AmeriCorps Open Forum

Transcription

1 AmeriCorps Open Forum 1

2 The Application Process 1. Notice of Funding Opportunity 2. Application Instructions 3. Performance Measure Instructions 4. Submission Instructions 5. egrants Availability 3

3 The Application Process There are two components to your application submission: 1. egrants Application 1. Executive Summary 2. Narrative 3. Evaluation Plan 4. Performance Measures 5. Budget 4

4 The Application Process There are two components to your application submission: 2. Submission of Additional Application Documents 1. Eligibility Certification (Form A) 2. Member Placement Chart (Form B) 3. Organizational Capacity Survey (Form C) 4. Source of Matching Funds Chart (Form D) 5. Independent Financial Statement Audit and A-133 OneStar WILL NOT accept any additional materials. 5

5 The Application Process All documents must be received by 10:59:59 PM CST on November 28, Late applications WILL NOT be accepted. 6

6 Selection Criteria There are 3 primary sections to your Narrative. 1. Program Design (50%) 2. Organizational Capability (25%) 3. Cost Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy (25%) 8

7 Selection Criteria Program Design a. Need b. AmeriCorps Members as a Highly Effective Means to Solve Community Problems c. Evidence-Based/Evidence-Informed and Measureable Community Impact d. Member Recruitment e. Member Training f. Member Supervision g. Member Experience h. Volunteer Generation i. Organizational Commitment to AmeriCorps Identification 9

8 Selection Criteria Organizational Capability a. Organizational Background and Staffing b. Sustainability c. Compliance and Accountability a. Demonstrated Compliance b. Enrollment c. Retention 10

9 Selection Criteria Cost Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy For Cost Reimbursement Grants a. Cost Effectiveness b. Budget Adequacy For EAPs and Other Fixed Amount Grants a. Cost Effectiveness b. Budget Adequacy 11

10 Common Terminology Guide Understanding NSCHCs Term Abbreviation/ Shorthand Previous names/ terms this is replacing National Service Criminal History Check NSCHC Criminal history check (CHC) Criminal background check (CBC) Crime records check (CRC) National Sex Offender Public Website Check NSOPW check National Sex Offender Public Registry (NSOPR) Statewide Repository Check Statewide check State Check Repository Check FBI fingerprint-based Repository Check FBI check FBI Identification Record Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) 13

11 General changes and clarifications: Firm ineligibility criteria 4 conditions Understanding NSCHCs : In addition to the eligibility criteria you establish, an individual shall be ineligible to serve in a covered position if the individual (a) Refuses to consent to a criminal history check described in of this chapter; (b) Makes a false statement in connection with a criminal history check described in of this chapter; (c) Is registered, or is required to be registered, on a state sex offender registry or the National Sex Offender Registry; or (d) Has been convicted of murder, as defined in 18 U.S.C

12 General changes and clarifications: Age when check is required (18 years old at any time during service) From Section IV: Comments and Responses : Understanding NSCHCs A National Service Criminal History Check is required for individuals who are, or who will reach the age of, 18 or older at any time during their service term. The Check must be conducted in accordance with , even if the individual is not yet 18 at the time service or work begins. Note: states that checks on covered individuals must be initiated (or completed, if NSOPW) before the individual starts service/work, even if they are 17 at the start of service. If you have typically have members who are at the start of service, please work with your Grants Officers and/or CNCS to ensure you have appropriate procedures to obtain consent for checks on minors.

13 General changes and clarifications: Final definition for vulnerable populations and recurring access From Section II(d) and : Understanding NSCHCs The NCSA, as amended by the SAA, defines vulnerable populations as children age 17 or younger, individuals age 60 or older, or individuals with disabilities. CNCS continues to define recurring access as the ability on more than one occasion to approach, observe, or communicate with an individual through physical proximity or other means, including but not limited to, electronic or telephonic communication. (45 CFR ).

14 General changes and clarifications: Understanding NSCHCs Final definition for Episodic Access regular, scheduled, anticipated From Section II (i): 1. Episodic Access ( ): Congress granted those individuals in covered positions with recurring access to vulnerable populations an exception to the FBI fingerprint-based criminal history check requirement when their access to vulnerable populations is episodic in nature or for a [one]-day period. For the purpose of this final rule, the Corporation defines episodic as access that is not a regular, scheduled, and anticipated component of an individual s service activities. If access to vulnerable populations is not a regular, scheduled, and anticipated component of an individual s service activities, the grantee is not required to conduct a fingerprint-based FBI criminal history check... Episodic access is not determined by a specific number. In other words, if a grantee does not anticipate that a member will have access to vulnerable populations, the need to meet the National Service Criminal History Check requirements for individuals in covered positions with access to vulnerable populations would not materialize after a specific number of incidents of access occur, but would once the access becomes regular, scheduled and anticipated.

15 NSCHC Self-Audit Process Resources + Links: Copy of Final Rule published in Federal Register on October 5, 2012: National Service Resource Center web page dedicated to providing official CNCS materials including Vendor and other Fact Sheets: CNCS web page dedicated to providing news and updates on criminal history check requirements: NSOPW website: Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Records Service website: FBI website: 18

16 AmeriCorps Program Requirements The AmeriCorps program is a Federally funded program. As such, the following requirements apply to the program activities and funds expended as part of the program. Administrative Requirements 2 CFR 215 (A-110), A-102 Cost Principles 2 CFR 225 (A-87), 2 CFR 230 (A-122), 2 CFR 220 (A-21) Audits A-133 National and Community Service Act of 1990 (as amended by Serve America Act 42 USC et seq., and 45 CFR 2510 et seq. Applicable Federal Policies AmeriCorps Regulations 45 CFR AmeriCorps Provisions 20

17 Grant Review and Selection Process Prepare the Application Submit Application to OneStar ( ) OneStar Grant Review ( ) OneStar Board Review and Vote (1.2013) CNCS Clarification Period ( ) CNCS Grant Review ( ) OneStar Submits Applications to CNCS (1.2013) Notification of Submission for Competitive Consideration (1.2013) Notification of Funding (6.2013) Pre-Award Period ( ) Notice of Grant Awards Released ( ) Programs Start! ( or ) 21

18 Please contact the following individual with any questions: Elisa Gleeson Grants Management Specialist Phone: Availability: 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM CST Monday through Friday