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Memorandum of Understanding 

Between

The Administration for Community Living (ACL)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

and

AmeriCorps

This MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU), is made by and 

between the Corporation for National and Community Service, operating as 

AmeriCorps (“AmeriCorps”) and the Administration for Community Living,

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“ACL”) (collectively

“Parties”). The Parties agree to the following:

Purpose and Scope

The purpose of this MOU is to facilitate the development of collaborative 

activities between ACL and AmeriCorps to help modernize the way public and 

private non-profit organizations, such as community and faith-based 

organizations, utilize volunteers – especially older adults and persons with 

disabilities. The goal is to significantly increase the number of volunteers 

engaged in service activities; to bolster the ability of Americans across the 

lifespan to be able to live at home with the supports they need and participate 

fully in society; and to support communities in need throughout the United 

States.

ACL and AmeriCorps will maintain open communication on the activities of 

their respective programs, and to increase, where possible, collaboration and 

integration of their respective networks. ACL will work with AmeriCorps to help 

leverage federal investments toward achieving community integration for all.

According to the 2022 Volunteering and Civic Life in America Report, older 

adults formally volunteered 1.9 billion hours in 2021 for an estimated economic 

value of almost $56.7 billion. This is based on Independent Sector’s estimate that 

the average value of a volunteer hour was $29.95 in 2021.

In total, 23.7 percent of Baby Boomers (born 1946-1964) volunteered while 18.0 

percent of the Silent Generation (born 1925-1945) volunteered. Despite the 

number of people who share their time and talents through service, the COVID-
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19 epidemic highlighted tremendous gaps in services that exacerbated the needs 

of our communities that surpass the number of people who currently volunteer.

According to the Population Reference Bureau report, “Aging in the United

States,” the number of Americans ages 65 and older is projected to more than 

double—from 46 million today to over 98 million by 2060—and the 65 and older 

age group’s share of the total population will rise to nearly 24 percent, up from 

15 percent.

Older Americans are in an excellent position to support the missions and goals of 

ACL and AmeriCorps. In many cases they have the time, the experience, and the 

expertise to volunteer in a variety of community-based activities. In addition, 

AmeriCorps research findings from longitudinal studies of AmeriCorps Seniors 

volunteers demonstrate a positive relationship between improved health 

outcomes and volunteering.

Service and volunteer programs need to be proactive to ensure that everyone—

including individuals with disabilities—have the opportunity to serve and be 

active participants. Volunteerism can provide a great opportunity for older 

persons and persons with disabilities to gain important work-based skills.

Background

The Administration for Community Living (ACL)

The Administration for Community Living (ACL), within the Department of 

Health and Human Services (HHS), supports cross-cutting initiatives and

efforts focused on the unique needs of individual groups. ACL’s mission is to 

maximize the independence, well-being, and health of older adults, people with 

disabilities across the lifespan, and their families and caregivers. ACL promotes 

policies and practices that allow all people, regardless of age and disability, the 

opportunity to live with dignity, make their own choices, and participate fully 

in society.

The structure of ACL provides policy and program support for cross-cutting 

initiatives and efforts focused on the unique needs of older adults, and 

individuals of all ages with disabilities. ACL integrates the expertise of a number 

of program divisions, for example:
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• The Administration on Aging (AoA) provides expertise on program 

development, advocacy, and initiatives for older Americans and their 

caregivers and families. Working with states and Tribes, AoA directs 

programs authorized by the Older Americans Act (OAA) and other 

legislation that supports older adults. AoA is led by the Assistant 

Secretary for Aging and the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging.

• The Administration on Disabilities (AoD) works with states, 

communities, and partners in the disability networks to increase the 

independence, productivity, and community integration of individuals 

with disabilities. Under authorities provided by the Developmental 

Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, the Help America Vote Act, the 

Assistive Technology Act of 1998, and the Public Health Service Act,

AoD works to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.

• Center for Innovation and Partnership leads ACL’s administration of 

consumer access and protection programs, as well as programs and 

initiatives that promote the use of self-directed and person-centered 

service models, for both older adults and people with disabilities, as well 

as their caregivers and families.

In coordination with AmeriCorps, ACL works to support the use of volunteers 

throughout its programs and provides expanded opportunities for older adults 

and others to get involved in their communities.

AmeriCorps is an independent Federal agency in the Executive branch of the

U.S. government. The mission of AmeriCorps is to improve lives, strengthen 

communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. 

AmeriCorps provides grants, training, and technical assistance to developing 

and expanding organizations. AmeriCorps also provides opportunities for 

Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve communities across the country 

by addressing critical community needs through its AmeriCorps Seniors and 

AmeriCorps programs. In addition, AmeriCorps explores, develops, and models 

effective approaches for using volunteers to meet the nation's human needs and 

conducts and disseminates research that helps develop and cultivate knowledge 

that will enhance the overall effectiveness of national and community service 

programs.
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AmeriCorps administers AmeriCorps Seniors, one of the oldest programs in 

national service that empowers adults ages 55 and above to support critical local 

challenges by volunteering in their communities. AmeriCorps Seniors is a 

grantmaking office that awards grants to community-based organizations to 

engage older persons in national and community service. Programs can be found 

in all states and several US territories. AmeriCorps Seniors programs include 

three signature programs and the senior demonstration program. The Foster 

Grandparent Program; Senior Companion Program; and RSVP program are the 

three signature programs. The Foster Grandparent Program is an 

intergenerational program that engages volunteers aged 55 and older in national 

service as one-on-one mentors and tutors who provide social-emotional support 

to children with special or exceptional needs, or who are at an academic, social, 

or financial disadvantage. The Senior Companion Program is a peer-to-peer 

program that provides independent living support and companionship to other 

older adults and adults with differing abilities. The RSVP program volunteers 

address a wide range of critical community needs that include: recruiting and 

managing other volunteers, mentoring and tutoring children, providing food 

security, supporting workforce development and training for job readiness and 

providing disaster preparedness and mitigation assistance. Additionally, 

AmeriCorps Seniors grants Senior Demonstration programs to test new models 

of service that engage older adults in meeting current and emerging national 

priorities.

AmeriCorps also administers AmeriCorps VISTA, AmeriCorps State and 

National, and AmeriCorps NCCC. AmeriCorps VISTA provides full-time 

members to nonprofit, faith-based and other community organizations, and 

public agencies to create and expand programs that bring low-income 

individuals and communities out of poverty. AmeriCorps State and National 

offers opportunities for adults of all ages and backgrounds to serve through a 

network of partnerships with local and national non-profit groups. AmeriCorps 

NCCC is a full-time team-based residential program in which young adults serve 

to strengthen local communities.

Additionally, AmeriCorps administers the Volunteer Generation Fund, a 

program authorized by the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act to expand 

the capacity of volunteer connector organizations to recruit, manage, support, 

and retain individuals to serve in high quality volunteer assignments.

Authorities
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ACL Authorities: 42 U.S.C. § 15082; Sections 202(c), 373(d), and 417 of the OAA,

as amended; see 42 U.S.C. §§ 3012, 3030s-1, 3032f, 3058g.

AmeriCorps Authorities: 42 U.S.C. §§12501 et seq.; 42 U.S.C. §12651b(g)(10)(B); 

and 42 U.S.C. §§4950 et seq. Section 192A(g)(10)(B) – i.e., 42 U.S.C.

§12651b(g)(10)(B) -- of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as 

amended, provides that AmeriCorps may enter into agreements with other 

Federal agencies for the support of programs under the national service laws.

This MOU does not constitute or give rise to a partnership or joint venture 

between the Parties, nor does it constitute an obligation of funds by either party. 

Each Party shall operate under the terms of this MOU as an independent entity 

and not as an agent for but, when possible, in collaboration with the other. In 

addition, nothing in the MOU limits any of the Parties’ independent authority to 

make decisions regarding the respective roles and responsibilities of that party.

Announcement of Collaboration

ACL and AmeriCorps, as they deem it necessary and appropriate, will provide 

media relations and other Public Affairs support for this endeavor.

Collaboration Framework

ACL and AmeriCorps enter into this agreement to address issues affecting older 

persons and persons with disabilities within the extent of each organization’s 

mission and available resources. In no way does this MOU signify the obligation 

of financial resources; rather, it represents strategic collaborations between the 

agencies. ACL and AmeriCorps agree to work together through the activities 

described below.

Under this MOU, the ACL and the AmeriCorps will develop activities that create 

and support ongoing collaboration to recruit, engage, and support older adults 

and people with disabilities in national service and maximize the ability of all 

people to live in integrated settings in the community, across the lifespan.

Major goals of this collaboration include:
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• Education – Explore opportunities for cross-sharing of knowledge with 

our respective programs and networks.

• Outreach – Promote the visibility of our respective programs and those 

areas where our programs collaborate or intersect.

• Program Development – Support efforts to better inform and connect our 

respective networks to leverage resources; and

• Evidence-based approaches – Support efforts to advance the use of 

evidenced-based approaches in our respective programs and networks.

Specific Areas of Focus

Supporting Families and Caregivers

ACL and AmeriCorps agree to:

• Support appropriate components of the National Family Caregiver 

Strategy through participation on the RAISE Family Caregiving Council 

and implementation of actions outlined in the Strategy specifically as it 

relates to supporting caregiver respite;

• Encourage the utilization of AmeriCorps volunteers by the aging and 

disability networks to support home and community-based services for 

older adults and persons with disabilities.

• Through training and related activities, explore efforts to promote the use 

of volunteers in respite programs and other family and caregiver support 

services.

• Promote activities that enhance efforts to build natural supports for 

families.

• Support volunteer activities resulting from action through the Advisory 

Council for Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

Enhancing Information and Education Opportunities

ACL and AmeriCorps agree to:

• Promote activities of mutual interest on appropriate channels such as 

websites, social media, and e-newsletters.
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• Coordinate webinars, workshops and forums that outline opportunities to 

expand the impact of volunteer service by older adults.

• Through webinars, workshops, and other channels as appropriate, ACL 

will provide information and training to AmeriCorps leadership and 

volunteers on topics of interest to older adults and persons with 

disabilities.

• Promote funding opportunities that can be used to engage older adults in 

community service activities that help solve critical issues.

• Identify opportunities for ACL-funded technical assistance resource 

centers to support and amplify AmeriCorps efforts.

Strengthening ACL and AmeriCorps Seniors Networks

ACL and AmeriCorps agree to:

• Via instruction and technical assistance provided to states on the 

development of their state plans on aging, ACL will explicitly encourage 

the use of AmeriCorps Seniors and other volunteer-based programs, to 

the greatest extent possible.

• Through a variety of methods, AmeriCorps will actively promote and 

encourage its AmeriCorps Senior grantees to seek available opportunities 

to support ACL programs including the State Health Insurance Assistance 

Program (SHIP) and Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) programs, Long Term 

Care Ombudsman programs, and Title VI Native American Programs. 

Retired attorneys and other advocates may be interested in available 

opportunities with legal assistance programs. ACL will explore providing 

technical assistance to AmeriCorps Senior grantees.

• Collaborate on identifying ways to jointly promote National Days of 

Service through both networks;

• Collaborate on identifying and promoting promising practices on 

volunteer recruitment and retention in ACL and AmeriCorps programs.

• Collaborate on identifying and managing risk in volunteer programs 

including review and assistance with revamping the ACL SMP/SHIP

Volunteer Risk and Program Management (VRPM) policies and

procedures. (Latest version of VRPM can be found here:

https://acl.gov/sites/default/files/programs/2020-

07/National_VRPM_Policies_%28PDF%29%20-%20Sept%202016.pdf)

• Encourage local AmeriCorps programs and aging and disability network 

programs to partner and/or co-locate to expand opportunities and 

supports for older adults and persons with disabilities.
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• Identify programs and activities that increase the impact of volunteerism 

at the tribal and local community level by utilizing evidenced-based 

approaches.

• During the development of funding opportunities, AmeriCorps and ACL 

will explore ways to support the priorities and goals of each agency.

• Collaborate to assist aging and disability networks in creating broader 

opportunities for older adults and persons with disabilities to participate 

in volunteer activities that enhance programming that supports local and 

tribal communities.

Protecting the Rights and Preventing the Abuse of Elders

ACL and AmeriCorps agree to:

ACL will explore technical assistance and support on elder abuse issues the 

AmeriCorps Seniors grantee community, i.e. recognizing the signs of abuse 

and when to intervene and when reporting is voluntary or mandated and 

how to respond when persons appearing to be experiencing abuse decline 

interventions.

• ACL will share information about ACL funding opportunities for elder 

abuse prevention and awareness activities including those with 

programmatic, research and/or education components.

• ACL and AmeriCorps will continue to work together, and with other

Elder Justice Council agencies, to contribute to “promising practices” for

volunteer interventions around elder abuse.

Entirety

This MOU constitutes the entire understanding of the Parties with respect to the 

roles and responsibilities of the Parties.

Duration, Modification, and Termination of Agreement

This MOU will become effective immediately upon signature of both parties 

from the date signed and remains in effect for a period of four years or until 

modified or terminated by the Parties. Both parties agree to review the progress 

of the MOU on a yearly basis to assess progress toward meeting agreed upon
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goals. In the event that either Party desires to modify the agreement, the parties 

may do so by mutual consent.

If either Party desires to terminate this MOU, that Party will provide not less 

than a thirty (30) day written notice of an intent to terminate the MOU to the 

other Party.

Alison Barkoff Michael D. Smith

Senior official performing the duties of ACL Chief Executive Officer 

Administrator & Assistant Secretary for Aging AmeriCorps

December 1, 2023

Date Date

December 1, 2023