"Innovation for Impact" National Convening
Check out the AmeriCorps Seniors “Innovation for Impact” virtual sessions this month. There are three more issue-focused sessions featuring a combination of speakers, both from AmeriCorps, grantees, and external organizations, to frame these issues and demonstrate easily replicated and innovative program models.
Additionally, there are optional pre-convenings before each session from 1-2 p.m.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Wednesday, June 16 – 2 p.m. ET
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Pre-Convening Exhibit: National Senior Corps Association
- Maranda Ward, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at George Washington University focusing on diversity and anti-racism
- Lisa Simpson, Senior Advisor for Strategy and Relationships, AARP Office of Volunteer Engagement
Veterans and Military Families: Wednesday, June 23 – 2 p.m. ET
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Pre-Convening Exhibit: AmeriCorps Seniors Professional Network (ASPN)
- Sabrina Clark, Ph.D, Director Veterans Affairs Center for Development & Civic Engagement
- Mary Tobin, AmeriCorps Senior Advisor for Wounded Warrior, Veteran, and Military Family Initiatives
Economic Recovery: Wednesday, June 30 – 2 p.m. ET
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Pre-Convening Exhibit: Mon Ami
- Speakers to be announced
Register and learn more. Select the break-out room link from the website after the presentations to participate in a collaborative discussion.
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National Vaccine Month of Action
AmeriCorps is joining the White House and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the National Vaccine Month of Action from June 4 to July 4 to help ensure 70 percent of adult Americans have at least one shot by Independence Day. Learn more and join us.
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President Biden Announces Nominee for AmeriCorps CEO
We are pleased to share President Biden’s intent to nominate Michael D. Smith, Executive Director of the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance and Director of Youth Opportunity Programs at the Obama Foundation, as AmeriCorps' next Chief Executive Officer. A former colleague and fervent champion, Michael has an incredible story steeped in service and well represents our commitment to getting things done for the country. View the full statement on our website.
What's at your Core?
AmeriCorps "What's at your core?", campaign shows how service compounds values individual like equity, compassion, and hope into meaningful change for communities.
The campaign invites people of all backgrounds to consider their own core values—and then put them into action with AmeriCorps.
Help us ensure more Americans know about the thousands of opportunities to serve by utilizing our new AmeriCorps Values Campaign Toolkit to spread the word and drive recruitment in your community. The toolkit includes:
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Ready-to-share social media content featuring a diverse set of AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers from our national advertising campaign
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Social media templates to customize with your own volunteers
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Two new video PSAs: one bringing all our programs under a unified AmeriCorps banner, and the second targeting a younger audience. Standalone video clips are also available.
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Interview guide to help tell the story of your volunteers through the lens the of the campaign, letting their voices lead the way to inspire others to serve
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Newly branded photo library offers service photos with the new AmeriCorps logo
- And much more.
Now is the time to bring more people into national service using their core values to make a lasting difference. #WhatsAtYourCore
Join Us to Discuss 20th Anniversary of 9/11
Join AmeriCorps and 911Day.org for an interactive virtual discussion to help inspire service in honor of the 20th anniversary of the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance. Just as we did in the aftermath two decades ago, we look for the helpers—like you—to support our neighbors and complete strangers in need as we honor those lost and those who rose in service in response to those tragic events.
Wednesday, June 23, 3:30 p.m. ET
Note: There is a 30 minute overlap with an AmeriCorps Seniors' National Convening session that will take place during the break-out room discussion; however, we want to offer you the opportunity to attend this discussion.
President Biden's Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Request
President Biden recently released his administration’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2022, proposing $1.2 billion for AmeriCorps. The proposal is an $89.2 million increase over FY21 enacted levels to advance racial and economic equity; prioritize underserved individuals and communities; and expand use of evidence-based approaches to drive national service.
This proposed budget reflects the President’s strong commitment to using national service as a strategy to address critical challenges and it builds on the unprecedented investment made by the American Rescue Plan Act. As a reminder, this is not a final, enacted budget. It is the first step in a lengthy process. Read our Congressional Budget Justification and learn more about what this proposal means for national service.
Policy Corner
National Service Criminal History Checks
Reminder that the new criminal history check rule went into effect on May 1. This regulation applies to individuals who started work or service prior to May 1, and who will remain in work or service after November 1, 2021. You must complete a national service criminal history check that complies with the final rule by November 1, 2021.
The criminal history check course on Litmos reflects the new rule. AmeriCorps requires staff members to retake the course annually, prior to the expiration of the certificate, and to retain their certificate of completion. Grantees should not allow their training certificate to expire.
We are here to help you - contact CHC@cns.gov with any questions or assistance.
2021 Income Eligibility Levels Guidelines
2021 Income Eligibility Levels Guidelines for the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs are available on the new AmeriCorps.gov website.
Elder Justice Corner
Scammers Cash in on Confusion Over Vaccine Verification Methods
It's now been months after the first rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, and people are eager to get back to their regular activities.
Some states, companies, colleges, and other organizations are creating their own verification products and services to show proof of vaccination, including apps, digital passports, and certificates. Some connect to state immunization databases, while others rely on individual self-reporting. This patchwork approach gives scammers an opportunity to cash in on the confusion.
Besides not sharing your COVID-19 vaccination card online because of the risk for identity theft, here are a few other ways to help stay ahead of the scammers:
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Be skeptical of anyone contacting you from the federal government. Right now, there are no official plans to create a national vaccine verification app, certificate, or passport. If you get a call, email, or text from someone saying they’re from the federal government, and asking for personal information or money in exchange for a vaccine certificate or passport, that’s a scam.
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Check with airlines, cruise lines, and event venues about their requirements. Don’t rely on information from someone who calls, texts, or emails you out of the blue.
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Contact your state government about its vaccine verification plans and requirements.
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Don’t share your information with just anyone. Scammers often set up real-looking websites to sell fake goods and services, so why not vaccine verification certificates or passports? Before you share any information online, check out who’s asking for it. Search online for the company or organization’s name with words like “scam,” “review,” or “complaint.” Think long and hard before you share personal information, like your Social Security, Medicare, credit card, or bank account numbers. Scammers can steal your information to commit fraud and identity theft.
If you know about a COVID-19 vaccine scam tell the FTC about it or file a complaint with your state or territory attorney general at the consumer website of the National Association of Attorneys General.
Upcoming Deadlines and Reminders
Reporting Deadlines
Quarter 3 (April 1 start date)
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Federal Financial Reports - Final (budget year 3) due: Wednesday, June 30
Quarter 4 (July 1 start date)
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Project Progress Reports - Annual due: Friday, July 30
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Federal Financial Reports (budget year 1 or year 2) due: Friday, July 30
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Federal Financial Reports - Final (budget year 3) due: Thursday, Sept. 30
Resources for completing Project Progress Reports - Annual can be found by scrolling down to "Grantee Resources" and filtering for “submit a progress report” on the following pages:
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