Appendix B: RSVP Performance Measure Instructions

References and Authorities Definitions, Suggestions regarding Data Collection, and 

Additional Notes

Last Updated: July 2019

07/2019

1

This document explains specific performance measure instructions for the Senior Corps 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:

Complete List of RSVP National Performance Measures..................................................................................................................3

Capacity Building ...................................................................................................................................................................................8

Disaster Services Focus Area...............................................................................................................................................................10

Economic Opportunity Focus Area....................................................................................................................................................11

Education Focus Area...........................................................................................................................................................................13

Environmental Stewardship Focus Area ...........................................................................................................................................15

Healthy Futures Focus Area................................................................................................................................................................18

Other Community Priorities................................................................................................................................................................20

Veterans and Military Families Focus Area ......................................................................................................................................21

Change Log............................................................................................................................................................................................22
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RSVP Performance Measure Requirements

Measured in Unduplicated Volunteers*

1. Primary Focus Area: RSVP programs are required to declare one of the six CNCS priority focus areas as a 

primary focus area for the grant award. CNCS’s six focus areas are: Disaster Services, Economic 

Opportunity, Education, Environmental Stewardship, Healthy Futures, and Veterans and Military

Families.

2. Work Plans: All unduplicated RSVP 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 community priorities.

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 performance measures.

5. Maximum Cost per Unduplicated Volunteer in Outcome Assignments. For every$1,000 in annual base 

federal funding, at least one unduplicated RSVP volunteer* must be placed in work plans that result in 

national performance measure outcomes.

6. 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 RSVP grantee with $56,400 in federal funding wouldrequire

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 outcomebased work plans) would round up and require 57 unduplicated volunteers in work plans that result in national 

performance measure outcomes.

* Unduplicated RSVP 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 hours served).
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Complete List of 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 Senior Corps 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 in-kind 

resources leveraged.

Focus Area: Disaster Services 

Objective Selection Rules Service Activity

Outputs Outcomes

Assistance

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

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
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Focus Area: Economic Opportunity

Strategic Plan 

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

Focus Area: Education 

Objective Selection Rules Service Activity

Outputs Outcomes

School 

Readiness

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 

social-emotional 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 Outof-School Time Family 

Involvement Service Learning 

Summer Learning Classroom 

Teaching Opioid/Drug

Intervention
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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

Focus Area: Environmental Stewardship 

Objective Selection Rules Service Activity

Outputs 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 weatherized or

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 

environmentally-conscious 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 with

disabilities who reported having 

increased social support

Companionship 

Nutrition/Food Support 

Legal Services 

Transportation 

Medical Services

Opioid/Drug Intervention 

Elder Justice: Fraud and 

Scam Prevention

Respite Services
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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/Coaching 

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

Outreach 

Education/Training 

Referrals

Medical Services 

Counseling/Coaching 

Opioid/Drug Intervention 

Disability Inclusion

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

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
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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

V8: Number of veteran 

family members served

O9V: Number of individuals 

with improved financial 

knowledge

O11V: Number of individuals 

transitioned into safe/affordable 

housing

Financial Literacy Education 

Housing Unit Development 

Housing Unit Repair

Housing Placement/Assistance 

Job Training

Job 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/Coaching 

Respite Services 

Opioid/Drug Intervention

O10V: Number of individuals 

who secure employment

O21V: Number of individuals 

with improved job readiness

ED11V: Number of individuals 

earning a post-secondary 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
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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 program beneficiaries, 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, CNCS 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 CNCS-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.

How to Measure/

Collect Data

Only count community volunteers that were specifically recruited by the CNCS-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 CNCSsupported 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.
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Definition of Key 

Terms

Cash resources: Cash, check, or other monetary gift

In-Kind resources: Non-cash contributions, including donated goods orservices, 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 CNCS-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 communityresiliency.

• 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 program beneficiaries, 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 CNCS-supported services related to disaster preparedness, 

response, recovery, and/or mitigation

Served: substantive engagement of individuals with a specific disaster-related 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

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.
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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 program beneficiaries, 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 CNCS-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, pre-post 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 CNCS-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.

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.
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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 CNCS-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 CNCS-supported development or repair services

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

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
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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 CNCS-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 education-related 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

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
14

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 selfreports 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 selfreports 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 wellbeing, health and motor development, social and emotional development, approaches to

learning, language development, cognitive development, and age-appropriate academic 

skills and behavior.

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
15

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.

• CNCS 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; government-owned 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

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
16

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 outcome EN4.1.

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

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 outcome EN5.1.

EN5 (output) Number of miles of public trails or waterways that are treated and/or constructed
17

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

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 long-term 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, pre-post assessments

should be utilized.
18

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 program beneficiaries, 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 CNCS-supported services related to improving health-related 

outcomes

Served: substantive engagement of individuals with a specific health-related 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.

CNCS is providing a mandatory survey instrument for the Senior Companion Program 

and recommends its use for RSVP: Senior Corps Independent Living Survey.

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
19

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.

CNCS is providing a mandatory survey instrument for both the Senior Companion Program

and recommends its use for RSVP: Senior Corps Respite Care Performance Measure Survey.

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

promote integration and inclusion

NOTE Senior Corps 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.

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
20

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.

Other Community Priorities

Notes:

• Community Priority Service Activities ensure that 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 program beneficiaries, 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 CNCS. Instead, grantees will 

report yes/no that they have achieved the target goals for all their Community Priority

Service Activities.
21

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 program beneficiaries, 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]. 

CNCS 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

V8 (output) Number of veteran family members served
22

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

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 properly round 

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)