Capacity Building Americorps Program Application

Texas Club Corps AmeriCorps Program

2016-2017 Host Site Application and Information

Texas Club Corps

2016-2017

Host Site Information and Application Form

Mary McRoberts

Executive Director

Texas Alliance of Boys Girls Clubs

Caroline Anthony

AmeriCorps Program Director

Texas Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs

13110 Hwy 290 West, Suite 300

Austin, TX 78737

512-301-7771 phone

512-301-7773 fax

Please read all information carefully prior to completing and submitting host site application.

DEADLINE: Application is due, in completion, by COB Friday, July 29th via email, mail, or fax as listed above.

Texas Club Corps AmeriCorps Program Information

The Texas Alliance of Boys Girls Club has been awarded a grant to operate an AmeriCorps program where individuals, called members, are placed at Clubs throughout the state for specific purposes and for specific time frames. Following is some basic information, all of which will be covered in greater detail on the informational calls:

Who Can Apply:

Any Texas Club in good standing with BGCA and the Texas Alliance that is able to host a minimum of 2 half-time members or reduced half-time members and abide by the rules, regulations, and responsibilities outlined in this application document and other materials that will provide additional details.

What:

AmeriCorps is a national service program of the federal agency, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) that is also supported and monitored by a state entity called the OneStar Foundation. AmeriCorps programs engage individuals, called members, in service for a set period of time, in this case September to May, to address community needs. These members are people each club will recruit to serve for 9 months in a half-time or reduced half time capacity. In exchange for their “year of service”, members receive a living allowance of $6,436 (half time) or $4,826 (reduced half time)and an education award of $2,887.50 (half time) or $2,200.00 (reduced half time) upon successful completion of their service term and hours. The education award can be used to pay college/higher education costs or to repay student loans. In addition, The Serve America Act allows for the transfer of education awards if the member is at least 55 years old when they began the term of service and the person to whom the award is transferred has to be the transferring individual’s child, grandchild, or foster child (certain conditions apply).

Why:

The Texas Club Corps AmeriCorps Program and Members will help fill an organizational gap or provide the ability to expand needed services around academic success. All clubs work hard to provide needed services to the youth they serve, but are limited in capacity because of dollars, staff time, and increased demand for services. By being a part of this AmeriCorps program, your Club will have at least 2 individuals who can provide targeted services to your most at-risk youth who require more time and attention than Club staff typically can provide.

Members will serve approximately 25 hours per week (Half Time) or 20 hours per week (Reduced Half Time), five hours per day, for a total of about 37 weeks.

The problem this program is addressing is around academic connectedness and achievement for youth ages 617. Members will provide concentrated assistance (1 on 1 and small group) to a group of 40 youth (20 per AmeriCorps member) at each Club every day, after school during the Club’s regular operating hours – this includes the following:

1)Conduct Power Hour with designated 20 members; support homework help and 1 on 1 tutoring for 20 targeted youth.

2)Conduct high yield learning activities that are fun, hands on and help to practice reading, writing, speaking, math and scientific inquiry

3)Informal mentoring

4)Implement or enhance BGCA curriculums such as: Project Learn, Career Launch, Torch Club, Keystone, Diplomas to Degrees

5)Organize book clubs

6)Assist in NYOI data collection

In addition, members will also:

1)Recruit 2 volunteers per Corps member to support the AmeriCorps program

2)Establish relationships with school staff and classroom teachers and act as an advocate for their students

3)Establish relationships with Club staff and families to help bring additional supports to the students they serve

All of this means that members will be on-site during Club operational hours and will also have time to build and strengthen relationships with the local schools, prepare for program implementation and participate in other activities like training, service days and other Club events.

So What:

The program impact is as follows:

1,600 youth will be provided targeted services

1,100 of those youth will complete the program – be served by the member for a targeted amount of time which is defined as participating in Academic Success Programing with the member a minimum of 76 days.

900 of those 1,100 youth who complete the program will demonstrate increased academic engagement marked by indicators of improved attitude.

To measure this, the following tools have been proposed:

1)Youth surveys that measure attitudes and behaviors –AmeriCorps pre and post surveys AND the National Youth Outcome Initiative.

2)Teacher surveys (schools where their targeted youth attend) that measure behaviors, homework completion, class participation, and attendance.

3)Monthly participation reports supported by Host Sites member tracking system.

When and How:

Host Site Applications for the 2016-2017 Program Year, which will start on September 6, 2016are due by 5pm July 29th.

Applications will be approved, based on a competitive review and Clubs will enter into a partnership with the Texas Alliance of Boys Girls Clubs.

Host sites will be selected on the following criteria:

Organizational and Staff capacity of Club
Commitment to program and proposed activities
Demonstrated need
Understanding of roles and responsibilities
Commitment to members’ leadership and professional development
Demonstration of clear and consistent member supervision
Compliance history with other Alliance programs
Vista, RSVP, or AmeriCorps experience
General application quality

This estimated timeline means that program start up tasks like contracts, recruitment and selection, etc. will happen in the months of July and August.

How To Apply:

Complete and sign the attached application via email, fax or mail no later than COB Friday, July 29thto Caroline Anthony as detailed on the cover page.

Texas Club Corps Roles and Responsibilities

Responsibilities / Individual Club - Host Site Agency
Financial / Provide a cash match for about 50% of each member’s living allowance which will be $3218.00per Half Time member and $2,413.00 per Reduced Half Time member:
half of which will be due August 19th, 2016
half of which will be due December 1st, 2016
Travel costs necessary for members to attend required training, events, and to conduct activities that are outside of the club location are expected to be provided by the Host Site and may be reimbursed by the Program with prior approval.
Programmatic / Identify 20 youth per AmeriCorps member at each Club that meet certain criteria and could benefit from the focused service members provide – high risk for academic failure or other school related problems
Sign a Letter of Agreement between Club and Program that outlines roles, responsibilities and other commitments – to be signed by the club’s Chief Professional Officer and Chief Volunteer Officer
Member Recruitment and Selection / Recruitment of AmeriCorps members that will serve at Club sites and represent the diversity of Texas and youth that attend the Club
Participate in required interview and selection process before making final member decisions
Member Orientation and Training / Host Site Agencies are responsible for position specific orientation and training applicable to the Club, community and member activities as follows:
1)Conduct an orientation for your members that covers AmeriCorps requirements, program overview information, Club history and overview, introductions to key staff, etc.
2)In-depth club training that covers topics such as Club programming, volunteer management, data collection and reporting, team building, diversity, etc.
3)Allow and support access to the online trainings through the BGCA Intranet and participate in the Leadership University – all members are expected to complete the foundation level classes at the Youth Development Professional Level
4)Provide ongoing training throughout the year or allow members to attend offered trainings throughout the year that help them in this year and beyond
5)Allow for and support participation in monthly conference calls for members and site supervisors
6)Support attendance at mandatory Welcome Conference September 23rd to September 25th; Regional trainings in January; and End of Service training in April.
Member Supervision / Assign a designated site supervisor for members, who will:
review and approve bi monthly timesheets and reports
provide day-to-day informal supervision and formal weekly supervision
attend supervisor orientation in Austin August 18th 8:30am to 1:30pm
participate in monthly conference calls
meet with Program Director over phone once per quarter
conduct 2member evaluations
participate in an annual site visit
provide ongoing feedback to make program and club work stronger
monitor member activities to make sure they are allowable
monitor AmeriCorps branding to make sure member wears logo whenever in service
It is estimated that this will account for about 15% of the supervisor’s overall responsibilities and time. Suggested site supervisor is the Unit Director or Education Director.
Member Experience / Conduct a local or regional “swearing in ceremony”
Allow members to present program and its outcomes to local board of directors, club committees, staff meetings, community groups, parents, etc.
Support participation in local or regional national service days
Provide continuous meaningful service experiences at the Club
Additional Logistical Concerns / Serve as a partner with the Texas Alliance of Boys Girls Clubs
Provide members office space and the equipment necessary to complete their day-to-day service activities.
Facilitate connections with schools and families
Support data collection and reporting, including NYOI
Demonstrate an ability to ensure member activities and achieve measurable outcomes consistent with overall program design

Member Specific Information:

Member Summary:

To be a part of the Texas Club Corps program, your organization must apply for a minimum of two (2) half-time or reduced half time positions.

The following positions will be available for the 2016-2017 program year, with the ability to renew for 1 additional years:

Position Type / Service Hour Requirement / Average hours per week / Service Term / Living Allowance / Education Award / Minimum
Cash Match Required*
Half Time / 900 Hours / 25 hrs/week / September 6th, 2016 to May 19th, 2017 / $6,436 / $2,887.50 / $3,218
Reduced Half Time / 675 Hours / 20 hrs/week / September 6th, 2016 to May 19th, 2017 / $4,826 / $2,200.00 / $2,413

Member Eligibility:

In order to be a member, individuals must meet the following eligibility requirements:

1)Possess a high school diploma or equivalent certification OR agree to pursue and complete high school equivalency during term of service. Must be a high school senior or older.

2)Must pass a national service criminal history check which includes sex offender, state, and FBI fingerprinting.

3)17years of age or olderby September 6th, 2016 AND on the day they sign their Service Agreement.

4)Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States

5)Pass a 3 part background check including sex offender, state, and FBI fingerprinting.

Member Prohibited Activities:

It is important to say briefly that there are expectations not only for what members will do but also for what members will not do. Members are not meant to nor are they allowed to:

1)help meet your Club/youth required ratios

2)staff the front desk and do administrative work

3)serve as a sports coach

4)services or duties that have been performed by or were assigned to any presently employed staff person; employee who recently resigned or was discharged; employee who is subject to a reduction in force or has recall rights pursuant to a collective bargaining agreement or applicable personnel procedures; employee who is on leave (terminal, temporary, vacation, emergency, sick,etc); or employee who is on strike or who is being locked out.

Finally, there are specific activities that areoutlined as prohibited by the national officeas follows:

Attempting to influence legislation.
Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes.
Assisting, promoting, or deterring union organizing.
Impairing existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements.
Engaging in partisan political activities, or other activities designed to influence the outcome of an election to Federal office or the outcome of an election to a State or local public office.
Participating in, or endorsing, events or activities that are likely to include advocacy for or against political parties, political platforms, political candidates, proposed legislation, or elected officials.
Engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of proselytization, consistent with section 12584 of this title.
Consistent with section 12584 of this title, providing a direct benefit to any business organized for profit; labor union; partisan political organization; nonprofit organization that fails to comply with the restrictions contained in section 501(c) of title 26, except that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent participants from engaging in advocacy activities undertaken at their own initiative; and organization engaged in the religious activities described in paragraph (7), unless the position is not used to support those religious activities.
Providing abortion services or referrals for receipt of such services.
Conducting a voter registration drive or using Corporation funds to conduct a voter registration drive.
Carrying out such other activities as the Corporation may prohibit.

TEXAS CLUBS CORPS APPLICATION

Complete ONE Application per requested Club site

Section I-Club Information

Club Name/Unit:

Physical Address:

County:

4 digit Zip Code Extension:

Days and Hours of Operation: Afterschool:Summer:

First Day of 2016-2017 School Year Program: Last Day of 2016-2017 School Year Program:

First Day of 2017 Summer Program: Last day of 2017 Summer Program:

Club Contact Person for This Application:

Name:

Phone:

Email:

Section II-Youth Information

2015-2016 Average Daily Attendance:Afterschool:Summer:

Ethnic/Race Percentages:

Gender Percentages:

Percentage of Members Eligible for Free/Reduced Lunch:

Section III-Staffing and Capacity Information

Unit Director Name and Contact Information:

Name:

Phone:

Email:

Chief Professional Officer Name and Contact Information

Name:

Phone:

Email:

Chief Volunteer Officer Name and Contact Information

Name:

Phone:

Email:

Proposed Member Supervisor Name, Title, and Contact Information:

Name:

Phone:

Email:

Describe your Club staffing structure (number of staff, full-time/part-time, years of experience, etc.)

Please confirm that AmeriCorps members will not replace or displace existing staff or volunteers:

☐Yes☐No

Please confirm that AmeriCorps members will enhance your academic success programing by offering new or additional services not otherwise available without AmeriCorps members:

☐Yes☐No

Does your Club have dedicated space separate and quite for academic components (i.e. classroom like)?

Has your club ever served as a site of an AmeriCorps Program or other national service program like VISTA or Senior Corps to name a few?

If yes, provide details of your experience and knowledge base:

Year that your Club began NYOI (conducting surveys, etc):

Section IV-School Partnership Information

School District(s) served:

Feeder Schools (elementary, middle and high school youth) served:

Please talk about the current relationship, if any, you have with the schools where your youth attend:

Will you be able to support members in conducting a pre and post survey with the teachers of the youth they serve?

Do you currently collect report cards from your kids?

If no, do you have the relationship with kids/parents or the schools to be able to collect report cards on the youth the members serve?

Section V-Program Related Questions

Number of Texas Club Corps Members requested (min. of 2 is required):

Half-Time (25 hours per week) Position(s)

Reduced-Half Time (20 hours per week) Positions (s)

Why do you want to be a part of the Texas Club Corps AmeriCorps Program?

What specific problems and service gaps would this program and the members be able to address?

What new or additional services will your AmeriCorps members provide that otherwise would not be able to be provided?

What specific age group would you like members to target their academic services?

Please include with as much specificity as possible how your AmeriCorps members will increase Academic Success programing at your Club. What will their schedule look like? What programs will they run? How will they enhance existing programs and offer new services? **Please note that AmeriCorps members are expected to work primarily with their students during Power Hour and that their essential functions will include: homework help, tutoring, and mentoring following Power Hour. Exceptions to this structure must be approved in writing by the Program Director.**

Please attach a copy of your Fall program schedule, including how AmeriCorps members fit into it, with this application.

Why is your Club a good fit for this program?

Which of the following activities do you currently and regularly operate? Please check and provide additional details regarding programs, capacity, and areas of need:

Homework help and other academic assistance during Power Hour

Book Clubs

Goals for Graduation

1-1 and/or Small Group Mentoring

Project Learn and high yield learning activities that are fun, hands on and help to practice reading, writing, speaking, math and scientific inquiry