DEPARTMENT: Human Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Melody Woosley
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
AmeriCorps VISTA Grant Application Renewal
SUMMARY:
This ordinance authorizes acceptance of an AmeriCorps VISTA grant renewal award from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) for the period of May 22, 2021 through February 16, 2022. This ordinance also authorizes a cash match budget of $28,272 to be funded by the Department of Human Services and authorizing execution of any agreement amendments as required by CNCS.
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.
The City of San Antonio’s Department of Human Services (DHS) has served as an AmeriCorps VISTA Program project sponsor since 2014 and will culminate serving as a project sponsor at the end of this program year.
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 21, 2021. To ensure the service terms of current VISTAs, DHS submitted a renewal grant application to CNCS on April 9, 2021. Through the renewal application, DHS proposed to place one AmeriCorps VISTA Leader, and up three AmeriCorps VISTA members in the following programs and initiatives:
• DHS - VISTA Leader
• Faith Based Initiative
• Homeless Outreach
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 acceptance of an AmeriCorps VISTA grant renewal award from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) for the period of May 22, 2021 through February 16, 2022. This ordinance also authorizes a cash match budget of $28,272 to be funded by the Department of Human Services and authorizing execution of any agreement amendments as required by CNCS. Funding in the amount of $28,272 is available in the FY 2021 Adopted General Fund Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends authorization of acceptance, if awarded, for the AmeriCorps VISTA Program. Staff further recommends approval of an associated cash match of $28,272 to be allocated by DHS.