megan stith, americorps vista supervisor connecting our community through capacity building uwcks...

Megan Stith, AmeriCorps VISTA Supervisor

Connecting Our Community Through Capacity BuildingUWCK’s Partnership with the AmeriCorps VISTA Program

VISTA Application Training

About the AmeriCorps VISTA Program

Low-income focus since inception in 1965

Help poor communities attain self-sufficiency by recruiting and training volunteers, raising funds, and developing community

initiatives

Capacity building, sustainable development

Serves both nonprofits and public agencies

Full time, one year positions living at economic level of people they serve

Summer Associate positions

United Way of Central Kentucky

About VISTA Assignments

VISTAs are not meant to be long-term resources

They build capacity and create new programs within organizations and make them such an integral part of the organization that they stay on a long-term basis but without the VISTA

Projects focus on:

-Economic Opportunity

-Education

-Healthy Futures

-Veterans and Military Families

-Disaster Services

-Environmental Stewardship


About VISTA Assignments


Capacity Building Direct Service

Recruiting volunteers to build houses Building houses

Organizing a fundraiser Delivering Meals on Wheels

Developing a database of mentors Mentoring teenagers

Writing a curriculum for a financial literacy course

Teaching a financial literacy course

Setting up partnerships in the community

Providing health screening services

UWCK’s Role in the VISTA Program


Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) KY State Office

United Way of Central Kentucky Chris Wilborn, Director

VISTA Supervisor Megan Stith

USA Cares Jenn Robinson

1 VISTA

Hardin County Schools T. Ovesen,

C. Wise

2 VISTAs

Helping Hand of Hope

David Dozer

2 VISTAs

CASA of the

Heartland Sylvia

Griendling

1 VISTA

Big Brothers

Big Sisters Terri Harms

3 VISTAs

UWCK

3 VISTAs

Bringing VISTAs to Our Community

Initial concept paper for new sites

Application for all sites which includes:

-Project plans and VISTA Assignment Descriptions

-Needs assessments

-Letters of support from community partners

-Recruitment and training plans

Approved by advisory committee that guides initial project selection

Recruitment through My AmeriCorps Portal

Federally-funded Pre-Service Orientation

Quarterly reporting to CNCS

Ongoing training and support (ARC certification, social and educational opportunities)

Complying with regulations (record keeping, benefits administration, etc.)


Benefits for VISTAs

A living stipend of $10,704 (pre-tax) dispersed over the 12 month service term*

Forbearance or deferment during the 12 month service term for qualified student loans*

Upon completion of service, VISTAs may choose EITHER a $5,500 education award OR a $1,500 (pre-tax) end-of-year cash stipend

Free health coverage (vision and pre-existing conditions not included; dental coverage is limited to emergencies; limited annual exams)

A childcare subsidy of up to $400 per child for qualifying childcare providers

Vacation time: 10 personal days, 10 sick days, and holidays your service site honors

Skills development for non-profit or public sector career

Reimbursement for service-related travel (site’s responsible for payment)

A relocation reimbursement and reimbursement of some shipping costs for VISTAs moving over 50 miles to serve

1 year of non-competitive eligibility for federal jobs


Requirements for VISTAs

VISTA members CANNOT hold secondary jobs or make additional income during a VISTA service term

Full-time commitment of at least 35 hours/week

Members remain available for service, without regard to regular working hours, at all times during the member’s service, except for periods of approved leave

Part-time educational enrollment may be allowed with prior CNCS approval

Must pass federal background check

Must be at least 18 years of age and a US Citizen, National or Legal Resident

Sites can add additional requirements depending on project needs (education, skills, etc.)

Complete pre-service forms in My AmeriCorps

Attend Pre-Service Orientation (PSO) and take Oath of Office if they have not previously served as a VISTA


Costs Incurred

Paid by CNCS:

-VISTAs’ living stipends, educational awards/end of service awards, health coverage, and other benefits

-VISTA Supervisor’s stipend

-PSO training

Indirect Costs:

-Site Supervisors’ time

-Use of site facilities, office supplies

-Mileage reimbursement

-Costs of new/expanded program, community outreach, etc

-No training budget, education arranged pro-bono by UWCK and sites


Time Required of Site Supervisor

• Write VISTA application for CNCS approval

• Develop project plan/VAD using provided templates

• Recruit applicants for the position, interview and select the VISTA

• Attend orientation and training opportunities

• Supervise the VISTA on a daily basis

• Approve VISTA’s biweekly time sheets

• Ensure VISTA provides UWCK with all documentation required

• Be available for site visits by VISTA Supervisor as needed

• Submit monthly reports written by the VISTA to the VISTA Supervisor

• Complete VISTA’s end of service evaluation


Organizational Support Required

• Reimburse VISTA for work-related travel

• Provide space and equipment for VISTA to work, including but not limited to a phone, computer, printer, and internet connection

• Provide on-site orientation and training to your VISTA

• Attend Site Supervisor’s Orientation (online, asynchronous)- done before VISTA is hired

• Require VISTAs to attend UWCK-coordinated workshops, trainings, and volunteer events (including but not limited to Red Cross Certification, Day of Action, Project United, MLK Day of Service)


Benefits from VISTA Service

The talents of a VISTA who works full-time to develop new programs, fundraise, or recruit volunteers

Many VISTAs possess specialized skills that might otherwise be outside your organization’s budget (graphic design, grant writing, etc.)

The opportunity to implement some of your “big ideas” through the VISTA’s capacity-building focus

A sustainable program that will be able to continue after your participation in the VISTA program (typically VISTAs can be hosted for up to three years per project)

New partnerships that address community-identified issues of concern related to eliminating poverty

Measurable achievements and participation in volunteer events that can be publicized in press releases, newsletters, or other outlets

Ongoing training and opportunities for professional development


Benefits from VISTA Service

UWCK brought 12 federally-funded volunteers to build the capacity of 6 local nonprofits in 2013.

These AmeriCorps VISTAs raised $435,946 in donations, recruited 1583 volunteers, and generated over 28,304 hours of service at a value of $594,384.

Last year alone, the VISTA program had an $1,030,330 impact on our community.

VISTAs have brought $3.6 million in value to our community since 2011.

Estimated return on CNCS’ investment:

-$238,000 to administer the program last year

-ROI of approximately 430%


October 2011

VISTAs supporting Project United

Click icon to add picture

2012 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

VISTAs volunteering at Feeding America

Click icon to add picture

Application Procedure


New Site

Concept Paper

Submit full application, Project Plan, begin recruiting

Submit VAD, position posted in eGrants

Current Site

Submit application and Project Plan, continue recruiting

Submit VAD, update posting in eGrants

After your concept paper/application has been reviewed by the Advisory Committee, you will be notified as to whether UWCK will

move forward with recommending your placement to CNCS.


Same questions as 2013-2014

Responses should be thorough but concise

Annual review for existing Sites

New Sites will have a few additional questions to answer if initial concept paper to CNCS is approved

Must submit signed MOA before you can be reviewed by Advisory Committee

REVIEW MOA AS A GROUP


Developing a Project Plan and VAD

Think carefully about the milestones you set, as they cannot be changed once approved

Find a balance between ambitious and realistic goals

Consider factors like the time of year your VISTA will be starting (Project year of July-June may be different than VISTA start dates depending on PSO availability)

VAD is the VISTA’s guide to achieving their Project Plan goals

Must have milestones from Project Plan but may have additional indicators related to overall project

Samples available at http://unitedwayck.org/Supervisor_Resources.php


http://unitedwayck.org/Supervisor_Resources.php

Questions to Consider

Can you provide an incentive for VISTAs like housing stipend or Cost-Share the placement with CNCS (may give flexibility with start dates)?

For existing projects, how can you expand the program or have different focus?

How are you bringing your services to under-served areas?

How is your program sustainable?

Which VISTA focus area(s) will your project address?

How will your project alleviate poverty?


Finding Potential VISTAs

Don’t rely solely on applicants to find your posting in My AmeriCorps

Failure to fill your positions can jeopardize current/future placements at your site

May want to pre-screen with checklist before doing more in-depth interviews

UWCK’s interview checklist must be completed during interview with candidate to ensure they understand terms of service

Be sure to verify references independent of automated responses in eGrants

Always be recruiting in case your current VISTA leaves unexpectedly



Applications available for download at http://unitedwayck.org/Host_a_VISTA.php

MOA must be signed and set to UWCK for your application to be reviewed

Notice of intent to apply must be received by March 18th at 2PM EST, via email to [email protected]

Applications due via email to [email protected] by April 8th at 2PM EST

Supporting documentation (new sites) and MOAs (all sites) can be mailed to 850 West Park Rd, Elizabethtown, KY 42701 but must be postmarked by April 8th


http://unitedwayck.org/Host_a_VISTA.php

mailto:[email protected]


More Information

More resources on VISTA available at http://unitedwayck.org/Supervisor_Resources.php

Check out the Site Supervisor online training class available at www.coursesites.com.

Login info: uwckvista14 as username and password

Contact UWCK

VISTA Supervisor, Megan Stith

270-737-6608

[email protected]


http://unitedwayck.org/Supervisor_Resources.php

http://www.coursesites.com/


Questions?

Thank you for your time!


megan stith, americorps vista supervisor connecting our community through capacity building uwcks...

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