Post on 24-Dec-2015
transcript
AmeriCorps 101Basic AmeriCorps Terminology &
Concepts for Reviewers
AmeriCorps External Review
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Objectives
¨ Describe CNCS’s AmeriCorps programs
¨ Define basic AmeriCorps grant concepts and terminology
¨ Identify CNCS’s six Focus Areas¨ Describe the differences between the
categories of AmeriCorps grant opportunities
CNCS Programs
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AmeriCorps is an Umbrella that Consists of Three Programs
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AmeriCorps VISTA
AmeriCorps State and National
AmeriCorps NCCC
CNCS Focus Areas
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EducationDisaster Services
Veterans and Military FamiliesHealthy Futures
Economic Opportunity
Environmental Stewardship
AmeriCorps Terms and Concepts
• The direct recipient of the grant funds.Grantee
• Operating solely within one state. This program receives an AmeriCorps grant through a state service commission (see below).
Single-state
• Operating in two or more states. This program receives an AmeriCorps grant directly from CNCS.
Multi-state (National Direct)
• Comprised of a board, nominated and appointed by a state’s governor, that oversees the implementation of national/community service and volunteer initiatives in their state.
State Service Commission
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AmeriCorps Terms and Concepts (cont.)
• The local organizations which receive the grant funds from the Grantee to implement the grant activities on the local level.
Subgrantee
• Terms used to describe the place where a member conducts the service activities.
Operating Sites and Service Locations
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Who are AmeriCorps Members?
¨ Individuals enrolled for a specific term of service with an AmeriCorps program
¨ Members are not volunteers or employees¨ Some AmeriCorps members receive a living
allowance, health insurance, and child care assistance to support them during their term of service
¨ AmeriCorps members receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successfully completing a term of service
¨ All AmeriCorps members are subject to criminal history checks
Member Terminology
¨ Member Service Year (MSY): One Member Service Year is equivalent to one full-time AmeriCorps member (not always equivalent to one person—see slot type below). AmeriCorps funds are contingent on the number of MSYs requested by the program.
¨ AmeriCorps member term/slot type: There are five types of AmeriCorps member terms or slots: full time, half time, reduced half time, quarter time, and minimum time. The total MSYs a program requests depends on the number and type of slots/AmeriCorps member positions included in a particular program design (i.e. two members with half-time slots comprises one MSY).
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AmeriCorps State & National Grants
¨ Require an applicant to propose an AmeriCorps program
¨ Applicants submit an application explaining their program’s: Program Design Organizational Capability Cost Effectiveness & Budget Adequacy
¨ Other important submissions include a detailed budget, logic model, performance measures, and/or additional documents
¨ As an External Reviewer, you will primarily assess the Program Design
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AmeriCorps Program Design
¨ Design/structure of AmeriCorps programs vary; not prescriptive or cookie-cutter
¨ Programs may address community needs in a single Focus Area or multiple Focus Areas
¨ Members can provide their service directly with the organization receiving the AmeriCorps grant, or members could be placed at other community organizations by the grant recipient
¨ Members can serve as a team on a single project, or could be placed individually or in small groups on various projects
¨ Common to all programs: high-quality member activities that meet compelling community needs and lead to meaningful outcomes11
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Categories of Funding
¨ AmeriCorps State Grants¨ National Direct Grants¨ Education Award Program (EAP)
Grants¨ Professional Corps Grants¨ US Territories and Indian Tribe Grants
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State vs. National Direct Grants
¨ State grants address needs within one state Single-state programs must contact their State
Commission to apply for AmeriCorps funding
¨ National Direct grants address needs in a multi-state area Grantee has relationships with entities in at
least two different states that will operate the local programs
Grantee applies directly to CNCS
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Education Award Programs (EAP)
¨ Funded directly by CNCS or through State Commissions
¨ Receive minimal financial support from the AmeriCorps grant and have fewer fiscal reporting requirements
¨ Organizations must raise the additional revenue required to operate the program
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Professional Corps Grants
¨ Funded directly by CNCS or through State Commissions
¨ Recruit and place qualified members in positions as teachers, health care providers, police officers, engineers, or other professionals
¨ Applicants should demonstrate that the community in which it will place professionals has an inadequate number of these professionals
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US Territories and Indian Tribe Grants
¨ Indian Tribes Program Per CNCS’s legislation, a minimum of 1% of
funds for AmeriCorps programs is set aside for Tribal applicants
Indian Tribes can submit applications for any category of grant funding (State, National Direct, EAP, Professional Corps)
A separate Indian Tribes funding opportunity is also offered later in the fiscal year
¨ States and Territories without Commissions Applicants from these locations can apply
directly to CNCS
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Wrap Up
¨ Describe CNCS’s AmeriCorps program
¨ Define basic AmeriCorps grant concepts and terminology
¨ Identify AmeriCorps’ six Focus Areas¨ Describe the differences between the
categories of AmeriCorps grant opportunities
Assessment
¨ To check for understanding and to verify that you have completed this orientation session, please complete the Assessment at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/americorps101
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