Transcript Opportunities for Training and Collaboration with State

AmeriCorps Opportunities and
AgrAbility
National AgrAbility Training Workshop
November 7-10, 2011
Presented by
Vicki Janisch and Paul Leverenz,
AgrAbility of Wisconsin
AmeriCorps members serve
What is AmeriCorps?
AmeriCorps is a national service organization, often
referred to as the:
“Domestic Peace Corps.”
Members commit to a term of service with common
goals of helping others and improving their community.
Members also join to gain career skills, earn
AmeriCorps benefits and to experience an adventure.
History of AmeriCorps
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1933: Civilian Conservation Corps
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1961: Peace Corps
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1964: VISTA
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1993: The Corporation for
National and Community
Service and AmeriCorps
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2009: Serve America Act
Serve America Act
• Signed into law April 21, 2009
• Landmark legislation to expand service
• Expands AmeriCorps to 250,000 members by 2017
• Priority focus on education, health, environment, veterans, and
economic opportunity
History of AmeriCorps with
AgrAbility of Wisconsin
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Since 2004, Easter Seals Wisconsin has
created AmeriCorps opportunities for 279
members.
AgrAbility of Wisconsin became an active
partner in 2009 and is one of many
opportunities for members to serve their
community
AmeriCorps members address needs
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Tutor and mentor disadvantaged youth
Fight illiteracy
Improve health services
Build affordable housing
Teach computer skills
Clean parks and streams
Manage or operate after-school programs
Help communities respond to disasters
Build organizational capacity
Benefits to Service:
AmeriCorps Benefits include:
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Living allowance
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Health care
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Student loan deferment
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Training
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Segal AmeriCorps Education Award equal to the
maximum amount of the Pell Grant that can be used to
pay for college or pay back student loans.
For 2011, the amount is $5,550 for full-time AC
members
AmeriCorps State and National
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AmeriCorps programs apply for funding to
meet the following community needs and
national performance measures:
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Education
*Healthy Futures*
Economic Opportunity
Environmental Stewardship
Veterans and Military Families
Disaster Services
Capacity Building
Healthy Futures
Members serving at Easter Seals Wisconsin
and AgrAbility of Wisconsin help improve the
health of our nation. Members:
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Improve the quality of life
Share information about healthy lifestyles and access
to health services
Help people with disabilities access preventative
services and assistive technologies
AmeriCorps members
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FARM Program Assistant
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FARM Outreach Assistant
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2 FARM Assistive Technology Assistants
FARM Program Assistant
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Provide Client Intake Activities
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Interview and follow up with farmers that request
services
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Coordinate client survey practices
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Increase awareness of program by participating in
trade shows and conferences
FARM Program Outreach Assistant
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Develop display and outreach materials
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Create communication avenues for social media Facebook, and Twitter
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Co-Edit online and print newsletters
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Increase awareness of program by participating in
trade shows and conferences
Assistive Technology Assistant
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Research and obtain quotes for Assistive Technologies and
farm equipment
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Assists with facilitating relationships
between clients and equipment vendors
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Special project opportunities based on
their professional interests
Performance Measures
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Number of farmers who benefit by research
done by member
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Number of individuals receiving outreach
materials
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Number of clients who interact with
AmeriCorps members
Who Benefits
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People with disabilities and their families
• benefit from the recreational, respite, assistive technology
recommendations, referrals, preventative health information
and other services members provide.
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Communities
• benefit from having healthier families, productive
employees, and more engaged citizens.
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AC Members
acquire leadership and career skills, earn money for college,
learn how to be active citizens, and continue to work in nonprofit organizations
AgrAbility of Wisconsin Benefits
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Gains reach and impact
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Enhanced programs and more people served in
Wisconsin.
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Affiliation with national service “brand”
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Building future leaders in issues very few
programs have access to
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Increase Collaboration with new ideas and a
young outlook on projects
Vicki Janisch Contact Information:
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Office Number:
Email address:
Mailing Address:
(608) 262-9336
[email protected]
AgrAbility of Wisconsin
460 Henry Mall
Madison, WI 53706