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General
AmeriCorps FAQs
- What
is AmeriCorps?
- What
types of activities can AmeriCorps members perform?
- How
can I get AmeriCorps members to help with my program?
- Is
it possible to be a placement site for AmeriCorps members,
but not actually administer an AmeriCorps program (i.e., how
do I get 1-2 AmeriCorps members for my organization)?
- What
types of benefits do AmeriCorps members receive?
- How
much are AmeriCorps members paid?
- What,
exactly, is an education award?
- Do
placement sites contribute financially to the cost of supporting
AmeriCorps members? If so, what is the cost that would be involved
for the organization?
- Who
can apply for an AmeriCorps grant?
- How
do I apply?
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1. What is AmeriCorps?
AmeriCorps
is known as the "domestic Peace Corps." Participants
- known as AmeriCorps members - perform a year of service with
a program focused on meeting local community needs. AmeriCorps
programs focus on the five issues of education, the environment,
public safety, homeland security and other human needs.
Individual
programs recruit and train their own members with funding from
an AmeriCorps grant. Serve Idaho AmeriCorps grants provide funding
for member living allowances, health benefits, childcare (for
eligible members), AmeriCorps program staff, training, evaluation
and other program operating costs. Members also receive an educational
award directly from the federal Corporation for National and Community
Service.
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2. What types of activities can AmeriCorps
members perform?
AmeriCorps
members engage in a variety of direct service activities in the
areas of education, public safety, the environment, homeland security
and health and human needs. Examples of activities include: assisting
in community policing programs, conducting health education workshops,
restoring natural habitats, tutoring children in afterschool programs,
serving as service-learning coordinators at schools and facilitating
community readiness. Members also perform indirect service such
as recruiting community volunteers to serve in these activities.
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3. How can I get AmeriCorps members to help
with my program?
Serve Idaho
does not provide AmeriCorps members directly to programs. Instead,
Serve Idaho provides grants that support local partnerships to
recruit, train, and support AmeriCorps members throughout a year
of service.
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4. Is it possible to be a placement site for
AmeriCorps members, but not actually administer an AmeriCorps program
(i.e., how do I get one or two AmeriCorps members for my organization)?
Serve Idaho
generally requires that a program support a minimum of 10 full-time
equivalent (FTE) members. Serve Idaho realizes that many organizations
lack the capacity to supervise and adequately provide for 10 FTE
members. In such cases, organizations are advised to seek intermediaries,
form partnerships with other organizations or contact an existing
AmeriCorps program.
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5. What types of benefits do AmeriCorps members
receive?
Full-time
AmeriCorps members who complete their terms of service receive
a living allowance (a minimum of $11,400 for the 2008-2009 program
year), health insurance, child care (if eligible), and an education
award of $4,725. Programs are required to cover a portion of the
living allowance and health insurance; however, the majority of
the funds to cover these benefits come from the Corporation for
National and Community Service.
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6. How much are AmeriCorps members paid?
The AmeriCorps
member living allowance varies from program to program. For the
2008-2009 program year, a full-time member must receive a minimum
living allowance of at least $11,400 and no more than $22,800.
The Grant funds will pay 85% of the $11,400. Programs can decide on the living allowance that they will pay
their members so long as it falls within this range.
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7. What, exactly, is an education award?
An education
award is commonly compared to a scholarship. However, AmeriCorps
education awards are much more flexible than typical scholarships.
Each AmeriCorps member who successfully completes a term of service
will receive an education award that can be applied to (1) the
costs of attendance at a qualified institution of higher education,
(2) the costs of approved school-to-work programs, or (3) the
costs of repaying qualified student loans. For more information
on the education award, visit the AmeriCorps website.
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8. Do placement sites contribute financially
to the cost of supporting AmeriCorps members? If so, what is the
cost that would be involved for the organization?
Partner contributions
to AmeriCorps programs depend on the structure of individual partnerships
and programs. In some cases, placement sites do contribute cash
to the program (the amount varies by program). In other cases,
placement sites might contribute in-kind services, supplies, trainers,
facilities, evaluation expertise, or other services and equipment.
Each partnership is unique to a given location and program.
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9. Who can apply for an AmeriCorps grant?
Non-profits,
local and state government agencies, faith-based and community
organizations, Indian-tribes, school districts, institutions of
higher learning and partnerships of these entities are eligible
to apply for funding. Agencies must have the capacity to manage
federal funds.
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10.
How do I apply?
You must apply
using the eGrant
on-line application form. Grant applications must have a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering
System (DUNS) number. The DUNS number is known as the universal
identifier and helps the federal government improve statistical
reports on federal grants and cooperative agreements. The DUNS
number will not replace the EIN. DUNS numbers may be obtained
at no cost by calling the DUNS number request line at 866.705.5711
or online at http://www.dnb.com.
It may take up to 30 days to receive a DUNS number after
applying.
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