Appendix A.17- COVID-19 Tool Kit

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For all appendices, including editable versions of samples and templates, visit https://www.nationalservice.gov/operations-handbook-appendices.

Appendix A.17 – COVID-19 Tool Kit

The list below provides service activity recommendations to AmeriCorps Seniors grantees that they may consider as service programs restart as 

they manage their volunteer programs the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. These resources can serve as a guide as you consider new 

service activities for your program and make plans to reopen safely. AmeriCorps Seniors grantees must prepare and conduct an in-service 

training for volunteers safely serving during the COVID-19 pandemic, that covers topics such as how to help remain safe during the pandemic, 

and practices to consider to ensure our beneficiaries remain safe as well. 

NOTE: AmeriCorps Seniors strongly recommends that grantees follow the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reopening guidance, and 

their own state and county re-opening measures. AmeriCorps Seniors is mindful that each location may be on a different re-opening 

timeline based on each state’s local and specific geographic regions.

AmeriCorps Seniors provides this toolkit as a resource to grantees. The recommendations listed below is by no means an exhaustive list. We 

encourage you to connect with your local health departments for additional guidance, as needed. This toolkit does not imply endorsement of 

the information provided on any third-party website, or an endorsement of any third-party product or service. 

AmeriCorps continues to provide COVID-19 guidance as it relates to AmeriCorps grants. The guidance can be found on the COVID-19

Frequently Asked Questions page. Additional resources to help guide managing AmeriCorps Seniors grants can be found in:

- Manage AmeriCorps Seniors Grants

- AmeriCorps Seniors Resource Library

- Knowledge Network

COVID-19 Resources AmeriCorps Seniors Programs Should Consider 

Item Resources

Memorandums of 

Understanding, 

Policies, and 

Procedures

- Appendix A.9 of Operations Handbook: Sample Checklist for Station Accessibility

- Appendix C.1 of Operations Handbook: Sample Memorandum of Understanding (applicable for FGP and

SCP)

- Engage Virtually (ACL)

- Sample Caregiving Form (CDC)

- Volunteering during the COVID-19 Pandemic (American Red Cross)
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- Staying Safe and Helping Others During COVID-19 (American Red Cross)

- Many state service commissions may have online resources, for example Guidelines for Volunteers and

Volunteer Organizations During COVID-19 (Volunteer Iowa) and COVID-19 Volunteer Resources

(Massachusetts Service Alliance)

How to Provide a 

Safe Volunteer Space

- Using Personal Protective Equipment (CDC)

- Strategies to Optimize the Supply of PPE and Equipment (CDC)

- Addressing PPE Needs in Non-Healthcare Setting (FEMA)

- Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 (OSHA)

- Guidance for Senior Centers in Planning for Re-Opening (Vermont Department of Health)

- Preventing COVID19 spread patient transport (FEMA)

- Equipping CBOs To Return to Work: Considerations for the Workforce and Work Place (HHS)

Existing Resources to 

Meet AmeriCorps

Requirements

Work with your Portfolio Manager on changes needed to Performance Measures

- Appendix A.4 of Operations Handbook: AmeriCorps Seniors Progress Report Tips

- Appendix A.6 of Operations Handbook: Volunteer Tracking Software Distributors

- Appendix A.13 of Operations Handbook: Sample Data Sharing Agreement

Review Volunteer Assignments to Determine if edits are necessary. Work with your Portfolio Manager to discuss your

concerns, and incorporate, if needed, changes. Ensure safe volunteer environments, volunteer protocols, and use of

PPE.

- Appendix of C.2 (SCP and FGP) and B.2 (RSVP) Operations Handbook: Sample Enrollment Form

- Appendix C.5 of Operations Handbook: Sample FGP-SCP Volunteer Information Update

- Appendix C.6 of Operations Handbook: Sample FGP-SCP Income Review Form

- Appendix C.7 of Operations Handbook: Sample FGP-SCP Enrollment Checklist

- Appendix C.10 of Operations Handbook: Sample Letter of Agreement for In-Home Assignments

- Appendix D.1 (FGP), E.1 (SCP), B.4 (RSVP), of Operations Handbook: Sample Volunteer Assignment Plan

- Appendix of D.2 (FGP) and E.2 (SCP) Operations Handbook: Volunteer Positions Descriptions

Remember to use your Portfolio Manager, as well as other AmeriCorps Seniors programs as resources!

- COVID19 Best Practice Information: Managing and Deploying Volunteers in a Pandemic Environment

(FEMA)
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- COVID-19 Volunteer Agreement Sample (Buffalo City Mission)

General Information. 

AmeriCorps Seniors

highly recommends 

that all grantees 

provide training on 

safety prior to 

returning to service 

during COVID-19. 

These resources will 

assist you in 

establishing a COVID19 service training.

- How to Wear Cloth Face Coverings (CDC)

- Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress (Uniformed Services University)

- Articles, including Prolonged Operations in Personal Protective Equipment During COVID-19 (Uniformed

Services University)

- Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and

Homes (CDC)

- Cleaning and Disinfecting your Home/Other Places (CDC)

- What to do if You Are Sick (CDC)

- How to Safely Visit Friends and Family Who are at a Higher Risk of Severe Illness (CDC)

- National Indian Health Board COVID-19 Tribal Resource Center (NIHB)

- How to Safely Transport Using Your Vehicle (CDC)

- Protecting Yourself Using Transportation (CDC)

- How to Protect Yourself and Others (CDC)

- How to Manage Workplace Fatigue during COVID-19 (CDC)

- Senior Medicare Patrol Warns of COVID-19 Fraud (NCOA)

- HHS Office of Inspector General warns about COVID-19 Fraud Schemes (HHS)

- Coronavirus Advice for Consumers (FTC)

- Department of Justice Coronavirus Fraud Alert (DOJ)

- State and Territorial Health Departments (CDC)

Education

- Interim Guidance for Schools and Child Care Centers (CDC)

- Guidance and Considerations for Schools (CDC)

- FAQs for School Administrators, Teachers, and Parents (CDC)

- COVID-19 State Child Welfare and Related Health Resources (HHS)

- Analysis of School Reopening Plans (John Hopkins University)

- COVID-19 Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel (DOE)

- Keeping Children Safe Online (DOJ)
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Mental Health

- Coping with Stress (CDC)

- COVID-19 Resources (National Center for School Mental Health)

- Supporting Staff in these Extraordinary Times (MHTTC)

- Helping Seniors Manage Loneliness and Anxiety During COVID-19 (Massachusetts General Hospital)

- Coalition to End Social Isolation and & Loneliness (Coalition to End Social Isolation & Loneliness)

- Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health (SAMHSA)

- National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255

- SAMSHA Toll-free Helpline 1-877-SAMHSA-7 (1-877-726-4727) or Info@samhsa.hhs.gov

- Mental Health and Coping (HHS)

- Veterans Crisis Line, connects veterans and their families and friends with qualified VA responders. 1-800-273-

8255 and press 1

Technology

- Virtual Case Management Considerations and Resources for Human Services Programs (HHS)

- Ideas on How to Use Technology in Education (GoGuardian)

- How to Become Tech Savvy Seniors in Ten Days (Aging in Place)

- Telehealth Tools for Patients and Providers (HHS)

- Resources on Anti-Bullying and Safe Internet Use (HHS)

- How to Find Free Wi-Fi Near You (Make Us Of)

- How to Find Free Wi-Fi Near You (Lifewire)

- Software and Tools for 50+ to Learn Technology (GetSetUp)

- Resources on Bridging the Digital Divide and Connecting Generations Through Technology (Cyber Seniors)

- Online Virtual Classes for Lifelong Learning of Older Adults (OASIS) www.oasisnet.org

- Tech Basics for Seniors (Senior Planet)

Explore virtual training options in partnership with volunteer stations

- Zoom

- Skype

- Google hangout (Free with Gmail login)

- Apple FaceTime

- Facebook Messenger video chat
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Risk management 

threshold and 

metrics to consider

- Risk Management for Your Volunteer Program (Verified Volunteers)

- Volunteer management best practices (FEMA)

- Emergency Management Best Practices (FEMA)

Training Resources

In addition to AmeriCorps trainings, there are other free resources available which AmeriCorps Seniors grantees can 

use.

- COVID-19 Resources (ACL)

- COVID-19 Response Series (Disability: IN)

- Learning Center (VolunteerMatch)

- COVID-19 Resources for Nonprofits (The Bridgespan Group)

- COVID-19 Resources (Independent Sector)

- Community Resources (CDC)

- Community Resources (AARP)

- Partner Toolkit (CMS)

- Federal Rural Resource Guide (USDA)

- State Service Commissions

- Staying Safe and Helping Others (American Red Cross)

- COVID-19 Resources (National Council on Aging)

- COVID-19 Resources (National Institute on Health)

Safe Volunteer 

Practices shared by 

our grantees –

Innovative Ideas

Gateway Community Action Partnership’s AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent program enabled volunteers to 

reconnect with each other to offer support. Life Bio, www.lifebio.org, provided free access to an easy to use 

telephone platform, MyHelloLine, for AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in FGP to bridge the cyber gap to reconnect with 

each other through weekly themed discussions. There was also a Spanish language support session weekly with an 

English language version. Life Bio made the linkage via phone or computer free to approximately 90 participants 

during a four-week period that in addition to offering support, helped reduce the sense of isolation, Fifty percent of 

the program’s volunteers participated on the weekly calls.

Contact: Natalia Uribe, nuribe@gatewaycap.org

RSVP of Southern Maine introduced A Volunteer Emergency Response Team (AVERT) to virtually train new volunteers 

as substitutes for the Meals on Wheels program to continue to deliver meals without interruption. Also trained new 
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For all appendices, including editable versions of samples and templates, visit https://www.nationalservice.gov/operations-handbook-appendices.

volunteers for our Phone Pal (telephone reassurance) program via training webinar and partnered and collaborated 

with local towns to train volunteers as they establish their own telephone reassurance programs. Additionally, use 

volunteers remotely to assist with administrative tasks including updating our resource database. 

Contact: Mary Hadlock, mhadlock@smaaa.org

Computer Buddy is an email/blog program between students in elementary schools in Dane County and AmeriCorps 

Seniors volunteers in the RSVP program.

Teachers work with students who want to participate in the program. We train the volunteers on how to use the Kid 

blog email program. The program is easy to use but also it is a secure site and allows the director or the Program 

Coordinator the ability 

to look at all communication between students and volunteers.

Contact: Diana Jost, djost@rsvpdane.org

Hancock County, Mississippi RSVP sponsored by the City of Waveland launched a county wide Senior Hotline last 

week to support seniors across the county during the COVID-19 crisis. For seniors that have limited mobility and 

transportation that are need of someone to pick up items such as medications, food water and other necessities, can 

call the Hancock County Senior Hotline to request assistance with errands.

Contact: hancockcountyrsvp@hotmail.com or call the RSVP office 228 467-9073

Knoxville Community Action Agency AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in SCP shifted their schedules to provide wellness 

checks and social support to their clients via phone. AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers and staff collectively call seniors 

daily to provide wellness checks, information and referral support, and socialization. AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers

have already worked creatively to assist their clients with grocery delivery, medication delivery, helping reschedule 

doctor appointments, enrolling clients for mobile meals, and connecting folks to mental health support services 

through these phone visits.

Contact: Deisha Finley, deisha.finley@knoxseniors.org

INCA-RSVP in Tishomingo, Oklahoma set up a HOTLINE for seniors, disabled and homebound individuals to call for 

help, food, referrals, mental counsel, etc. and developed a COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM to assemble Senior Disaster 

Emergency Care Bags. Volunteers deliver these bags to homebound and sheltering-in-place seniors that need basic 

essentials. Bags include shelf stable food. Volunteers ae also making masks that are distributed to local nursing 

homes, hospitals, clinics, fire/ems departments and our veteran groups have a Buddy Call list, contacting veterans 

and their spouses a minimum of twice a week to keep them engaged and active. 

Contact: Wanda Gray, w.gray@incacaa.org
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For all appendices, including editable versions of samples and templates, visit https://www.nationalservice.gov/operations-handbook-appendices.

SEARCH (Seeking Elderly Alone Renew Courage & Hope) RSVP of Central Maine adapted the transportation program 

and practices into safe volunteering by transporting clients for essential activities as defined by federal and state 

directives, such as critical medical appointments, pharmacy and grocery (our volunteers offer to pick up and deliver 

pharmacy and grocery). The agency provides gloves and masks for volunteers and clients to use. Clients ride in the 

back seat on the opposite side as far from the volunteer driver as possible. 

Contract: Cindy Whitney, cwhitney@ccmaine.org

The Friends Program of New Hampshire has a Foster Grandparent volunteer who has been listening and following 

along with his middle school students Google Classroom math lessons so he can be ready to assist the students who 

need extra support. He is striving to be up to date on what they are learning as well as the format they are learning it 

in, so that he can be of service. 

Bone Builder’s classes are trying to meet virtually either through Facebook live streaming, Zoom, or in an email chain. 

The participants are thrilled to have a vehicle to talk to each other and the larger classes are communicating, sharing 

notes of inspiration, tips to stay active, and ways to remain healthy while at home. One leader even posted a tutorial 

on making a homemade mask with items participants would likely already have at home

Contract: Lily Wellington, lwellington@fiwndsprogram.olrg