DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
AmeriCorps VISTA Grant Application Renewal
SUMMARY:
This Ordinance authorizes submission of an AmeriCorps VISTA grant renewal application to the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and acceptance, if awarded, for the period of May 29, 2018 through May 28, 2019. This ordinance also authorizes a cash match budget of $25,000.00 to be funded and allocated proportionally by the Department of Human Services, Metro Health, Office of Equity, the San Antonio Tricentennial Commission, and Pre-K 4 SA.
This ordinance also authorizes renewals and amendments to update Interdepartmental and Interagency Agreements for the benefit of the programs; alterations to the number of VISTAs allocated between programs; and MOAs with agencies in support of AmeriCorps VISTA services when at no cost to the City.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is a federal agency that helps more than five million Americans improve the lives of their fellow citizens through service. CNCS invests in nonprofit, faith-based and government agencies through the AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund, and Volunteer Generation Fund programs.
AmeriCorps VISTA, a CNCS program, was founded in 1965 as a national service program designed specifically to fight poverty in America. AmeriCorps VISTA members serve full-time for a year in anti-poverty organizations and agencies working on issues such as fighting illiteracy, improving health services, creating businesses, increasing housing opportunities, improving college access, and bridging the digital divide. Project sponsors must direct the project, supervise the members, provide necessary administrative support to complete the goals and objectives of the project, and provide a cost-share match of the grant.
DHS has served as an AmeriCorps VISTA Program project sponsor since 2014. This will be the 4th renewal application submitted by DHS.
ISSUE:
The City, through direct services and community partners, addresses community challenges in the AmeriCorps VISTA Program focus areas of Economic Opportunity, Education and Healthy Futures. AmeriCorps VISTA members perform indirect service by building organizational, administrative, and financial capacity of organizations that assist low-income communities.
Ten AmeriCorps VISTA members are serving in San Antonio during this current grant award period which will end on May 29, 2018. To ensure continued operations, DHS must submit a renewal grant application to CNCS by April 9, 2018. Through the grant renewal, DHS is proposing to place or continue placement of AmeriCorps VISTA members to serve in the following programs and initiatives:
DHS - VISTA Leader, Faith Based Initiative and Head Start
San Antonio Metro Health District - Community Diabetes Program
Office of Equity - Community Engagement Program
Pre-K 4 SA - Parent Outreach and Engagement Program
San Antonio Tricentennial Commission - 300 Days of Service Initiative
P16 Plus - My Brother’s Keeper San Antonio Initiative
As a project sponsor, the City will be required to contribute a cost-share of the grant in the amount of $25,000.00, which equals to the living allowance of 2 of the 10 AmeriCorps VISTA members projected to serve in San Antonio. The CNCS AmeriCorps VISTA program provides for all other costs for each VISTA Member, such as training, a health benefit, a Segal AmeriCorps Education award/cash stipend upon successful completion of service, as well as travel and/or relocation costs.
ALTERNATIVES:
Adoption of this ordinance will allow the City of San Antonio to enhance existing City services by utilizing AmeriCorps VISTA members to increase outreach to clients, community organizations and/or funders; build new, sustainable program infrastructure; and increase the capacity of existing City programming. If this ordinance is not approved, DHS will not be renewed as a project sponsor.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes submission of an application for the AmeriCorps VISTA grant, and acceptance, if awarded. This ordinance also authorizes a cash match of $25,000.00 to be funded and allocated proportionally by DHS, Metro Health, the Office of Equity, Pre-K 4 SA, and the San Antonio Tricentennial Commission.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends authorization to submit a renewal grant application and acceptance, if awarded, for the AmeriCorps VISTA Program. Staff further recommends approval of an associated cash match of $25,000.00 to be allocated proportionally by DHS, Metro Health, the Office of Equity, Pre-K 4 SA, and the San Antonio Tricentennial Commission.