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Dear VISTA Members, Supervisors, and Sponsors,
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is going to change life in America significantly for the immediate future. As Director of the AmeriCorps VISTA program, I wanted to share a few important updates.
First and foremost, the health and safety of our AmeriCorps VISTA members is our top priority. We ask each of you to do your part to help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Please familiarize yourself with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and follow their recommendations.
What health and safety looks like for members varies by individual circumstances, which is why members will each decide for themselves what option is most appropriate for them at this time. Members need to communicate their decision to their supervisor. We ask that all our supervisors and sponsors fully honor and respect each member’s decision.
We will continue to carefully monitor the situation and will update our policies as appropriate. Please follow the advice of federal, state and local health departments.
Currently, the following options are available to VISTA members:
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Full-time teleservice: All members may teleserve full-time, regardless of the telework status of their host site.
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Emergency leave: Members who would like to teleserve but cannot due to a lack of teleservice resources or lack of assignments suitable for teleservice may utilize up to 30 days of emergency leave. This leave will not count against the member’s sick or personal leave.
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Continuing service as scheduled: Members who` having familiarized themselves with the latest CDC guidance on how to protect themselves and others and feel they can safely continue to serve on site may do so as long as the site remains open.*
This is a constantly evolving situation, and for that reason, all members must be prepared to report back to their service site within 24 hours. We also understand that you likely have questions regarding the three options outlined above. For additional information, please also see the FAQs available on our website at NationalService.gov/coronavirus.
*Additionally, VISTA recognizes the need for our partners to respond to communities’ most pressing and timely needs. We have received several questions regarding the ability to update VISTA service assignments to address community challenges related to COVID-19. The short answer is yes, assignments can be adjusted and AmeriCorps VISTA members may perform direct service activities during this time, so long as it follows guidance from federal, state and local health departments. More details about this can be found in the FAQs available on our website at NationalService.gov/coronavirus.
We will continue to monitor the situation and will continue to provide updated information via email and at NationalService.gov/coronavirus. The Corporation for National and Community Service is pursuing every possible avenue to help sponsors and members address issues as they arise. If you have questions or concerns not addressed in these FAQs, please contact your Portfolio Manager or Program Officer.
Please check back frequently for the latest information.
Thank you for your service,
 Desiree Tucker-Sorini
Director, AmeriCorps VISTA
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