Notes From the Director's Desk: December Edition

AmeriCorps sent this bulletin at 12/21/2022 10:35 AM EST

Notes From the Director's Desk:
December Edition

AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer in the Foster Grandparent program Kathy “Granny K”  Higgins mentoring second grade students at East Leonard Elementary School in Michigan. Read More.

Message From the Director

Dear colleagues,

We are at the end of 2022, and I can hardly believe it. This year has flown by so quickly.  

I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your partnership in bringing national service to our nation’s communities. This grantee family supports more than 100,000 volunteers who reach thousands of community members helping them thrive and live their best lives.  

I know this year has been filled with both personal and professional challenges and victories. Even with challenges in recruitment, service stations, and in our communities, you never stopped serving your volunteers and communities. It is my greatest joy to partner with a group of like-minded individuals from all over the country, representing the diversity of the nation we call home, and focused on making us stronger through service.   

On behalf of AmeriCorps, I want to wish you a joyful year-end and holiday season. Take time to enjoy your family and friends and prepare to achieve your dreams in 2023.   

I will see you in 2023! 

In service,

Atalaya Sergi, Director
AmeriCorps Seniors

Training Corner

Grantee Essentials Training and Technical Assistance: 

Each month, we dive into specific technical assistance topics to help you build your skills while managing your AmeriCorps Seniors grant.

2023 Calls: [Register]

Tuesday, Jan. 17, 1 p.m. ET 
Tuesday, Feb. 21, 1 p.m. ET 
Tuesday, March 21, 1 p.m. ET

 Missed our last Grantee Essentials call? Check out the Grantee Essentials TTA and Tuesday Talks learning path in Litmos. This learning path includes webinar recordings, presentations, and other materials.

Don’t have a Litmos account? Sign up

Native Nations and Indigenous Elders Senior Demonstration Program Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement

AmeriCorps Seniors is excited to announce a new funding opportunity for national service projects that are reflective of the needs of Indigenous and tribal communities. Examples of projects selected as part of this opportunity might include programming that:

promotes the preservation and teaching of tribal and Indigenous languages and cultural practices;
provides social, economic and educational services to tribal and Indigenous people both on and off reservation lands;
advances equity in areas such as food sovereignty, climate change and conservation, and mental health services;
provides veterans and military families, caregivers, and survivors' quality of life; and
creates workforce pathways for older adults, including deliberate training, certifications and hiring preferences.

This opportunity includes a three-year operating grant to engage and deploy AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers to address the communities’ most pressing needs. The application deadline is Wednesday, April 5, 5 p.m. ET. AmeriCorps expects to notify successful applicants by Friday, June 30.

Apply Now

For questions related to this funding opportunity contact AmeriCorpsSeniors@cns.gov.

Elder Justice Corner

 A Message from the Federal Trade Commission   

Looking for a New Year’s resolution? Here’s one for you: Keep your hard-earned money safe from scammers by avoiding gift card scams. Scammers want you to pay with gift cards because they’re like cash.

What does a gift card scam look like? Someone may call, tell you they’re from a government agency, and say you owe taxes or a fine. They may pretend to be a family member or friend in trouble who needs money right away. They may say you’ve won a prize and ask you to pay fees or other charges. 

Here are some additional signs: 

The caller says it’s urgent. They tell you to pay right away or something terrible will happen. The goal is to pressure you into acting quickly, so you don’t have time to think or talk to someone you trust.
The caller usually tells you which gift card to buy. They might tell you to put money on a Google Play, Target, or iTunes gift card, or send you to a specific store, so cashiers won’t get suspicious.
The caller asks you for the gift card number and PIN. The scammer uses that information to get the money you’ve loaded on the card. 
If you paid a scammer with a gift card, tell the company that issued the card right away. Keep the card and find any receipts you have. Report gift card scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Learn more

Upcoming Deadlines and Events

Progress Report Supplements

Progress Report Supplements are due Monday, Jan. 30. Review the official announcement for further instructions.

Fiscal Year 2023 Application

For AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent, RSVP, and Senior Companion program grantees that have a start date of Saturday, July 1 (Quarter 4 grants):  

Funding notices will open on Monday, Jan. 9.  
Applications will be due Thursday, March 9.  
Technical Assistance Webinars:
- Review NOFA Requirements  
  - Wednesday, Jan. 18, and Tuesday, Feb. 7, 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 guidelines will not be accepted.   