9/12/2015 Real Stories of AmeriCorps: Gain Skills, Make Friends, Earn an Education Award, and Attend College! Jewel Bazilio-Bellegarde, Senior Training Officer Disability Inclusion, CNCS Erin Gannon, Senior Training Specialist, NSIP Paula Sotnik, Director, NSIP

9/12/ Toll-free hotline: (voice/TTY)

9/12/2015 Welcome! Today we will… Provide an overview of national and community service Talk about AmeriCorps Discuss why AmeriCorps is a great idea for transition Experience real stories of AmeriCorps members Examine why more youth with disabilities are not taking advantage Listen to you! What can we do next!

9/12/2015 What brought him to service?

9/12/ Corporation for Nat’l & Community Service A federal agency established in 1993 and reauthorized in 2009 with the passage of the Kennedy Serve America Act, to provide opportunities for ALL Americans to give back to their communities through service and volunteering CNCS mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering Structured volunteer service opportunities are provided through three major programs: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve America. Many new programs to be established with the Serve America Act which reinforces the CNCS commitment to the inclusion of individuals with disabilities

9/12/2015 VISTA Leaders  HQ  Sponsoring Agencies Senior Corps Foster Grandparents  Sponsoring Agencies  State Offices RSVP  Sponsoring Agencies  State Offices Senior Companions  Sponsoring Agencies  State Offices Nat’l Demonstration Projects  Nat’l Organizations  Sponsoring Agencies AmeriCorps Nat’l Demonstration Projects  HQ  Nat’l Organizations National, Regional & Local Projects  SE Region Campus  NE Region Campus  Central Region Campus  Western Region Campus  Capital Region Campus State Grants  State Commissions Ed Award Program Grants  State Commissions  Nat’l Organizations  Tribes & Territories Tribes & Territories Grants National Directs Grants  Nat’l Parent Organizations * Sub - Grantees Learn & Serve America  State Ed Agencies (K-12)  Higher Ed Institutions  Community-based Orgs  Tribes Presidential Freedom Scholarships  HS Jrs & Srs Learn & Serve America Nat’l S-L Clearinghouse  All S-L practitioners & researchers A  State & National A  NCCC A  VISTA  Sponsoring Agencies The National Service Network Programs & Partners Local Projects  Sponsoring Agencies  State Offices

9/12/2015 In addition to the many benefits, in exchange for volunteering in a National Service program participants are eligible to receive: – A living stipend – An Education Award – Health Insurance, as needed – Child care benefits, as needed Member Benefits

9/12/2015 AmeriCorps (AC) supports a broad range of local service programs that engage thousands of Americans in full or part-time volunteering to meet critical community needs. AmeriCorps program grants go to states, national nonprofits, Indian Tribes and U.S. territories. US Citizens 17 years or older, with a H.S. diploma/GED or working on one, or with an Independent Educational Assessment are eligible to apply. AC State and National members are eligible to receive a living allowance, health insurance, child care, and an education award upon successful completion of the service period. The HEART Act of 2008 made it possible for the living stipend to be disregarded as income for SSI eligibility purposes. Limited funds are available to members and volunteers in all streams of service through State Service Commissions for reasonable accommodations. AmeriCorps

9/12/2015 AmeriCorps VISTA provides full-time volunteers to community organizations and public agencies to create and expand programs that build capacity and ultimately bring low-income individuals and communities out of poverty. AmeriCorps VISTA members or volunteers are eligible to receive a living allowance, health care, child care and an education award upon completion. The VISTA living allowance is not regarded as income for purposes of SSI or SSDI eligibility AmeriCorps VISTA

9/12/2015 The AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) is a full-time residential program for men and women aged that strengthens communities while developing leaders through direct, team-based national and community service. NCCC members receive a living allowance, health care and an education award upon completion. AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC)

9/12/2015 The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award a benefit VISTA, AmeriCorps, & NCCC members receive upon successful completion of their term of service. members are eligible for an award of up to $5,550. AmeriCorps, VISTA, and NCCC members can enroll in multiples terms of service that add up to the value of two full-time education awards. a number of colleges & universities encourage AmeriCorps alumni to attend by offering them scholarships. used for enrichment classes, course(s) through community college, junior college, or university, to purchase a computer &/or and/or buy school gear as long as items qualify as "cost of attendance" expenses at a Title IV school.

9/12/2015 Other Benefits: Alumni Continuing Their Service and Commitment Longitudinal studies show AmeriCorps alums: are more connected to their communities continue to participate in community activities choose public service careers at higher levels than their peers

9/12/2015 Think College and National Service Inclusion Project: Intersection of the Two Programs underrepresentation of individuals with ID in service and college; underrepresentation of individuals with ID in national service; national service can lead to PSE and provide benefits; Segal AmeriCorps Education Award can be used to pay education costs supports can benefit individuals to fully participate in college;

9/12/2015 National Service & Postsecondary Education Mini-Grant Waisman Center UCEDD and Serve Wisconsin Demonstrate how national service and the education award can support individuals with ID to go to college, lead to work and much more! Let’s hear from Claire and Jacob!

9/12/2015 JACOB’S STORY

9/12/2015 CLAIRE’S STORY Madison, WI

9/12/2015 So, is this a great option for transition? If so, why aren’t more youth applying? 1.Did you know about AmeriCorps? 2.Did you know about the benefits? 3.What are the concerns, questions? 4.What will you do next? ACTION PLANS?

9/12/2015 Interested? Talk to your states disability coordinator. Please see: dinatorslist Visit AmeriCorps.gov to learn more! Especially x.asp AmeriCorps?

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