.381

Quarter-time 450 0.265

Minimum-time 300 0.212

Service must be completed in 12-month period

Members may serve the equivalent of two FT terms

Member Service Years (MSY’s) 1 MSY = 1 full-time year of service

NOT equivalent to FTE – for example:4 Quarter Time ≠ 1 Full Time

Must request a minimum of 10 full-time members or MSY equivalent; MSA recommends 15

Can request any combination of types of members

Activities

Be specific: Where does the activity take place? How many hours per day on each activity? How many days per week for each activity? Does service dosage satisfy the need?

ALL activities should be clearly tied to the identified need and the targeted goals of the program

Program Impact

What are the goals of your program? Outcomes of service activities Logic Models and Performance Measure

Worksheets Reporting requirements

Need Activities Outcomes

Developing Participants

What do members gain from participating in your program?

Civic Engagement – develop lifelong ethic of service

Training – receive year-long training

Leadership –opportunities for members to develop and practice leadership skills

Strengthening Communities

Programs strengthen communities by: Mobilizing community assets Generating volunteers Involving the community Engaging diverse staff and AmeriCorps

members

AmeriCorpsBudget

BUDGET Section I: Program Operating Costs

Personnel & Fringe Staff and Member Training Staff and Member Travel Supplies

Section II: Member Costs Living allowance FICA, worker’s comp Health care

Section III: Administrative/Indirect Costs

BUDGET 1 MSY = 1 full time service year

Max cost per MSY = $13,000

Cost per MSY Ed Award only = $800

Education award not included in cost per MSY or award amount

Example: 30 half time members (15 MSY) = $195,000 maximum CNCS request

BUDGET

Living Allowance

Service Term Minimum # of Hours

MSY Minimum Living

Allowance

MaximumTotal Living

Allowance

Full-time 1700 1.000 $11,800 $23,600

One-year Half-time 900 0.500 n/a $12,500

Reduced Half-time 675 0.381 n/a $9,370

Quarter-time 450 0.265 n/a $6,250

Minimum-time 300 0.212 n/a $4,160

Members may waive all or part of the living allowance

BUDGET

Match Requirements

In-kind and cash match

Years 1, 2, 3 – 24% minimum match

Match increases each year after Year 3

BUDGETExample:20 FT members – max request $260,000Minimum match: 24% (cash and in-kind)

CNCS Grantee Total

Section I $3,485 $77,814 $81,299

Section II $243,522 $32,597 $276,119

Section III $12,993 $0 $12,993

Total $260,000 $110,411 $370,411

% Share 70% 30%

What is an AmeriCorps Member? Must be at least 17 years of age Must be a U.S. citizen, national, or legal

permanent resident alien of the U.S. Each program determines other eligibility

requirements Experience, skills, etc. Educational background

Member Benefits

Living Allowance Minimum of $11,800 for full-time Other slot types are not required to have living allowances

Personal and Professional Development Service Gear Health Care (full-time only) Child Care (full-time only) Education Award, tied to Federal Pell Grant

Deferment of Student Loans (if applicable)

Program and Fiscal Management

Program Management Member Management Required Meetings Progress reporting Site Visit

Fiscal Management Accounting Systems Reimbursement Requests Quarter Fiscal reporting Site Visit

Program Management

Planning

Supervision, Communication,

Evaluation

Reflection and Recognition

Recruitment and Selection

Orientation and

Training

Member Management Cycle

Program Management

Recruitment

Timeline

Target Audience

Method of Recruitment

Process for Recruitment

Program Management

Selection

What is the relevant experience necessary for the position?

What do I need to know to decide whether or not this person can perform the essential functions of this position?

Program Management

Orientation and Training

What are the skills and knowledge members need to perform their service?

How will you determine these needs? What are the ongoing training opportunities

throughout the service year?

Program Management

Supervision and Evaluation

Who will: Provide supervision Evaluate members Provide/receive feedback to members

Fiscal Management

Expected financial systems: Disbursements Receipts Account Reconciliation Overhead Allocation Actual to Budget Variance Analysis

Fiscal ManagementIn order to meet the CNCS reporting standardsaccounting systems must be capable of:

Accounts for each award/grant separately Distinguishing grant versus non-grant related expenditures Identifying costs by program year Identifying costs by budget category Differentiating between direct and indirect costs (administrative

costs) Maintains Federal/non-Federal matching funds separately from

grant funds Records in-kind contribution as both revenues and expenses Directly correlates to financial reports submitted to CNCS (PERs

and FSRs)

Fiscal Management

Summary of Relevant OMB Circulars

Educational Institutions

Non-Profit Organizations

State & Local Governments

Uniform Administrative Requirements

45 CFR 2543 & Circular No. A-110

45 CFR 2543 & Circular No. A-110

45 CFR 2541 & Circular No. A-87

Cost Principles Circular No. A-21 Circular No. A-122 Circular No. A-102

Audits

Circular No. A-133 Circular No. A-133 Circular No. A-133

Each of the specific circulars can be downloaded from the internet at the following address:

Http://www.whitehouse. gov/OMB/circulars/index.html

All Corporation grants are governed by the Office of Management & Budget (OMB) circulars.

Grantee RequirementsMeetings Initial training and orientation (2 ½ days) 5 Program director meetings annually

(1 day every other month)

Reporting Mid and year end progress reporting Quarterly Fiscal reporting

Programmatic and Fiscal site visits

Organizational Capacity

Federal Grant Extensive Regulations and Provisions Significant reporting requirements Administrative program management Fiscal Requirements

What can AmeriCorps do for you? National Service Movement Address a community need Build capacity Sustainability Build partnerships Training and Technical Assistance

RFP Process

Summer – RFP is releasedTA Sessions

Early Fall – Concept Papers are due Fall – Community Review Late Oct. – Notification about full application Mid-Jan. – Full application due May – Final notification of award

Next Steps

Organizational Capacity AmeriCorps Culture Community Need Member Management Fiscal Management