The New Rules Forum National Conference 2005 – Washington, DC

Forum Overview Part 1:  Welcome and Overview of the New AmeriCorps Rule  Summary of the Rule Components Part 2:  Small Group Discussions on Rule Components Part 3:  Report Out by Small Groups

Summary of New AmeriCorps Rule The new AmeriCorps Rule has 4 main goals: 1. Make the AmeriCorps program stronger; 2. Better leverage Federal dollars; 3. Increase AmeriCorps’ stability and predictability; and 4. Position AmeriCorps for continued growth.

Most Significant Topics Covered By the New Rule  Sustainability Match  Grant Selection Criteria  Performance Measures and Evaluation  Member Service Activities Tutoring Requirements  State Commission Flexibility to Operate National Service Programs

Roll-Out Timing * *Operational at the beginning of a new program grant cycle 1. Member Service Activities 2. Tutoring 3. Match 4. State Commission Operation of National Service Programs 5.Performance Measures 6.Evaluation 7.Selection Criteria

Member Service Activities (Effective 9/6/2005)  Maintains current activities  Adds: No more than 10% of term of service for fundraising Volunteer recruitment or support required unless Corporation waiver

Volunteer Recruitment and Support Waiver Requirement to Recruit or Support Volunteers (§ ) Some component of your program must involve recruiting or supporting volunteers (broadly interpreted) Must request waiver in Narrative and Executive Summary of Application Must state specific reasons why this requirement would require a fundamental alteration of the program structure

Tutoring (Effective 9/6/2005)  Requirements apply to any program with primary goal of increasing academic achievement in reading or other core subjects through planned, consistent, one-to-one or small- group sessions  Tutoring Curriculum must be high-quality and research-based  Criteria for selecting and qualifying tutors including high school diploma or equivalent (cross-age tutors exempt)  Pre- and in-service tutor training required  Appropriate member supervision by individuals with tutoring expertise  Identify strategies/tools to assess student progress and measure student outcomes

Match Requirements (Effective 9/6/2005)  Must match a minimum of: 15% of member support (non-Federal cash) (Same) 33% of operational costs (cash or in-kind) (Same)  Years 4 -10, match increases incrementally to 50% With waiver - alternative match increases to 35% Year 4Year 5Year 6Year 7Year 8Year 9Year 10 Minimum Member Support 15% Minimum Operating Costs 33% Min Overall Share 26%30%34%38%42%46%50% Min Overall Share (Alternative) -- 29%31%33%35%

Waivers of Match Requirements The Corporation will consider 2 types of waivers: 1. Waiver of the Regulatory Match requirements (maximum 50% match) to use the Alternative Match table (maximum 35% match) (§ ) 2. Waiver of any matching requirement in whole or in part (§ ), also sometimes called a “Statutory waiver”

Waiver of the Regulatory Match Requirements (§ ) Waiver of the Regulatory Match Requirements (maximum 50% match) to use the Alternative Match table (maximum 35% match) Only existing programs, only for a new 3 year grant period Request must be made with third year continuation request for following year’s new grant period (i.e. one year in advance) Must be unable to meet primary match requirements Rural or severely economically distressed community Describe history of fundraising and current plans If Rural, see US Dept of Agriculture Beale Codes, if severely economically distressed community see economic data. Information on both is in Appendix L of 2006 AmeriCorps Application Instructions

Waiver of Any Matching Requirement in Whole or In Part (§ ) Waiver of any matching requirement in whole or in part (§ ), also called a “Statutory Waiver” Very unusual and rarely done. Corporation must determine that a waiver would be equitable because of a lack of available financial resources at the local level.

State Commission Operation of National Service Programs (Effective 9/6/2005)  State Commissions may directly carry out any national service program EXCEPT: AmeriCorps grants programs Senior Corps programs

Performance Measures (Operational 2006)  At least one set of aligned measures that relate to program’s primary activity (or area of significant activity) One output One intermediate outcome One end outcome  Corrective action plans if unable to meet PMs  After period of correction, Corporation may take action including suspending or terminating a grant if the program fails to meet its PMs

Evaluation (Operational 2006)  Evaluation must cover at least 1 year  Grantees with average annual grant of $500,000 REQUIRED to have an independent evaluation  Smaller and EAP grantees REQUIRED to perform an internal evaluation  In first recompete application - provide summary of evaluation plan  In second recompete application - provide completed evaluation

Grant Selection Criteria (Operational 2006) CurrentNew Program Design – 60% Needs and Services Activities (20%) Member Development (20%) Strengthening Communities (20%) Organizational Capacity (25%) Budget/Cost Effectiveness (15%) Program Design (50%) Rationale and Approach (10%) Member Outputs and Outcomes (20%) Community Outputs and Outcomes (20%) Organizational Capability (25%) Cost Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy (25%) Cost Effectiveness (15%) Budget Adequacy (10%) Focus on sustainability and outcomes. State commissions will rank competitive proposals submitted.

AmeriCorps Program Portfolio  Corporation will seek to insure its portfolio includes: Meaningful representation of proposals representing one or more selection preferences; and Programmatically, demographically, and geographically diverse programs including: -Innovative programs -Projects in rural, high poverty and economically distressed areas

Selection Criteria and Grant Review (Operational 2006)  Corporation may consider outside information to clarify or verify proposal information including: Websites Corporation system of records Publicly-available information  Percentage of non-continuation competitive funds targeted annually for new programs

Sustainability  Incorporated in selection criteria  Cost-effectiveness and budget more meaningful: 25% of score (from 15%)  Annual target for new applicants  State commissions will include state sustainability plans in their three year state administrative funds application

For More Information Contact your Program Officer Check the CNCS website frequently for updates to FAQs and other materials