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    About
                                                      Agency Overview

              AmeriCorps’ Equity Action Plan
      Agency OverviewAgency-Wide Policies and NoticesAmeriCorps Fraud AlertAmeriCorps’ Equity Action PlanBudget and Performance PlansCivil Rights for Employees, Service Members, and VolunteersDigital StrategyDisability and AccessibilityFederal Register NoticesFOIA and the Privacy ActNo FEAR ActOfficial GuidanceOpen GovernmentPlain WritingPrivacy PolicyResults of Grant CompetitionsStatutes and RegulationsStrategic PlanVulnerability Disclosure Policy
                Advancing Equity at AmeriCorps



Message from the CEO

"The administration’s commitment to advancing equity and supporting underserved communities not only reinforces equity work at AmeriCorps, but also bolsters the country’s efforts to act nationwide."

READ MORE



AmeriCorps Agency Equity Plan

AmeriCorps' Equity Action Plan focuses on five key areas:

**Advancing Civil Rights:** At the core of equity are the laws, regulations, and policies that serve as its foundation. We are committed to full compliance with these laws and ensuring our grantees have the necessary training and tools.

**Recruiting and Retaining a Diverse Corps:**We must increase representation in our national service corps from the communities we serve. We plan to do this by providing greater access to national service opportunities and benefits for people from underserved communities.

**Partnering with Native Communities:**Our responsibilities to American Indians and Alaskan Natives and our nation-to-nation relationship with Tribal governments is driven by our Committee on Native American Affairs, which has supported our prioritized actions in this area to address longstanding barriers.

**Addressing Limited English Proficiency and Ensuring Language Access:**Advancing equity through our resources and opportunities is impossible if they are not accessible. We must ensure that anyone, despite their level of English proficiency, can access our resources and service opportunities.

**Increasing Equity in Our Procurement Process:**Much of how we accomplish our mission has to do with the vendors and contractors we utilize. Their services, experience, and diverse backgrounds are critical to advancing equity at AmeriCorps.

                    Cultural Learning Community

The AmeriCorps Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility is launching the Cultural Learning Community – a monthly course to foster a more inclusive and equitable community for all our valued partners. These courses will provide an invaluable opportunity to deepen understanding, enhance skills, and increase partner engagement.

                    


    Schedule
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  Compassion Fatigue and the Road to Compassion Resilience

*Thursday, Jan. 25*
During this course, participants will learn of compassion fatigue and how to build compassion resilience.Register

Cultural Competence: Serving with Care and Awareness

*Thursday, Feb. 15*
The work of service requires cultural competence in varying communities. This course will increase participants knowledge of cultural competence and how to enter diverse communities with awareness. Register

Going Beyond Reasonable Accommodation (Allyship to individuals with disabilities)

*Thursday, March 21*
This training will provide information on AmeriCorps’ Reasonable Accommodation (RA) program, how to process and access a reasonable accommodation, and understand ways to support accessibility needs.Register

Going Beyond the Surface (Aspects of Diversity)

*Thursday, April 18*
This course will provide knowledge that will strengthen the ability to navigate the world and community efforts through the exploration of topics such as identity, intersectionality and encouraging an inclusive mindset through open dialogue.Register

Class and Access to Opportunity: A Look at the History and Impact of Poverty

*Thursday, May 16*
This course examines the historical roots and societal impact of poverty and its multifaceted manifestations across different cultures over time. Attendees will be engaged in the analysis of the socio-economic forces that perpetuate poverty and critically evaluate strategies for poverty alleviation and social justice.Register

Anti-Discriminatory Protections and Accommodations Under Title VI and VII

*Thursday, June 20*
This training will discuss Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) protections for AmeriCorps’ internal and external stakeholders. The goal is to provide a general knowledge and understanding of rights and obligations under Civil Rights and EEO laws and jurisdictions.Register

Creating Systemic Change by Operating Trauma Informed Organizations

*Thursday, July 18*
In this course, attendees will learn what a Trauma-Informed Organization is and the importance of building systems to incorporate trauma-informed practices. This course will also share how to implement trauma-informed practices into current systems for creating sustainable change. Register

Gender and Sexual Identity

*Thursday, August 15*
Fundamental to the AmeriCorps mission is the obligation to honor the diversity of all stakeholders by treating everyone with respect and dignity. This course will provide a better understanding of gender and sexual identity related terms and discuss ways to introduce inclusive language to signal a welcoming and respectful environment for all.Register

Managing Mental Health in the Workplace

*Thursday, Sept. 19*
This course provides practical strategies for promoting mental well-being in professional settings, addressing topics such as stress management, work-life balance, and destigmatizing mental health issues. Attendees will learn how to recognize signs of mental distress and ways to foster a supportive work environment. Register

From Equality to Equity (Educating the Differences)

*Thursday, Oct. 17*
This course explores the distinctions between equality and equity, delving into the social and economic implications of both concepts. Attendees will engage in discussions that explore ways in which these principled intersect with various aspects within society and be presented with strategies that foster fairness and justice in an inclusive environment.Register

Origins of Health Disparities and their Impact on Communities

*Thursday, Nov. 21*
This course investigates the origin and contemporary impacts of health disparities within communities while addressing factors such as socioeconomic status, race, and access to healthcare. Attendees will gain an opportunity to discuss the complex interplay of social determinants and public health policies and explore possible strategies to mitigate disparities and promote health equity.Register

Invisible Disabilities and Protections Under Title VI and VII

*Thursday, Dec. 19*
This course examines the legal and societal implications of unseen disabilities within the framework of Title VI and VII protections. Attendees will explore the intersections of disability rights and anti-discrimination laws while being presented material to understand the challenges and accommodations for individuals impacted by a disability in varying settings.Register

                    


    AmeriCorps Agency Equity Team
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  In line with Executive Order 13985, AmeriCorps established its Agency Equity Team, which represents an enterprise-wide cadre of leaders and key DEIA stakeholders. The AmeriCorps Agency Equity Team is leading the implementation of the Equity Action Plan and is serves as the agency’s accountability hub for DEIA implementation.

AmeriCorps Agency Equity Team Members:

Affinity Group Advisory Council Representative
	Associate Director of Policy
	Chief Data Officer
	Chief Financial Officer
	Chief Human Capital Officer
	Chief Information Officer
	Chief of Program Operations
	Chief of Staff
	Chief Operating Officer
	Chief Risk Officer
	Deputy Chief of Program Operations
	Deputy Chief of Staff
	Director, AmeriCorps NCCC
	Director, AmeriCorps Seniors
	Director, AmeriCorps State and National
	Director, AmeriCorps VISTA
	Director, Government Relations
	Director, Office of Civil Rights
	Director, Communications and Marketing
	Director, Office of Grant Admission
	Director, Office of Procurement Services
	Director, Office of Recruitment
	Director, Regional Operations
	Director, Research & Evaluation
	Director, Workforce Relations
	General Counsel
	Project Manager, Planning and Cross Agency Initiatives
	Senior Advisor for COVID-19
	Senior Advisor for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
	Senior Advisor for Special Projects
	Senior Advisor for Strategic Partnerships
	Senior Advisor for Wounded Warrior Veteran and Military Families
	Team Lead for Employee Development, Office of Human Capital

      


Notable Equity-Related Accomplishments
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  Created a new role of Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer slated to be filled in May 2022.
	Included racial equity as a funding priority in the FY 2021 AmeriCorps State and National and AmeriCorps Seniors grant competitions, and AmeriCorps VISTA program guidance.
	Created a Language Translation Services Project Manager position to support translation and interpretation services for agency programs and grant competitions.
	Formed a Committee on Native American Affairs with a senior advisor and special assistant dedicated to these efforts.
	Expanded the pipeline of paid summer interns through partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
	Increased the living allowance for AmeriCorps State and National and AmeriCorps VISTA

      


Resources
  Toggle
  AmeriCorps Strategic Plan
	Learn more about the Administration’s Equity Agenda 
	Advancing Equity Through the American Rescue Plan
	Learn more about government-wide equity efforts

      


Stakeholder Engagement
  Toggle
  AmeriCorps engaged with stakeholders to conduct a DEIA assessment of three key areas of operations: fostering an equitable workplace; promoting equitable grantmaking; and recruiting and retaining a diverse corps of AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers. Stakeholder input strongly influenced the recommendations from the employee-driven DEIA initiative, the agency’s Equity Action Plan, and the FY 2021-FY 2025 AmeriCorps Strategic Plan development. AmeriCorps implemented a variety of stakeholder engagement strategies:

*Workforce-Driven DEIA Assessment and Workforce Survey* – The 2020 DEIA initiative was driven by more than 50 passionate volunteers from across the AmeriCorps workforce who spent months evaluating agency operations, assessing barriers to advancing DEIA, and supporting underserved communities.
	*Stakeholder Engagement Panels*– AmeriCorps hosted three stakeholder engagement panels which included representatives from four association partners: Americas Service Commission, Voices for National Service, Service Year Alliance, and AmeriCorps Seniors Association. Panelists also included grantees from AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors programs: VISTA, AmeriCorps State and National, and AmeriCorps NCCC. Representation from the Office of Regional Operations included current and former staff members. AmeriCorps asked panelists the following questions: 
	Within your own program (AmeriCorps VISTA, State & National, NCCC) what are barriers for you in applying, partnering, grant management, or other requirements that make it difficult to partner with us? What are specific immediate and longer-term changes we should consider to make our programming more accessible?
		What would you identify as the top three barriers to starting service for applicants from diverse backgrounds? What would you identify as the top three barriers to continuing/completing service for members from diverse backgrounds?
		What assistance would be beneficial for AmeriCorps to offer throughout the process (from proposal writing through grant management) to make our funding more accessible (planning grants, increased technical assistance, etc.)?
		What should stronger outreach and recruitment to new applicants look like? Do you have recommendations for us as an agency on ways to reach out and recruit more potential applicants working in Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities?
		What are specific funding priorities or performance measures would allow you to focus your work more on diverse communities (BIPOC, LGBTQ, etc.)?
	*Tribal Consultation* – In April 2021, AmeriCorps hosted a Tribal consultation with Tribal leaders to ensure that AmeriCorps is equitable, fair, and accessible to Tribal nations. This allowed the agency to learn more about what is working, what is not working, and to make sure opportunities and resources meet the needs of Tribal nations. Participants were asked to share feedback on the following: 
	Barriers for Tribal communities to access AmeriCorps resources, for members to serve with AmeriCorps and to achieve compliance with grants requirements.
		Ways AmeriCorps can support COVID response and recovery.
		Ways AmeriCorps can support veterans and military families.
		How AmeriCorps can more effectively consult and strengthen communications and relationships.
		Best practices from other agencies AmeriCorps should review.
		Ways to use technology to solicit tribal feedback on policies and activities.
		Ways to disseminate information that is most relevant.
	*Request for Information* – As part of AmeriCorps’ ARP investment, the agency pledged to create new national service opportunities; increase benefits for service members; and support nonprofit, Tribal, and community organizations that support underserved communities. To do this, AmeriCorps looked further into the barriers programs and members face. In accordance with Executive Order 13985 and as part of the agency’s commitment to DEIA, AmeriCorps launched a Request for Information (RFI), which closed on August 2, 2021, inviting public comment from any interested party, including current and former AmeriCorps program award recipients. Respondents relayed comments regarding any barriers that they, or the communities they served, faced in accessing benefits and services offered by AmeriCorps’ programs. This request gave the agency insight from members, volunteers, the broader national service community, and outside voices. AmeriCorps received over 600 comments, significant for a small agency, with the overwhelming majority focused on the value of the AmeriCorps living allowance and end of service Eli Segal Education award benefit. The comments were further analyzed by the Office of Research and Evaluation and supported a compelling case for increasing the living allowance and expanding flexibilities for the use of the Eli Segal Education End-of-Service Award.

                    AmeriCorps looks forward to continuing to engage with national service stakeholders and the public. We will be announcing opportunities to share input on the plan in the coming months.

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