1

Appendix B: AmeriCorps Seniors 

RSVP Performance Measure 

Instructions

References and Authorities Definitions, Suggestions regarding Data Collection, and 

Additional Notes

Last Updated: September 2021

This document explains specific performance measure instructions for the AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP 

program. It contains the menu of available service activities and output and outcome measures, with 

additional information on how to use each of them. This document should be used in tandem with the 

Notice of Funding Opportunity or Invitation to Apply.

Contents

Contents ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 1

AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Performance Measure Requirements...................................................................................................... 3

Measured in Unduplicated Volunteers*................................................................................................................................................ 3

Complete List of AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP National Performance Measures............................................................................... 4

Capacity Building ...............................................................................................................................................4

Focus Area: Disaster Services ............................................................................................................................4

Focus Area: Economic Opportunity .................................................................................................................5

Focus Area: Education.......................................................................................................................................6

Focus Area: Environmental Stewardship..........................................................................................................7

Focus Area: Healthy Futures..............................................................................................................................7

Focus Area: Veterans and Military Families .....................................................................................................8

Other Community Priorities..............................................................................................................................10

Capacity Building .............................................................................................................................................10

Capacity Building notes: ..............................................................................................................................10

Disaster Services Focus Area ...........................................................................................................................12

Focus Area Notes: .........................................................................................................................................12

Economic Opportunity Focus Area................................................................................................................13

Focus Area Notes: .........................................................................................................................................13

Education Focus Area......................................................................................................................................15

Focus Area Notes: .........................................................................................................................................15

Environmental Stewardship Focus Area.........................................................................................................17

Focus Area Notes: .........................................................................................................................................17

Healthy Futures Focus Area .............................................................................................................................20

Focus Area Notes: .........................................................................................................................................20

Veterans and Military Families Focus Area ....................................................................................................23
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Focus Area Notes: .........................................................................................................................................23

Other Community Priorities..............................................................................................................................24

Notes:..............................................................................................................................................................24

Change Log ......................................................................................................................................................25

Independent Living Performance Measure Survey ........................................................................................................................... 26

Respite Performance Measure Survey ................................................................................................................................................. 28
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AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Performance Measure Requirements

Measured in Unduplicated Volunteers*

1. Primary Focus Area: AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP programs are required to declare one of the 

six AmeriCorps priority focus areas as a primary focus area for the grant award. 

AmeriCorps’s six focus areas are: Disaster Services, Economic Opportunity, Education, 

Environmental Stewardship, Healthy Futures, and Veterans and Military Families.

2. Work Plans: All unduplicated volunteers* must be placed in work plans. Work plans must 

meet the maximum cost per unduplicated volunteer in outcome assignments requirement 

below. Work plans may include some combination of national performance measures and 

other communitypriorities.

3. National Performance Measures. Every national performance measure output must be

paired with a single outcome. For each work plan, applicants must select one output and 

one of the associated outcomes. While beneficiaries may receive benefits associated with 

more than one available outcome, select only one outcome for each beneficiary served. 

“Other Community Priorities” work plans are not considered national performance 

measures.

4. Other Community Priorities. A work plan consisting of “Other Community Priorities” may be 

created by the grantee to address community activities not captured in national 

performancemeasures.

5. Unduplicated Volunteers: Each volunteer can only be counted once even if they are 

assigned to more than one service activity. The volunteer should be counted in the area

where he/she will make the most impact – in terms of the focus area, the type of service, or

the scope of service (such as the greatest number of hoursserved).

6. Maximum Cost per Unduplicated Volunteer in Outcome Assignments. For every$1,000 in 

annual base federal funding, at least one unduplicated volunteer* must be placed in work 

plans that result in national performance measure outcomes.

7. Rounding Unduplicated Volunteers in Outcome Assignments. Common arithmetic rules

should be used to determine how to round unduplicated volunteers in outcome-based work

plans. Grantees should round to the nearest whole number. For example, an AmeriCorps 

Seniors RSVP grantee with $56,400 in federal funding would require 56.4 unduplicated 

volunteers in work plans that result in national performance measure outcomes. Since 56.4 is

less than 56.5, this would be rounded down to 56 unduplicated volunteers in work plans that

result in national performance measure outcomes. In contrast, a grantee with $56,900 in 

federal funding (56.9 volunteers in outcome-based work plans) would round up and require 

57 unduplicated volunteers in work plans that result in national performance measure

outcomes.

8. COVID-19 Performance Measure Resources: 

• AmeriCorps Seniors Performance Measures- COVID 

• AmeriCorps Seniors Pandemic Recovery: A Pathway Forward- Updated March 2021 
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Complete List of AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP National Performance Measures

These selection rules specify allowable output/outcome pairings for National Performance Measures. 

Applicants must follow these selection rules when using National Performance Measures. Applicants 

may not select any National Performance Measures that may appear in eGrants if they are not present 

on this list. Please see the NOFO for additional information about application requirements.

Applicants who experience issues finding the appropriate measures in the Performance 

Measure Module of eGrants, should ensure that the objectives of the measures they 

would like to use are marked in the “Objective” tab. Then, in the “Performance 

Measure” tab, that the “Other” category in “Select Category Title” is selected. More 

detailed instructions are included in Volume 1 of the AmeriCorps Seniors Grant 

Application Instructions.

Capacity Building

Objective Selection Rules Service Activity

Outputs Outcomes

Capacity 

Building 

& 

Leverage

G3-3.4: Number 

of organizations 

that received 

capacity 

building 

services

G3-3.10A: Number of 

organizations that increase 

their efficiency, effectiveness, 

and/or program reach

Volunteer 

management 

Training

Resource 

development 

Systems 

development 

Donations 

Management

G3-3.1A Number 

of Community 

volunteers 

recruited or 

managed

G3-3.16A: Dollar 

value of cash or inkind resources 

leveraged.

Focus Area: Disaster Services

Objective Selection Rules Service Activity

Outputs Outcomes

Assistan

ce 

Provided

D1A: Number 

of individuals 

served

D5: Number of individuals 

reporting increased disaster 

readiness

Disaster 

Preparation 

Disaster 

Response 

Disaster 

Recovery 

Disaster 

Mitigation

D6: Number of 

structures 

protected or 

restored

D7: Number of structures 

returned to regular use after 

a disaster

Disaster 

Preparation 

Disaster 

Response 

Disaster 

Recovery 
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Disaster 

Mitigation

EN4: Acres of parks 

or public land 

treated

EN4.1: Acres of parks or public 

land improved

Disaster 

Preparation 

Disaster 

Response 

Disaster 

Recovery 

Disaster 

Mitigation

EN5: Miles of trails 

or rivers treated.

EN5.1: Miles of trails or 

rivers improved

Disaster 

Preparation 

Disaster 

Response 

Disaster 

Recovery 

Disaster 

Mitigation

G3-3.4: Number of 

organizations that 

received capacity 

building services

G3-3.10A: Number of 

organizations that increase 

their efficiency, effectiveness, 

and/or program reach

Disaster 

Preparation 

Disaster 

Response 

Disaster 

Recovery 

Disaster 

Mitigation

Focus Area: Economic Opportunity

Objective Selection Rules Service Activity

Outputs Outcomes

Financial 

Literacy

O1A: Number 

of individuals 

served

O9: Number of individuals 

with improved financial 

knowledge

O19A Dollar value of tax 

returns generated

Financial Literacy 

Education Financial Fraud 

Prevention Tax 

Preparation

Housing O1A: Number 

of individuals 

served

O11: Number of individuals

transitioned into safe, 

healthy, affordable 

housing

Housing Unit 

Development Housing 

Unit Repair

Housing 

Placement/Assistance

O4: Number of 

housing

units 

developed or 

repaired

O20: Number of safe, healthy,

affordable housing units 

made available

Housing Unit 

Development Housing 

Unit Repair

Employment O1A: Number 

of individuals 

served

O10: Number of individuals 

who secure employment

O21: Number of individuals 

with improved job 

readiness

Job Training 

Job Placement 

GED Education

Other Adult Education
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Focus Area: Education

Objective Selection Rules Service Activity

Outputs Outcomes

School 

Readines

s

ED1A: Number 

of individuals 

served

ED23A: Number of 

children demonstrating 

gains in school readiness

Tutoring 

Mentoring

Other Classroom 

Support Out-of-School 

Time Family 

Involvement Service 

Learning Summer 

Learning Classroom 

Teaching

Social and Emotional 

Support

K-12 Success ED1A: Number 

of individuals 

served

ED5A: Number of students 

with improved academic 

performance

ED9: Number of students 

graduating from high school 

on time

ED10: Number of students 

enrolling in post-secondary 

education/training

ED27C: Number of students 

with improved academic 

engagement or socialemotional skills

ED6: Number of students 

with increased 

attendance

ED7A: Number of students 

with decreased disciplinary 

incidents (referrals, 

suspensions/expulsions, 

criminal or gang 

involvement)

Tutoring Mentoring

Other Classroom Support 

Out- of-School Time Family 

Involvement Service 

Learning Summer Learning 

Classroom Teaching 

Opioid/Drug Intervention

Post- HS 

Education 

Support

ED1A: Number 

of individuals 

served

ED11: Number of 

individuals earning a postsecondary degree or 

technical certification

Tutoring 

Mentoring

Family Involvement Service 

Learning Summer Learning
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Focus Area: Environmental Stewardship

Objective Selection Rules Service Activity

Output

s

Outcomes

At-Risk 

Ecosystems

EN4: Acres of 

parks or public 

land treated

EN4.1: Acres of parks or public 

land improved

Fire Mitigation 

Flood 

Mitigation

Invasive Species 

Removal Debris 

Removal

Plant Establishment

EN5: Miles of trails 

or rivers treated.

EN5.1: Miles of trails or 

rivers improved

Trail Creation 

Trail 

Remediation

Stream 

Remediation Fire 

Mitigation Flood 

Mitigation

Invasive Species 

Removal Debris 

Removal

Plant Establishment

Energy 

Efficiency

EN1: Number of 

housing units or 

public structures 

weatherizedor 

retrofitted to

improve

energy efficiency

EN1.1: Number of housing units 

or public structures with 

reduced energy consumption 

or reduced energy costs

Weatherization 

Retrofitting

Awareness 

& 

Stewardship

EN3: Number of 

individuals 

receiving 

education or 

training in 

environmental 

stewardship 

and/or 

environmentally 

conscious 

practice

EN3.1: Number of individuals 

with increased knowledge of 

environmental stewardship 

and/or environmentallyconscious practices

EN3.2 Number of individuals 

reporting a change in 

behavior or

intention to change 

behavior to better 

protect the environment

Education/Training 

Service Learning

Focus Area: Healthy Futures

Objective Selection Rules Service Activity

Outputs Outcomes

Aging in Place H4A: Number 

of individuals 

served

H9A: Number of individuals 

who report having increased 

social support or improved 

capacity for independent 

living

H14: Number of caregivers of 

older adults and individuals 

Companionship 

Nutrition/Food 

Support Legal 

Services 

Transportation

Medical Services 

Opioid/Drug 

Intervention Elder 
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with

disabilities who reported 

having increased social 

support

Justice: Fraud and 

Scam Prevention

Respite Services

Obesity & 

Food

H4A: Number 

of individuals 

served

H12: Number of individuals 

who report increased food 

security

H17: Number of individuals 

with increased health 

knowledge

H18: Number of individuals 

reporting a change in 

behavior or intent to change 

behavior to improve their 

health

H19: Number of individuals with 

improved health

Outreach 

Education/Training 

Referrals

Medical Services 

Nutrition/Food 

Support Physical 

Activities 

Counseling/Coachi

ng Opioid/Drug 

Intervention

Access to 

Care

H4A: Number 

of individuals 

served

H15A: Number of individuals 

with developmental 

disabilities receiving services 

that promote integration 

and inclusion (for legacy 

programming only)

H17: Number of individuals 

with increased health 

knowledge 

H18: Number of individuals 

reporting a change in 

behavior or intent to 

change behavior to 

improve their health 

H19: Number of individuals 

with improved health

H20: Number of individuals 

with improved access to 

medical care

Outreach 

Education/Training 

Referrals

Medical Services 

Counseling/Coa

ching 

Opioid/Drug 

Intervention 

Disability 

Inclusion

Focus Area: Veterans and Military Families

Objective Selection Rules Service Activity

Outputs Outcomes

Veterans & 

Families 

Served

V1: Number of 

veterans served

V7A: Number of 

active military 

members and/or 

military family 

members served

O9V: Number of 

individuals with 

improved financial 

knowledge

O11V: Number of 

individuals transitioned 

into safe/affordable 

Financial Literacy 

Education Housing Unit 

Development Housing 

Unit Repair

Housing 

Placement/Assistance 

Job Training

Job 
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V8: Number of 

veteran family 

members served

housing

O10V: Number of 

individuals who secure 

employment

O21V: Number of 

individuals with improved 

job readiness

ED11V: Number of 

individuals earning a postsecondary degree or 

technical certification

H9AV: Number of 

individuals who report 

having increased social 

support or improved 

capacity for independent 

living

H12V: Number of 

individuals who report 

increased food security

H14V: Number of 

caregivers of older adults 

and individuals with 

disabilities who reported 

having increased social 

support

H17V: Number of 

individuals with increased 

health knowledge

H18V: Number of 

individuals reporting a 

change in behavior or 

intent to change behavior 

to improve their health

H19V: Number of 

individuals with improved 

health

H20V: Number of 

individuals

with improved access to 

medical care

Placement 

GED 

Education

Other Adult 

Education Tutoring

Mentoring

Family Involvement 

Service Learning 

Summer Learning 

Companionship 

Nutrition/Food 

Support Legal 

Services 

Transportation 

Outreach

Referrals 

Medical 

Services

Nutrition/Food 

Support Physical 

Activities 

Counseling/Coachin

g Respite Services 

Opioid/Drug 

Intervention
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Other Community Priorities

Objective Selection Rules Service Activity

Outputs Outcomes

Other SC1: Grantee met their

target for community 

priority activity (Yes/No)

None N/A

Capacity Building

Capacity Building notes:

• These performance measures are intended to measure the impact of capacity building 

activities that leverage private investment in community solutions.

• Activities associated with these measures must meet the definition of capacity building

specified in the “key terms” definition under G3-3.4.

• These activities must be carried out by National Service Participants or by volunteers directly 

recruited and/or supported by National Service Participants.

• All individuals counted under these measures must be programbeneficiaries, not National 

Service Participants.

Applicants that select outputs G3-3.4, G3-3.1A, or G3-3.16A may select outcome measure G3-3.10A.

G3-3.4 (output) Number of organizations that received capacity building services

Definition of Key 

Terms

Organization: nonprofit or state/local/tribal government entity

Capacity building services: a set of activities that expand the scale, reach, 

efficiency, or effectiveness of programs and organizations. Capacity building 

activities may also leverage resources (e.g., funding, volunteers, in-kind 

support, or partnerships) for programs and/or organizations. As a general rule, 

AmeriCorps considers capacity building activities to be indirect services that 

enable organizations to provide more, better and sustained direct services.

Capacity building activities must (1) be intended to support or enhance the 

program delivery model, (2) respond to the organization’s goal of increasing, 

expanding or enhancing services in order to address pressing community 

needs, and (3) enable the organization to provide a sustained level of more 

or better direct services after the national service participant’s term of service 

has ended.

How to Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of organizations 

who have received services

G3-3.1A (output) G3-3.1A Number of Community volunteers recruited or managed.

Definition of 

Key Terms

Community Volunteers: Residents in the community who are recruited 

and/or managed by the AmeriCorps-supported organization or assigned 

national service participant(s) to offer time, knowledge, skills and 

expertise for free. Community volunteers differ from national service 

participants.

Recruited: Enlisted or enrolled as a direct result of an intention to do so.
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How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Only count community volunteers that were specifically recruited by the 

AmeriCorps- supported organization or the national service participated 

engaged in capacity building activity.

The organization must use some form of volunteer management system, 

having processes or capabilities that allow them to track information 

about individual volunteers.

NOTE: National service participants may not recruit volunteers to do 

activities that they themselves are prohibited from doing, including by 

not limited to managing the

AmeriCorps- supported projects/grants or community organizing intended to 

promote advocacy.

G3-3.16A 

(output)

G3-3.16A: Dollar value of cash or in-kind resources leveraged.

Definition of 

Key Terms

Cash resources: Cash, check, or other monetary gift

In-Kind resources: Non-cash contributions, including donated goods or 

services, expert advice, equipment or property.

Leverage: To garner additional resources or assets through capacity building

activities (such as funding, volunteers, in-kind support, and partnerships.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Only cash and in-kind resources raised specifically as a result of capacity 

building activities provided by the AmeriCorps-supported organization or 

assigned national service participant(s) engaged in capacity building 

activity intended to support or enhance the program delivery model may 

be counted.

The organization must keep administrative records or other information 

management

systems that enable them to track and verify the origin, intent, and 

other transactional information on commitments and contributions of 

resources.

G3-3.10A

(outcome)

Number of organizations that increased their effectiveness, efficiency, 

and/or program scale/reach

Definition 

of Key 

Terms

Organizations: those counted in G3-3.4

Effectiveness: Improved ability of the organization to achieve outcomes 

resulting in better success rates or better quality of outcomes achieved

Efficiency: Improved outcomes with the same level of resources; 

improved or consistent quality of services with fewer resources

Scale/Reach: The scope of a program’s services. Increased scale/reach can 

be measured by the number of new people served, new populations 

served, and/ or new or expanded services.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Organizational assessment tool or other instrument capable of measuring 

changes in

effectiveness, efficiency, or scale/reach at the organization level. When 

possible, pre-post assessments should be utilized.
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Disaster Services Focus Area

Focus Area Notes:

• These performance measures are intended to measure the impact of activities that help

individuals and communities prepare, respond, recover, and mitigate disasters, and increase

community resiliency.

• For EN4, EN4.1, EN5, EN5.1 See Environmental Stewardship Section

• For G3-3.4, G3-3.10A See Capacity Building Section

• These activities must be carried out by National Service Participants or by volunteers directly

recruited and/or supported by National Service Participants.

• All individuals counted under these measures must be programbeneficiaries, not National 

Service Participants.

Applicants that select output D1A may select outcome D5.

D1A (output) Number of individuals served

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: recipients of AmeriCorps-supported services 

related to disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and/or 

mitigation

Served: substantive engagement of individuals with a specific disasterrelated goal in mind. Cannot consist solely of mass dissemination of 

information such as email blasts, social

media posts, or distributing pamphlets.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of individuals 

who have received services

D5 (outcome) Number of individuals reporting increased disaster readiness

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: those reported in measure D1A

Disaster readiness: measures taken to prepare for and reduce the effects of 

future disasters

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Survey, interview, or other instrument capable of measuring changes in 

disaster readiness at the individual beneficiary level. When possible, pre-post 

assessments should be utilized.

Applicants that select output D6 may select outcome D7.

D6 (output) Number of structures protected or restored

Definition of 

Key Terms

Structures: housing units or public facilities

Protected: prepared to more effectively withstand future disasters

Restored: repaired from damage sustained during a disaster

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of structures that 

received services
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D7 (outcome) Number of structures returned to regular use after a disaster

Definition of Key 

Terms

Structures: those reported in measure D6

Returned to regular use: able to be used for the same or similar purpose for which 

they were used prior to the disaster

How to Measure/ 

Collect Data

Report from structure owner/manager/occupant, or other instrument capable of 

measuring changes in condition at the individual structure level.

Economic Opportunity Focus Area

Focus Area Notes:

• These performance measures are intended to measure the impact of activities that support

and/or facilitate access to services and resources that contribute to the improved economic 

well-being and security of economically disadvantaged people.

• These activities must be carried out by National Service Participants or by volunteers directly 

recruited and/or supported by National Service Participants.

• All individuals counted under these measures must be programbeneficiaries, not National 

Service Participants.

Applicants that select output O1A may select outcome O9, O19A, O11, O10, or O21.

O1A (output) Number of individuals served

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: recipients of AmeriCorps-supported services related 

to increasing economic opportunity

Served: substantive engagement of individuals with a specific goal in mind 

related to

economic opportunity. Cannot consist solely of mass dissemination of 

information such as email blasts, social media posts, or distributing 

pamphlets.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of individuals 

who have received services

O9 (outcome) Number of individuals with improved financial knowledge

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: those reported in measure O1A or V1, V7A, V8

Improved financial knowledge: increased knowledge/understanding of 

financial literacy topics such as credit management, financial institutions 

including banks and credit unions, and utilization of savings plans

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Survey, interview, or other instrument capable of measuring changes in 

financial knowledge at the individual beneficiary level. When possible, prepost assessments should be utilized.

O10 (outcome) Number of individuals who secure employment

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: those reported in measure O1A or V1, V7A, V8

Secure employment: individual is hired in a new job as a result of

AmeriCorps- supported services provided; individual may have been 

previously working in a different job or previously unemployed

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Preferred method is a copy of acceptance letter from employer or copy 

of first pay stub. Beneficiary self-reports may also be utilized.
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O11 (outcome) Number of individuals transitioned into safe, healthy, affordable housing

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: those reported in measure O1A or V1, V7A, V8

Safe, healthy, affordable housing: Grantee certifies that the housing is safe 

and healthy based on an inspection or other documentation. Grantee 

defines affordability and certifies that the housing is affordable to the 

individual(s) transitioned into the unit.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Preferred method is a proof of residence such as a lease, mortgage, 

certificate of occupancy, or other verification from an external agency. 

Beneficiary self-reports may also be utilized.

O19A 

(outcome)

O19A Dollar value of tax returns generated

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Only the dollar value of tax refunds generated specifically as a result of

assisting VITA or Tax Tutoring activities provided by AmeriCorps-supported 

organization or assigned national service participant(s) engaged in the 

service activity may be counted.

The organization must keep administrative records or other information 

management systems that enable them to track and verify the dollar 

value of tax refunds generated.

O21 (outcome) Number of individuals with improved job readiness

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: those reported in measure O1A or V1, V7A, V8

Improved job readiness: increased knowledge or skills related to seeking, 

obtaining, or successfully retaining a job.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Survey, interview, observation, or other instrument capable of measuring 

changes in job readiness at the individual beneficiary level. When possible, 

pre-post assessments should be utilized.

Applicants that select output O4 may select outcome O20.

O4 (output) Number of housing units developed or repaired

Definition of 

Key Terms

Housing unit: A single-family home (including a mobile home if 

permanently placed), an apartment, or a room in a group home for 

people with disabilities

Develop: Build new or substantially rehabilitate housing units that were 

uninhabitable or soon would have become so. Involves replacing major 

systems such as the roof, the plumbing, the wiring, the foundation, or 

elevating the unit as required by a flood plain standard.

Repair: A more modest level of physical work on the unit, such as 

weatherizing, painting, replacing appliances and removing safety hazards

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of the number of 

housing units that have received AmeriCorps-supported development or 

repair services

O20 (outcome) Number of safe, healthy, affordable housing units made available
15

Definition of 

Key Terms

Housing unit: those reported in measure O4

Safe, healthy, affordable housing unit: Grantee certifies that the housing 

unit is safe and healthy based on an inspection or other documentation. 

Grantee defines affordability and certifies that the housing unit is 

affordable.

Made available: This count indicates that the work has been completed 

to make the units available, but they may or may not have been 

occupied.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of the number 

of safe, healthy, affordable housing units that have been made 

available

Education Focus Area

Focus Area Notes:

• These performance measures are intended to measure the impact of activities that support and/or

facilitate access to services and resources that contribute to improved educational outcomes for 

economically disadvantaged people, especially children.

• These activities must be carried out by National Service Participants or by volunteers directly 

recruited and/or supported by National Service Participants.

• All individuals counted under these measures must be program beneficiaries, not National Service

Participants.

Applicants that select output ED1A may select outcome ED5A, ED6, ED7A, ED9, ED10, ED11, ED23A, or

ED27C.

ED1A (output) Number of individuals served

Definition of 

Key Terms

Individuals: recipients of AmeriCorps-supported services related to 

education; may include students enrolled in grades K-12, out-of-school 

youth, preschool age children, and/or individuals pursuing 

postsecondary education

Served: substantive engagement of individuals with a specific educationrelated goal in

mind. Cannot consist solely of mass dissemination of information such as 

email blasts, social media posts, or distributing pamphlets.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of individuals 

who have received services

ED5A (outcome) Number of students with improved academic performance

Definition of 

Key Terms

Students: those reported in ED1A

Improved academic performance: an improved demonstration of skill or 

knowledge in one or more academic subjects

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Standardized test, report card grade, or other instrument capable of 

measuring changes in

academic performance at the individual beneficiary level. When 

possible, pre-post assessments should be utilized.

ED6 (outcome) Number of students with increased school attendance

Definition of 

Key Terms

Students: those reported in ED1A

Increased school attendance: higher rate of presence and/or on-time 

arrival at school as compared to a previous comparable time period
16

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

School/district/classroom attendance records or other instrument 

capable of measuring changes in attendance at the individual 

beneficiary level

ED7A (outcome) Number of students with decreased disciplinary incidents (referrals, 

suspensions/expulsions, criminal or gang involvement)

Definition of 

Key Terms

Students: those reported in ED1A

Decreased disciplinary incidents: lower rate of incidents as compared 

to a previous comparable time period

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

School/district/classroom records, police records, or other instrument 

capable of measuring changes in disciplinary incidents at the individual 

beneficiary level

ED9 (outcome) Number of students graduating from high school on time with a diploma

Definition of 

Key Terms

Students: those reported in ED1A

On Time: Within four years of starting 9th grade

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Preferred method is school/district graduation records for student 

beneficiaries. Beneficiary self-reports may also be utilized.

ED10 (outcome) Number of students enrolling in post-secondary education or training

Definition of 

Key Terms

Students: those reported in ED1A

Post-secondary education or training may include two- or four-year 

college programs or occupational/vocational programs

Enrolling: means matriculating as a full-time or part-time student

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Preferred method is registration records that confirm student enrollments. 

Beneficiary self- reports may also be utilized.

ED11 (outcome) Number of students earning a post-secondary degree

Definition of 

Key Terms

Students: those reported in ED1A or V1, V7A, V8

Degree: may include an associate degree from an accredited academic 

program or an occupational or vocational program; a bachelor’s degree 

(ex., BA, BS); a master’s degree (ex.: MA, MS, MEng, MEd, MSW); a 

professional school degree (ex.: MD, DDS, DVM); or a doctorate degree (ex.: 

PhD, EdD)

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Preferred method is registration records that confirm degree was earned. 

Beneficiary self- reports may also be utilized.

Notes Programs may only select this measure if they are able to collect data 

during a one-year grant period.

ED23A 

(outcome)

Number of children demonstrating gains in school readiness

Definition of 

Key Terms

Children: those reported in ED1A

School readiness: Preparation for Kindergarten which includes multiple 

indicators assessed across developmental and behavioral domains 

including but not limited to physical well- being, health and motor 

development, social and emotional development, approaches to

learning, language development, cognitive development, and ageappropriate academic skills and behavior.
17

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect 

Data

Teacher observation, standardized test, or other instrument capable of 

measuring changes in school readiness at the individual beneficiary level. 

When possible, pre-post assessments should be utilized.

ED27C 

(outcome)

Number of students with improved academic engagement or social and 

emotional skills

Definition 

of Key 

Terms

Students: those reported in ED1A

Improved academic engagement or social and emotional skills: A positive 

change in student skills, attitude, and/or mindset that is likely to contribute 

to increased educational success. May include increased interest in 

school, improved perspective on school climate, increased attachment to 

school, and/or increased educational aspirations.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Survey, observation, or other instrument capable of measuring 

changes in academic engagement or social and emotional skills at 

the individual beneficiary level. When possible, pre-post assessments 

should be utilized.

Notes Academic or behavioral improvements counted under ED5A, ED6, or 

ED7A cannot be counted under this measure

Environmental Stewardship Focus Area

Focus Area Notes:

• These performance measures are intended to measure the impact of activities that provide direct 

services that contribute to increased energy and water efficiency, renewable energy use, or improving 

at-risk ecosystems, and support increased citizen behavioral change leading to increased efficiency, 

renewable energy use, and ecosystem improvements particularly for economically disadvantaged 

households and economically disadvantaged communities.

• These activities must be carried out by National Service Participants or by volunteers directly 

recruited and/or supported by National Service Participants.

• AmeriCorps encourages grantees to perform service with the greatest impact versus providing minimal

impact to the highest number of acres/miles/individuals

Applicants that select output EN1 may select outcome EN1.1.

EN1 (output) Number of housing units or public structures weatherized or retrofitted to 

improve energy efficiency

Definition 

of Key 

Terms

Housing unit: a single-family home (including a mobile home if 

permanently placed), an apartment, or a room in a group home for 

people with disabilities

Public structure: Shelter, such as homeless shelter or emergency shelter 

operated by a nonprofit or government organization; governmentowned building

Weatherization: Modifying a building to reduce energy consumption and 

costs and optimize energy efficiency. Whole-house weatherization includes 

the installation of modern energy-saving heating and cooling equipment 

and looks at how the house performs as a system.

Retrofit: An energy conservation measure applied to an existing building 

or the action of improving the thermal performance or maintenance of a 

building.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of 

units/structures that have received services
18

EN1.1 

(outcome)

Number of housing units or public structures with reduced energy 

consumption or reduced energy costs

Definition of 

Key Terms

Housing units or public structures: those reported in EN1

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Utility bill/statement, computer modeling, resident survey, or other instrument 

capable of

measuring changes in energy consumption or energy costs at the 

individual unit/structure level. When possible, pre-post assessments should 

be utilized.

Applicants that select output EN3 may select outcome EN3.1 or EN 3.2.

EN3 (output) Number of individuals receiving education or training in environmental 

stewardship and/or environmentally-conscious practices

Definition 

of Key 

Terms

Environmental Stewardship and/or environmentally conscious practices: 

Organized efforts to teach about how natural environments function 

and, particularly, how human beings can manage their behavior and 

choices in order to live sustainably within those environments.

Education or training: substantive engagement of individuals with a 

specific education goal in mind. Cannot consist solely of mass 

dissemination of information such as email blasts, social media posts, or 

distributing pamphlets.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect 

Data

Tracking Mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of 

individuals that have received services

EN3.1 

(outcome)

Number of individuals with increased knowledge of environmental 

stewardship and/or environmentally-conscious practices

Definition 

of Key 

Terms

Individuals: those reported in EN3

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Survey, test, or other instrument capable of measuring changes in 

knowledge at the individual beneficiary level. When possible, pre-post 

assessments should be utilized.

EN3.2 

(outcome)

Number of individuals reporting a change in behavior or the intent to 

change behavior to better protect the environment

Definition 

of Key 

Terms

Individuals: those reported in EN3

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Survey, interview, or other instrument capable of measuring changes in 

behavior at the individual beneficiary level. When possible, pre-post 

assessments should be utilized.

Applicants that select output EN4 may select outcomeEN4.1.

EN4 (output) Number of acres of public parks or other public and tribal lands that are 

treated
19

Definition 

of Key 

Terms

Public parks: Park/recreation areas that are designated by national, 

state, city, or county governments (not trails or rivers; see EN5)

Other public lands: Other publicly owned lands; land owned by nonprofits 

for public use or the public good (such as land conservancies): and public 

easements

Tribal lands: Same meaning as imparted by the definitions of “Indian 

Lands” and “Indian Tribes” provided in. SEC. 101. [42 U.S.C. 12511]

Treated: Removal of invasive species, planting native plants, building 

riparian buffers, clearing of natural debris (such as fallen trees/limbs, 

hazardous fuel) and unnatural debris (such as disaster debris and 

improperly disposed waste). Treatment must go beyond basic

trash removal.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of acres of land 

that have received services

EN4.1 

(outcome)

Number of acres of public parks or other public and tribal lands that are 

improved

Definition 

of Key 

Terms

Acres of public parks or other public and tribal lands: those reported in EN4

Improved: Renovated to reduce human impact or the negative impact of 

natural disasters or invasive species, restored native plants and habitat, 

reduced erosion, protected watersheds, reduced wildfire risk, upgraded or 

repaired outdoor recreation facilities or signage, increased

public safe access, protected flora and fauna. Improvement should be 

consistent with an accepted natural resource restoration, maintenance 

or improvement plan.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Land manager assessment or other instrument capable of measuring 

changes in land condition at the scale of individual acres. When possible, 

pre-post assessments should be utilized.

Applicants that select output EN5 may select outcomeEN5.1.

EN5 (output) Number of miles of public trails or waterways that are treated and/or 

constructed

Definition of Key 

Terms

Public trails or waterways: owned/maintained by national, state, county, 

city or tribal governments; nonprofits when for public use or the public 

good; and public easements Treated: Removal of invasive species, planting 

native plants, building riparian buffers, improving tread/corridor of existing 

trail or making changes to increase the trail lifespan, implementing safety 

measures, removal of unsafe trail structures, repair of damage caused by 

visitor use, changes to increase accessibility, clearing of natural debris (such 

as fallen trees/limbs and hazardous fuel) and unnatural debris (such as 

disaster debris and improperly disposed waste). Treatments must go beyond 

basic trash removal.

Constructed: Activities designed to make trails newly available such as 

adding

handicapped accessibility, building boardwalks, trail-blazing, converting a 

railroad bed to a trail, etc.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of miles of 

trail/waterway that have received services
20

EN5.1 

(outcome)

Number of miles of public trails or waterways that are improved and/or put 

into use

Definition 

of Key 

Terms

Miles of public trails or waterways: those reported in EN5

Improved: Restored to reduce human impact or the negative impact of 

natural disasters or invasive species, restored native plants and habitat, 

reduced erosion, protected watersheds, increased safe condition or longterm sustainability of trails, increased accessibility, protected flora and 

fauna. Improvement should be consistent with an accepted natural 

resource restoration, maintenance or improvement plan.

Put into use: Established safe and useable trails that are now available for 

public access

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Land manager assessment or other instrument capable of measuring 

changes in trail or

waterway condition at the scale of individual miles. When possible, prepost assessments should be utilized.

Healthy Futures Focus Area

Focus Area Notes:

• These performance measures are intended to measure the impact of activities that meet health 

needs within communities including access to care, aging in place, and addressing childhood

obesity.

• These activities must be carried out by National Service Participants or by volunteers directly 

recruited and/or supported by National Service Participants.

• All individuals counted under these measures must be programbeneficiaries, not National 

Service Participants.

Applicants that select output H4A may select outcome H9A, H12, H14, H15A, H17, H18, H19, or H20.

H4A (output) Number of individuals served

Definition 

of Key 

Terms

Individuals: recipients of AmeriCorps-supported services related to 

improving health- related outcomes

Served: substantive engagement of individuals with a specific healthrelated goal in mind. Cannot consist solely of mass dissemination of 

information such as email blasts, social

media posts, or distributing pamphlets.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of individuals 

who have received services

H9A (outcome) Number of individuals who report having increase social support or 

improved capacity for independent living

Definition 

of Key 

Terms

Individuals: those reported in H4A or V1, V7A, V8

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Survey, interview, caseworker assessment, or other instrument capable of 

measuring changes in social support or perceived social support and/or 

independent living capacity at the individual beneficiary level. When 

possible, pre-post assessments should be utilized.

AmeriCorps is providing a mandatory survey instrument for the Senior 

Companion Program and recommends its use for AmeriCorps 

Seniors RSVP: AmeriCorps Independent Living Survey.
21

H12 (outcome) Number of individuals who report increased food security

Definition 

of Key 

Terms

Individuals: those reported in H4A or V1, V7A, V8

Food security: Access, at all times, to enough food for an active, healthy 

life. Food security includes at a minimum: (1) the ready availability of 

nutritionally adequate and safe foods, and (2) an assured ability to acquire 

acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways (that is,

without resorting to emergency food supplies, scavenging, stealing, 

or other coping strategies). [USDA]

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Survey, interview, caseworker assessment, or other instrument capable 

of measuring changes in food security at the individual beneficiary 

level. When possible, pre-post assessments should be utilized.

H14 (outcome) H14: Number of caregivers of older adults and individuals with disabilities 

who reported having increased social support

Definition of Key 

Terms

Individuals: those reported in H4A or V1, V7A, V8

Older Adults: Individual age 65 or older

Respite Services: Services that provide temporary relief from the stresses of 

caregiving by providing short term assistance to and adult who is the 

primary caregiver for another person.

Social ties/perceived social support: Relationships with other people and 

or the belief that these people will offer (or have offered) effective help 

during times of needs.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Programs should collect data for this measure from surveys, interview, 

caseworker assessment, or other instrument capable of measuring 

changes in food security at the individual beneficiary level. When 

possible, pre-post assessments should be utilized.

AmeriCorps is providing a mandatory survey instrument for both the 

AmeriCorps Seniors

Senior Companion Program and recommends its use for RSVP: AmeriCorps 

Seniors Respite Care Performance Measure Survey.

H15A (outcome) H15A Number of individuals with developmental disabilities receiving 

services that promote integration and inclusion

NOTE AmeriCorps Seniors applicants may only select this measure if they have 

historically supported programming in this area.

Definition 

of Key 

Terms

Individuals: those reported in H4A

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Survey, interview, caseworker assessment, or other instrument capable of 

measuring changes in social support or perceived social support and/or 

independent living capacity at

the individual beneficiary level. When possible, pre-post assessments should 

be utilized.
22

H17 (outcome) Number of individuals with increased health knowledge

Definition 

of Key 

Terms

Individuals: those reported in H4A or V1, V7A, V8

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Survey, test, or other instrument capable of measuring changes in 

knowledge at the individual beneficiary level. When possible, pre-post 

assessments should be utilized.

H18 (outcome) Number of individuals reporting a change in behavior or intent to 

change behavior to improve their health

Definition 

of Key 

Terms

Individuals: those reported in H4A or V1, V7A, V8

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Survey, interview, or other instrument capable of measuring changes in 

behavior at the individual beneficiary level. When possible, pre-post 

assessments should be utilized.

H19 (outcome) Number of individuals with improved health

Definition 

of Key 

Terms

Individuals: those reported in H4A or V1, V7A, V8

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

Assessment by a healthcare professional, survey, or other instrument capable 

of measuring

changes in health condition at the individual beneficiary level. When 

possible, pre-post assessments should be utilized.

H20 (outcome) Number of individuals with improved access to medical care

Definition of Key 

Terms

Individuals: those reported in H4A or V1, V7A, V8

How to Measure/ 

Collect Data

Survey, interview, caseworker assessment, or other instrument capable of measuring changes

is healthy care access at the individual beneficiary level. When possible, pre-post assessments 

should be utilized.
23

Veterans and Military Families Focus Area

Focus Area Notes:

• These performance measures are intended to measure the impact of activities that positively

impact the quality of life of veterans and improve military family strength.

• For information on O9V, O10V, O11V, O21V See Economic Opportunity.

• For information on ED11 see Education

• For information on H9AV, H12V, H14V, H17V, H18V, H19V, H20V See Healthy Futures

• These activities must be carried out by National Service Participants or by volunteers directly 

recruited and/or supported by National Service Participants.

• All individuals counted under these measures must be programbeneficiaries, not National 

Service Participants.

Applicants that select outputs V1, V7A, or V8 may select outcome O9V, O10V, O11V, O21V, 

ED11V, H9AV, H12V, H14V, H17V, H18V, H19V, or H20V.

V1 (output) Number of veterans served

Definition 

of Key 

Terms

Veteran: a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, 

and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other 

than dishonorable [Section 101 of Title 38, 23 United States Code]

Served: substantive engagement of individuals with specific outcome(s) in 

mind. Cannot

consist solely of mass dissemination of information such as email blasts, 

social media posts, or distributing pamphlets.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect 

Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of individuals 

who have received services

V7A (output) Number of active duty military service members and/or military family 

members served

Definition of

Key Terms

Active duty military service member: The term ‘‘active duty’’ means “full-time 

duty in the

active military service of the United States, including active duty or full-time 

training duty in the Reserve Component” [DOD Dictionary of Military and 

Associated Terms, April 2018]. AmeriCorps considers National Guard 

members and reservists and wounded warriors sub- groups of active duty 

military service members for the purposes of grant applications and 

performance measure reporting.

Military family member: Immediate family member related by blood, 

marriage, or adoption to a current member of the U.S. armed forces 

including one who is deceased.

Served: substantive engagement of individuals with specific outcome(s) in 

mind. Cannot consist solely of mass dissemination of information such as 

email blasts, social media posts, or distributing pamphlets.

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect 

Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of individuals 

who have received services
24

V8 (output) Number of veteran family members served

Definition of Key 

Terms

Veteran: a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was 

discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable [Section 101 of 

Title 38, 23 United States Code]

Veteran family member: Immediate family member related by blood, marriage, or adoption 

to a veteran, including one who is deceased.

Served: substantive engagement of individuals with specific outcome(s) in mind. Cannot 

consist solely of mass dissemination of information such as email blasts, social media posts,

or distributing pamphlets.

How to Measure/ 

Collect Data

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of individuals who have received 

services

Other Community Priorities

Notes:

• Community Priority Service Activities ensure that AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP programs can 

continue to engage in appropriate service activities that may not necessarily lead to national

performance measures outcomes but do support the intent of the authorizing legislation.

• This work plan is designed to ensure that an activity supported by appropriated funds is

represented in the grant application while minimizing data collection burden.

• These activities must be carried out by National Service Participants or by volunteers directly 

recruited and/or supported by National Service Participants.

• All individuals counted under these measures must be programbeneficiaries, not National 

Service Participants.

SC1 (output) Yes/ No met all Applicant-Determined Community Priority Service Activity 

Targets

Definition 

of Key 

Terms

Community Priority Service Activity:

1. Service activity conducted by RSVP volunteers that may not 

necessarily lead to national performance measures but:

a. Provides opportunities for senior service to meet unmet 

local andstate needs;

b. Empowers people 55 years of age or older to contribute to 

their communities through service, enhance the lives of 

those who serve and those whom they serve, and provide 

communities with valuableservices; and

c. Provides opportunities for people 55 years of age or older 

to share their knowledge, experiences, abilities, and skills 

for the betterment of their communities and themselves.

2. Community priority service activities shall not include any prohibited

activities.

Applicant- Determined Community Priority Service Activity Targets: Target 

goals for Community Priority Service Activity that are identified by the 

program. Unlike national performance measure outputs, these targets are not 

reported to AmeriCorps. Instead,

grantees will report yes/no that they have achieved the target goals for all 

their Community Priority Service Activities.
25

Change Log

This table lists all changes made to this document since September 2018.

Date Change(s)

October 2018 • The Appendix now provides clarification on how grantees should 

properlyround unduplicated volunteers in National Performance 

Measure Work Plans.

• Minor edits were made to the Other Community Priority notes.

July 2019 • A few cosmetic updates were made to the document

• References to measure OA1 were corrected to read O1A

• Instructions on what to select, should performance measure 

options be missing in eGrants were added (pg. 3 )

• A link to the Senior Corps Independent Living and Respite Care 

Performance Measure Surveys were added to measures H9A and 

H14 (pg. 18-19)
26

Independent Living Performance Measure Survey

This 1st question is about how many hours of service that you 

may have received in the past 4 weeks from your AmeriCorps 

Seniors volunteer.

Tell us how many TOTAL HOURS in a typical week you received 

services. Here is an example of how Mrs. Jones would answer 

question #1:

Her AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer usually spends one hour on 

Monday with and two hours on Wednesday. Therefore, the total 

hours a week that she receives services is 3 hours a week.

Please turn the page for the questions 2-13

1. In a typical week, my AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer is 

with me for hours

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. We would like to 

know how the AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer who has been assisting you 

has affected your life.

All information will be kept confidential; please do not disclose your name. 

You may choose not to answer a question.
27

Because I Have a AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer ...

Strongly 

Disagree

Somewhat 

Disagree

Somewhat 

Agree

Strongly 

Agree

2) ... I feel less lonely.

3) ... I feel I have close ties to 

other people.

4) ... I am able to do the things I 

need to do.

5) ... I am able to do most 

things I want to do.

6) ... I am more satisfied with 

my life.

7) ... I can remain living in my 

own home.

8) ... I am able to get to the 

grocery store.

9) ... I am able to get to medical 

appointments.

10) ... I am able to take care of 

other necessary 

errands/appointments.

11) ... I am eating regularly 

scheduled meals.

12) Overall, I am satisfied with 

my AmeriCorps Seniors 

volunteer.

13) Overall, AmeriCorps 

Seniors Program has met my

expectations.
28

Respite Performance Measure Survey

This 1st question is about how many hours of respite service that you 

may have received in the past 4 weeks from your AmeriCorps Seniors 

volunteer.

Tell us how many TOTAL HOURS in a typical week you received 

respite services.

Here is an example of how Mrs. Jones would answer question #1:

Her AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer usually spends one hour on Monday 

with and two hours on Wednesday providing respite services. Therefore, 

the total hours a week that she receives respite services is 3 hours a 

week.

Please turn the page for the questions 2-12

1. In a typical week, my AmeriCorps Seniors 

volunteer is with me for hours of respite

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. We would like to 

know how the AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer who has been providing 

respite care you has affected your life (as the caregiver).

All information will be kept confidential; please do not disclose your name. 

You may choose not to answer a question.
29

Because I Have a AmeriCorps Seniors volunteer assisting with 

Respite Care ...

Strongly 

Disagree

Somewhat 

Disagree

Somewhat 

Agree

Strongly 

Agree

2) ... I feel less lonely.

3) ... I feel I have close ties to 

other people.

4) ... I am able to do the things I 

need to do.

5) ... I am able to do most 

things I want to do.

6) ... I am more satisfied with 

my life.

7) ... The person I care for is 

able to remain at home.

8) ... I am able to get short-term 

rest and relief.

9) ... I am able to find time to 

run errands.

10) ... I am able find time to 

attend to my personal and

health care needs.

11) Overall, I am satisfied with 

the Caregiver Respite

AmeriCorps Seniors 

volunteer.

12) Overall, AmeriCorps

Seniors program has met my 

expectations.