The document outlines the National Service Inclusion Project (NSIP) and the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), emphasizing their commitment to enhancing the participation of individuals with disabilities in national service programs like AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, and Learn and Serve America. It also highlights the benefits of volunteering, including personal development and community impact, alongside the federal support through the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which allocated funding for disability inclusion. The document provides information on applying for AmeriCorps positions and the various programs available to facilitate service opportunities across the nation.

2. Speakers (in order of presentation sequence) Paula Sotnik , Director, National Service Inclusion Project, Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston Robert Shogren , Director, Arizona Governor’s Commission on Service & Volunteerism Jason Wheeler , Senior Program Manager, National Service Inclusion Project, Institute for Community Inclusion at UMass Boston Amy Rocker , AmeriCorps Alumna, Commissioner & Disability Navigator

3. For more information: The National Service Inclusion Project (NSIP) is training and technical assistance provider on disability inclusion, under a cooperative agreement (#08TAHMA001) from Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). NSIP partners with the Association on University Centers on Disability, National Council on Independent Living, Association on Higher Education and Disability and National Down Syndrome Congress to build connections between disability organizations and all CNCS grantees, including national directs, to increase the participation of people with disabilities in national service. On the web: www .nationalservice.gov www.serviceandinclusion. org Phone: 888-491-0326 (toll-free voice and TTY) Email: [email_address]

4. Questions: What is the most important piece of information that you hope learn today? What is your burning question?

5. The Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS): A federal agency established in 1993 and reauthorized in 2009, to provide opportunities for ALL Americans to give back to their communities through service and volunteering The mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering Structured volunteer service opportunities are provided through three major programs: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve America. Many new programs to be established with the passage of the 2009 Kennedy Service Act Federal Agency

6. VISTA Leaders  HQ  Sponsoring Agencies Senior Corps Foster Grandparents  Sponsoring Agencies  State Offices RSVP  Sponsoring Agencies  State Offices Senior Companions  Sponsoring Agencies  State Offices Nat’l Demonstration Projects  Nat’l Organizations  Sponsoring Agencies AmeriCorps Nat’l Demonstration Projects  HQ  Nat’l Organizations National, Regional & Local Projects  SE Region Campus  NE Region Campus  Central Region Campus  Western Region Campus  Capital Region Campus State Grants  State Commissions Ed Award Program Grants  State Commissions  Nat’l Organizations  Tribes & Territories Tribes & Territories Grants National Directs Grants  Nat’l Parent Organizations * Sub - Grantees * Sub - Grantees Learn & Serve America  State Ed Agencies (K-12)  Higher Ed Institutions  Community-based Orgs  Tribes Presidential Freedom Scholarships  HS Jrs & Srs Learn & Serve America Nat’l S-L Clearinghouse  All S-L practitioners & researchers A  State & National A  NCCC A  VISTA  Sponsoring Agencies The National Service Network Programs & Partners Local Projects  Sponsoring Agencies  State Offices

7. Connecting… Each State has a Corporation State Office that manages the AmeriCorps VISTA and Senior Corps projects in that State Each State has a State Service Commission that grants AmeriCorps funds to organizations in that State; many State Commissions have a “Disability Coordinator” More than 40 National Non-Profit Organizations receive AmeriCorps funds and operate AmeriCorps programs across multiple States For detailed information on any of the above please go to: www.nationalservice.gov

8. Thousands of people with disabilities serve (or have served) in the CNCS three major programs: AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America. Did you know…

10. Why should we promote service and volunteering? National Service or community volunteering is one path to preparing to become … something …or to change course and become … something else

11. Why Volunteer Volunteering Improves Lives People who volunteer improve their lives and make a difference in the lives of those they help People who volunteer are significantly more likely to be happy and satisfied with their lives. [ CNCS AmeriCorps Longitudinal Study 2008 ]

12. Why Volunteer Service Members and Volunteers Increase self-esteem & self-confidence Feel needed and valued Experience a sense of accomplishment Can add this experience on a college application Develop skills that are transferrable to many areas of life, including PSE and/or employment Expand social and professional networks

13. Why Volunteer Learn to assume leadership and responsibility Develop a track record and demonstrate the ability to complete tasks Build experience and enhance resume-building skills Explore many career options … stay tuned for additional benefits

14. CNCS and Disability Inclusion Each year the CNCS has, by statute, allocated approximately 5M for the active inclusion of individuals with disabilities in AmeriCorps * Funding has focused on three grant priority areas: outreach placement and reasonable accommodations and training and technical assistance * prior Serve America Act passage

15. On March 31, 2009 the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act to reauthorize the CNCS and its programs through 2014 On April 21, 2009. President Obama signed the bill into law. The 2009 Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act

16. more explicitly and more frequently emphasizes a commitment to the inclusion of people with disabilities as active participants in all national service programs and volunteer opportunities… Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act

17. Select Highlights • Increases money for outreach and placement Expands to all national service grant programs “… disability funds to any AmeriCorps State, AmeriCorps National, Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America program funded under the 2009 Kennedy Serve America Act. … includes Education Award Programs, Indian tribes and U.S. Territories.” Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act

18. … collaborate with organizations with demonstrated expertise in supporting and accommodating individuals with disabilities, including institutions of higher education, to increase the number of participants with disabilities … provide and disseminate information regarding methods to make service-learning programs and programs offered under the national service laws accessible to individuals with disabilities Select Highlights (cont…) Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act

19. … assistance to carry out a national service program shall include a non-profit organization promoting competitive and non-competitive sporting events which enhance the quality of life for individuals with disabilities … outreach to …agencies and organizations serving veterans and individuals with disabilities… Select Highlights (cont…) Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act

20. Expansion of AmeriCorps Sets AmeriCorps on a path to 250,000 positions by 2017 Includes all approved national service positions Sets goal of 50% full-time

21. Over 75,000 individuals of all ages and backgrounds serving this year AmeriCorps programs provide human and other resources to community organizations to build their capacity to meet local needs in: Education Environment Public safety Homeland security Other critical areas AmeriCorps members recruit, train and manage an additional one million community volunteers AmeriCorps

22. AmeriCorps State & National AmeriCorps (AC) supports a broad range of local service programs that engage thousands of Americans in full or part-time volunteering to meet critical community needs. AmeriCorps program grants go to States, National Non-Profits, Indian Tribes and U.S. territories. Individuals 17 years or older, with a H.S. diploma/GED or working on one, or with an Independent Educational Assessment are eligible to apply AC State and National members are eligible to receive a living allowance, health insurance, child care, and an education award upon successful completion of the service period. The HEART Act of 2008 made it possible for the living stipend to be disregarded as income for SSI eligibility purposes Limited funds are available through State Service Commissions for reasonable accommodation

23. AmeriCorps VISTA AmeriCorps VISTA provides full-time volunteers to community organizations and public agencies to create and expand programs that build capacity and ultimately bring low-income individuals and communities out of poverty. AmeriCorps VISTA members or volunteers are eligible to receive a living allowance, health care, child care and an education award upon completion. The VISTA living allowance is not regarded as income for purposes of SSI or SSDI eligibility

24. AmeriCorps NCCC The AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) is a full-time residential program for men and women aged 18-24 that strengthens communities while developing leaders through direct, team-based national and community service. NCCC members receive a living allowance, health care and an education award upon completion. The HEART Act of 2008 made it possible for the living stipend to be disregarded as income for SSI eligibility purposes

25. More benefits for AmeriCorps Members… Living Allowance - modest living stipend (11,000 – 12,000) Education Award - full-time education award =$4,725 , prorated for less than FT (will match Pell Grant $5,350.) - can be used for non-degree programs, alternative types of schools and schools overseas - use in seven years - possibly serve more than two terms of service (rulemaking) 3. Health care Child care http://www.nationalservice.gov/for_organizations/highered/ed_award_match.asp

26. National Service Trust Serve America Act Individual may earn up to aggregate of two full-time education awards Amount will match Pell grant level Expands uses of education award 55+ may transfer to child, foster child, or grandchild (currently in rulemaking)

27. How to apply to become an AmeriCorps Member

28. Step One : www.americorps.gov

29. Step Two : Select Interest & State

30. Step Three : Browse Opportunities

31. Step Four : Select “Apply Now”

32. Step Five : Complete Online Application

33. Amy Rocker AmeriCorps Alumna Commissioner, Arizona Governor’s Commission on Service & Volunteerism Disability Program Navigator Graduate Student

34. www.volunteeringandservice.org