americorps 101— for members welcome to americorps & national service!

2014-2015

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Just the Facts…

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Service to our Nation by making a difference in communities from coast to coast.

AmeriCorps members get things done for citizens in New Jersey as well as every state in the union!

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It starts with a plan of

action, but it continues with you!

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AmeriCorps members serve according to the application submitted to the NJ Commission.

This is a CORPS “reporting for duty.”

AmeriCorps Member identity, National Service branding, training, and reflection are part of this program.

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AmeriCorps Members must serve according to their position description that is written in their contract.◦Make sure to obtain a copy of your signed contract

and read it thoroughly.

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A term of service

A commitment to a set number of service hours

A separate program of service not longer than one year that has a lot of regulations that MUST be followed by organizations and members.

A win/win for both the community and Member

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Hours are to be served consistently according to the Member contract. For example:

◦ Minimum of 35 hours a week- FT◦ Minimum of 20 hours a week- HT◦ Minimum of 40 hours a week- MT

Summer Service

Make sure your contract is correct!

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National Service Program ◦ (Often referred to as the Domestic Peace Corps)

Locally Implemented, State & Federally Supported Service to Communities

Education Awards for Service Up to 4 Terms of National Service

(May only earn 2 education awards)

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AmeriCorps is:

◦funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS)

◦administered by the NJ Commission on National and Community Service

◦hosted by the Department of State

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New Jersey CDC

St. Paul’s CDC

Great Oaks Charter School

United Way of Central Jersey

United Way of Monmouth County

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Montclair University The Salvation Army The College of New Jersey Jersey Cares NJ DEP Watershed Ambassadors Jewish Renaissance Foundation Center for Family Services

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NJ has over 25 AmeriCorps programs with many sub-sites, including National Directs.

The State Commission is currently working with 12 programs.

There are over 800 Corps Members serving in all areas of New Jersey.

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Education Economic Opportunity Healthy Futures Environmental Stewardship Veterans and Military Families Disaster Recovery/Relief Capacity Building

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People of all backgrounds 17 years & older Committed to making a difference by

Completing a term of DIRECT Service with Local & National Organizations

There are over 800 Members in New Jersey

and 60,000 nationwide.

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Members must complete a Term of Service.

This could be 1700 hours (FT), 900 hours (HT), 450 hours (QT), or 300 hours (MT).

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AmeriCorps Members take action and find solutions to address community needs while

learning new skills and sharing talents to make a difference in New Jersey.

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Tutor Students

Educate communities about their environment

Renovate and Rebuild Abandoned Homes

Provide Mentoring During Non-School Hours

Recruit Volunteers

Teach Parenting Skills to Teen Parents

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Bridging the Digital Divide

Assisting the Homeless

Providing Support to Adults and Children with Disabilities

Supporting immigrants through a variety of Human & Educational Services

Supporting grandparents raising grandchildren

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A job or a job’s program

An internship

Free labor

A staff builder

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Do office, clerical, or janitorial work◦This includes answering phones

Supervise other members

Manage paperwork or financial issues

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Full-Time Members

1,700 Hours of Service Education Award $5,645 Living Allowance $12,100 Health Insurance Child Care

Half-Time Members

900 Hours of Service Education Award $2,822

Living Allowance $6,050 (varies slightly)

All Members receive training and the experience of a lifetime! PLUS…

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Child Care (For FT members)

Health Insurance (For FT members)

Loan Forbearance (During time of service)

Interest Accrual Stops

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TERM HOURS ED AWARD

Full Time 1700 $5645 Half Time 900 $2822 Quarter Time 450 $1493 Minimum Time 300 $1195

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The Education Award can be used to:

Repay qualified existing or future student loans Pay all or part of the cost of attending an institution of

higher education (including certain vocational programs) Pay expenses incurred while participating in an

approved school-to-work program

*NOTE: It must be used at an institution or program that that has been approved by the US Dept. of Education for participation in Title IV programs.

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Members can earn up to the equivalent of 2 full time education awards

Taxable upon use

You have up to seven years to use your award

Can be used at more than one institution and can help pay more than one loan

Can be used outside of the United States

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The Education Award is ONLY transferable if:

◦You were at least 55 when you enrolled; and◦You began service on or after October 1, 2009;

and ◦You are serving in an AmeriCorps State or

National program.

Only awards earned in terms beginning on or after Oct. 1, 2009, are eligible for transfer.

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Members must complete at least 15% of their service hours to be eligible for a pro-rated Education Award if he or she exited the program due to compelling personal circumstances.

◦ These are reasons BEYOND the member’s control, such as personal illness or the death of an immediate family member. Documentation is required.

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Members will need to access the My AmeriCorps portal by logging in at www.americorps.gov. On the site, members can:

Access their Education Award VoucherView their balanceApply for interest accrual or loan forbearance

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While charging time to the AmeriCorps program, accumulating service or training hours, or performing activities supported by the AmeriCorps program or the Corporation, staff and members may not:

Attempt to influence legislation;

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

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Assist, promote, or deter union organizing;

Impair existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements;

Engage in partisan political activities or other activities designed to influence the outcome of an election to any public office;

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Participate in or endorse events or activities that are likely to include advocacy for or against political parties, political platforms, political candidates, proposed legislation, or elected officials;

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Engage in religious instruction, conduct worship services, or provide instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship. Nor may they:

◦ construct, operate, or maintain facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship

◦ engage in any form of religious proselytization, such as prayer

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Provide a direct benefit to:

A business organized for profit;

A labor union;

A partisan political organization;

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Conducting a voter registration drive or using CNCS funds to conduct a voter registration drive;

Providing abortion services or referrals for receipt of such services; and

Such other activities as CNCS may prohibit.

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PLEASE NOTE:

AmeriCorps Members may not engage in the above activities directly or indirectly by recruiting, training, or managing others for the primary purpose of engaging in one of the activities listed above.

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Individuals may exercise their rights as may exercise their rights as private citizensprivate citizens and may participate in the activities listed above on their initiative, not on AmeriCorps time, and using non-CNCS funds.

Individuals should not wear the AmeriCorps logo while doing so.

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If a member has a COMPELLING PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCE and has completed at least 15% of their service, they MAY receive a portion of the educational award.

◦ This means that the situation is absolutely beyond the member’s control (e.g. illness).

◦ Documentation to substantiate the circumstance is MANDATORY and must be provided by the member.

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RELEASE FOR CAUSE--If a member leaves for other reasons, they will NOT receive an educational award.

◦These reasons include a new job, going back to school, dissatisfaction with the program, etc.

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Each program has a qualified supervisor who provides oversight on a daily basis.

Members are prohibited from supervising other members.

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Training opportunities include:

◦Orientation◦Citizenship Training (optional)◦Life After AmeriCorps◦Content Skills Training◦GED support

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Programs will provide opportunities for members to:

◦coordinate activities ◦recruit volunteers ◦serve in team leader capacities in their

programs

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The Program Manager will provide information about:

GED classesContinued EducationCareer Opportunities

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NJ Commission on National and Community Services

NJ Department of State

225 West State Street, 4th Floor P.O. Box 456

Trenton, NJ 08625-0456

609-633-9627

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Kelly Boyd, Program OfficerKelly.Boyd@sos.state.nj.us609-633-7325

Ivette Ramos, Fiscal & Grants Officer Ivette.Ramos@sos.state.nj.us609-633-0793

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