Message From the Director
Dear colleagues,
I hope you had a great Labor Day holiday, which marked the end of summer, the beginning of a new school year, and the start of autumn. September is unique because it is the ninth month of the year, and its name has nine letters. No other month can claim that characteristic.
I believe that you, our AmeriCorps Seniors directors, are as unique as the month of September. While traveling this month, I saw the pride and dedication that you take in managing your programs. I have had the opportunity to hear from your volunteers, and their stories bring to life the dedication and commitment they have for service and the people they serve. The volunteers also spoke of the appreciation they have for all of you. The passion with which you lead and serve is remarkable and I thank you, sincerely, for lending your uniqueness to AmeriCorps Seniors. September brings us to the end of our fiscal year.. I want to thank you for all that you’ve accomplished this year. It hasn’t been easy, but you’ve helped to support communities and change lives.
Lastly, September brings us to the final session in our Summer Training Series. Thank you for your continued participation and please join our last session on Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 1 p.m. ET. The agenda will include our CEO, a board member, our director of government relations, and some of your colleagues.
I remain grateful and in service to you and for you.
In service,
Atalaya Sergi, Director
AmeriCorps Seniors
AmeriCorps Seniors 2022 Virtual Convening: Summer Series
Reflection and Celebration Session
Register for the last session of the AmeriCorps Seniors 2022 Virtual Convening: Summer Series.
- Tuesday, Sept. 20, 1-4 p.m. ET: Reflection and Celebration – Register
You can find materials and recordings from our previous sessions on Litmos in the 2022 ACS Virtual Summer Series Learning Path. Agendas and session descriptions will be posted i and recordings will be posted after each event.
Follow-up from the July Summer Series
During the July Summer Series, there was a question around retention requirements for records.
During the call, the Office of Grants Administration highlighted the content of Retention requirements for records, which states “Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other non-Federal entity records pertinent to a federal award must be retained for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report.” The citation goes further to state that “if any litigation, claim, or audit starts before the end of the 3-year record retention period, the records must be retained until all litigation, claims, or audit findings involving the records are resolved and final action is taken.”
Based on the regulations, all grant records are required to be maintained for at least three years after the awardee has submitted the final closeout report for the grant. While the three-year period for closed grants may allow for archiving and/or the destruction of the grant documents (including but not limited to volunteer records, volunteer station information, and performance measure data) it is important that awardees ensure there is a compliant record for every active volunteer and volunteer station that is participating in an AmeriCorps Seniors grant.
Please review the citation closely and connect with your portfolio manager if there are any additional questions.
Fiscal Year 2023 Application Due Dates
As we near the beginning of fiscal year 2023 (Saturday, Oct. 1), AmeriCorps is finalizing its grants calendar. While the dates below are tentative, we do not anticipate any significant changes.
For Foster Grandparent, RSVP, and Senior Companion program grantees that have a start date of April 1 (Quarter 3 grants):
- Funding notices opened on Thursday, Sept. 1.
- Applications are due Wednesday, Nov. 2.
- Technical Assistance Webinars:
- Review NOFA Requirements
- Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 3 p.m. ET – Register
For Foster Grandparent, RSVP, and Senior Companion program grantees that have a start date of Saturday, July 1 (Quarter 4 grants):
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Funding notices will open on Monday, Jan. 9.
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Applications will be due Wednesday, March 9.
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Technical Assistance Webinars:
If you have an award that has an off cycle start date and/or have a Senior Demonstration program grant, your portfolio manager will share application due dates once finalized.
While these dates are tentative and final dates will be released when the funding opportunities open. Note: On-time grant application submissions will be expected in fiscal year 2023. Late applications that do not follow the notice of funding opportunities will not be accepted.
Training Corner
Grantee Essentials Training and Technical Assistance (TTA)
We're excited to share that starting in October, AmeriCorps Seniors will offer up to two valuable webinars to our grantees each month:
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Grantee Essentials TTA: Each month, we will focus our time together on a deep dive into a specific technical assistance topic to build your skills while managing your AmeriCorps Seniors grant. These calls will include dedicated time for American Rescue Plan funded grantees and a forum for native and tribal serving grantees to connect.
Pathfinder Update
The pathfinder will be updated on Friday, Oct. 14. Potential AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers use the pathfinder tool to find volunteer opportunities in their communities. Make sure your station roaster contact information is up to date, so they can learn more about serving with you.
To correct or update your pathfinder information review your contact information in eGrants. For technical assistance, refer to Appendix A. 22: Review and Update Project Information in your program handbook located on the Foster Grandparent, RSVP, Senior Companion, and Senior Demonstration Program grantee pages.
Any updates made between Friday, July 1, and Friday, Sept. 30, will be posted on Friday, Oct. 14.
Volunteer Station Rosters
Remember to update your volunteer station roster information in eGrants, especially if you are a new AmeriCorps Seniors’ project. Station roster information is used for AmeriCorps Seniors’ National Service Reports and pathfinder tool. This information is important for providing a full picture of the impact of AmeriCorps Seniors and national service activities. Need help updating your station rosters? Review these instructions.
Elder Justice Corner
“Free COVID-19 Tests” Scam Targets Medicare Recipients
Scammers have been targeting Medicare recipients with fake offers to get “free COVID-19 tests.” They’re calling recipients, developing fake websites, and creating online and television ads to convince people to give out their Medicare information. Once they receive your information, they bill fraudulent charges to Medicare.
Many Medicare recipients signed up for these “free COVID-19 tests” and never received them. Unfortunately, these scammers are using the Medicare information they collect to bill other products and services the insured person never receives.
If you or someone you know is covered by Medicare, here’s how to avoid these scams:
- Medicare does cover eight free COVID-19 tests a month, but no one from Medicare will call you to offer them to you.
- The federal government is also offering free COVID-19 tests to every residential household. No insurance information or identifying information is required. To order free test kits from the government, go to usps.com/test kits or call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489). Each order includes eight tests. Every U.S. household is entitled to place two orders for a total of 16 tests.
- Medicare beneficiaries can get their free tests at participating pharmacies.
- Never give Medicare or other personal information over the phone to anyone who calls. Fraudulent charges may affect your Medicare coverage. Although the money doesn’t come directly out of your pocket, you may not be able to get the medical equipment you need. Check your Medicare Summary Notice to be sure you are only being charged for services actually received.
- Find out more at Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227). Also, read the Federal Trade Commission’s article on medical identity theft.
Upcoming Deadlines and Reminders
Reporting Deadlines
Quarter 3 (Saturday, April 1 Start Date)
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Performance Progress Reports Semi-Annual Due: Sunday, Oct. 30
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Federal Financial Report Semi-Annual Due: Sunday, Oct. 30
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Performance Progress Reports Annual Due: Sunday, April 30
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Federal Financial Report (Budget Year 1 or Year 2) Due: Sunday, April 30
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Federal Financial Report Final (Budget Year 3) Due: Sunday, July 30
Quarter 4 (Saturday, July 1 Start Date)
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Performance Progress Reports Semi-Annual Lite Due: Monday, Jan. 30
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Federal Financial Report Semi-Annual Due: Monday, Jan. 30
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Performance Progress Reports Annual Due: Sunday, July 30
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Federal Financial Report (Budget Year 1 or Year 2) Due: Sunday, July 30
Progress report resources are available on program pages under "Grantee Resources," filter for “submit a progress report.”
Review program handbooks and Litmos for additional guidance.
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