Title 45—Public Welfare--Volume 1
PART 2550—REQUIREMENTS AND GENERAL PROVISIONS FOR STATE COMMISSIONS AND ALTERNATIVE ADMINISTRATIVE ENTITIES
§ 2550.10   What is the purpose of this part?
(a) The Corporation for National and Community Service (the Corporation) seeks to meet the Nation's pressing human, educational, environmental and public safety needs through service and to reinvigorate the ethic of civic responsibility across the Nation. If the Corporation is to meet these goals, it is critical for each of the States to be actively involved.
(b) To be eligible to apply for program funding, or approved national service positions, each State must establish a State commission on national and community service to administer the State program grant making process and to develop a State plan. The Corporation may, in some instances, approve an alternative administrative entity (AAE).
(c) The Corporation will distribute grants of between $125,000 and $750,000 to States to cover the Federal share of operating the State commissions or AAEs.
(d) The purpose of this part is to provide States with the basic information essential to participate in the subtitle C programs. Of equal importance, this part gives an explanation of the preliminary steps States must take in order to receive money from the Corporation. This part also offers guidance on which of the two State entities States should seek to establish, and it explains the composition requirements, duties, responsibilities, restrictions, and other relevant information for State commissions and AAEs.
§ 2550.20   Definitions.
(a) AAE. Alternative Administrative Entity.
(b) Administrative costs. As used in this part, those costs incurred by a State in the establishing and operating a State entity; the specific administrative costs for which a Corporation administrative grant may be used as defined in the Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements to State and Local Governments.
(c) Alternative Administrative Entity (AAE). A State entity approved by the Corporation to perform the duties of a State Commission, including developing a three-year comprehensive national service plan, preparing applications to the Corporation for funding and approved national service positions, and administering service program grants; in general, an AAE must meet the same composition and other requirements as a State Commission, but may receive waivers from the Corporation to accommodate State laws that prohibit inquiring as to the political affiliation of members, to have more than 25 voting members (the maximum for a State Commission), and/or to select members in a manner other than selection by the chief executive officer of the State.
(d) Approved National Service Position. A national service program position for which the Corporation has approved the provision of a national service educational award as one of the benefits to be provided for successful completion of a term of service.
(e) Corporation. As used in this part, the Corporation for National and Community Service established pursuant to the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 12651).
(f) Corporation representative. Each of the individuals employed by the Corporation for National and Community Service to assist the States in carrying out national and community service activities; the Corporation representative must be included as a member of the State Commission or AAE.
(g) Indian tribe. (1) An Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including—
(i) Any Native village, as defined in section 3(c) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602(c)), whether organized traditionally or pursuant to the Act of June 18, 1934 (commonly known as the “Indian Reorganization Act”; 48 Stat. 984, chapter 576; 25 U.S.C. 461 et seq. ); and
(ii) Any Regional Corporation or Village Corporation as defined in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602 (g) or (j)), that is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States under Federal law to Indians because of their status as Indians; and
(2) Any tribal organization controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by an entity described in paragraph (g)(1) of this section.
(h) Older adult. An individual 55 years of age or older.
(i) Service-learning. A method under which students or participants learn and develop through active participation in thoughtfully organized service that is conducted in and meets the needs of a community and that is coordinated with an elementary school, secondary school, institution of higher education, or community service program, and with the community; service-learning is integrated into and enhances the academic curriculum of the students, or the educational components of the community service program in which the participants are enrolled, and it provides time for the students or participants to reflect on the service experience.
(j) Service learning programs. The totality of the service learning programs receiving assistance from the Corporation under subtitle B of the Act, either directly or through a grant-making entity; this includes school-based, community-based, and higher education-based service-learning programs.
(k) State. As used in this part, the term State refers to each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
(l) State Commission. A bipartisan or nonpartisan State entity, approved by the Corporation, consisting of 15-25 members (appointed by the chief executive officer of the State), that is responsible for developing a comprehensive national service plan, assembling applications for funding and approved national service positions, and administering national and community service programs in the State.
(m) State Educational Agency. The same meaning given to such term in section 1471(23) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 2891(23)).
(n) State entity. A State Commission, AAE, or Transitional Entity that has been authorized by the Corporation to perform the duties of a State Commission.
§ 2550.30   How does a State decide whether to establish a State commission or an alternative administrative entity?
(a) Although each State's chief executive officer has the authority to select an administrative option, the Corporation strongly encourages States to establish State Commissions which meet the requirements in this part as quickly as possible. The requirements for State Commissions were established to try to create informed and effective entities.
(b) The Corporation recognizes that some States, for legal or other legitimate reasons, may not be able to meet all of the requirements of the State Commissions. The AAE is essentially the same as a State Commission; however, it may be exempt from some of the State Commission requirements. A State that cannot meet one of the waivable requirements of the State Commission (as explained in § 2550.60), and which can demonstrate this to the Corporation, should seek to establish an AAE.
(c) Regardless of which entity a State employs, each State is required to solicit broad-based, local input in an open, inclusive, non-political planning process.
§ 2550.40   How does a State obtain Corporation authorization and approval for the entity it has chosen?
(a) To receive approval of a State Commission or AAE, a State must formally establish an entity that meets the corresponding composition, membership, authority, and duty requirements of this part. (For the AAE, a State must demonstrate why it is impossible or unreasonable to estalbish a State Commission; an approved AAE, however, has the same rights and responsibilities as a State Commission.) Once the entity is established, the State must provide written notice—in a format to be prescribed by the Corporation—to the chief executive officer of the Corporation of the composition, membership, and authorities of the State Commission or AAE and explain how the entity will perform its duties and functions. Further, the State must agree to, first, request approval from the Corporation for any subsequent changes in the composition or duties of a State Commission or AAE the State may wish to make, and, second, to comply with any future changes in Corporation requirements with regard to the composition or duties of a State Commission or AAE. If a State meets the applicable requirements, the Corporation will approve the State Commission or AAE.
(b) If the Corporation rejects a State application for approval of a State Commission or AAE because that application does not meet one or more of the requirements of §§ 2250.50 or 2550.60, it will notify the State of the reasons for rejection and offer assistance to make any necessary changes. The Corporation will reconsider revised applications within 14 working days of resubmission.
§ 2550.50   What are the composition requirements and other requirements, restrictions or guidelines for State Commissions?
The following provisions apply to both State Commissions and AAEs, except that AAEs may obtain waivers from certain provisions as explained in § 2550.60.
(a) Size of the State Commission and terms of State Commission members. The chief executive officer of a State must appoint 15-25 voting members to the State Commission (in addition to any non-voting members he or she may appoint). Voting members of a State Commission must be appointed to renewable three-year terms, except that initially a chief executive officer must appoint a third of the members to one-year terms and another third of the members to two-year terms.
(b) Required voting members on a State Commission. A member may represent none, one, or more than one category, but each of the following categories must be represented:
(1) A representative of a community-based agency or organization in the State;
(2) The head of the State education agency or his or her designee;
(3) A representative of local government in the State;
(4) A representative of local labor organizations in the State;
(5) A representative of business;
(6) An individual between the ages of 16 and 25, inclusive, who is a participant or supervisor of a service program for school-age youth, or of a campus-based or national service program;
(7) A representative of a national service program;
(8) An individual with expertise in the educational, training, and development needs of youth, particularly disadvantaged youth;
(9) An individual with experience in promoting the involvement of older adults (age 55 and older) in service and volunteerism; and
(10) A representative of the volunteer sector.
(c) Appointment of other voting members of a State Commission. Any remaining voting members of a State Commission are appointed at the discretion of the chief executive officer of the State; however, although this list should not be construed as exhaustive, the Corporation suggests the following types of individuals:
(1) Educators, including representatives from institutions of higher education and local education agencies;
(2) Experts in the delivery of human, educational, environmental, or public safety services to communities and persons;
(3) Representatives of Indian tribes;
(4) Out-of-school or at-risk youth; and
(5) Representatives of programs that are administered or receive assistance under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, as amended (DVSA) (42 U.S.C. 4950 et seq. ).
(d) Appointment of ex officio, non-voting members of a State Commission. The chief executive officer of a State may appoint as ex officio, non-voting members of the State Commission officers or employees of State agencies operating community service, youth service, education, social service, senior service, or job training programs.
(e) Other composition requirements. To the extent practicable, the chief executive officer of a State shall ensure that the membership for the State commission is diverse with respect to race, ethnicity, age, gender, and disability characteristics. Not more than 50 percent plus one of the voting members of a State commission may be from the same political party. In addition, the number of voting members of a State commission who are officers or employees of the State may not exceed 25% of the total membership of that State commission.
(f) Selection of Chairperson. The chairperson is elected by the voting members of a State Commission. To be eligible to serve as chairperson, an individual must be an appointed, voting member of a State Commission.
(g) Vacancies. If a vacancy occurs on a State Commission, a new member must be appointed by the chief executive officer of the State to serve for the remainder of the term for which the predecessor of such member was appointed. The vacancy will not affect the power of the remaining members to execute the duties of the Commission.
(h) Compensation of State Commission members. A member of a State Commission may not receive compensation for his or her services, but may be reimbursed (at the discretion of the State) for travel and daily expenses in the same manner as employees intermittently serving the State.
(i) The role of the Corporation representative. The Corporation will designate one of its employees to serve as a representative to each State or group of States. This individual must be included as an ex officio non-voting member on the State Commission. In general, the Corporation representative will be responsible for assisting States in carrying out national service activities.
§ 2550.60   From which of the State Commission requirements is an Alternative Administrative Entity exempt?
(a) An AAE is not automatically exempt from any of the requirements that govern State Commissions. However, there are three specific State Commission requirements which the Corporation may waive if a State can demonstrate that one or more of them is impossible or unreasonable to meet. If the Corporation waives a State Commission requirement for a State entity, that State entity is, de facto, an AAE. The three criteria which may be waived for an AAE are as follows:
(1) The requirement that a State's chief executive officer appoint the members of a State Commission. If a State can offer a compelling reason why some or all of the State Commission members should be appointed by the State legislature or by some other appropriate means, the Corporation may grant a waiver.
(2) The requirement that a State Commission have 15-25 members. If a State compellingly demonstrates why its commission should have a larger number of members, the Corporation may grant a waiver.
(3) The requirement that not more than 50% plus one of the State Commission's voting members be from the same political party. This requirement was established to prevent State Commissions from being politically motivated or controlled; however, in some States it is illegal to require prospective members to provide information about political party affiliation. For this or another compelling reason, the Corporation may grant a waiver.
(b) Again, any time the Corporation grants one or more of these waivers for a State entity, that entity becomes an AAE; in all other respects an AAE is the same as a State Commission, having the same requirements, rights, duties and responsibilities.
§ 2550.70   [Reserved]
§ 2550.80   What are the duties of the State entities?
Both State commissions and AAEs have the same duties. This section lists the duties that apply to both State commissions and AAEs—collectively referred to as State entities. Functions described in paragraphs (e) through (j) of this section are non-policymaking and may be delegated to another State agency or nonprofit organization. The duties are as follows:
(a) Development of a three-year, comprehensive national and community service plan and establishment of State priorities. The State entity must develop and annually update a Statewide plan for national service covering a three-year period, the beginning of which may be set by the State, that is consistent with the Corporation's broad goals of meeting human, educational, environmental, and public safety needs and meets the following minimum requirements:
(1) The plan must be developed through an open and public process (such as through regional forums or hearings) that provides for the maximum participation and input from a broad cross-section of individuals and organizations, including national service programs within the State, community-based agencies, organizations with a demonstrated record of providing educational, public safety, human, or environmental services, residents of the State, including youth and other prospective participants, State Educational Agencies, traditional service organizations, labor unions, and other interested members of the public.
(2) The plan must ensure outreach to diverse, broad-based community organizations that serve underrepresented populations by creating State networks and registries or by utilizing existing ones.
(3) The plan must set forth the State's goals, priorities, and strategies for promoting national and community service and strengthening its service infrastructure, including how Corporation-funded programs fit into the plan.
(4) The plan may contain such other information as the State commission considers appropriate and must contain such other information as the Corporation may require.
(5) The plan must ensure outreach to, and coordination with, municipalities and county governments regarding the national service laws.
(6) The plan must provide for effective coordination of funding applications submitted by the State and other organizations within the State under the national service laws.
(7) The plan must include measurable goals and outcomes for national service programs funded through the State consistent with the performance levels for national service programs.
(8) The plan is subject to approval by the chief executive officer of the State.
(9) The plan must be submitted, in its entirety, in summary, or in part, to the Corporation upon request.
(b) Selection of subtitle C programs and preparation of application to the Corporation. Each State must:
(1) Prepare an application to the Corporation to receive funding or education awards for national service programs operating in and selected by the State.
(2) Administer a competitive process to select national service programs for funding. The State is not required to select programs for funding prior to submission of the application described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
(c) Preparation of Service Learning applications. (1) The State entity is required to assist the State education agency in preparing the application for subtitle B school-based service learning programs.
(2) The State entity may apply to the Corporation to receive funding for community-based subtitle programs after coordination with the State Educational Agency.
(d) Administration of the grants program. After subtitle C and community-based subtitle B funds are awarded, States entities will be responsible for administering the grants and overseeing and monitoring the performance and progress of funded programs.
(e) Evaluation and monitoring. State entities, in concert with the Corporation, shall be responsible for implementing comprehensive, non-duplicative evaluation and monitoring systems.
(f) Technical assistance. The State entity will be responsible for providing technical assistance to local nonprofit organizations and other entities in planning programs, applying for funds, and in implementing and operating high quality programs. States should encourage proposals from underserved communities.
(g) Program development assistance and training. The State entity must assist in the development of subtitle C programs; such development might include staff training, curriculum materials, and other relevant materials and activities. A description of such proposed assistance must be included in the State comprehensive plan referred to in paragraph (a) of this section. A State may apply for additional subtitle C programs training and technical assistance funds to perform these functions. The Corporation will issue notices of availability of funds with respect to training and technical assistance.
(h) Recruitment and placement. The State entity, as well as the Corporation, will develop mechanisms for recruitment and placement of people interested in participating in national service programs.
(i) Benefits. The State entity shall assist in the provision of health and child care benefits to subtitle C program participants, as will be specified in the regulations implementing the subtitle C programs.
(j) Activity ineligible for assistance. A State commission or AAE may not directly carry out any national service program that receives financial assistance under section 121 of the NCSA or title II of the DVSA.
(k) Make recommendations to the Corporation with respect to priorities within the State for programs receiving assistance under DVSA.
(l) Coordination —(1) Coordination with other State agencies. A State entity must coordinate its activities with the activities of other State agencies that administer Federal financial assistance programs under the Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9901 et seq. ) or other appropriate Federal financial assistance programs.
(2) Coordination with volunteer service programs. In general, the State entity shall coordinate its functions (including recruitment, public awareness, and training activities) with such functions of any division of ACTION, or the Corporation, that carries out volunteer service programs in the State. Specifically, the State entity may enter into an agreement with a division of ACTION or the Corporation to carry out its functions jointly, to perform its functions itself, or to assign responsibility for its functions to ACTION or the Corporation.
(3) In carrying out the activities under paragraphs (l)(1) and (2) of this section, the parties involved must exchange information about the programs carried out in the State by the State entity, a division of ACTION or the Corporation, as well as information about opportunities to coordinate activities.
(m) Supplemental State Service Plan for Adults Age 55 or Older. To be eligible to receive a grant or allotment under subtitles B or C of title I of the National and Community Service Act (42 U.S.C. 12501 et seq. ), or to receive a distribution of approved national service positions under subtitle C of title I of that Act, a State must work with appropriate State agencies and private entities to develop a comprehensive State service plan for service by adults age 55 or older. This plan must:
(1) Include the following elements:
(i) Recommendations for policies to increase service for adults age 55 or older, including how to best use such adults as sources of social capital, and how to utilize their skills and experience to address community needs;
(ii) Recommendations to the State agency on aging (as defined in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965, 42 U.S.C. 3002) on a marketing outreach plan to businesses and outreach to nonprofit organizations, the State educational agency, institutions of higher education, and other State agencies;
(iii) Recommendations for civic engagement and multigenerational activities, including early childhood education and care, family literacy, and other after school programs, respite services for adults age 55 or older and caregivers, and transitions for older adults age 55 or older to purposeful work in their post-career lives;
(2) Incorporate the current knowledge base regarding—
(i) The economic impact of the roles of workers age 55 or older in the economy;
(ii) The social impact of the roles of such workers in the community;
(iii) The health and social benefits of active engagement for adults age 55 or older; and
(3) Be made available to the public and transmitted to the Corporation.
§ 2550.85   How will the State Plan be assessed?
The Corporation will assess the quality of your State Plan as evidenced by:
(a) The development and quality of realistic goals and objectives for moving service ahead in the State;
(b) The extent to which proposed strategies can reasonably be expected to accomplish stated goals; and
(c) The extent of input in the development of the State plan from a broad cross-section of individuals and organizations as required by § 2550.80(a)(1).
§ 2550.90   Are there any restrictions on the activities of the members of State Commissions or Alternative Administrative Entities?
To avoid a conflict of interest (or the appearance of a conflict of interest) regarding the provision of assistance or approved national service positions, members of a State Commission or AAE must adhere to the following provisions:
(a) General restriction. Members of State Commissions and AAEs are restricted in several ways from the grant approval and administration process for any grant application submitted by an organization for which they are currently, or were within one year of the submission of the application, officers, directors, trustees, full-time volunteers or employees. The restrictions for such individuals are as follows:
(1) They cannot assist the applying organization in preparing the grant application;
(2) They must recuse themselves from the discussions or decisions regarding the grant application and any other grant applications submitted to the Commission or AAE under the same program (e.g., subtitle B programs or subtitle C programs); and
(3) They cannot participate in the oversight, evaluation, continuation, suspension or termination of the grant award.
(b) Exception to achieve a quorum. If this general restriction creates a situation in which a Commission or AAE does not have enough eligible voting members to achieve a quorum, the Commission or AAE may involve some normally-excluded members subject to the following conditions:
(1) A Commission or AAE may randomly and in a non-discretionary manner select the number of refused members necessary to achieve a quorum;
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(1) of this section, no Commission or AAE member may, under any circumstances, participate in any discussions or decisions regarding a grant application submitted by an organization with which he or she is or was affiliated according to the definitions in paragraph (a) of this section; and
(3) If recused members are included so as to achieve quorum, the State Commission or AAE must document the event and report to the Corporation within 30 days of the vote.
(c) Rule of construction. Paragraph (a) of this section shall not be construed to limit the authority of any voting member of the State Commission or AAE to participate in—
(1) Discussion of, and hearings and forums on, the general duties, policies and operations of the Commission or AAE, or general program administration; or
(2) Similar general matters relating to the Commission or AAE.
§ 2550.100   Do State entities or their members incur any risk of liability?
(a) State liability. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a State must agree to assume liability with respect to any claim arising out of or resulting from any act or omission by a member of the State Commission or AAE, within the scope of the service of that member.
(b) Individual liability. A member of the State Commission or AAE shall have no personal liability with respect to any claim arising out of or resulting from any act or omission by that member, within the scope of the service of that member. This does not, however, limit personal liability for criminal acts or omissions, willful or malicious misconduct, acts or omissions for private gain, or any other act or omission outside the scope of the service of that member. Similarly, this part does not limit or alter in any way any other immunities that are available under applicable law for State officials and employees not described in this section; nor does this part affect any other right or remedy against the State or any person other than a member of a State Commission or AAE.
§ 2550.110   What grants will be available from the Corporation to assist in establishing and operating a State Commission, Alternative Administrative Entity, or Transitional Entity?
(a) Administrative Grants. The Corporation may make administrative grants to States in an amount no less than $250,000 and up to $1 million for the purpose of establishing or operating a State Commission or AAE; these grants will be available to States which have Corporation-approved Transitional Entities only if those States commit to establishing a Corporation-approved State Commission or AAE prior to the expiration of the transitional period.
(b) Limitation on Federal share. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, the amount of a grant that may be provided to a State under this subsection, together with other Federal funds available to establish or operate the State Commission or AAE, may not exceed 50 percent of the total cost to establish or operate the State Commission or AAE.
(c) Alternative Match Schedule. The Corporation may permit a State that demonstrates hardship or a new State Commission to meet alternative matching requirements for such a grant as follows: