AMERICORPS 101— For Members Welcome to AmeriCorps & National Service!

1. AMERICORPS 101—ForMembersWelcome to AmeriCorps& National Service! 2014-2015

2. The Very Basics of AmeriCorps... Just the Facts…

3. AmeriCorps is… • Service to our Nation by making a difference in communities from coast to coast. • AmeriCorps members get things done for citizens in New Jersey as well as every state in the union!

4. National Service: The Big Picture

5. What is AmeriCorps Today? It starts with a plan of action, but it continues with you!

6. Service Requirements • AmeriCorps members serve according to the application submitted to the NJ Commission. • This is a CORPS “reporting for duty.” • AmeriCorps Member identity, National Service branding, training, and reflection are part of this program.

7. Service Requirements • AmeriCorps Members must serve according to their position description that is written in their contract. • Make sure to obtain a copy of your signed contract and read it thoroughly.

8. AmeriCorps Is… • A term of service • A commitment to a set number of service hours • A separate program of service not longer than one year that has a lot of regulations that MUST be followed by organizations and members. • A win/win for both the community and Member

9. Commitment of Hours Served • Hours are to be served consistently according to the Member contract. • For example: • Minimum of 35 hours a week- FT • Minimum of 20 hours a week- HT • Minimum of 40 hours a week- MT • Summer Service • Make sure your contract is correct!

10. What is AmeriCorps? • National Service Program • (Often referred to as the Domestic Peace Corps) • Locally Implemented, State & Federally Supported Service to Communities • Education Awards for Service • Up to 4 Terms of National Service • (May only earn 2 education awards)

11. AMERICORPS……inNew Jersey

12. FUNDING PROCESS • AmeriCorps is: • funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) • administered by the NJ Commission on National and Community Service • hosted by the Department of State

13. FORMULA FUNDED PROGRAMS • New Jersey CDC • St. Paul’s CDC • Great Oaks Charter School • United Way of Central Jersey • United Way of Monmouth County

14. More Formula Funded Programs in NJ Montclair University The Salvation Army The College of New Jersey Jersey Cares NJ DEP Watershed Ambassadors Jewish Renaissance Foundation Center for Family Services

15. AmeriCorps in NJ • NJ has over 25 AmeriCorps programs with many sub-sites, including National Directs. • The State Commission is currently working with 12 programs. • There are over 800 Corps Members serving in all areas of New Jersey.

16. Program Priorities Education Economic Opportunity Healthy Futures Environmental Stewardship Veterans and Military Families Disaster Recovery/Relief Capacity Building

17. AmeriCorps Members Are... • People of all backgrounds • 17 years & older • Committed to making a difference by Completing a term of DIRECT Service with Local & National Organizations There are over 800 Members in New Jersey and 60,000 nationwide.

18. SERVICE REQUIREMENTS • Members must complete a Term of Service. • This could be 1700 hours (FT), 900 hours (HT), 450 hours (QT), or 300 hours (MT).

19. Examples of Direct Service AmeriCorps Members take action and find solutions to address community needs while learning new skills and sharing talents to make a difference in New Jersey.

20. Examples of Direct Service • Tutor Students • Educate communities about their environment • Renovate and Rebuild Abandoned Homes • Provide Mentoring During Non-School Hours • Recruit Volunteers • Teach Parenting Skills to Teen Parents

21. Direct Service is.. • Bridging the Digital Divide • Assisting the Homeless • Providing Support to Adults and Children with Disabilities • Supporting immigrants through a variety of Human & Educational Services • Supporting grandparents raising grandchildren

22. AmeriCorps is NOT… • A job or a job’s program • An internship • Free labor • A staff builder

23. AmeriCorps Members DO NOT… • Do office, clerical, or janitorial work • This includes answering phones • Supervise other members • Manage paperwork or financial issues

24. What Do AmeriCorps Members Receive? All Members receive training and the experience of a lifetime! PLUS… Full-Time Members • 1,700 Hours of Service • Education Award $5,645 • Living Allowance $12,100 • Health Insurance • Child Care Half-Time Members • 900 Hours of Service • Education Award $2,822 Living Allowance $6,050 (varies slightly)

25. Benefits for Members • Child Care (For FT members) • Health Insurance (For FT members) • Loan Forbearance (During time of service) • Interest Accrual Stops

26. AmeriCorps Education Award & Terms of Service TERM HOURS ED AWARD • Full Time 1700 $5645 • Half Time 900 $2822 • Quarter Time 450 $1493 • Minimum Time 300 $1195

27. Educational Award The Education Award can be used to: • Repay qualified existing or future student loans • Pay all or part of the cost of attending an institution of higher education (including certain vocational programs) • Pay expenses incurred while participating in an approved school-to-work program *NOTE: It must be used at an institution or program that that has been approved by the US Dept. of Education for participation in Title IV programs.

28. Education Award • Members can earn up to the equivalent of 2 full timeeducation awards • Taxable upon use • You have up to seven yearsto use your award • Can be used at more than one institution and can help pay more than one loan • Can be used outside of the United States

29. Education Award The Education Award is ONLY transferable if: • You were at least 55 when you enrolled; and • You began service on or after October 1, 2009; and • You are serving in an AmeriCorps State or National program. • Only awards earned in terms beginning on or after Oct. 1, 2009, are eligible for transfer.

30. Partial Education Award • Members must complete at least 15% of their service hours to be eligible for a pro-rated Education Award if he or she exited the program due to compelling personal circumstances. • These are reasons BEYOND the member’s control, such as personal illness or the death of an immediate family member. Documentation is required.

31. Education Award Members will need to access the My AmeriCorps portal by logging in at www.americorps.gov. On the site, members can: • Access their Education Award Voucher • View their balance • Apply for interest accrual or loan forbearance

32. Prohibited Activities While charging time to the AmeriCorps program, accumulating service or training hours, or performing activities supported by the AmeriCorps program or the Corporation, staff and members may not: • Attempt to influence legislation; • Organize or engage in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes;

33. Prohibited Activities • Assist, promote, or deter union organizing; • Impair existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements; • Engage in partisan political activities or other activities designed to influence the outcome of an election to any public office;

34. Prohibited Activities • Participate in or endorse events or activities that are likely to include advocacy for or against political parties, political platforms, political candidates, proposed legislation, or elected officials;

35. Prohibited Activities • Engage in religious instruction, conduct worship services, or provide instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship. Nor may they: • construct, operate, or maintain facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship • engage in any form of religious proselytization, such as prayer

36. Prohibited Activities Provide a direct benefit to: • A business organized for profit; • A labor union; • A partisan political organization;

37. Prohibited Activities • Conducting a voter registration drive or using CNCS funds to conduct a voter registration drive; • Providing abortion services or referrals for receipt of such services; and • Such other activities as CNCS may prohibit.

38. Prohibited Activities PLEASE NOTE: AmeriCorps Members may not engage in the above activities directly or indirectly by recruiting, training, or managing others for the primary purpose of engaging in one of the activities listed above.

39. Prohibited Activities • Individuals may exercise their rights as private citizens and may participate in the activities listed above on their initiative, not on AmeriCorps time, and using non-CNCS funds. • Individuals should not wear the AmeriCorps logo while doing so.

40. REASONS FOR LEAVING • If a member has a COMPELLING PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCE and has completed at least 15% of their service, they MAY receive a portion of the educational award. • This means that the situation is absolutely beyond the member’s control (e.g. illness). • Documentation to substantiate the circumstance is MANDATORY and must be provided by the member.

41. REASONS FOR LEAVING • RELEASE FOR CAUSE--If a member leaves for other reasons, they will NOTreceive an educational award. • These reasons include a new job, going back to school, dissatisfaction with the program, etc.

42. Supervision • Each program has a qualified supervisor who provides oversight on a daily basis. • Members are prohibited from supervising other members.

43. Training Training opportunities include: • Orientation • Citizenship Training (optional) • Life After AmeriCorps • Content Skills Training • GED support

44. Leadership Opportunities Programs will provide opportunities for members to: • coordinate activities • recruit volunteers • serve in team leader capacities in their programs

45. Support Services for Members The Program Manager will provide information about: • GED classes • Continued Education • Career Opportunities

46. We Welcome Your Questions or Comments

47. CONTACT INFORMATION NJ Commission on National and Community Services NJ Department of State 225 West State Street, 4th Floor P.O. Box 456 Trenton, NJ 08625-0456 609-633-9627

48. CONTACT INFORMATION • Kelly Boyd, Program Officer Kelly.Boyd@sos.state.nj.us 609-633-7325 • Ivette Ramos, Fiscal & Grants Officer Ivette.Ramos@sos.state.nj.us 609-633-0793