1. 2015 Youth Opportunity AmeriCorps: Grant Information Webinar April 28, 2015 Presented by: Marisa Petreccia & Kate Pisano Serve Rhode Island

2. Session Objectives Review the Youth Opportunity AmeriCorps application process – Serve Rhode Island RFP – CNCS Notice of Funding Opportunity – Budget Considerations Determine whether or not the Youth Opportunity AmeriCorps funding is the right fit for your organization 1

3. Serve Rhode Island (SRI) Established in 1994, as the Rhode Island Service Alliance, SRI is the State Commission for National & Community Service. – Administers and manages all AmeriCorps State programming. Merged with Volunteer Center of RI in January 2009. RI’s leading resource for volunteerism and service. 2

4. Applying for an AmeriCorps grant Applicants must demonstrate: – A commitment to recruit, train, support and develop AmeriCorps members. – Understanding the unique status of AmeriCorps members (one-year term, not employees). – The capacity to administer and monitor a federal grant. – Describe and demonstrate an Evidence-based or informed AmeriCorps intervention 3

5. Organizational Capacity Managing an AmeriCorps grant is not for every organization. There are many requirements to meet: – Sound Federal Grant Management and Oversight Administrative Program Management – member files, recordkeeping, collect and analyze data Fiscal reporting and documentation – Extensive Regulations and Provisions – Significant Reporting Requirements – Fiscal Requirements – meeting match percentage If AmeriCorps is the right fit, a dedicated team can be a great resource to your organization to meet unmet community needs. 4

6. AmeriCorps Basics

7. Corporation for National & Community Service Federal agency created in 1993 through the signing of the National and Community Service Trust Act – The nation’s largest grant-maker supporting service and volunteer activities Engages millions Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service each year through: – AmeriCorps – Senior Corps – Social Innovation Fund – Volunteer Generation Fund 6

8. AmeriCorps AmeriCorps is a federally funded National Service program engaging approximately 85,000 full and part-time volunteers in intensive service to meet unmet local community needs. AmeriCorps members receive a modest living allowance, a post-service Education Award and extensive training and professional development. AmeriCorps is made up of three main programs. 7

9. AmeriCorps Programs 8 Largest AC arm, includes AC State (through state commissions, AC National Directs. Members perform a range of DIRECT service activities in local communities VISTA programs administered through State CNCS offices, VISTA members engaged in poverty- alleviation efforts through INDIRECT/CAPACITY BLDG efforts to organizations National Civilian Community Corps, full-time, 10- month, team-based residential program for men and women ages 18 to 24, engaged in disaster response and envt’l restoration efforts across the county. AMERICORPS Federally funded national service programs to support 80,000 individuals/year through 3 main programs Est. in 1994

10. AmeriCorps*VISTA AmeriCorps*VISTA and AmeriCorps State and National have distinct program differences: – VISTA focus on poverty-alleviation, capacity-building activities (compared to direct service). – VISTAs are usually individual placements to an organization as opposed to a team of members. – VISTA members cannot hold outside employment during service. For more information contact RI CNCS Director: Vin Marzullo: 528-5426 or vmarzullo@cns.govvmarzullo@cns.gov 9

11. AmeriCorps in RI AmeriCorps funds are distributed by two agencies: the State CNCS Office (federal office) and the State Commission, which can either be a stand alone 501(c)3 non-profit or part of the state or municipal government offices. – National Directs apply and are administered by CNCS. 10 State CNCS Office Administers: AmeriCorps*VISTA and Senior Corps Serve Rhode Island: State Commission Administers: AmeriCorps State programs and VGF Grant

12. AmeriCorps State & National Provides funds to local and national organizations that address the six Focus areas identified in the Kennedy Serve America Act (SAA): Disaster Services Economic Opportunity Education Environmental Stewardship Healthy Futures Veterans and Military Families 11

13. 2015 Youth Opportunity AmeriCorps Grant Process

14. Youth Opportunity AmeriCorps Partnership between CNCS and DOJ Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Grant funding and member slots will be awarded to successful applicants to enroll Disconnected Youth, specifically individuals who are at least 17 but under 25 years old who have been: – adjudicated in the juvenile justice system, – convicted in the criminal justice system, – or identified as at-risk of incarceration, to serve as AmeriCorps members. – Recipients will also need to enroll additional members to provide mentoring and coaching to the Disconnected Youth members throughout their service. Refer to page 3 of CNCS NOFO for further Program Objectives 13

15. Youth Opportunity AmeriCorps CNCS defines “disconnected from school or work” as unemployed, underemployed, and not in school for at least six months prior to service. This program is specifically targeting Opportunity Youth that have been adjudicated in the juvenile justice system. Disconnected Youth is defined as individuals at least 17* but under 25 years old who have been adjudicated in the juvenile justice system, convicted in the criminal justice system, or have been identified as at risk of incarceration. Grants generally cover a two-year period *Unless grantee/recipient has an approved program design that engages 16 year olds as well. 14

16. SRI Grant Process SRI is charged with administering RI’s Youth Opportunity AmeriCorps process. One RFP to solicit proposals that will be considered for submission to the national competition. SRI RFP Dates supersede CNCS NOFO dates. SRI must review any application prior to submission to national competition. – May 11: proposals due to SRI via eGrants – May 15 & 18: Clarifications with applicants – May 19: notifications to applicants – May 20: SRI prime application to CNCS Anyeligibleapplicant seeking to apply for Youth Opportunity AmeriCorps funds must respond to this RFP and all related deadlines 15

17. Eligible Applicants Eligible Applicants: Tribal governments; local governments of U.S. cities, counties or towns; school boards; and quasi-governmental organizations such as Councils of Governments and non- profit regional development authorities including park, housing, or economic development authorities may apply. Please see Page 6 of SRI RFP for full description Ineligible organizations: – Convicted of a federal crime – 501(c)(4) status – engaged in lobbying activities 16

18. SRI Grant Timeline Highlights 17 DateItem April 24Intent to Apply email – by 12:00 PM May 11Proposals due in eGrants – by 12:00 PM May 15 & 18SRI clarifications with applicants May 19Notifications to applicants May 20SRI prime application submission to CNCS August 31ExpectedCNCS Decisions NOTE: Please refer to page 5 of the SRI Request for Proposals for details, SRI’s RFP must be read with the CNCS NOFO

19. Application Requirement A complete application includes the following: 1.Narratives: maximum 15 pages (printed out in eGrants) a.Facesheet b.Executive Summary c.Rationale and Approach/Program Design 2.Logic Model (worksheet template provided), max 3 pages 3.Budget 4.Performance Measures NOTE: Applicants should refer to both CNCS Notice of Funding Opportunity and Application Instructions 18

20. Evidence-Based Approach AmeriCorps grants are awarded to organizations proposing to engage AmeriCorps members in evidence-based or evidence-informed interventions. – Please refer Page 14-15 of CNCS NOFO Organizations must have the ability to collect data and analyze data to prove results. Clearly describes and demonstrates the AmeriCorps intervention. Applicants classifying their evidence as Moderate or Strong must submit up to two studies, evaluation reports, briefs, or peer-reviewed articles cited in this section as separate attachments 19

21. Successful Applicants 20 Meet specific criteria outlined in NOFO engaging Disconnected Youth Have processes in place to identify, recruit, screen, and support Disconnected Youth as AmeriCorps members. Have processes in place to identify individuals with experience in mentoring and/or appropriate life experience to serve as AmeriCorps members. Will engage both Disconnected Youth AmeriCorps members and mentor AmeriCorps members in high-quality evidence-based or evidence- informed service interventions that will result in intended solutions to community problems. Will have clear sources of data to address performance indicators and will seek and obtain appropriate access to such data

22. Performance Measures 21 CNCS has outlined specific required Performance Measures on pages 6-7 of its NOFO In addition to these required measures, applicants must also select at least one performance measure (output and outcome) from one of CNCS’s six focus areas that is aligned with the primary service intervention and reflects the community impact of the program. Performance Measure resource: – http://www.nationalservice.gov/resources/performance- measurement/americorps

23. CNCS Focus Areas 22 In order to carry out Congress’ intent and to maximize the impact of investment in national service, CNCS has the following focus areas: : – Disaster Services – Economic Opportunity – Education – Environmental Stewardship – Healthy Futures – Veterans and Military Families

24. AmeriCorps Member Requirements and Benefits

25. AC Member Requirements Must be at least 17 years of age Documentation of being a U.S. citizen, national, or legal permanent resident alien of the U.S. High school diploma or equivalent, or agree to obtain before using Education Award Undergo a National Service Criminal History Check – enhanced for those with access to vulnerable populations (FBI Fingerprint, State BCI and National Sex Offender Registry) Each program determines other eligibility requirements – Experience, skills, etc. – Educational background 24

26. AC Member Benefits Living Allowance – Minimum of $12,530 for full-time – Only full-time members are required to receive a living allowance Loan Forbearance on qualified student loans Health Coverage - required to offer for full-time only Child Care, if eligible (full-time only) Personal and Professional Development Education Award – Post service benefit – Seven years from end of service to use Ed Award – Qualified school expenses or repay qualified loans 25

27. AmeriCorps Prohibited Activities Attempting to influence legislation; Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes; Assisting, promoting, or deterring union organizing; Impairing existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements; Engaging in partisan political activities, or other activities designed to influence the outcome of an election to any public office; Participating in, or endorsing, events or activities that are likely to include advocacy for or against political parties, political platforms, political candidates, proposed legislation, or elected officials; Engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship Providing a direct benefit to: a business organized for profit; a labor union; a partisan political organization; a nonprofit organization that fails to comply with the restrictions contained in section 501(c)(3) Conducting a voter registration drive or using Corporation funds to conduct a voter registration drive; Providing abortion services or referrals for receipt of such services; and Such other activities as the Corporation may prohibit. 26

28. AC Prohibited Activities By law AmeriCorps members (and staff) are strictly prohibited from engaging the following activities while on AmeriCorps time: Fundraising for general operations and own support costs Displace or supplant any staff or volunteers of the agency Management of any administrative aspects of the AmeriCorps grant or program not related to actual programming Supervision or management of other members All prohibited activities outlined in the AmeriCorps Regulations/Provisions (§2520.65). 27

29. AmeriCorps: what it is 28 AmeriCorps IsAmeriCorps Is Not A year of stipended serviceAn actual earned hourly wage A team of individuals meeting an identified compelling need Cheap labor to supplant, displace other full-time or volunteer positions A way to leverage local, state and federal resources A direct funding source for your organization Direct service program to the community, with an evidence-based intervention General support to your organization, results that cannot be attributed to the AmeriCorps team

30. AmeriCorps Budget Considerations

31. AC Budget Basics Solely for AC program expenses and not for general organizational expenses. Provide partial funding to support AmeriCorps projects/programs. Grant recipients must contribute cash or in-kind match funds (unless opting for a Fixed Amount). Budgets include costs such as: member living allowance and benefits, member and staff training, personnel costs, supplies, and evaluation. Must have administrative capacity to manage fiscal reporting and administration. 30

32. Budget Items Required: Living allowance for FT members ($12,530) Health insurance for FT members Criminal history checks for ALL members and any staff on grant (CNCS or match funds) 1% Commission Fee Not required: Unemployment or TDI for members (unallowable) Education award – separate benefit paid by Trust Child care (for eligible FT members) – separate benefit paid by CNCS 31

33. Budget Considerations Member Service Years (MSY) are not equivalent to FTE. For example, 4 Minimum-time ≠ 1 Full Time. Min Living Allowance = $12,530 Max cost per MSY = $13,730 for cost reimbursement grants. 32 TypeMSYHours (Min) Full-time1.001700 Half-time.500900 Reduced Half-time.381675 Quarter-time.265450 Minimum-Time.212300

34. Match Requirements In Years 1, 2 and 3 match requirement = 24% minimum. Beyond that match increases incrementally NOTE: If your organization has not received AC funds for 5+ years, you begin matching at Year 1 level Combination of In-kind and cash match sources. CNCS does not prescribe percentages. Applicants will list out in Source of Funds section. Examples of match may include: Staff time, office space, transportation 33 Year 4Year 5Year 6Year 7Year 8Year 9Year 10 26%30%34%38%42%46%50%

35. Resources Corporation for National & Community Service Youth Opportunity AmeriCorps NOFO and related materials (detailed instructions) National Service Knowledge District: Performance Measures Home Results of CNCS Grants Competitions Serve Rhode Island Serve Rhode Island – 401-331-2298 34

36. Questions?