Appendix B. National Performance 

Measures Instructions

Senior Demonstration Programs – Native Nations 

and Indigenous Elders Senior Demonstration 

Program 
1

Contents

Performance Measure Requirements .................................................................................................................. 2

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

Focus Area: Education ...........................................................................................................................................................4

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

Focus Area: Veterans and Military Families......................................................................................................................10

Focus Area: Disaster Services..............................................................................................................................................13

Focus Area: Capacity Building............................................................................................................................................13

Focus Area: Economic Opportunity....................................................................................................................................16

Focus Area: Environmental Stewardship...........................................................................................................................19

Independent Living Performance Measure Survey ..........................................................................................22

Respite Performance Measure Survey ...............................................................................................................24
2

Performance Measure Requirements

Measured in Unduplicated Volunteers

1. Primary Focus Area:

• Aging in Place.

• Disaster Services

• Economic Opportunity

• Education

• Environmental Stewardship

• Healthy Futures

• Veterans and Military Families.

2. Funding Priorities: Priority funding will be given to proposals that are reflect the 

needs of Native and Indigenous communities. See section A.2. Funding Priorities in 

the Notice of Funding Opportunity for more information.

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

be paired with a single outcome. For each Performance Measure, 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.

4. Work Plan: All unduplicated AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers must be placed in the 

work plan. The cost per volunteer (can be calculated using Appendix F: Cost per 

Volunteer Calculator) should be reasonable and justifiable. Please see section A.3. 

Performance Goals or Expected Outcomes in the Notice for more information.

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 focus area where they will make the most impact.
3

Complete List of AmeriCorps Seniors 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 Notice for additional information 

about application requirements.

Focus Area: Education

*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.

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

Tutoring 

Mentoring

Other Classroom Support 

Out-of-School Time 

Family Involvement 

Service-Learning

Summer Learning 

Classroom Teaching 

Opioid/Drug Intervention

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)
4

Post- HS 

Education 

Support

ED1A: Number of 

individuals served

ED11: Number of individuals 

earning a post-secondary degree 

or technical certification

Tutoring 

Mentoring

Family Involvement 

Service Learning 

Summer Learning

Education 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 Senior -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 ofmass

How to 

Measure/

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of individuals who

have received

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
5

How to 

Measure/

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

capable of measuring

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 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
6

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

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

H15A: Number of individuals with 

developmental disabilities 

receiving services that promote 

integration and inclusion

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

Outreach 

Education/Training 

Referrals

Medical Services 

Nutrition/Food Support 

Physical Activities 

Counseling/Coaching 

Opioid/Drug 

Intervention

H19: Number of individuals with 

improved health
7

Access to Care H4A: Number of

individuals served

H15A: Number of individuals with 

developmental disabilities 

receiving services that promote 

integration and inclusion

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/Coaching 

Opioid/Drug 

Intervention Disability 

Inclusion

Healthy Futures Notes:

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

within communities including access to care 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 H12, H15A, H17, H18, H19, or H20.

H4A (output) Number of individuals served

Definition of

Key Terms

Individuals: recipients of AmeriCorps Seniors 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/

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.
8

AmeriCorps is providing a mandatory survey instrument for stipended 

volunteer programs and recommends its use for non-stipended programs: 

AmeriCorps Seniors Independent Living Survey.

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

Definition of

Key Terms

Individuals: those reported in H4A

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 stipendedvolunteer

programs and recommends its use for non-stipended programs: 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

H17 (outcome) Number of individuals with increased health knowledge
9

Definition of

Key Terms

Individuals: those reported in H4A

How to

Measure/

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

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

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

behavior to

Definition of

Key Terms

Individuals: those reported in H4A

How to

Measure/

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

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

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

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

How to 

Measure/ 

Collect Data

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

measuring changes in health care access at the individual beneficiary lee. 

When possible, pre-post assessments should be utilized.

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

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

O10V: Number of individuals 

who secure employment
10

veteran family 

members served

O21V: Number of individuals 

with improved job readiness

ED11V: Number of individuals 

earning a post-secondary degree 

or technical certification

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

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

Veterans and Military Families 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.
11

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

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/

Tracking mechanism that ensures an unduplicated count of individuals who 

have received
12

Collect Data services

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

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

Disaster Services 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 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.

Focus Area: Capacity Building

Objective Selection Rules Service Activity
13

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.

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 orby 

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, inkind 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.
14

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 doso.

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
15

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.

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

Economic Opportunity 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.
16

• All individuals counted under these measures must be program beneficiaries, 

not National Service Participants.

Applicants that select output OA1 may select outcome O9, O10, O19A or O21.

O1A (output) Number of individuals served

Definition of Key 

Terms

Individuals: recipients of AmeriCorps Seniors 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

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

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

AmeriCorps Seniors 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.

O19A (outcome) O19A Dollar value of tax returns generated
17

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

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

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
18

Focus Area: Environmental Stewardship

Objective Selection 

Rules

Service Activity

Outputs Outcomes

At-Risk EN4: Acres of parks or EN4.1: Acres of parks or public Fire Mitigation

Ecosystems public land treated land improved Flood

Mitigation

Invasive Species

Removal Debris

Removal

Plant Establishment

EN5: Miles of trails or EN5.1: Miles of trails or Trail Creation

rivers treated. rivers improved Trail

Remediation

Stream

Remediation Fire

Mitigation Flood

Mitigation

Invasive Species

Removal Debris

Removal

Plant Establishment

Environmental Stewardship 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 ServiceParticipants.

• 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 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
19

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

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 longterm sustainability of trails, increased accessibility, protected flora and

fauna. Improvement should be consistent with an accepted natural
20

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.
21

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.

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

me for hours

Please turn the page for the questions 2-13

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.
22

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.
23

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.

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

me for hours 

of respite

Please turn the page for the questions 2-12

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.
24

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.