Recruitment and Enrollment May 2014

The WRC is a program of The Washington Service Corps (WSC), which was created by the state legislature in 1983 to provide individuals with opportunities to serve their communities. Administered by the Washington State Employment Security Department, the WSC assists private non-profit organizations, public agencies, and faith-based organizations in addressing community needs through meaningful service experiences. The mission of the Washington Reading Corps is to improve reading abilities of young students across Washington through research-based tutoring of struggling readers and effective collaborations among schools, families, community members, national service, business and state partners. Washington Reading Corps and National Service

AmeriCorps is a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the result of a bi-partisan effort to create a national community service program. Nationwide there are approximately 650 programs with 50,000 members serving in five target areas: Education, Environmental Stewardship, Economic Opportunity, Healthy Futures and Services to Veterans and Military Families. In 1994, the WSC became part of the AmeriCorps national service family. The WRC was then created in Currently, the WSC receives federal funding to pay the majority of member stipend costs for approximately 715 AmeriCorps*State members serving statewide through the Washington Reading Corps, AmeriCorps*State, and the WSC Individual Placement Program. Remaining WRC stipend costs are covered by the state legislature and member placement fees. Washington Reading Corps and National Service

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is the primary agency charged with overseeing K-12 education in Washington State. OSPI works with the state’s 295 school districts to administer basic education programs and implement education reform on behalf of more than one million public school students. OSPI is the recipient of state funding appropriated by the legislature to administer the state-funded portion of the Washington Reading Corps. OSPI is responsible for reviewing and selecting WRC proposals submitted by individual schools, providing academic technical assistance through the OSPI Reading Curriculum Office, and supporting implementation of the K-12 Reading Model. spx spx Washington Reading Corps Partner

Recruitment of your member - You are responsible for recruiting the individual(s) to fill your positions - You will do the interviewing - You have final say over who you select Ways to Recruit - Word of mouth -Current volunteer pool -School/organization website; social media - Craigslist/Idealist - College Education Departments - AmeriCorps National Recruitment website You’ve been selected as a site – now what? Move fast! Contact good applicants quick before someone else does!

Eligibility requirements Selected candidates should demonstrate the skills and commitment required to successfully serve in the position and serve 40 hours a week for the entire 10 ½ month term of service. At a minimum, the following criteria must be met:  Be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident  Be over 17 years of age at the start of their service  Pass required FBI fingerprint criminal background checks (WSC pays fee)  Not be listed on the National Sex Offender Public Registry (NSOPR) What do you look for in a member?

Experience has shown that the most successful members have a commitment to service, enthusiasm for making a difference, flexibility, and an ability to respond well to challenges. The following will help you determine whether your applicant has what it takes: Skills and experience needed – what skills do they already have and which can be easily learned by a willing and able applicant? Is the candidate a self-starter? How much and what type of volunteer work has the applicant done? Ask about a difficult and challenging commitment the candidate made and met. Ask for examples of when the candidate had to be flexible and adaptable. What do you look for in a member?

Look for enthusiasm, readiness for challenge and ability to deal with adversity. Has the applicant fully thought out reasons for applying to become an AmeriCorps member? Is the applicant looking for a job or for a service opportunity? Has the applicant considered whether he or she can live on the monthly stipend? What do you look for in a member?

Be strong on follow-up. Remember applicants are interviewing you too! Most applicants will apply to numerous organizations. When you see a good applicant take action quickly so you don’t risk losing an interested, qualified member. Retention starts with recruitment! Ensure they are committed to service requirements. o If your member quits, you lose the resource to work with your students o If your member quits, you cannot replace them unless it is still within the enrollment period (September 1- October 1) o If your member has served more than 15% of their hours, sites do not receive refund of member placement fee Successful Recruitment Strategies

Monthly living allowance of $1,155 Education award of $5,645 upon completion of service which can be used to repay qualified, existing student loans, or to further their education in an accredited institution of higher learning, vocational, or trade school. Loan Forbearance for qualified student loans Interest Accrual Forgiveness: after successful completion of service, the Corporation for National and Community Service will pay the interest that accrued during the member’s service year, provided the qualified loan was placed in forbearance during the term of service. Basic Medical Insurance Coverage - does not include dental and vision Childcare allowance (for those who qualify) AmeriCorps members may qualify for basic food benefits, depending on their personal situation Member Benefits

Enrollment Dates September 1 September 16 October 1 Background checks NSOPR (National Sex Offender Public Registry) WATCH (Washington State Patrol Background Check) FieldPrint (Approved vendor for FBI Background check) – WRC will pay for member FBI background check Once you select your member……

Enrollment paperwork – submit two weeks prior to enrollment date For September 1 start date – paperwork due August 18 For September 16 start date – paperwork due September 2 For October 1 start date – paperwork due September 17 Paperwork must be complete and cleared before member can start The enrollment packet can be found on the WSC website: icorpsusa-enrollment-forms.php Instructions for completing the packet are on the same webpage Enrollment

Orientation webinar conducted jointly by OSPI and WSC Orientation to school/community – site responsibility –Norms/school culture –Policies – which ones apply to members –Member expectations/schedule Dress Code Lunch and breaks How/who to notify about leave School safety plan Rules of confidentiality Member Orientation

Schools/early learning sites are responsible for training member in curriculums and assessments used at the site WSC requires WRC Members to receive training in: –ParaReading –Cultural Competency –Effective Communication –Leadership Skills –Performance Measurement –Volunteer Recruitment, Training and Management These workshops will be provided at the WSC SERVES Institute in Yakima, October 27-29, 2014 Member Training

You have support and resources through both WRC and OSPI: Terri Jack, WRC Program Coordinator WSC Amy Baunsgard – Heusser, ELA Specialist OSPI Resources