Fall 2011
National Service Training Roundup
AmeriCorps State Programs Update
AmeriCorps State Programs Update
AmeriCorps Grants to Engage 639 Iowans in Intensive Service to Meet Local Needs
The Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service (ICVS) has awarded more than $5.4 million in AmeriCorps State grants and education awards to support the placement of approximately 640 AmeriCorps members in community-based organizations across Iowa.
"These AmeriCorps members are stewards of our state and our country," stated Governor Terry E. Branstad. "Their commitment to serve others will have a tremendous positive impact on lives and communities for years to come."
This year's AmeriCorps grant cycle was highly competitive, due to the strong and growing demand by organizations seeking AmeriCorps resources. Nationally, organizations requested nearly twice the number of grant dollars and AmeriCorps positions than could be funded.
Since 1994, nearly 7,000 Iowa residents have provided more than 9 million hours of service to local communities through AmeriCorps. This federally-funded national service program, administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, enables Americans of almost any age to serve their community, state, and country through local schools, governments, or nonprofits. The Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service oversees AmeriCorps and other volunteer and service programs for the state.
AmeriCorps members can serve on a full- or part-time basis. Full-time members receive a modest living allowance and all members receive an education award of up to $5,550, which can be used for higher education tuition or loan repayment after completing a full year of service. Certain AmeriCorps grants are matched locally.
Iowa has expanded its AmeriCorps operations largely through improved performance in the National AmeriCorps State Grant Competition, in which states submit top programs to compete on a national level, as well as increased levels of local funding for programs. Each state commission also receives a population-based “formula” grant to make additional awards. Additionally, Iowa has 240 members serving at the North Central AmeriCorps NCCC campus in Vinton, Iowa and hundreds of AmeriCorps VISTA members serving with local organizations. A total of more than 1,200 AmeriCorps members are expected to serve in Iowa in 2011-2012.
Iowans interested in serving in AmeriCorps can search positions at www.americorps.gov. The following chart details the grants made by the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service. For more information on these programs, please visit the ICVS website at www.volunteeriowa.org.
2011-2012 Funding Levels
Program |
Funding Award |
Members (Est.) |
Education Award Value |
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley |
$ 130,000 |
14 |
$ 58,164 |
Boys & Girls Club of Central Iowa, Inc. |
$ 216,468 |
25 |
$ 102,675 |
City of Davenport |
$ 135,000 |
34 |
$ 55,500 |
City of Dubuque |
$ 210,587 |
48 |
$ 92,241 |
Community Corrections Improvement Association |
$ 199,140 |
51 |
$ 160,784 |
Conservation Corps Iowa |
$ 0 |
13 |
$ 72,150 |
Des Moines Public Schools |
$ 105,720 |
26 |
$ 44,400 |
Graceland University |
$ 145,612 |
24 |
$ 61,994 |
Habitat for Humanity of Iowa, Inc. |
$ 274,576 |
31 |
$ 127,151 |
Iowa Campus Compact |
$ 22,651 |
130 |
$ 157,065 |
Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence |
$ 110,050 |
10 |
$ 55,500 |
Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources - Keepers of the Land |
$ 506,727 |
99 |
$ 269,619 |
Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources - Veterans program |
$ 290,000 |
20 |
$ 111,000 |
Iowa Legal Aid |
$ 107,200 |
9 |
$ 44,400 |
Iowa Public Health Association |
$ 135,628 |
10 |
$ 55,500 |
Iowa State Univ. Extension |
$ 367,359 |
47 |
$ 154,623 |
Prevent Child Abuse Iowa |
$ 127,500 |
10 |
$ 55,500 |
United Way of East Central Iowa |
$ 133,345 |
10 |
$ 55,500 |
Univ. of Northern Iowa (CEEE) |
$ 366,954 |
28 |
$ 155,400 |
|
|
|
|
Totals |
$ 3,584,517 |
639 |
$ 1,889,166 |
The Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service (ICVS) is a state entity that serves to improve lives, strengthen communities and foster civic engagement through service and learning. ICVS promotes service and develops collaborative approaches that have helped Iowa become a national leader in service and volunteerism.
AmeriCorps is a national service program administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service that engages Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service to meet critical needs. Members tutor and mentor youth, expand health services, build affordable housing, run after-school programs, support veterans, help communities respond to disasters, and recruit and train volunteers. Interested individuals can learn about available opportunities and apply online by visiting www.americorps.gov.
Skylark AmeriCorps Program
The first of September marked the start of a new program year for AmeriCorps State grantees in Iowa. Among our new programs is one that involves a long time host agency using AmeriCorps in a new way to address the problem of domestic violence. The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence had operated the Rural Education and Community Help (REACH) AmeriCorps program since the first years that AmeriCorps was in existence. This program placed members in agencies and shelters across the state, but especially in rural areas, to expand the availability of this service. REACH was a very successful program, and out of it grew new groups which are self-sufficient initiatives today, such as the MUNA Legal Clinic to help immigrant victims of domestic violence.
The recent work of the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, however, has included an expansion into Iowa's prisons and a growing effort to serve those victims of domestic violence who also have a criminal record themselves, which makes it more difficult for them to get a job and become independent of their abusers. Domestic violence agencies across Iowa have also been pushing for new programs and funding to help them to provide more prevention services, so that fewer people become victims in the first place. So, the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence decided to combine these two efforts into Skylark, their new AmeriCorps program.
The Skylark AmeriCorps Program will enroll as members individuals, especially women, who are both victims of domestic violence and have their own history of involvement with the criminal justice system. These members will serve as domestic violence prevention specialists, helping to build community awareness about the risk factors for domestic violence. Through their service, the members will receive special training and learn professional skills that will help them transition into future employment opportunities that provide a living wage. While serving full time in the AmeriCorps program, members receive a living allowance and health care coverage, plus members with eligible dependents qualify for child care assistance. We are very excited to welcome Skylark AmeriCorps members into service and look forward to the forthcoming results.