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Learning Systems International

Introduction to AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Demonstration 

Program

Tuesday, November 30, 2021

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15:26:47 [Music]

15:32:54 >>Recording in progress.

15:33:07 >> Good afternoon everyone and welcome to today's session,

Introduction to AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Demonstration 

Program.

15:33:17 My name is Linda Cook and joining me today is Kalynn Evans. We are 

both with AmeriCorps Seniors.

15:33:46 I'm going to quickly go over a few house rules. All lines are on mute. If 

you have questions for us, we ask that you please put them in the Q&A box. 

Otherwise, all responses in the Chat will be directed to everyone so we all have 

the benefit of seeing your response.

15:33:53 If you have technical problems, please let Jeff know. He is our staff 

person on today to help us with technical issues.

15:34:00 And the slides and the recording of this will be available on 

AmeriCorps.gov.

15:34:18 This presentation is a series of training opportunities that we will have 

over the next couple of weeks.

15:34:23 Some of these will be repeated, as well. Today's session is on the 

introduction to AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors SDP program.

15:34:44 You will note that tomorrow and the following day we will go into more 

depth about Notice of Funding Opportunity for ARP, AmeriCorps Seniors, SDP 

program.

15:34:52 As well as talk a little bit more in detail about the actions of some of the 

work that some of our SDP programs have been doing.

15:35:12 Very quickly, here is what we hope to accomplish today. We hope to 

provide some basic information about AmeriCorps, formerly known as the 

Corporation for National and Community Service.

15:35:21 We are going to review the Senior Demonstration Program objectives 

and key information to consider.
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15:35:32 As I mentioned, the session is a precursor to tomorrow's session that 

will cover the Notice of Funding Opportunity for The American Rescue Plan in 

more detail.

15:35:50 If you are not already familiar with AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps 

Seniors, we hope that this presentation today will answer all of the questions you 

have about National Service.

15:36:00 If you are familiar with us we want you to walk away with this as a 

refresher and know what your place is in National Service.

15:36:34 AmeriCorps, formerly known as the Corporation for National and 

Community Service, is the federal agency responsible for civic engagement-that 

means we lead civic engagement through service and volunteerism.

15:36:34 Through grantmaking efforts, and national days of service in the United 

States.

15:36:34 We help millions of Americans improve their lives and the lives of their 

fellow citizens through service.

15:36:56 We do that mostly by working hand-in-hand with local partners to tap 

the ingenuity and can-do spirit of the American people, to tackle our country's 

most pressing challenges.

15:36:56 Our mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster 

civic engagement through service and volunteering.

15:37:25 What is National Service? National Service is the opportunity to 

volunteer your time and talent to make a difference in people's lives and get 

things done for America.

15:37:25 Through AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors, individuals of any age 

can serve our country and their community by putting their valuable skills to use.

15:37:52 You may be familiar with AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps is the federal agency

that engages people in service for a set period of time, where they often serve in 

their communities and serve anywhere in the United States.

15:37:58 People of all ages can serve in different types of AmeriCorps programs, 

but they tend to skew a little bit younger than our program.
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15:37:58 AmeriCorps Seniors is specifically geared toward volunteers who are 

55 and older.

15:38:10 AmeriCorps encourages volunteerism through national days of service 

such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and the September 11 Day of 

Service.

15:38:30 If you want to learn more about AmeriCorps generally, you can visit our 

website listed there. AmeriCorps.gov and check out some statistics on National 

Service in your state, your regional area, and through social media.

15:38:46 It is also the location that you can go, we will cover some things later. It 

is at this website that you can sign up for future training opportunities.

15:39:03 I'm going to talk a little bit about our AmeriCorps Seniors three 

traditional programs. They are separate and distinct from the Senior 

Demonstration Program.

15:39:13 The first one we will discuss is the Foster Grandparent program or 

FGP.

15:39:18 This program engages older Americans as role models and mentors to 

help children with special and exceptional needs.

15:39:21 Eligible volunteers in the program may receive a small stipend to defray 

the cost of service.

15:39:49 Our second program is the Senior Companion Program or SCP, which 

provides assistance and friendship to adults who have difficulty with daily living 

tasks such as shopping or paying bills, helping them maintain independence in 

their homes.

15:39:51 Again, eligible volunteers receive a small stipend for their service.

15:40:12 For RSVP, all of our programs engage individuals 55 and older in 

service, that is really the core of our third type of program, RSVP.

15:40:32 It was established in 1971 and it engages people 55 and older in a wide 

variety of volunteer activities.

15:40:32 Essentially, if you can think of a volunteer doing it, there is probably an 

RSVP program volunteer serving in that capacity now.
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15:40:54 It was really built to meet community needs. It's very flexible and also all 

of RSVP program volunteers, focus on one specific area. RSVP volunteers can 

tutor children, renovate homes, assist victims of national disasters, and do other 

things.

15:41:03 Now I'm going to talk a little bit about the Senior Demonstration 

Program.

15:41:16 Senior Demonstration programming allows us to expand our program 

reach in a way that's different from our standard three types of programs.

15:41:28 I mentioned that FGP focuses primarily solely on adults 55 and older 

that are tutoring kids.

15:41:38 Exceptional kids and the SDP program may have seniors serving kids 

with exceptional needs, as well as serve their parents.

15:42:01 Like providing parenting tips or homework assistance tips. The Senior 

Demonstration Authority, which governs the Senior Demonstration Program, 

allows us to fund innovative programming.

15:42:11 The expectation is that the activities will be carried out by seniors, but 

the program has a new innovative twist to demonstrate the power of senior 

volunteers to make significant contributions in their communities.

15:42:19 In general as well as - we will discuss tomorrow how we can move 

toward recovering from this pandemic.

15:42:36 There is some bullet points that kind of illustrate Senior Demonstration 

Program.

15:42:36 It can be described as a hybrid of our three programs, but with a twist.

15:42:51 SDP has the capacity of creating a different type of program to engage 

folks over the age of 55, to be engaged in community driven interventions that

address unmet community needs.

15:43:05 We have a few demonstration programs currently that are zero-dollar 

grants, meaning they receive no funds from AmeriCorps.

15:43:13 And some Senior Demonstration Programs are state driven, state 

defined and state-funded.
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15:43:27 For example, we have several programs in Texas and Michigan that 

have Senior Demonstration grants where there is no federal dollars being used to 

fund the program, it is all being funded by the state.

15:43:39 Let's talk a little bit about the Senior Demonstration Program and where 

you can get more information about it.

15:44:06 One of the things that we are going to do this year is to really use the 

Senior Demonstration Program to help us amplify funding that we received from 

the American Rescue Plan.

15:44:24 As I told you, our Senior Demonstration Program's really give us the 

flexibility to use our senior power to respond to areas in pressing needs in 

communities.

15:44:34 What we want it to do is introduce the AmeriCorps Seniors American 

Rescue Plan competition.

15:44:53 Some key points, and these will be gone over in greater detail 

tomorrow, the AmeriCorps Seniors rescue plan notice opened on November 1. It 

is currently on our website right now.

15:45:04 It is our call for new applicants or organizations that do not have a 

current grant with AmeriCorps Seniors, to respond to community-based needs.

15:45:30 Illuminated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are looking for 

efforts to help local communities recover from the pandemic, as well as 

applications that established education that may have been lost as a result of the 

COVID pandemic.

15:45:43 Vaccination and vaccination education efforts, and particularly to reach 

different communities or hard-to-reach communities.

15:45:53 We are also looking for applications that actively engaged in removing 

structural racial inequities, advanced racial - and increase opportunities to 

achieve sustainable change in communities.

15:46:04 One of the things that we know as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, 

a lot of the racial inequities really were highlighted or magnified, if you will.
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15:46:16 As a result of the numbers of deaths that occurred or people who were 

significantly impacted by the COVID-19 virus.

15:46:33 We would like to receive applications for programming that really helps 

us a little bit more about issues around racial inequity.

15:46:51 Applicants are also encouraged to propose programming anywhere in 

the United States. Some of you who may have received funding from us in the 

past know that traditionally our programs focus specifically in a specific 

Geographic Service Area.

15:46:58 With this opportunity, you can apply for funding in any county, city, or 

town.

15:47:13 Applications are - we are hoping to receive applications that propose

programming in the priority service areas that are identified and Appendix A.

15:47:23 These are areas where there is high poverty or areas where we 

currently do not have AmeriCorps Seniors programming.

15:47:49 AmeriCorps Seniors will be programming our ARP funding in 

accordance with section 231 of the DVSA, which authorizes the Director of 

AmeriCorps Seniors to make grants to public and nonprofit organizations for the 

purpose of demonstrating.

15:47:57 Innovating activities involving older Americans as volunteers and for 

testing whether older American volunteer programs may contribute to new 

objectives or certain national priorities.

15:48:12 The specific legal authority, the Senior Demonstration is 42 5028.

15:48:23 By exercising this authority AmeriCorps Seniors will encourage 

innovation --.

15:48:33 Innovation as communities recover and Build Back Better.

15:48:46 You'll notice on the screen if there are questions that folks have 

regarding the American Rescue Plan Senior Demonstration Program, they are 

encouraged to send them by email to the email address there.
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15:49:06 AmericanRescueSDP@cns.gov and for more information and to review 

any of the resources, as it pertains to the American Rescue Plan, there is a link 

that is provided.

15:49:29 I do want to take a step back and highlight how different the Senior 

Demonstration Program is in comparison to our traditional FGP, SCP and RSVP 

programs.

15:49:48 We are looking for programs that maybe takes the best of FGP, the 

best of Senior Companion's, RSVP, combines them in some way and is really 

innovative and interesting - unmet needs in communities.

15:49:51 All of the participants who serve volunteers are over the age of 55.

15:50:09 One of the things that makes our RSVP programs different, if you will, is 

that the agency is looking at what lessons can we learn as a result of this type of 

programming?

15:50:27 What are things-does it call for us to develop a new program, or are 

there things that we can learn to strengthen our core three programs?

15:50:43 We are really looking for innovative practices through this line of 

programming. There would not be a federal program if we did not go over some 

rules and regulations.

15:50:51 We wanted to make sure that you are aware of some of the rules, as it 

applies to all of our programming.

15:51:03 The code of federal regulations is the source of the requirements that 

govern our grants in our grantmaking.

15:51:22 Please go to the website as noted there. It is the Code of Federal 

Regulations website, ECFR.gov to review their rules and regulations.

15:51:27 There's also plenty of links on our website that talk specifically about 

some of these rules and regulations.

15:51:44 If you are ever lucky enough to receive a grant from our agency, you

will become very well-versed in the Code of Federal Regulations, specifically 

200.
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15:52:15 The fiscal responsibilities for all of our grantmaking. Some of the things 

that are key regulations that carry across all of our programs, including the 

Senior Demonstration Program, is that there are specific service activities that 

are prohibited.

15:52:28 Your Program Design, you are not allowed to present something that 

replaces paid staff.

15:52:35 No political activity can occur at all during any time on grant time.

15:52:45 There is also a requirement that no religious activity occurs for our 

programming.

15:52:59 We also have National Service Criminal History Check Requirements 

for all of our programs where funds are being used to pay staff or volunteers.

15:53:07 There is a link that goes into great detail about the Criminal History 

Check costs or requirements.

15:53:32 If you are interested in applying for SDP program or any of our 

programs really, I highly suggest that you go to this site and review this 

information, so that you are well aware of the requirements to conduct criminal 

history checks on both staff and paid volunteers.

15:53:48 I think we have a little bit of time for Q&A. I see some questions that are 

in the Q&A. I'm going to ask Colin to help me with those questions.

15:54:10 >> One is, when I look at Appendix A, I see the counties that we serve 

are not located on it.

15:54:10 Can you still apply if your county is not shown in the appendix?

15:54:25 >> For SDP programming, for the American Rescue Plan, yes. You 

can apply for any county that is recovering from COVID. If it's not on Appendix A, 

it's fine.

15:54:41 The ones that are on Appendix A are ones that are a priority for us, if 

you will, because they address communities where there is a high need or a 

community that we don't currently have an AmeriCorps Seniors program.

15:54:56 >> If AmeriCorps Seniors already has a presence in my area, can our 

organization still apply for the American Rescue Plan senior program?
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15:55:09 >> Yes. Yes, you can still apply. Provided that you are not doing the 

same thing that that organization is doing in the community.

15:55:32 I imagine that since the ARP, SDP notice is specifically calling out 

recovery from the COVID pandemic, both financial, economic and health 

challenges that may have arisen, there is a good chance that what you are 

providing is different.

15:55:49 >> The next question. When you say all volunteers have to be over 55, 

can there be volunteers under 55 funded by other sources?

15:56:20 >> Like I said, the SDP program model is we are looking for innovation, 

so if you have a volunteer that is under the age of 55 that are serving alongside 

the volunteers who are 55, as long as they are not-their activities are not counted 

towards the performance measures.

15:56:23 And the progress reports that are required from our programs, I think 

that that is fine.

15:56:35 >> Do we have to turn away volunteers that are younger?

15:56:59 >> Our funds can only be used to support volunteers who are over the 

age of 55. However, there is a volunteer component where younger volunteers 

are engaged with older volunteers.

15:57:07 And those younger volunteers are not being compensated in any way 

by the grant. I'm sure that is something that we can learn from.

15:57:18 >> Thank you. Is there matching requirement for the Senior 

Demonstration Program grant?

15:57:41 >> I knew someone would ask me that question. There is a 10% match 

required for this program. We will get in greater detail about that during 

tomorrow's training.

15:57:51 >> Are the grant funds to be used to stipend volunteers?

15:58:00 >> Not sure I understand.

15:58:14 >> Are grant funds able to be used to stipend volunteers?

15:58:21 >> Yes. They should be used to provide the stipend, unless you have 

state funds, they can also be used, as well.
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15:58:29 >> There is a request to please define a paid volunteer.

15:58:40 >> A paid volunteer? Perhaps that means with the stipend, as well.

15:59:01 >> I will try to answer it this way. If I don't answer the question, please 

provide some clarification. Two of our programs, the Foster Grandparent and the 

Senior Companion Program provide a small stipend.

15:59:27 That amount is provided, depending on how the agency's structure is. It 

could receive a stipend once a week or twice a week, once every two weeks or 

once a month. It just depends on how the sponsoring organization's payroll is set 

up and handled.

15:59:48 It's not a salary, and a little bit of money to kind of help with some of the 

cost of volunteering.

15:59:48 People can use it to pay for gas to get to the service location or things 

like that.

15:59:55 Is that what the question is pertaining to, what we mean by paid 

volunteers?

16:00:17 >> Does no political activity mean you cannot interact with state 

legislatures or politics that interact with older people?

16:00:38 >> That means you can't do lobbying or legislative action. Of course, 

you can invite your elected officials to visit your program. Educate them about the 

great work and services being provided is one of the things we encourage and 

love to see happen.

16:01:00 The political advocated for a particular candidate or trying to engage in 

something to encourage folks to vote on a specific bill, those are the types of 

political activities that are not allowed to be using our federal dollars.

16:01:18 >> A similar question, this is about religious programming. I understand 

requirement that no funds can be used for religious activities, but that does not 

prevent us from having religion in our organizations?

16:01:29 As long as it is not on the grant time and effort. Whatever occurs 

outside of the grant time is your own personal business and the business of the 

organization.
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16:02:03 The religious part speaks to requiring volunteers to participate in prayer 

service, for example. Or requiring volunteers to subscribe to a particular religious 

belief.

16:02:03 That is what we mean by religious activities.

16:02:22 >> The next one is if an organization is already receiving ARP funding 

through a different source, i.e. government agencies, are we still eligible to 

apply?

16:02:31 >> Yes. As long as it's not funding from AmeriCorps Seniors.

16:02:35 >> Just a quick reminder for those who are putting the questions in the 

chat, if you can use the Q&A feature, it helps us keep track of the questions 

easier.

16:02:43 >> What is the maximum number of senior volunteers one organization 

can apply for?

16:02:51 >> There is not a maximum number set.

16:03:15 >> Are there any questions specific to the design of an SDP program? 

A lot of these questions are related to the ARP notice, which we will go into detail 

about tomorrow.

16:03:21 Are there any general questions about the SDP program?

16:03:41 >> I am looking through a couple of the general questions. A couple 

questions about stipends that we already answered.

16:03:58 I have a question that says we received an RSVP and SDP grant in 

2020 that is currently in operation.

16:04:03 I want to confirm that means we are not eligible for this SDP funding 

opportunity.

16:04:21 That would be the ARP funding opportunity, and that is correct. If you 

currently have a grant with us, then the opportunity to apply for the ARP funding 

was earlier this year.

16:04:35 So this third round of funding that we have now is for folks who don't 

currently have an operating grant with us or people who are brand new to our 

agency.
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16:04:57 >> There's a question about can you apply if you are a nonprofit. You 

have to be a nonprofit.

16:05:12 >> We have a question asking to clarify eligibility for those of you that 

already have a program, why they -- have a senior -- as well.

16:05:40 >> Under the ARP Senior demonstration project. Our intent is to bring 

on new funding. The second opportunity, Phase 2 for American Rescue Plan was 

open to current grantees.

16:05:57 That opportunity has closed. This third round --

16:06:34 >> Linda, I think we lost your audio. I think we temporarily lost Linda on 

the audio.

16:06:43 We will keep a record of the questions. Linda, are you there?

16:06:43 >> Can you hear me?

16:07:05 >> Yes. My internet glitched for a moment. For current grantees that 

are looking to do something specific to COVID, it's worth it to have a 

conversation with your Portfolio Manager.

16:07:11 The funding opportunity that exists right now is only for organizations 

that do not currently have a grant with us.

16:07:24 >> There is a question about how we can find out if there are any 

AmeriCorps programs running in our area.

16:07:48 >> There is a Path finder on our website. If you go to our AmeriCorps 

website, there is a link there to Path finder, which will list all of our areas where 

we have existing programs.

16:08:08 We also have on our general organization section, there is a press 

release section where we have previous practice announcements for grants that 

were awarded.

16:08:13 And organizations that received those awards are listed there, as well.

16:08:19 >> Any other questions that we can respond to today?

16:08:47 I do want to say, if there are specific questions to the NOFO, 

tomorrow's session, we have a lot of folks that are registered, I think I saw over 
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300 people registered for tomorrow's session, that is the place to be if you have 

specific questions related to the Notice.

16:08:57 I will not be able to readdress those types of questions right now. That 

is for tomorrow. This session will also be repeated, I think sometime in January.

16:09:10 If you go to our website, it lists the second round of a lot of the sessions 

that will be made available for folks to sign up for at a later date, as well.

16:09:26 Linda, if you can reiterate where you can -- the priority areas?

16:09:34 >> Any priority areas will be listed in our Notice of Funding Opportunity,

or NOFO.

16:09:45 If you go to our website, there is a tab that is for partnering 

organizations, if you scroll down a little bit, it lists all of the funding opportunities.

16:10:05 Every funding opportunity that we ever do, it will always list a priority 

area and always list priorities for things we are interested in taking a look at.

16:10:09 That is where you get all that information. That is across the board for 

anything that is funded by AmeriCorps.

16:10:22 If you're interested in looking at VISTA or other types of grantmaking 

programs that we have, you can find out their priorities there, as well.

16:10:52 >> Looking through some of the questions. This is for eligibility. We 

received an RSVP grant that is currently in operation. I want to confirm we are 

not eligible for this SDP funding opportunity?

16:10:57 >> You are not eligible for the ARP Senior Demonstration opportunity.

16:11:11 >> If you can one more time clarify about the Appendix A. If you are 

not listed, what does that mean in terms of the ability to apply?

16:11:31 >> The notice indicates that you can apply for any area, anywhere in 

the United States that you are looking to address a community need that has 

been a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

16:11:45 Appendix A lists areas where, looking at census data and other stuff, 

we have identified as high poverty areas that we would like to see programming 

directed towards.
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16:11:57 You can either apply for one of those areas that is listed on appendix A, 

or you can apply for anywhere in the United States.

16:12:28 >> Like I said, this is a little different from other types of funding 

opportunities. Like for example, for FGP or -- what is listed on Appendix A is what 

you have to apply for. However, with this, ARP funding, we know that 

communities across the country have suffered as a result of this pandemic.

16:12:50 We want to give every opportunity for those communities to have their 

needs addressed. So, that is the reason why it is open for anywhere in the 

country, but at the same time, we know there are high poverty areas that have 

suffered greatly that we don't have programs in.

16:13:02 We want folks to take a look at that. I just saw a question pop up that 

says where is Appendix A?

16:13:21 When you go for funding opportunity, there are links that are listed for 

the NOFO. There is a link for Appendix A and there is also a link to the Appendix 

B, which talks about specific performance measures that we are directing folks to 

use.

16:13:35 >> Which AmeriCorps grants can be applied for that do not require a 

match?

16:13:52 >> I don't know if I can answer that. All of our grants for AmeriCorps 

Seniors, there is a match requirement. You can take a look of our funding 

opportunity page to see what is going on with VISTA or AmeriCorps State and 

National.

16:14:13 >> A lot of things will be covered in the webinar tomorrow. We can 

save those and hopefully you can attend the webinar for tomorrow and that 

should cover a lot of the questions.

16:14:25 Match can be in cash or in-kind.

16:14:42 >> A couple of people are asking for examples of programs. Like a 

general SDP program, what it may look like.
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16:15:23 >> Just in general, let me see if I can think of one. We have a program 

that uses senior volunteers to connect them with food insecurity issues, 

connecting them with food banks.

16:15:23 Connecting with the SNAP program, and so forth.

16:15:41 But also connecting them with resources around job opportunities and 

workforce development. That is one example of a Senior Demonstration 

Program.

16:16:06 It sounds very different from our traditional program. Where Foster 

Grandparents, we have some that were working in schools with children who 

need assistance, and they are only working with those kids.

16:16:15 With the SDP program, they are able to branch out a little bit more and 

impact children, their families, and the community in a more broader way.

16:16:19 That is one example.

16:16:27 >> What are the regulations around non-US citizens serving as your 

volunteers or benefiting from the programming?

16:16:49 >> You have to be a US citizen or a permanent resident in order to be 

able to benefit from our programs, to receive a stipend, or to receive an 

education award, if you are serving in a program that offers that.

16:16:59 >> Does participation in AARP program --

16:17:01 >> I'm sorry,

16:17:10 >> Does participation in AARP program limit participation in 

AmeriCorps programs?

16:17:21 >> No. If the question is can you get multiple types of grants from our 

agency, the answer is yes, you can.

16:17:30 I saw a question pop up about a location that was not listed Appendix A 

in Massachusetts.

16:17:38 There is nothing that would prohibit you or stop you from applying with 

the community that is not listed on Appendix A.

16:17:49 I don't want folks to think that just because you do not see it on there, 

that means we are not interested in that location or that area.
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16:18:05 Again, you can apply anywhere in the country. What is listed on 

Appendix A are areas in communities that we know that have been identified by 

census reports as high poverty areas.

16:18:23 We are also looking for communities where there are Native American

communities and Tribes, as well as we have very few programs that are serving 

and operating in the US territories.

16:18:28 That is why those areas are listed on Appendix A.

16:18:43 >> Can you clarify, there has been a few questions about volunteers 

that are 55 and over. Can you talk about that eligibility?

16:18:50 >> As long as they are over 55, they are available to serve in our 

AmeriCorps Seniors programs.

16:19:15 >> Several questions asking if these are federal grants with federal 

guidelines for accountability.

16:19:26 >> Yes, AmeriCorps is a federal agency, so you bet we will have 

federal requirements, federal reporting, expectations.

16:20:06 >> We have RSVP programs and nonprofit and definitely have low 

income and COVID restrictions in our areas. Are we -- this is a question about, if 

they already have a AmeriCorps Seniors program, can they apply even though 

they have low income and COVID issues in their area?

16:20:06 Again, this program is intended for organizations that do not have a 

current grant with us.

16:20:28 We had two other opportunities for existing grantees to apply for ARP 

funding, and those two opportunities are now closed. Again, this third opportunity 

is for organizations that do not have a current grant with AmeriCorps Seniors.

16:20:39 >> Are there prerequisites to operate a senior volunteer program 

previously?

16:21:08 >> Prerequisites. I think in general, all of our programs have systems 

or standard operating procedures to run the program. They have staff who can 

serve as the director and make sure that the objectives that were articulated in 

the grant applications, that those are met and carried out.
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16:21:23 There are, just as with any federal grant, there are financial obligations 

or requirements that you have to meet.

16:21:35 We do a check to make sure that the person who is running the 

program is not on an exclusion parties list.

16:21:59 I'm trying to think of all of the ways to answer that question. There are 

requirements because this is federal money, and because this is, there are 

specific requirements that we expect our grantees to be able to address and be 

able to produce.

16:22:12 I am sure many nonprofits and many of you on the phone do have 

standard operating procedures for staff members in place.

16:22:21 If you have that, I think this opportunity to apply should be of interest to 

you.

16:22:32 I just saw a question that popped up about the minimum amount.

16:22:36 The NOFO explains the minimum amount that we are looking at.

16:22:42 I don't recall the dollar amount. I think it's $100,000 or $150,000, it is in 

the Notice.

16:23:03 >> Can I expand on themes? This is a competitive grant process, so I 

am not allowed to answer any questions like that.

16:23:08 Don't want to give any unfair advantages.

16:23:22 >> A lot of questions that are coming in will be addressed hopefully 

with tomorrow's webinar that reviews the NOFO.

16:23:46 >> I hope this presentation has - some thoughts about the innovative 

ways that organizations and communities can use the Senior Demonstration 

Program in general.

16:24:04 It is an opportunity for organizations to go beyond some of the 

traditional requirements of our FGP, and an RSVP programming.

16:24:19 I encourage all of you, there is information on our website that goes into 

some examples about Senior Demonstration Programs.

16:24:19 I encourage you to take a look at our website and learn more about the 

programs.
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16:24:36 Learn more about our traditional programs. I hope you learned 

something about our agency and the programs that we support.

16:24:57 >> As a quick note, on the same website that we posted that lists the 

resources and everything for the program, there is a FAQ document that we are 

updating frequently.

16:25:04 I think I will post that link into the main - will have access to it.

16:25:32 >> And as I am looking to the same link, that will be where the 

recording will be. As they are made available that will be posted to the website to 

the link that I just added to the chat box.

16:26:03 There are still a lot of questions about who can apply. Again, Linda did 

a really good job explaining Appendix A and what that means for eligibility.

16:26:13 Thank you for explaining that. Some are concerned if the organization 

is not listed in Appendix A, what that may mean.

16:26:32 Any other questions that you see before we end our time here?

16:26:38 >> How can our organization become an RSVP agency?

16:27:03 Our RSVP programs have service locations where their volunteers are 

serving, so many of them reach out to organizations and partners in their 

communities to place an RSVP volunteer.

16:27:30 If there is an RSVP grants in your community that you can identify by 

looking on our website, you can reach out to that grantee to inquire about 

becoming a placement site, or the organization can apply for an RSVP grant.

16:27:39 Next competition for RSVP will not be until 2025. That is when our next 

round for RSVP grants will be made available.

16:27:57 If we registered for today, do we have to register for each of the 

sessions? Each session has a different link so in order to see or hear tomorrows,

you have to register for that particular session.

16:28:21 >> It's asking if we can speak a bit about the difference between 

AmeriCorps Seniors and other levels of AmeriCorps service. Is the program 

functionally the same? That volunteers have to be over 55?
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16:28:32 >> You mean in how is AmeriCorps Seniors different from AmeriCorps 

State and National or AmeriCorps NCCC?

16:28:44 >> Just the difference between AmeriCorps Seniors and other 

AmeriCorps service.

16:28:57 >> With AmeriCorps State and National, anyone can serve. However, 

a lot of the programs they are traditionally younger volunteers. They are not 

volunteers, they are members. They receive a living allowance while they are 

serving.

16:29:20 They are serving full-time or part-time in a full-time or part-time 

capacity. With AmeriCorps Seniors, all of our volunteers are over the age of 55. 

There is training and support, specifically for volunteers over the age of 55.

16:29:45 I guess that is the biggest difference there. Also, the senior volunteers 

are not serving in a full-time capacity, the way that AmeriCorps State and 

National or NCCC members are volunteering.

16:29:53 >> There is a quest to clarify what volunteer stations mean.

16:30:09 >> Volunteer stations are the locations where the volunteers show up 

to serve. For example, a soup kitchen or middle school, or elementary school. 

Volunteers stations and service locations are used interchangeably.

16:30:20 It is the place that volunteers are serving or placed.

16:30:31 >> There’s a couple questions asking about who provides volunteers. 

Is there help with recruiting volunteers?

16:30:50 >> The programs do a lot of recruitment on the local level. The help 

that is provided from our agency is in the form of marketing materials that folks 

can use.

16:31:01 The organization that receives the grants and placement locations are 

largely responsible for recruiting their volunteers.

16:31:45 Can we utilize chaperones on the school bus?

16:32:12 >> With an RSVP program, that is something that you potentially do. 

But with the standard programming, that is not something that occurs. However, 
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you might want to before you come up with that program design, reach out to the 

school system.

16:32:18 I am aware a lot of the schools have liability requirements for volunteers 

that are serving on their buses.

16:32:36 As an idea for an SDP program, that certainly would fit in.

16:32:43 >> There's a couple questions about minimal number of volunteers. Is 

there a minimal number of volunteers for programs?

16:32:51 >> No, there is not a minimum or maximum.

16:33:15 >> I really appreciate everyone's participation in and the questions that 

have come in. Our goal today was to really talk about Senior Demonstration 

Program and highlight ways that we are using that and ways that is connected to 

ARP funding.

16:33:20 I really hope the session has answered any questions as it relates to 

that.

16:33:38 The focus of tomorrow's session will be on the NOFO for the ARP 

funding. I hope if you still have questions about that that, you register for that 

session.

16:33:42 I hope everyone enjoys the rest of the day.

16:33:45 >> Thank you very much.