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, 2020 through May 28, 2021. This ordinance also authorizes a total cash match budget of $24,980.00 to be funded by three City of San Antonio departments (Department of Human Services, Metro Health, and Pre-K 4 SA).
The City Manager or designee, or the Director of the Department of Human Services or designee, is further authorized to negotiate any and all necessary documents to effectuate the application and acceptance of this grant and grant contract, and to execute amendments pertaining to the grant when approved by the grantor, to include: a) carry-over funds; b) line item budget revisions; c) modifications to the performance measures so long as the terms stay within the general parameters of the intent of the grant; d) no cost extensions; e) supplemental grant funds in an amount up to 20% of the total amount initially awarded; f) reimbursement increases of administrative funds for each participant served; (g) one-time equipment purchases or defined program services; h) changes in regulations; i) interdepartmental and interagency agreements for the benefit of the programs; j) alterations to the number of VISTAs allocated between programs; and k) memoranda of agreement with additional agencies in support of AmeriCorps VISTA services.
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, SeniorCorps, 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. This year’s cash match is $24,980.
The City of San Antonio’s Department of Human Services (DHS) has served as an AmeriCorps VISTA Program project sponsor since 2014. This will be the 6th 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.
The current grant award period will end on May 28, 2020. To ensure continued operations, DHS must submit a renewal grant application to CNCS by April 3, 2020. Through the renewal application, DHS is proposing to place one AmeriCorps VISTA Leader, and up to ten AmeriCorps VISTA members across three City departments and Pre-K 4 SA through a renewal contract authorized by Ordinance No. 2014-04-03-0204; as well as placement with P16 Plus Council of Greater Bexar County through agreements authorized by Ordinance No. 2016-03-31-0226. AmeriCorps VISTA members will serve in the following programs and initiatives:
• DHS - VISTA Leader, Faith-Based Initiative, Head Start, Office of Immigration, Homeless Services, Family Assistance and at the NXT Level Youth Opportunity Center (8 AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers)
• San Antonio Metro Health District - Community Diabetes Program (1 AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer)
• Pre-K 4 SA - Parent Outreach and Engagement Program (1 AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer)
• P16 plus Council DBA Up Partnership - My Brother’s Keeper San Antonio Initiative (1 AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer)
As a project sponsor, the city will be required to contribute a cost share of the grant in the amount of $24,980.00, which equals to the living allowance of 2 of the 11 AmeriCorps VISTA members anticipated to serve in San Antonio. The 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 and CNCS will identify a new agency to host the VISTA program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes submission of an application for the AmeriCorps VISTA grant, and acceptance, if awarded. This ordinance also authorizes a total cash match of $24,980.00 to be funded and allocated proportionally by the Department of Human Services ($20,438), Metro Health ($2,271), and Pre-K 4 SA ($2,271). Funding in the amount of $22,619 is included and available in the FY 2020 Adopted General Fund Budget and the remaining $2,271 is included and available in the FY 2020 Adopted Pre-K 4 SA Fund’s Budget.
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 $24,980.00 to be allocated proportionally by DHS, Metro Health, and Pre-K 4 SA.