Alabama AmeriCorps State Grantee Training

Member Health Care – Original legislation requiring health insurance for FT members not already covered by health insurance pdf pdf – Affordable Care Act (ACA) FAQ’s issued May 2014 with special exceptions from HHS/CMS for AmeriCorps members HHS/CMS letter exempting AmeriCorps members form certain requirements

Member Health Care Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) standards of the Affordable Care Act. The new provisions require programs to move towards compliance over the coming year and offer MEC by July 2015 Corps Network

Member Child Care – Also established in the 1990 National and Community Service Act – Handout – AmeriCorps Child Care Benefits Program

Member Education Award – Established in the 1990 National and Community Service Act – re-authorized and revised in the 2009 Serve America Act – Eli Segal – who was he? – Provided to the member through the National Service Trust (is not a part of your budget) but must be set aside when the member is enrolled. That is why entering and exiting members in the Portal correctly and in a timely manner is SO important – Once awarded, a member has up to 7 years to use the award – If a member is 55 or older at the time they are enrolled (not exited!), they can transfer the award to an eligible child, grandchild, or foster child

Member Education Award A benefit provided for completing a term of service in AmeriCorps (State, National, VISTA, NCCC) Can be used to pay education costs, educational training, or to repay student loans (loan forbearance during service) Maximum amount of the award depends on the term of service however, a member cannot receive more than the value of 2 FT education awards The maximum amount of an award will be posted annually in the NOFO Reminder: prorated education awards for members exiting early must be justified by the program and should be backed up with program policy

Terms of Service/Slot Types and the Education Award Maximum Number of Terms In blending summer, part-time, and full-time terms, you can serve a maximum: – 4 with AmeriCorps state and national – 2 with VISTA (you can do a third term with VISTA and elect not to receive an Education Award) – 2 with NCCC If you max out the number of terms you serve with one stream of service, you can start a new term with another and receive additional awards -- as long as you have not yet reached the full value of two full-time awards. You can also serve terms (and elect not to receive an award) up the limits shown above. Note: Always make sure you have ask your members about prior service – they may have been a National member, VISTA, or NCCC

Don’t forget to go to your Provisions! Also: Related Topics and Resources for Members americorps-education-award Using your Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Implications Postponing Student Loan Payments and Getting Interest Paid FAQ’s

Quarterly Progress Report Reviewed by Commission staff as a part of the desk audit/review process Used by the Commission staff to build the bi- annual Grantee Progress Report (GPR) for CNCS Used during the grant review process to determine grantee compliance (better to submit on time and have to amend than late!)

Quarterly Progress Report Progress Report Presentation/Instructions

AmeriCorps 20 th Anniversary and 9/11 Day of Remembrance and Service

AmeriCorps 20 th Anniversary Friday, September 12 th in conjunction with the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance, Alabama will celebrate 20 years of AmeriCorps State at the Capitol in Montgomery Governor’s address on the Capitol lawn (10:30am) Private luncheon at the Capitol (tunnel) for program staff, members, and alums (11:30- 1pm) AmeriCorps State mini-grants to primarily hold local events and assist with travel to Montgomery – opportunity to raise awareness of national service – we will be sharing everyone’s activities on Facebook and Twitter and sharing with CNCS Your group can do a self guided tour through the Capitol but a short briefing must be coordinated through the Capitol

AmeriCorps 20 th Anniversary Resources: One stop shop for 20 th Anniversary - logos, photos and videos, talking points, marketing materials, social media guidance, and an engagement tool kit

9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance Friday, September 12 th in conjunction with AmeriCorps 20 th Anniversary, Alabama will recognize first responders and military members at the Capitol in Montgomery The 2009 Serve America Act established the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance as an annual event to recognize the sacrifice of the first responders during the September 2011 terrorist attacks and the subsequent military sacrifices abroad In the spirit of service on September 12 th first responders and their equipment will be displayed on the Capitol lawn, a marching band will play patriotic music, and the first responders will be honored during a brief ceremony