Message From the Director
Dear colleagues,
Welcome to Fall! Many of us are embracing the change in weather while enjoying pumpkin spiced lattes, coffee creamers, oatmeal, and cereals. While you are enjoying these seasonal treats, don’t forget that November is National Gratitude Month-- time to reflect on what you are thankful for and actively express your gratitude.
This month, we commemorate Veterans Day and the legacy of the many men and women who have served in our armed forces. I want to express my gratitude to the veterans for both their prior service and those who continue to serve their country by choosing to join the AmeriCorps Seniors family.
We also are celebrating Thanksgiving this month. This year, I’m excited to be going home to sit at my parents’ table where I will be sharing my gratitude for all the project directors, staff, and volunteers who make a difference in our communities.
“Thanks” for “giving” your time to AmeriCorps Seniors and investing in our shared future.
In service,
Atalaya Sergi, Director
AmeriCorps Seniors
Training Corner
AmeriCorps Seniors 2022 Virtual Convening: Summer Series
Did you miss the summer series? Explore 2022 ACS Virtual Summer Series Learning Path.
Grantee Essentials Training and Technical Assistance
Each month, we deep dive into specific technical assistance topics to build your skills while managing your AmeriCorps Seniors grant. These calls will dedicate time for American Rescue Plan grantees and a forum for tribal-serving grantees to connect.
Tuesday, Nov. 15, 1 p.m. E.T.
AmeriCorps Seniors: Working with the Media
AmeriCorps is hosting a “working with the media” training session for AmeriCorps Seniors grantees on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 1 p.m. ET. Save this date to your calendar, and we will provide additional registration details soon.
This optional training will be led by AmeriCorps’ Office of External Affairs and our public relations firm Fors Marsh Group. Tune in to learn valuable information and tips for engaging local media to raise awareness about your projects.
Debuting Now: New Recruitment Videos
We are pleased to share new videos that spotlight AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in their communities. While not program specific, these videos are designed to support your recruitment and marketing efforts. They showcase how older adults serve their communities, how they feel about their service, and why others should also serve.
AmeriCorps Seniors: How Volunteering has Changed Me
AmeriCorps Seniors: Reasons to Serve
Additionally, the agency was invited to Zuni Pueblo and the Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps to collect stories from our tribal community partners about the importance of serving.
AmeriCorps Seniors: Tribal Outreach
 How can you use these?
- Add images or links to videos in PowerPoint presentations, event invitations, or online newsletters.
- Share images or video links on social media when you talk about why people should apply (and include a link for more info).
- Be sure to follow @AmeriCorpsSrs on Facebook and Twitter to share our content with your followers.
In development! Program-specific brochures and volunteer video testimonials, media training materials, and more postcards.
Did you know that AmeriCorps maintains an online resource with our most popular marketing materials? Check it out. If you are not able to find specific materials, please email us at logos@cns.gov.
We hope these new materials are welcomed additions to your marketing toolkit and help you to raise even more awareness about your volunteer opportunities.
Fiscal Year 2023 Application Due Dates
AmeriCorps has finalized its grant calendar for the new fiscal year.
For Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion program grantees that have a start date of Saturday, April 1 (Quarter 3 grants):
- Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion applications are due Wednesday, Nov. 16.
- Technical Assistance Webinars posted in Litmos:
- Review NOFA Requirements
- Submitting your applications
- Continuations and Renewals Overview
- Quick Guide
For Foster Grandparent, RSVP, and Senior Companion program grantees that have a start date of Saturday, July 1, 2023 (Quarter 4 grants):
- Funding notices will open on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023.
- Applications will be due on Wednesday, March 9, 2023.
- Technical Assistance Webinars:
- Reviewing Notice of Funding Opportunities requirements
- Wednesday, Jan. 18, and Tuesday, Feb. 7, 3 p.m. ET – Register
- Submitting your applications
- Thursday, Jan. 19, and Wednesday, Feb. 8, 3 p.m. ET – Register
- Continuations and Renewals Overview
- Thursday, Jan. 26, and Wednesday, Feb. 15, 3 p.m. ET – Register
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.
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.
Volunteer Station Rosters
Remember to update your volunteer station roster information in eGrants. Station roster information is used for AmeriCorps Seniors’ National Service Reports and pathfinder tool by providing a full picture of the impact of AmeriCorps Seniors and national service activities. Need help updating your station rosters? Review these instructions.
Operations Handbook Updates
On Wednesday, Nov. 2, new versions of the operations handbook were posted. All handbooks include the new appendix “A.8: Fund Raising and AmeriCorps Seniors Grants.” The Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion, and Senior Demonstration handbooks includes a volunteer service years clarification needed to align with grant application instructions.
To access the handbooks, visit these grantees pages on our web site.
AmeriCorps Seniors Workforce Development Senior Development Program
AmeriCorps Seniors is excited to announce a new funding opportunity. In partnership with Public Health AmeriCorps and Seniors Workforce Development, there is an opportunity to impart older Americans with career skills sets through projects that address public health needs in local communities. Applicants that propose to focus solely on public health careers (for example, dental hygienist, nursing, etc.) should apply using the using the AmeriCorps Seniors Workforce Development Program.
Highlighted priorities for this AmeriCorps’ opportunity are:
- Support older adults in obtaining permanent employment in skilled labor or professional careers.
- Provide training and/or certification for employment and offer supports such as mentorship, coaching, transportation, ect.
Public Health Careers Track: See Appendix III for more information on Public Health AmeriCorps.
Workforce Development funding dates and information:
Elder Justice Corner
Warning: Offers to Increase Social Security Benefit are from Criminals
Criminals impersonate personnel from the Social Security Administration and other government agencies to obtain personal information, money, or download malware onto phones. That “unexpected offer” from the Social Security Administration to activate a benefit increase, cost-of-living adjustment, or to set up an online account is from a criminal and not the Social Security Administration.
Report scams to the Social Security Administration. Reporting these scams help identify emerging scam tactics and trends to protects others.
How A Government Imposter Scam Works
Scammers will primarily call you, but they may also use email, text message, social media, or mail. Scammers pretend to be from an agency or organization you know to gain your trust, then say there is a problem or a prize. Scammers will pressure you to act immediately and ask you to pay them in a specific way.
Tips To Protect Yourself
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Do not take immediate action. If you receive a communication that causes a strong emotional response, take a deep breath, hang up or ignore the message, and talk to someone you trust.
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Do not transfer your money. Do not buy that gift card. Never pay someone who insists that you pay with a gift card, prepaid debit card, Internet currency or cryptocurrency, wire transfer, money transfer, or by mailing cash. Scammers use these forms of payment because they are hard to trace.
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Be skeptical. Do not believe scammers who “transfer” your call to a government official or law enforcement officer. Scammers can create fake numbers and identities, be cautious. Do not rely on your caller ID
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Do not click on links or attachments. Block unwanted calls and text messages.
Upcoming Deadlines and Reminders
Reporting Deadlines
Quarter 3 (Saturday, April 1 Start Date)
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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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