Understanding the Landscape of Senior Corps Grants The Programming

Southwest National Service Training Event

Understanding the Landscape of Senior Corps Grants The Programming

Agenda Introduction to CNCS Senior Corps FGP, RSVP, and SCP Purpose and Goals Project Operations Compliance Monitoring Fiscal Management Reporting Requirements

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Introduction to CNCS
Mission Statement

The mission of the Corporation for National & Community Service is to improve lives, strengthen communities and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Introduction to CNCS
How does CNCS achieve its mission?

Provides grants and training and technical assistance to developing and expanding volunteer organizations. Explores, develops, and models effective approaches for using volunteers to meet the nation's human needs. Conducts and disseminates research that helps develop and cultivate knowledge that will enhance the overall effectiveness of national and community service programs.

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Introduction to CNCS
Organization Chart
Board of Directors Chief Executive Officer Inspector General

AmeriCorps State and Nat'l AmeriCorps NCCC

Senior Advisors
Senior Advisor for Disaster Service Senior Advisor for Veterans Affairs Senior Advisor for Education

Chief of Staff Government Relations

Strategic Advisor for Native American Affairs

General Counsel

External Affairs

AmeriCorps VISTA

Chief Operating Officer

Senior Corps

Atlantic Cluster Area Manager North Central Cluster Area Manager

Office of Field Liaison

Social Innovation Fund

Pacific Cluster Area Manager Southern Cluster Area Manager Southwest Cluster Area Manager

Field Offices

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Introduction to CNCS
National Service Timeline
Corporation for National and Community Service created

VISTA
(Volunteers in Service to America) Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Foster Grandparents Program Senior Companion Program 1970s 1960s 1964 1973 1990

AmeriCorps*NCCC created

AmeriCorps created

National and Community Service Act of 1990 2009 2010 2012 1992 1993 Edward M. Kennedy Service America Act signed Social Innovation Fund launched FEMA Corps launched

Senior Service Programs + Peace Corps + VISTA form the ACTION Agency Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Introduction to CNCS
2011 - 2015 Strategic Plan - Four Strategic Goals
1) Increase the impact of national service on community needs in communities served by CNCS-supported programs Strengthen national service so that participants engaged in CNCS-supported programs consistently find satisfaction, meaning and opportunity Maximize the value we add to grantees, partners and participants Fortify management operations and sustain a capable, responsive and accountable organization

2)

3)

4)

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Introduction to CNCS
2011 - 2015 Strategic Plan - Six Priority Areas

Disaster Services
Economic Opportunity Education Environmental Stewardship Healthy Futures

Veterans and Military Families

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Introduction to CNCS
CNCS Special Initiatives & Special Days of Service

September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance

Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service National Mentoring Month Presidents Volunteer Service Award Veterans and Military Families Senior Corps Week

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Introduction to CNCS
Roles of CNCS State Office Staff

The CNCS State Office is the face of National Service in each state. State Program Specialists and State Program Directors duties include:
Administering the Senior Corps and AmeriCorps VISTA programs Providing training and technical assistance to grantees Conducting compliance monitoring reviews with grantees Assisting with special assignments Supporting service as a strategy to meet local needs.

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Introduction to CNCS
Our Programs
AmeriCorps State and National AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps)

Senior Companion Program Foster Grandparents Program RSVP

Volunteer Generation Fund

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

INTRODUCTION TO SENIOR CORPS

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Senior Corps
Authorization
Senior Corps was authorized under Title II of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973:

".. empower older individuals to contribute to their communities through volunteer service, enhance the lives of the volunteers and those whom they serve, and provide communities with valuable services"

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Senior Corps

Programs
Senior Companion Program Foster Grandparents Program RSVP

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Senior Corps
Senior Companions Program Senior Companions:
provide assistance and friendship to adults who have difficulty with daily living tasks are 55 and older serve 15 - 40 hrs./week Income-eligible participants receive a stipend.

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Senior Companions Program

Purpose and Goals
Enable low-income persons aged 55 and over to remain physically and mentally active and to enhance their self-esteem through continued participation in needed community services; Provide supportive services to adults with physical, emotional, or mental health limitations, especially older persons, in an effort to achieve and maintain their highest level of independent living; and Provide a stipend and other benefits which enable eligible persons to participate as Senior Companions without cost to themselves.

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Senior Corps
Foster Grandparents Program

Foster Grandparents:

are role models, mentors, and friends to children with exceptional needs

are 55 and older.

serve 15 - 40 hrs./week. Income-eligible participants receive a stipend.

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Foster Grandparents Program

Purpose and Goals
Enable low-income persons aged 55 and over to remain physically and mentally active and to enhance their self-esteem through continued participation in needed community services. Enable children with exceptional needs to achieve improved physical, mental, emotional, and social development thereby helping them to reach social, behavioral, developmental, and educational goals. Provide a stipend and other benefits which enable eligible persons to participate as Foster Grandparents without cost to themselves.

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Senior Corps
RSVP RSVP Volunteers:
engage people age 55 and older in a diverse range of volunteer activities

have flexibility to choose where they want to serve

serve a few hours to more than 40 hours a week

provide a wide variety of community services

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

RSVP
Purpose and Goals
RSVP promotes the engagement of older persons as community resources in planning for community improvement and in delivery of volunteer services. Achievement of RSVP's purpose is facilitated by coordination of the resources of the Corporation, the RSVP sponsor, and the community to fulfill the goals of RSVP.

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

PROJECT OPERATIONS

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Project Operations
Sponsor Responsibilities
It is the sponsoring organizations responsibility to:
Secure maximum and continuing community financial and in-kind support to operate project successfully Establish recordkeeping system in compliance with CNCS requirements and to ensure reports are done in timely and accurate way Comply with and ensure volunteer stations comply with applicable civil rights laws and regulations including providing reasonable accommodations Conduct a Community Needs Assessment Promote Senior Corps program, incorporating into mission of agency Comply with the Notice of Grant Award, including the Certifications, Assurances and Terms and Conditions of the grant Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Project Operations
Project Staff
The Project Director is an employee of the sponsoring organization. Project Directors follow sponsor personnel policies. Full-time Project Director is not assigned duties unrelated to the grant Salary comparable to similar positions at sponsor Other staff as appropriate can be paid from the grant A clear job description should be provided to the Project Director and included in documents submitted to CNCS with the grant application Criminal Background Checks are required for all staff paid from the grant who were hired after April 22, 2011

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Senior Corps
Community Partners
In addition to utilizing Senior Corps resources, organizations partner with other community organizations in order to:
Assess the needs in the community/service area. Build public awareness of and support for the program within the community. Enhance the capacity of organizations and institutions within the community Work to integrate senior service into the activities of other service programs within the community Work toward common goals in local communities, complementing and reinforcing each others contributions through activities related to Days of Service, Strategic Initiatives, and other local service initiatives.

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Project Operations
Community Participation Group or Advisory Council
It is a requirement of Senior Corps grantees to secure community participation in local project operation by establishing an Advisory Council or a similar organizational structure. Council members should include community partners capable of helping the sponsor with fundraising and publicity, volunteers, and project beneficiaries. Advisory Councils should help projects by: Raising funds and soliciting in-kind donations Determining priorities and needed improvements Conducting the Annual Assessment Assisting with volunteer recognition events
Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Project Operations
eGrants
eGrants is an online system designed to automate the entire grants and project management process from application to closeout.
eGrants is the system of record for CNCS grants and reports Do not share passwords and user names An individuals login is considered their electronic signature DO NOT use the previous Project Directors user name and password, create your own account. Grantee Administrator should suspend all privileges for former staff associated with the project. The authorizing signature is an electronic signature that results from submitting the grant application in eGrants. A copy of the governing bodys authorization for this official

representative to sign must be on file in the applicants office.

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Compliance Monitoring
What is it?
Compliance monitoring entails an extensive review of grantee operations, utilizing established protocols such as the Senior Corps monitoring guide. On-site monitoring provides an opportunity to gain an understanding of the programs we support, to forge working relationships with grantees, and to facilitate conversation about program successes, innovations, and challenges. Linked to program regulations and federal grant requirements.

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Compliance Monitoring
Common Findings

Incorrect percentage of staff time charged to grant Timesheet doesnt reflect staffs non-grant activities Timesheet reflects budgeted not actual time Annual assessment for accomplishments and impact Annual safety assessment One-to-one relationships (FGP & SCP) Out of date MOU Fundraising

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Performance Measures:
A brief overview
CNCS has identified 16 agency-wide performance measures that support the ongoing measurement and assessment of our work. These performance measures align with our Strategic Plan and the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act's focus on impact, innovation and effectiveness
All year one applications will include new performance measurement requirements

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Fiscal Management:
A Brief Overview
The budget approved in the grant application is part of the grantees contractual obligation. The budget must conform to guidelines and regulatory restrictions. Project support provided under a Senior Corps grant must be furnished at the lowest possible cost consistent with the project's effective operation. Project Directors should work with the sponsors fiscal staff and periodically compare the budget to actual costs.

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Fiscal Management:
Budgeting Requirements
RSVP Non-Federal Match: (10, 20, or 30%) 10% Match = Year One 20% Match = Year Two 30% Match = Year Three FGP & SCP Non-Federal Match: (10%) 10% Match

Volunteer Expenses Ratio for FGP and SCP The total of cost reimbursements for Foster Grandparents or Senior Companions, including stipends, insurance, transportation, meals, physical examinations, uniforms if appropriate, and recognition must be equal to at least 80 percent of the Corporations Federal share of the grant. Federal and non-Federal resources, including excess non-Corporation resources, can be used to make up this sum.
Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Fiscal Management:

Accessing Grant Funds and Managing Advances

All Senior Corps grantees are paid through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Payment Management System (PMS).
Senior Corps grantees must establish an account with the HHS/PMS that allows a grantee to draw down funds. When a grant is awarded in eGrants, the grant is recorded in the Corporations accounting system and transmitted to PMS which maintains an account for each grant. Grantees draw funds from that account.

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Reporting Requirements
Reports Submitted in eGrants:
Grant Applications Federal Financial Reports (FFR)

Project Progress Reports (PPR)

Progress Report Supplement (PRS)

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Reporting Requirements Financial Reports

Federal Financial Report (FFR)
PMS FFR

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Reporting Requirements
Project Progress Report (PPR)
The purpose of the PPR is to report on key activities and progress in implementing work plans and performance measures. The PPR is due no later than 30 days after the end of the reporting period. The grantee will report on performance measures and other project accomplishments annually in the PPR. Late submission of the PPR may result in CNCS placing a temporary hold on grant funds if the report is not submitted within 45 calendar days after the established due date.

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

Reporting Requirements
Progress Report Supplement (PRS)
What is the PRS? A national data collection instrument completed annually by FGP, RSVP and SCP grantees. Data taken from individual project reports is aggregated nationally. Due Date and Reporting Period The PRS is typically due in November and covers the 12 month reporting period from July 1 to June 30. Senior Corps notifies grantees when the report becomes available in eGrants, along with instructions for completing the report.

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

QUESTIONS

Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans