Transcript Document

Community Inclusion
through National Service:
Creating Opportunities for
Everyone to Serve
Chad Gobert
National Service Inclusion Project
www.serviceandinclusion.org/presentations/#cuny
The National Service Inclusion Project is a
Corporation for National and Community
Service (CNCS) Training and Technical
Assistance Provider. NSIP strives to ensure
the full and meaningful inclusion of people
with disabilities in national service and
volunteer organizations across the country.
NSIP Provides:
• Training (face-to-face and online)
• Individual Technical Assistance (in-person & distance)
• Product and Information Dissemination
• Partnership Development and Ongoing Support of Statebased Inclusion Teams
National Partnerships
• Association of University Center
on Disabilities
• Association on Higher Education
and Disability
• Creative Training Solutions
• Rocky Mountain Human Services
• Operation TBI Freedom
• Virtual Ability
www.serviceandinclusion.org
Toll-free hotline: 888-491-0326 (voice/TTY)
Friend us on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/serviceandinclusion
Follow us on Twitter
http://twitter.com/NSIP_Online
Visit us in Second Life
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Health%20Commons/202/10/22
Burning Questions
• Given the title of this
presentation, what
immediate questions
do you have?
• What do you hope to
leave today’s workshop
knowing about?
Sound Off!
What words define
“inclusion” for you?
Inclusion Means
• Meaningful participation, (as defined by the
member) in service and volunteer activities.
• Full access to all sites and activities and the
provision supports (accommodations) to ensure
successful engagement.
• Person’s strengths and experiences are matched
and optimized, regardless of disability, for the
type of position and activities.
• Not segregated, not “token”; not a “project or a
place”.
Agenda
• An introduction to national service
• Identifying the intersections between national
service and the disability community
• Locating opportunities to serve
– Face to face, virtual
– Episodic, micro opportunities
– Starting your own opportunity
• Open Discussion
Sound Off!
What do you think of
when it comes to people
serving?
Introduction to National Service
Changing the paradigm…
from recipients to
providers and leaders in
all national service and
volunteer activities.
Volunteer Experience Poll
Quick feedback:
1. How many present have volunteered before?
2. How many present have virtual volunteered
before?
Give and Take:
National Service and
the Disability Community
Corporation for National and
Community Service (CNCS)
• Each year CNCS has, by statute, allocated
funding for the active inclusion of individuals
with disabilities in national service
• Funding has focused on three grant priority
areas:
– outreach
– placement and reasonable
accommodations
– training and technical assistance
• CNCS strives for full inclusion because it is the
right thing to do but then there is also the LAW.
Federal legislation regarding non-discrimination and
inclusion:
- Section 504 of the Rehab Act
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Particular provisions in the history of Corporation
for National and Community Service legislation that
ensures full inclusion – a progression of progress:
• Domestic and Volunteer Service Act
• National and Community Service Act
• Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act of 2009
The 2009 Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act
• On March 31, 2009 the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Edward M.
Kennedy Serve America Act to reauthorize the CNCS and its programs through
2014
• On April 21, 2009. President Obama signed the bill into law.
The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America
Act…
• Even more explicitly emphasizes a commitment to the
inclusion of people with disabilities as active participants in
national service…
The National Service Network
Programs & Partners
Learn & Serve
America
Senior Corps
Presidential Freedom
Scholarships
HS Jrs & Srs
Nat’l S-L Clearinghouse
All S-L practitioners &
Foster Grandparents
Sponsoring Agencies
State Offices
Nat’l Demonstration Projects
Learn & Serve America
State Ed Agencies (K-12)
Higher Ed Institutions
Community-based Orgs
Tribes
Nat’l Organizations
Sponsoring Agencies
researchers
AmeriCorps
ANCCC
National, Regional &
Local Projects
SE Region Campus
NE Region Campus
Central Region Campus
Western Region Campus
Capital Region Campus
Sponsoring Agencies
Tribes & Territories
Grants
State Grants
State Commissions
National Directs Grants
Nat’l Parent Organizations
* Sub-Grantees
Senior Companions
Sponsoring Agencies
State Offices
AVISTA
AState & National
Ed Award Program Grants
State Commissions
Nat’l Organizations
Tribes & Territories
RSVP
Sponsoring Agencies
State Offices
* Sub-Grantees
Local Projects
Sponsoring
Agencies
State Offices
VISTA Leaders
HQ
Sponsoring Agencies
Nat’l Demonstration
Projects
HQ
Nat’l Organizations
Today we will focus on AmeriCorps….
AmeriCorps State and National: AmeriCorps
state and national supports a broad range of local
service programs that engage thousands of
Americans in intensive service to meet critical
community needs.
AmeriCorps VISTA: AmeriCorps VISTA provides
full-time members to community organizations and
public agencies to create and expand programs that
build capacity and ultimately bring low-income
individuals and communities out of poverty.
AmeriCorps NCCC: The mission of the AmeriCorps
National Civilian Community Corps is to strengthen
communities and develop leaders through direct,
team-based national and community service at one
of five nationally located campuses.
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps members address critical needs communities all across America.
Examples of what an AmeriCorps member can do:
• Tutor and mentor underserved youth
• Address issues related to 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
To be an AmeriCorps member, an individual must be:
• 17 years old
• A U.S. Citizen
• Interested in helping others/making a difference in your community
Why do people become
involved in National
Service?
• People who have not had opportunities to volunteer
• Individuals who require flexibility (work alone or in
groups, nontraditional hours, remotely, etc…)
• Individuals who are interested in exploring career
paths or gain employment skills
• Individuals who want to build self-confidence or
develop social networks
• People interested in having a strong impact and
return on their time
• People interested in “testing the water” prior to
making a long-term commitment
Why Volunteer Through a
National Service Program?
In addition to the many benefits, participants who
volunteer in a National Service program are eligible to
receive:
– A living stipend
– An education award
– Health insurance, as needed
– Child care benefits, as needed
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A WIN – WIN Situation:
• People with disabilities are integral
members of their communities and wish to
contribute.
• People who volunteer are significantly more
likely to be happy and satisfied with their
lives. (CNCS AmeriCorps Longitudinal
Study, 2008)
• Communities really learn about what all
Americans can do!
The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
• a benefit VISTA, AmeriCorps, & NCCC members receive upon
successful completion of their term of service.
• members are eligible for an award of up to $5,550.
• AmeriCorps, VISTA, and NCCC members can enroll in
multiples terms of service that add up to the value of two
full-time education awards.
• a number of colleges & universities encourage AmeriCorps
alumni to attend by offering them scholarships.
• used for enrichment classes, course(s) through community
college, junior college, or university, to purchase a computer
&/or and/or buy school gear as long as items qualify as "cost
of attendance" expenses at a Title IV school.
Other Benefits:Alumni
Continuing Their Service and Commitment
Longitudinal studies show AmeriCorps alums:
• are more connected to their communities
• continue to participate in community activities
• choose public service careers at higher levels than
their peers
• are better prepared for employment opportunities
Pursuing Service Opportunities
• Existing opportunities in environments
(virtual, online, or offline)
• Episodic, micro volunteering
• Create your own opportunity
To Find Service and Volunteering Options:
www.serve.gov
www.nationalservice.gov
http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/ready/index.asp
1-800-942-2677
http://www.serve.gov/toolkits/food-bank/four.asp
Not quite convinced yet? Want more information?
Try episodic (micro) volunteering!
Episodic:
… when volunteering (or service) occurs on a
more sporadic, temporary and noncommittal basis.
(Hustinx and Lammertyn, 2003: 168)
Not Seeing an Opportunity?
Apply for your own!
Apply for funding as an AmeriCorps program
based on your interests and community needs.
• AmeriCorps State and National Planning 2012 Notice of
Federal Funding Opportunity:
http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&op
pId=118894
• AmeriCorps State and National Indian Tribes Planning Grant:
http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&op
pId=118913
• AmeriCorps State and National Grant Competitions:
http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&op
pId=119173
Open Discussion & Questions
Connect
With
Us
Online!
www.facebook.com/serviceandinclusion
http://twitter.com/NSIP_Online
www.serviceandinclusion.org
National Service Inclusion Project
888-491-0326 (toll-free voice and TTY)
[email protected]
www.serviceandinclusion.org/presentations/#cuny
To Find Service and Volunteering Options:
www.serve.gov
www.nationalservice.gov
http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/rea
dy/index.asp
1-800-942-2677