2016 Tribal Applicant Training

Senior Corps: Who We Are
The Corporation for National & Commu

Service

The mission of the Corporation for Na

& Community Service is to improve 

strengthen communities and foster 

engagement through service an

volunteering.
How does CNCS achieve 

its mission?

Provides grants and training and technical assto developing and expanding volunteer organizExplores, develops, and models effective approfor using volunteers to meet the nation's humaConducts and disseminates research that helpdevelop and cultivate knowledge that will enhaoverall effectiveness of national and communitservice programs.
The Corporation for 

National & Community Service

1) Increase the impact of national service on community needs in communities served by CNCS-supported programs2) Strengthen national service so that participants engaged in CNCS-supported programs consistently find satisfaction, meaning and opportunity3) Maximize the value we add to grantees, partners and participants4) Fortify management operations and sustain a capable, responsive and accountable organization
Introduction to CNCS

2011 - 2015 Strategic Plan - Six Priority Areas

• Disaster Services• Economic Opportunity• Education• Environmental Stewardship• Healthy Futures• Veterans and Military Families
The Corporation for 

National & Community Service

CNCS Programs: • Senior Corps • AmeriCorps

o AmeriCorps State and Nationalo AmeriCorps VISTA

•

o AmeriCorps NCCC 

Social Innovation Fund

• George H.W. Bush Volunteer Generation Fund• Special Initiatives o Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service 

o President's Volunteer Service Award o National Service Task Forceo Other Special Initiatives
CNCS Organization

Chief Executive Officer Inspector General

AmeriCorps

State and Nat'l

AmeriCorps

NCCC

AmeriCorps

VISTA

Senior Corps

Office of Field

Liaison

Social Innovation

Fund

Senior

Advisors

Senior Advisor for

Disaster Service

Senior Advisor for

Veteran’s Affairs

Senior Advisor for

Education

Chief of Staff

External Affairs Government Relations

Chief Operating

Officer

Strategic Advisor

for Native

American Affairs

Field

Offices

North Central Cluster Area Manager

Atlantic Cluster Area Manager

Pacific Cluster Area Manager

Southern Cluster Area Manager

Southwest Cluster Area Manager
CNCS State Offices

The CNCS State Office is the face of National Service in 

state. State Program Specialist and State Program Dire

duties include:

• Administering the Senior Corps and

AmeriCorps* VISTA programs

• Providing training and technical assistance to

grantees

• Conducting compliance monitoring reviews

with grantees

• Assisting with special assignments

• Supporting service as

a strategy to meet local

needs.
Introduction to CNCS 

National Service Timeline

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program

Foster Grandparents Program

Senior Companion Program

1960s

VISTA

(Volunteers in Service to America)

1964

1970s

Senior Service Programs + Peace Corps + VISTA

form the ACTION Agency

Domestic Volunteer 

Service Act of 1973

1973

National and Community 

Service Act of 1990

AmeriCorps*NCCC

created

Corporation for National a

Community Service create

Ame

cre

Edward M. Kennedy S

America Act signe

Social Innovatio

FEM

1990 1992 1993

2009 2010 2
Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

SENIOR CORPS: 10
Senior Corps
Senior Corps

RSVP

RSVP Volunteers:• are age 55 and older;• are engaged in a diverse range of 

volunteer activities;

• have flexibility to choose where they 

want to serve;

• serve a few hours to more than 40 

hours a week;

• provide a wide variety of community 

services.
Senior Corps

Foster Grandparents Program 

Foster Grandparents: • are role models, mentors, and 

friends to children with exceptional needs;

• are 55 and older;• serve 15 - 40 hours/week;• receive a stipend if income-eligible.
Senior Corps

Senior Companion Program 

Senior Companions: 

• provide supportive services to ad

physical, emotional, or mental helimitations, especially older persoeffort to achieve and maintain thelevel of independent living;

• are 55 and older;• serve 15-40 hours/week;• receive a stipend if income-eligib
Senior Corps 

Grant Opportunities• RSVP Competition

– Initiated through 2009 Serve America Act– 2019 Next Competitive Cycle– Specific Geographic Service Areas

• FGP and SCP Tribal, Native Hawaiian, an

Pacific Islander Competition

– 2016 marks second competition – Initiated through Senior Corps commitment to 

expanding opportunities to serve in tribal and ncommunities
Senior Corps

FGP and SCP Grants Lifecycle

Award

Year 1

Award

Year 2

Award

Year 3

FGP & SCP Competition
Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

PROJECT OPERATIO
Project Operations: 

Overview• Sponsor Responsibilities• Project Staff• Volunteer Assignments• Cost Reimbursements• Criminal History Checks• Working with Community Partners• Community Participation Group or Adviso

Council

• eGrants• Resources
Project Operations:

Sponsor Responsibilities

It is the sponsoring organization’s responsibility to:

• Secure maximum and continuing community financial 

and in-kind support to operate project successfully

• Establish recordkeeping system in compliance with 

CNCS requirements and to ensure reports are done in timely and accurate way

• Comply with and ensure volunteer stations comply 

with applicable civil rights laws and regulations including providing reasonable accommodations 

• Community Needs assessment • Promote Senior Corps program, incorporating into 

mission of agency

• Comply with the Notice of Grant Award, including the 

Certifications, Assurances and Terms and Conditions of the grant
Project Operations:

Project Staff

• The Project Director is an employee of the sponsoring organization.• Project Directors follow sponsor personnel policies. • Fulltime Project Director is not assigned duties unrelated to the grant• Salary comparable to similar positions at 

sponsor

• Other staff as appropriate can be paid from the grant.• A clear job description should be provided to the Project Director and included in documents submitted to CNCS with the 

grant application. 

• Criminal Background Checks are required for all staff paid from the grant who were hired after April 22, 2011. 
Project Operations:

Volunteer AssignmentsFoster Grandparents• Activities must involve 

person-to-person supportive relationships with the children served

• Appropriate activities 

include:

– Reinforcement of cultural 

teachings

– Encouraging use of native 

language

– Providing emotional support 

and assistance in developing basic learning skills

Senior Companions• Activities must inv

person-to-person supportive relationwith the elders se

• Appropriate activi

include:– Spending time toge

sharing stories

– Taking and accomp

elders at social eve

– Helping elders plan 

and taking meals to
Project Operations: 

Cost Reimbursements for FGP and SCP• Reimbursements provided directly to volu

that are not subject to tax including:

– Stipends ($2.65/hour)– Transportation– Meals– Accident and Liability Insurance– Physical Exams– Uniforms when appropriate– Recognition activities
Project Operations:

Criminal History Checks• Certain individuals 

working or serving in a CNCS-funded program must undergo a criminal history check

• That check must include 

specific sources

• Certain parts must be 

complete by certain dates

1. National Sex Offen

Public Website

2. State Checks

3. FBI Checks
Project Operations:

Working with Community Partners

In addition to utilizing Senior Corps resources, SCorps grantees partner with other community organizations in order to:• Assess the needs in the community/service 

area.

• Build public awareness of and support for 

the program within the community.

• Enhance the capacity of organizations and 

institutions within the community

• Work to integrate senior service into the 

activities of other service programs within the community

• Work toward common goals in local 

communities, complementing and reinforcing each other’s contributions through activities related to Days of Service, Strategic Initiatives, and other local service initiatives. 
Project Operations:

Community Participation Group or Advisory Co

It is a requirement of Senior Corps grantees to secure community participalocal project operation by establishing an Advisory Council or a similar orga

structure.

Council members should include community partners capable of helping the sponsor with fundraising and publicity, volunteers, and project beneficiaries.Advisory Councils should help projects by:

• Raising funds and soliciting in-kind donations

• Determining priorities and needed improvements • Conducting the Annual Assessment• Assisting with volunteer recognition events
Project Operations:

eGrants

eGrants is an online system designed to automate the entand project management process from application to clos

• eGrants is the system of record for CNCS grants and 

reports

• Do not share passwords and user names• An individual’s login is considered their electronic 

signature

• DO NOT use the previous Project Director’s user name 

and password, create your own account.

• Grantee Administrator should suspend all privileges 

for former staff associated with the project.

• The authorizing signature is an electronic signature 

that results from submitting the grant application in eGrants. A copy of the governing body’s authorization for this official representative to sign must be on file in the applicant’s office.
Project Operations: 

Resources

• Code of Federal Regulations Operations Handbooks

• OMB Circulars• Operations Handbook

• Annual Supplement to Handbook

• The Knowledge Network
Senior Corps: Tapping the Rich Experience, Skills, and Talents of Older Americans

PROJECT OPERATION

FISCAL
Fiscal Management:

A Brief Overview

• The budget approved in the grant 

application is part of grantees contractual obligation .

• The budget must conform to guidelines 

and regulatory restrictions.

• Project support provided under a 

Senior Corps grant must be furnished at the lowest possible cost consistent with the project's effective operation. 

• Project Directors should work with the 

sponsor’s fiscal staff and periodically compare the budget to actual costs.
Fiscal Management:

Budgeting Requirements

FGP & SCP Non‐Federal Match: (10%)10% MatchFGP & SCP Current Stipend Rate$2.65/hourVolunteer Expenses Ratio for FGP and SCP

The total of cost reimbursements for Foster Grandparents or Senior Comp

including stipends, insurance, transportation, meals, physical examination

if appropriate, and recognition must be equal to at least 80 percent of the

Corporation’s Federal share of the grant. Federal and non‐Federal resourc

including excess non‐Corporation resources, can be used to make up this s
Fiscal Management:

Accessing Grant Funds and Managing AdvancesAll Senior Corps grantees are paid through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHPayment Management System (PMS). 

Senior Corps grantees must establish an account with the HHS/PMS that allows a grantee to draw down funds. When a grant is awarded in eGrants, the grant is recorded in the Corporation’s accounting system and transmitted to PMS which maintains an account for each grant. Grantees draw funds from that account.