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Homes for All VISTA NEW Partner Site Application Guidance

2018-2019Application Opens: April 3rd, 2018

Full Application Due: May 4th, 2018

What is AmeriCorps VISTA?VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) is a national service program focused on eliminating poverty. Conceived by President Kennedy as a domestic counterpart to the Peace Corps, VISTA was started by President Johnson in 1965 as part of the War on Poverty. VISTA joined the AmeriCorps umbrella under the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) in 1993. The core principles of VISTA include community empowerment, capacity-building, and sustainable solutions. Any nonprofit organization, educational institution, or tribal or public agency that has a program explicitly designed to alleviate poverty may apply to become a VISTA project sponsor. The project’s goal should address helping to bring individuals and communities out of poverty, rather than on making poverty more tolerable. The project should strengthen long-term solutions, not merely provide short-term services. VISTA projects are generally a 3-year partnership. Organizations should develop a long-term sustainability plan in year one of the project’s existence, demonstrating the eventual phase-out of the VISTA resource.

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What is Homes for All VISTA?Homes for All VISTA is the second national service program to be administered by the Homeless & Housing Coalition of Kentucky (HHCK). Our VISTA project is funded through a grant received from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). Since June of 2016, HHCK has hosted VISTA members to serve across Kentucky. The focus of Homes for All VISTA is primarily on Economic Opportunity, with a secondary focus on Healthy Futures.

Our partner sites serve those who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, economically disadvantaged, individuals with disabilities, and survivors of domestic violence. Our primary focus is to address the affordable housing crisis through housing development, repair, and provision of housing and homeless services. The sites we partner will also provide services to children, individuals seeking substance abuse treatment, mental health services, healthcare, education, food security, and employment. These are supports essential to acquiring, securing, or maintaining housing.

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Homes for All VISTA 2018-2019

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Who are Homes for All VISTA members? VISTAs serve in a full-time capacity over a one year term of service. The benefits of VISTA service include a modest living allowance of approximately $12,277, a choice of an education award or end of service stipend upon successful completion of service, health care benefits, relocation allowance (if eligible), child care assistance (if eligible), one year non-compete eligibility following service for government employment, student loan deferment on eligible student loans, and repayment of interest accrued on qualified student loans. VISTAs must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, able to pass a national service criminal history check, and meet the knowledge, skills, and requirements set by Homes for All and the partner site.

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What can a VISTA do? A VISTA member is focused on capacity building with sustainable solutions. What kind of activities would you want your VISTA to perform? Do the activities address poverty and poverty-related issues? Keep in mind that VISTA members should engage the majority of their time in capacity building efforts.

Examples of VISTA activities include: building partnerships with local organizations and businesses, recruiting/training/coordinating volunteers, grant-writing, soliciting donations, publicity/marketing, streamline services, develop websites/social media, etc.

Please visit https://www.vistacampus.gov/resources/vista-101-understanding-vista-0 for more information on VISTA.

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Overview of Hosting A Homes for All VISTA memberHosting an VISTA members is a collaborative effort between partner sites and HHCK. Partner sites that host a VISTA member through Homes for All are responsible, in tandem with HHCK, for recruiting, training and supervising a VISTA member for 12 months.

Homes for All has 22 member slots available for partner sites in the 2018-2019 program year.

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VISTA TerminologyThis is a list of common terms you’ll find throughout application.

(VISTA) Slot = this is what you are applying for and is the opportunity to have a VISTA member(s) through Homes for All. You are applying for an open position/slot, rather than an

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specific individual. You will still need to recruit, interview, and select an individual. Our program staff assists in that process.

VISTA Member = the individual selected and cleared for service.

Partner sites = your organization and where your member(s) will serve their term.

VAD (VISTA Assignment Description) = this is the foundation on which the entire VISTA member experience is built, from recruitment to the end of service. The VAD is used to manage, support, and evaluate VISTAs. The VAD details the goals and objectives of your VISTA project.

On-Site Orientation and Training (OSOT) = your organization’s plan for introducing, orienting, and training the VISTA candidate. Your proposal is sent to Homes for All staff for review.

Pre-Service Orientation (PSO) = each first-time VISTA candidate attends a Pre-Service Orientation. The Classic model is a three-day, off-site intensive training model, at no expense to the candidate. Service begins the day after PSO Classic. The Virtual Member Orientation (VMO) is candidate-focused, with an emphasis on the individual completing all coursework before activation as a VISTA is complete. Service technically begins the same day as PSO and on-site at the organization, but candidates must meet all requirements in order to continue service.

Site Supervisor = an employee of your organization who will be responsible for the day-to-day supervision and mentoring of the VISTA member(s).

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Technical AssistanceAfter partner sites selections have been made, an in-person Site Supervisor orientation will be conducted in August to prepare sites for the upcoming program year. The selected partner site agrees to make every reasonable accommodation to allow the site supervisor to participate in this event. If the designated site supervisor is unavailable, another representative from the organization must attend.

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Timeline for Host Site Application Submission and Notification

Application Released April 3rd

Application Due May 4th

Staff Reviews May 4th – 14th

Applicant Notification of Decision May 15th

Site Supervisor Training tbd (August)

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Organizations selected as partner sites for the 2018-2019 program year will be notified via email no later than 5 PM on May 15th. All decisions are contingent upon federal funding.

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VISTA Term of Service CalendarThe next cycle of VISTA enrollment for the Homes for All VISTA program will begin in late July and go through the end of August. Please note that the date to nominate a candidate(s) to Homes for All is well in advance of the VISTA member start date.

This is the recruitment and nomination process to CNCS, who reviews all recommendation material and makes the final decision to select a VISTA for service.

Partner sites conduct web/phone/in-person interviews Partner sites select a suitable candidate(s) and notify Homes for All Candidates submit application on MyAmeriCorps.gov Homes for All program staff interviews candidate(s) Partner sites receive feedback from Homes for All and make final nomination Homes for All checks references and offers position to candidate Candidate accepts position offer in MyAmeriCorps.gov Homes for All submits all hiring and recommendation materials to CNCS CNCS makes final decision, notifies Homes for All All first –time VISTAs attend a Pre-Service Orientation (PSO) before service begins

START DATE PSO DATE PSO TYPEDEADLINE TO NOMINATE to

HOMES FOR ALL

July 9th July 9th Virtual Member

OrientationJune 2nd

July 23rd July 23rd Virtual Member

OrientationJune 15th

August 6th August 6th Virtual Member

OrientationJuly 2nd

August 7th August 4th-6th Classic June 13th

August 20th August 20th Virtual Member Orientation

July 12th

August 21st August 17th-20th Classic June 25th

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PSOs fill up quickly. The earlier you can nominate a candidate to Homes for All, the better – this allows for Homes for All to submit all hiring materials to CNCS well ahead of the deadline. The chance of a candidate being accepted into a PSO is higher the earlier the nomination date.

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Partner Site Contribution Host sites are required to provide a financial contribution for each VISTA awarded in order to participate in the program. The total is $5,400 per VISTA per program year. Please note that host sites are responsible for the entirety of the cost, regardless of whether their member completes the full service term. This is the program participation cost, not the cost of the VISTA member, their benefits, or their living allowance. This contribution is non-refundable (even in the event of a VISTA resigning or being terminated).

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Application Instructions and GuidanceOrganizations interested in partnering with Homes for All to host a VISTA member should carefully review the following requirements and complete their application by May 4th. Application must be sent via email to [email protected]. Any questions related to the application should be directed to Caitlin Szabo, Program Director, at [email protected] or 502.223.1834 ext. 108. Applications will only be accepted after the stated deadlines if the program does not fill the allotment of VISTA slots awarded.

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Program Performance Measures + GoalsEach partner site will need to report on at least one of the following performance measures. The VISTA member will be required to collect data and submit periodic reports to Homes for All. Supervisors are encouraged to review the data prior to submission to ensure accuracy.

Collectively, Homes for All VISTAS will -

Recruit 850 community volunteers that will serve 6,800 hours Provide capacity building services to 21 organizations 100% of those organizations will report that VISTA helped the organization to be more

efficient, effective Leverage $750,000 in cash resources Leverage $50,000 in in-kind resources Develop/obtain/implement resources/programs/etc. that allow for 3600 economically

disadvantaged individuals to receive housing services Develop/obtain/implement resources/programs/etc. that allow for 1210 economically

disadvantaged individuals to transition into safe, affordable housing

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Additional service activities (goals) include expanding community awareness and engagement, diversifying funding streams and financial resources, increasing participant recruitment through outreach, expand implementation of development and delivery of services, and volunteer recruitment to expand pool.

Other interventions include assisting with access to housing, finding housing, and finding resources to support housing, building, rehabilitating, and repairing homes, financial literacy education, and job readiness training.

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Application Design

1. Applicant Information Form (5%)2. Narrative (20%)3. VISTA Assignment Description (VAD) (20%)4. On-Site Orientation + Training (OSOT) (20%)5. VISTA Recruitment + Retention (20%)6. Supervisor + Host Site Capacity (15%)

Applicant Information Form Please answer the questions about your organization on the designated Applicant Information Form (provided in this packet).

Evaluation Criteria for Program Information [5%] – information is answered completely and accurately.

NarrativeThe narrative portion of the application will address community needs by answering the following questions. Applicants will provide their answers on a separate Word document to be sent as part of the full application.

Project Description (total – 15%)

1. Why is your project necessary? What are the community needs? What is your evidence of this need? Please address how your agency is currently addressing this need, if applicable. (5%)

2. What are the goals of your potential VISTA project? What will success look like? (2%)3. What will a VISTA do to accomplish these goals? (2%)4. What new organizational capacity or infrastructure will be created by this project? (2%)5. What steps will be taken to ensure project sustainability? (2%)6. If expanding existing programs, how do you know these programs are effective? Or, if

you propose creating a new program in your community, are you modeling after other projects/programs? (2%)

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Performance Measure (5%)

Please select all of the metrics that you anticipate will apply to your project. An additional form is provided in this packet for submission purposes.

Performance Measure Check (if applicable) Target Number

Tracking Mechanism

(Database, sign-in sheets, etc.)

# of community volunteers VISTA members recruited

# total service hours community volunteers recruited by VISTA member

$ value of cash resources leveraged by VISTA member

$ value of in-kind resources leveraged by VISTA member

# of economically disadvantaged individuals receiving housing placement services because of VISTA capacity building efforts

# of economically disadvantaged individuals transitioned into housing because of VISTA capacity building efforts

Evaluation Criteria for Narrative [20%] - questions answered completely and thoroughly.

VISTA Assignment Description (VAD) A VISTA’s year-long work plan is called a VISTA Assignment Description (VAD). The VAD allows your VISTA member to take the project goals and view them as objectives, activities, and milestones that mark progress. Each VAD should have a timeframe for the accomplishment of objectives and activities. Sample VADs are available on VISTACampus.gov.

The supervisor and VISTA will review the VAD regularly, as all of the VISTA’s activities should relate directly to the objectives in the VAD. The VAD can be revised if absolutely necessary.

When developing your VAD, you should keep in mind that the VAD should – Be detailed, but open to flexibility

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Be realistic to accomplish in one year Contain Indirect service activities Contain action verbs Specify key products and deliverables Not contain any CNCS-designated prohibited activities (guidance at the end of this

packet). Not contain any activities that would lead to the displacement or duplication of staff or

volunteers (guidance at the end of this packet).

This resource may be helpful as you write your VAD - https://www.vistacampus.gov/resources/creating-effective-vads.

Participation in the VISTA program is a professional development and service opportunity. VISTAs may not have the same educational and professional experience you might expect for a full-time employee.

Applicants should use the blank VAD template provided in this packet.

Evaluation Criteria for VISTA Assignment Description [20%] – VISTA activities are orientated towards one or more of the performance measures (5%), VISTA service activities do not include any CNCS prohibited activities or any duplication/displacement of staff or volunteers (5%), VISTA activities are reasonable with clear deadlines for achieving objectives (5%), VISTA activities clearly describe sustainable plans (5%).

On-Site Orientation and Training (OSOT) VISTA members must receive orientation and training that will give them the necessary knowledge and skills to accomplish assigned tasks. HHCK will provide the members with detailed training on the VISTA program and general housing and homelessness issues in Kentucky in September during our VISTA Fall Training.

VISTA will also be provided with basic training on completing position requirements, such as grant-writing, volunteer programs, etc. Responsibility for preparing the member to perform their day-to-day tasks related to their VAD, however, will rest with the partner host site. We expect your organization to provide the member with detailed orientation and training. This orientation period should be no less than two weeks.

Use the On-Site Orientation and Training Checklist provided in this packet to develop your own OSOT for your VISTA. (15%)

Describe any other that your organization is willing and able to provide that could help members enhance their overall knowledge and experience. List any additional benefits that will

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be provided to a VISTA serving at your agency (professional development, housing, meals, training, equipment, etc.).

Evaluation Criteria for On-Site Orientation + Training [20%] - OSOT will result in the members gaining the knowledge and skills needed to perform the tasks or carry out the role, training includes a site orientation, including staff integration and organizational policies and procedures. The organization clearly demonstrates support of a VISTA’s professional development and/or knowledge/experience.

VISTA Recruitment + RetentionDescribe your plans for recruiting and retaining your VISTA. Provide a description of the main activities that your VISTA will complete this year. This will be used to recruit for your VISTA position (it should tie directly to the VAD). (5%)

Please answer how you plan to start the recruitment process. Describe how an attempt will be made to include members from the local communities to be served by your organization. Will you advertise? Who will be involved in the interview process? Will you plan to review the VISTA program in the interview? What specific skills and qualifications will you look for in a VISTA member? (5%)

VISTA members are expected to complete their full-term, one year commitment. Our program is expected to have 100% retention of VISTAs. VISTAs are receiving minimal benefits in exchange for their service and typically thrive in supportive, engaged environments. We expect partner sites to work with our program staff to achieve a strong retention rate. How will you ensure the VISTA is retained for the entirety of their service term? (5%)

Evaluation Criteria for VISTA Recruitment + Retention [20%] – clear plan is in place to recruit and retain VISTAs. Note: a site’s retention history is also taken into consideration as host sites are chosen for the 2018-2019 program year.

Supervisor + Partner Site CapacityDescribe your organization’s experience as a partner site (if applicable) and provide specific examples of accomplishments during the 2017-2018 program year, as it relates to VISTA activities. If you experienced difficulty as a partner site, please explain these difficulties and how you plan to handle these challenges if chosen as a partner site for the 2018--2019 program year. Were you able to recruit VISTAs successfully for the prior program year? Did your VISTA successfully complete their term of service? Did the organization maintain regular, open communication with our program staff? (5%)

-or-If your organization has not partnered with Homes for All before, please describe your organization’s capacity to host a VISTA. This may include a description of administering a federal or state grant, and/or prior experience hosting community-based long term volunteers. (5%)

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Each organization that is selected to partner with Homes for All must designate a site supervisor. This individual will need to attend our supervisor training, hold regular meetings with the VISTA(s), complete required program forms, and maintain regular communication with the Program Director. Describe who the site supervisor will be for the VISTA(s). Why is this staff person the optimal choice to serve as the site supervisor? What is your succession plan in the event that the current supervisor leaves or is out for an extended period of time?

Describe the work space available for the member(s). Where will the VISTA be serving hours? What are the anticipated weekly service hours? Do you currently have the resources to support a VISTA (office space, mileage reimbursement funds, computer, copier, etc.)?

Evaluation Criteria for Supervisor + Partner Site Capacity [15%] - has a supervisor been identified? Has the supervisor indicated the ability to devote adequate time to the proposed VISTA(s)? Does the site have adequate space and equipment for members to perform their assigned duties? Note: a site’s history of responsiveness to Homes for All, including supervisor communication, timeliness in approving VISTA time/completing evaluations/responsiveness to program staff, adherence to partner contribution schedule, and documenting issues/challenges is taken into consideration as partner sites are chosen for the 2018-2019 program year.

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Submission Information Application must be sent via email to [email protected].

Add all materials in a PDF, using the Application Checklist as the cover letter, and attach to the email. Please use the subject line “VISTA Partner Site Application – organization name”.

Any questions related to the application should be directed to Caitlin Szabo, Program Director, at [email protected] or 502.223.1834 ext. 108.

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VISTA Application Checklist (include as cover letter for application)

Organization Name:______________________________________________________

Date of Submission:_______________________________________________________

Name of Individual Submitting Application:____________________________________

Contact for Individual:_____________________________________________________

# of VISTAs Requested:_____________________________________________________

□ Applicant Information Form

□ Narratives

□ Performance Measure Chart

□ VISTA Assignment Description (VAD)

□ On-Site Orientation + Training (OSOT)

□ VISTA Recruitment + Retention

□ Supervisor + Host Site Capacity

□ Signature Page

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Applicant Information Form

Date Submitted: Click here to enter a date.

Type of Application: ☐Previous VISTA Experience ☐No VISTA Experience

AGENCY INFORMATION:

Legal Name: Click here to enter text.

Address: Click here to enter text.

EIN: Click here to enter text.

Legal Status of Agency: ☐501(c)3 Charitable Non-Profit ☒ Government Agency ☐ Other

# of VISTA Slots Requested: Click here to enter text.

MISSION/PURPOSE OF AGENCY

Describe the core programs of your agency. In other words, what does your organization do to fulfill its mission? Click here to enter text.

Give a short 2-3 sentence description of your intended VISTA project. Click here to enter text.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Agency Director: Click here to enter text.Director Phone Number: Click here to enter text.Email Address: Click here to enter text.Contact Person: Click here to enter text.Contact Email Address:Click here to enter text.Proposed VISTA Supervisor: Click here to enter text.Email:Click here to enter text.Phone Number: Click here to enter text.

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION

# of Full-time Staff: Click here to enter text.# of Part-time Staff: Click here to enter text.# of Active Community Volunteers: Click here to enter text.Annual Budget: Click here to enter text.Age of Organization: Click here to enter text.

VISTA PROJECT FOCUS AREA☐ Economic Opportunity (Financial literacy, housing, employment)

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☐ Military Families☐ Healthy Futures (Sustainable agriculture, food resources, health care)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Is your organization currently a member of HHCK? If yes, are you current on HHCK dues? Click here to enter text.

Note: Each agency awarded a Homes for All VISTA through HHCK must become a paying member of HHCK.

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VISTA Performance Measures

Please select all of the metrics that you anticipate will apply to your project. An additional form is provided in this packet for submission purposes.

Performance Measure Check (if applicable) Target Number

Tracking Mechanism

(Database, sign-in sheets, etc.)

# of community volunteers VISTA members recruited

# total service hours community volunteers recruited by VISTA member

$ value of cash resources leveraged by VISTA member

$ value of in-kind resources leveraged by VISTA member

# of economically disadvantaged individuals receiving housing placement services because of VISTA capacity building efforts

# of economically disadvantaged individuals transitioned into housing because of VISTA capacity building efforts

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VISTA Assignment Description (VAD) Title:

Sponsoring Organization: Project Name: Project Number: Project Period: mm/dd/yyy – mm/dd/yyyy Site Name (if applicable):Focus Area(s) (do NOT put “capacity-building”)

Primary: Secondary:

Note:If your VAD is not accepted, the State Office will note the reason(s) why here.

VISTA Assignment Objectives and Member Activities

Goal of the Project:

Objective of the Assignment (mm/dd/yyyy – mm/dd/yyyy)First objective of this assignment, written in a sentence or two.

Member Activities:

1. First activity that will contribute to accomplishing the first objective. a. Smaller element that’s part of the first activity.b. Another element of the activity.

2. Activity 2.a.

Objective of the Assignment (mm/dd/yyyy – mm/dd/yyyy)Second objective that this VISTA is to accomplish.

Member Activities:

1. First activity.2. Second activity.

a. Sub-activity.3. Third activity

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CNCS Prohibited Activities

a. Attempting to influence legislation; b. Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes; c. Assisting, promoting, or deterring union organizing; d. Impairing existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements; e. Engaging in partisan political activities, or other activities designed to influence the outcome of an election to any public office; f. Participating in, or endorsing, events or activities that are likely to include advocacy for or against political parties, political platforms, political candidates, proposed legislation, or elected officials; g. Engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of religious proselytization; h. Providing a direct benefit to— i. A business organized for profit; ii. A labor union; iii. A partisan political organization; iv. A nonprofit organization that fails to comply with the restrictions contained in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 related to engaging in political activities or substantial amount of lobbying except that nothing in these 9 provisions shall be construed to prevent participants from engaging in advocacy activities undertaken at their own initiative; and v. An organization engaged in the religious activities described in paragraph 3.g. above, unless CNCS assistance is not used to support those religious activities; i. Conducting a voter registration drive or using CNCS funds to conduct a voter registration drive;j. Providing abortion services or referrals for receipt of such services; and k. Such other activities as CNCS may prohibit.

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. Individuals may exercise their rights as private citizens and may participate in the activities listed above on their initiative, on non-AmeriCorps time, and using non-CNCS funds. Individuals should not wear the AmeriCorps logo while doing so.

Guidance on Non-Displacement, + Non-Duplication

Non-Duplication: Grant funds may not be used to duplicate services that are available in the locality of a Program or project. The Grantee may not conduct activities that are the same or substantially equivalent to activities provided by a state or local government agency in which the Grantee entity resides.

You cannot duplicate services that are already taking place in a locality i.e. a program is operating without AmeriCorps funds and the organization wishes to continue the same program with no expansions or improvements in service with AmeriCorps funds instead. If you wanted to replicate the program in a new area, reaching new beneficiaries, or improve the service delivery as a result of an AmeriCorps member, that would not be duplication.

Non-Displacement: An AmeriCorps member may not displace an employee or position, including partial displacement such as reduction in hours, wages or employment benefits, as a result of the use by such employer of a member in a Program or project.

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On-Site Orientation and Training (OSOT) Checklist

Getting Started

Introduce member to the head of the organization Discuss history and purpose of organization, how member fits in Introduce co-workers Show member their workspace, location of breakrooms, restrooms, etc. Discuss basic terms of work, policies, procedures Review VISTA handbook (leave policies, time keeping, etc.) Explain use of telephone, mail services, computer network, server, etc. Explain standards of conduct including rules of dress, housekeeping, smoking, Explain parking practices and arrange for keys if needed

Organizational Purpose

Discuss in more detail the mission, background, and purpose of organization Review organizational structure and staff duties Explain project goals and objectives Give the member time to read any materials given to him/her

Member Assignment + Supervisor Relationship

Clarifying VISTA assignments, how goals will be achieved, and how the member’s progress in achieving project objectives will be assessed

Review VAD, explain specific responsibilities Important: make it clear what the expected project outcomes are, what the member will create

and how it will help individuals or communities move out of poverty Discuss performance expectations and standards Explain supervisor and support structure, communications, reporting, accountability Discuss the working relationship between the VISTA and direct supervisor, mutual expectations,

communications styles, work style, support needs, etc. Review staff meeting and team meeting schedules

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Homes for All VISTAPartner Site Application

SIGNATURE PAGE

Acknowledgements: We understand that AmeriCorps VISTA members placed through Homes for All are required to attend all Homes for All trainings/events, participate in conference calls, and national days of service. We agree to release them from the site to participate. We support Homes for All in its effort to provide member training and recognition events and will accommodate occasional absences of the member (with advance notice, when possible) for this purpose.

Assurances:

The legal applicant organization has an active Drug-Free Workplace Policy and an active Non Discrimination Policy.

Partner site has the institutional, managerial, and financial capability required to ensure proper planning, management, and completion of the activities described in this application.

Partner site will comply with all applicable requirements of all federal laws, regulations, and policies governing this program.

Partner site will keep such records and provide such information to Homes for All CNCS with respect to the program as may be required for fiscal audits and program evaluation, including documentation of in-kind contributions, for three years.

Partner site will comply with the non-displacement rules of The National and Community Service Act of 1990.

Partner site will comply with all Prohibited Activities related to AmeriCorps service. Partner site agrees to provide a nonrefundable site contribution of $5,400 per VISTA. This is not

the cost of the VISTA member. Partner site must be current members of the Homeless + Housing Coalition of Kentucky. Partner site agrees to keep the lines of communication between the organization and the

appropriate HHCK staff (Program Director or Member Coordinator) in regards to the member’s progress, any problems that arise, and highlights of the member’s service year.

Partner site agrees to not hire the member until the member’s service commitment is complete.

Member Supervisor Signature:___________________________________ Date:_____________

Executive Director Signature:____________________________________ Date:_____________

Partner Site Board Chair:________________________________________ Date:_____________

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What to Expect from Homes for All/HHCK –

for partner sites

Provide guidance and technical assistance to partner sites. Notify applicants of slot award. Provide sites with calendar of events and training (in advance when possible) required for

VISTAs and site supervisor. Advise site supervisors of reporting requirements and timelines. Assist organizations with recruiting and retention of VISTA members. Work with sites to provide reasonable accommodation for members with disabilities. Provide training and professional development for VISTAs during the following (required)

activities – VISTA fall training in September, conference calls, team meetings, spring service project, and End of Service training.

Communicate regularly with site supervisors during the term of service to monitor member’s progress and address any concern.

Provide support to VISTAs and supervisors throughout term of service. Act as liaison between partner sites and CNCS. Comply with all CNCS policies and regulations and ensure partner sites and members are aware

of and adhere to such regulations.

for VISTAs

Act as liaison between VISTAs and CNCS. Support VISTAs and provide guidance as needed with benefits such as – living allowance, health

care allowance/plan, child care assistance, workers’ compensation coverage, and loan deferment.

Support and assistance in securing a post-service educational award upon successful completion of service obligations.

Mileage and expense reimbursement for travel, lodging and meals for Homes for All required service projects and training activities.

Provide training and professional development for VISTAs during the following (required) activities – VISTA fall training in September, conference calls, team meetings, spring service project, and End of Service training.

What is Expected of Partner Sites

Organizations will assign a site supervisor who will act as the primary point of contact with Homes for All, as well as a mentor and supervisor to the VISTA.

The site supervisor must attend a Homes for All supervisor training. Assign the member duties within the Homes for All-approved VISTA Assignment Description. Train to perform the assigned duties competently and safely. Partners will obtain written permission from the Homes for All Program Director before

changing a VISTA Assignment Description. Communicate with Homes for All via email, phone and face-to-face meetings regarding the

performance of the AmeriCorps member. A written evaluation will be due to HHCK twice during the member’s term of service.

Explain VISTA project to member and supervise VISTA in meeting project goals.

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Provide structure, advice, and guidance for the VISTA’s assignment. Assess assignment performance and provide feedback on their activities with VISTA. Make sure VISTA member has all the tools and resources they need to have a successful year of

service. Ensure the VISTA does not incur any personal expenses related to service. Partner sites should

reimburse VISTA for any expenses such as travel (excluding daily commute). Comply with HHCK regulations and reporting responsibilities. Agree to allow the member to complete their term of service before hiring them. Support member development by understanding the requirement of attending all Homes for All

events/trainings. Members will not receive hours for serving at the site if they do not attend a mandatory Homes for All event/training.

What is Expected of VISTAs

not an exhaustive list

Complete a full year of service over a 12 month period. Perform activities at partner site as described in VISTA Assignment Description. Track data pertaining to program goals and performance measures. Report progress monthly to Homes for All staff via America Learns. Participate in all Homes for All required trainings, service projects, and conference calls.

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