[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 243 (Thursday, December 18, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66343-66346]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33052]


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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE


Availability of Funds for AmeriCorps*VISTA America Reads 
Projects--Nationwide

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds.

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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service 
(hereinafter ``the Corporation'') announces the availability of funds 
for fiscal year 1998 for new AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to 
America) program grants focusing on the America Reads initiative in all 
fifty States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin 
Islands. The program grants are authorized under Title I, Part A of the 
Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, as amended (Pub. L. 93-113). 
Project applications will be written to cover a 24-month period 
although grants will be awarded for a 12-month period with a renewal 
option. As part of this effort, the Corporation is soliciting 
applicants which are public or private non-profit organizations, 
including current AmeriCorps*VISTA project sponsors. Approximately 35-
40 grants are expected to be awarded in April 1998 with 
AmeriCorps*VISTA members beginning service prior to the start of the 
1998-99 school year.

DATES: Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard 
Time, January 28, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Application instructions and kits are available from 
AmeriCorps*VISTA, Corporation for National and Community Service, 1201 
New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20525, (202) 606-5000, ext. 249, TDD 
(202) 565-2799, or TTY via the Federal Information Relay Service at 
(800) 877-8339. Applications should be submitted to the Corporation for 
National and Community Service, 1201 New York Avenue, NW, Mailstop 
9207, Washington, DC 20525, Attn: Kathleen Dennis. The Corporation will 
not accept applications that are submitted via facsimile or e-mail 
transmission.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, contact 
Kathleen Dennis at (202) 606-5000, Ext. 249.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    AmeriCorps*VISTA is authorized under the Domestic Volunteer Service 
Act of 1973, as amended (Pub. L. 93-113). The statutory mandate of 
AmeriCorps*VISTA is ``to eliminate and alleviate poverty and poverty-
related problems in the United States by encouraging and enabling 
persons from all walks of life, all geographical areas, and all age 
groups . . . (to) assist in the solution of (such) problems, and . . . 
to generate the commitment of private sector resources, to encourage 
volunteer service at the local level, and to strengthen local agencies 
and organizations to carry out the purpose (of the program).'' (42 
U.S.C. 4951)
    AmeriCorps*VISTA carries out its legislative mandate by assigning 
individuals 18 years and older, on a full-time, year-long basis, to 
public and private non-profit organizations whose goals are in accord 
with AmeriCorps*VISTA's legislative mission. Each AmeriCorps*VISTA 
project must focus on the mobilization of community resources, the 
transference of skills to community residents, and the expansion of the 
capacity of community-based organizations to solve local problems. 
Programming should encourage permanent, long-term solutions to problems 
confronting low-income communities rather than short-term approaches 
for handling emergency needs.
    AmeriCorps*VISTA project sponsors must actively elicit the support 
and/or participation of local public and private sector elements in 
order to enhance the chances of a project's success as well as to make 
the activities undertaken by AmeriCorps*VISTA members self-sustaining 
when the Corporation no longer provides resources.

B. Purpose of This Announcement

    The goal of the America Reads initiative is to mobilize Americans 
from all walks of life to ensure that all children can read well and 
independently by the end of third grade. The America Reads initiative 
is a comprehensive, nationwide effort to create in-school, after-
school, weekend, and summer tutoring programs in reading. Working to 
support the efforts of teachers and parents, this initiative calls on 
Americans in all fields--schools, libraries, religious organizations, 
universities, community

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and national groups, and cultural organizations, as well as college 
students, business leaders, and senior citizens--to ensure that every 
child can read independently by the end of third grade.
    AmeriCorps*VISTA's participation in the America Reads initiative 
will focus primarily on:
    1. Initiation and/or expansion of community-based children's 
literacy programs in areas with a substantial percentage of children 
from low-income families;
    2. Support of after-school, weekend, and in-school reading programs 
for children being served;
    3. Recruitment, training, coordination and management of local 
volunteer tutors;
    4. Mobilization of resources needed to support literacy programs;
    5. Involvement of parents in family literacy activities to prepare 
them to effectively serve as first teachers of their children;
    6. Introduction of, and support for, age-appropriate computer 
technology in areas under served by such technology;
    7. Promotion of literacy partnerships among schools, libraries, 
youth-serving groups, businesses, public and private agencies, and 
other community organizations; and,
    8. Sustainability of activities and programs developed or expanded 
through AmeriCorps*VISTA's efforts.

C. Eligible Applicants

    Eligible applicants for AmeriCorps*VISTA program grants supporting 
the America Reads initiative must be public or private non-profit 
organizations. Such entities may include: local, State, regional or 
national literacy organizations; local and State education agencies, 
educational institutions, libraries, state or local governments, tribal 
or territorial governments, or organizations representing tribal 
populations. Current AmeriCorps*VISTA sponsoring organizations may 
apply without affecting the status of their existing projects. Priority 
consideration will be given to: (1) Entities planning or operating 
city, county, statewide, or multi-state America Reads initiatives; (2) 
local governments planning or operating area-wide America Reads 
initiatives; (3) volunteer centers engaged in recruiting trained 
literacy tutors for the America Reads initiative; and, (4) university 
service-learning centers coordinating work-study and other college 
students for the Initiative.

D. Scope of Grant

    Each grant budget will support 20 or more AmeriCorps*VISTA members 
on a full-time basis for one year of service. (Although the project 
application will reflect two years of activity, grants will be awarded 
on a twelve-month basis with a renewal option subject to need, 
satisfactory performance, and the availability of Corporation 
resources.)
    The amount of each grant will include: a monthly subsistence 
allowance for AmeriCorps*VISTA members which is commensurate with the 
cost-of-living of the assignment area and covers the cost of food, 
housing, utilities, and incidental expenses; an end-of-service cash 
stipend payment, accrued at the rate of $100 per month, for those 
members not selecting the AmeriCorps education award; and, relocation 
expenses for those AmeriCorps*VISTA members who must relocate in order 
to serve. The grant will also include funds for member in-service 
training, member supervision, and member/supervisor job-related 
transportation.
    The average Federal cost per AmeriCorps*VISTA service year 
contained in the grant, i.e., total Federal cost divided by total 
number of members, will range from approximately $11,000 to $13,000 in 
the continental United States depending upon the location of the 
assignment(s). (Higher rates apply in Alaska and Hawaii.) Specific 
budget guidance is available in the project application kit; average 
allowance costs contained in the instructions should be used to prepare 
the budget submission.
    The following costs will be covered by the Corporation outside of 
the grant budget: an AmeriCorps education award in the amount of $4725 
for AmeriCorps*VISTA members who complete their year of service, health 
support for all AmeriCorps*VISTA members; a child care allowance for 
eligible AmeriCorps*VISTA members; pre-service orientation; and, travel 
from home of record to training to assignment for all AmeriCorps*VISTA 
members as well as travel home at the end of service.
    Grant applicants should demonstrate their commitment to matching 
the Federal contribution toward the operation of the AmeriCorps*VISTA 
America Reads program grant by offsetting all, or part of, the costs of 
member supervision, transportation, and training, as well as the basic 
costs of the literacy program itself (e.g. books, reading specialists, 
etc.). This support can be achieved through cash or in-kind 
contributions.
    Publication of this announcement does not obligate the Corporation 
to award any specific number of grants or to obligate the entire amount 
of funds available, or any part thereof, for grants under the 
AmeriCorps*VISTA program.

E. Submission Requirements

    To be considered for funding applicants must submit five copies, 
with original signatures on items 2 and 3, of the following:
    (1) A one-page narrative summary description, single-spaced, 
single-sided in 10-12 point, of the proposed AmeriCorps*VISTA America 
Reads project including the name, address, telephone number, and 
contact person for the applicant organization as shown on the SF 424. 
The summary should include the major objectives and expected outcomes 
of the project. The summary will be used as a project abstract to 
provide reviewers with an introduction to the substantive parts of the 
application. Therefore, care should be taken to produce a summary which 
accurately and concisely reflects the proposal.
    (2) Application for Federal Assistance, SF 424, with a detailed 
narrative budget justification.
    (3) AmeriCorps*VISTA Project Application, Form 1421, Parts A and B. 
All project information must be contained in the space provided on the 
application form except where additional sheets may be submitted for 
the Project Work Plan and/or Member Assignment Description(s).
    (4) Current resume of potential AmeriCorps*VISTA supervisor(s), if 
available, or resume of the director of the applicant organization.
    (5) List of members of the Board of Directors including their 
professional affiliations and/or literacy-related activities.
    (6) Organizational chart illustrating the location of the 
AmeriCorps*VISTA project within the overall applicant organization.
    Applicants must also submit one copy of the following:
    (1) Current Articles of Incorporation.
    (2) Proof of non-profit status, or an application for non-profit 
status and related documentation.
    (3) CPA certification of accounting capability.
    No additional attachments, such as annual reports or brochures, are 
to be included. Such attachments will not be read or given to 
reviewers. All applications and related materials must be complete at 
the time of submission.

[[Page 66345]]

F. General Criteria for AmeriCorps*VISTA Program Grant Selection

    The general criteria for AmeriCorps*VISTA America Reads program 
grants are consistent with those established for the selection of all 
AmeriCorps*VISTA sponsors and projects. All of the following elements 
must be incorporated in the applicant's submission:
    The proposed project must:
    1. Address the needs of low-income communities and otherwise comply 
with the provisions of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, as 
amended (42 U.S.C. 4951 et seq.) applicable to AmeriCorps*VISTA and all 
applicable published regulations, guidelines, and Corporation policies.
    2. Lead to building organizational and/or community capacity to 
continue the efforts of the project once AmeriCorps*VISTA resources are 
withdrawn. This will be demonstrated through measurable goals and 
objectives, and the stated tasks of AmeriCorps*VISTA members which 
should be attainable within the time frame of the project.
    3. Be designed to generate public and/or private sector resources, 
and to promote local, part-time volunteer service at the community 
level.
    4. Describe in measurable terms the anticipated self-sufficiency 
outcomes at the conclusion of the project, including outcomes related 
to the sustainability of the project activities.
    5. Clearly state how AmeriCorps*VISTA members will be trained, 
supervised, and supported to ensure the achievement of program goals 
and objectives as stated in the project work plan.
    6. Be internally consistent, i.e., the problem statement which 
demonstrates need, the project work plan, the AmeriCorps*VISTA member 
assignment description, and all other components must be related 
logically to each other.
    7. Ensure that AmeriCorps*VISTA and community resources needed to 
achieve project goals and objectives are available.
    8. Have the management and technical capability to implement the 
project successfully.
    9. Describe how the number of AmeriCorps*VISTA members requested is 
appropriate for the project goals/objectives, and how the skills 
requested are appropriate for the assignment(s).
    10. Describe how AmeriCorps*VISTA assignments are designed to 
utilize the full-time AmeriCorps*VISTA member's time to the maximum 
extent.

G. Specific Criteria for AmeriCorps*VISTA America Reads Project 
Selection

    The following elements related to the purpose of the America Reads 
initiative must be incorporated in the applicant's submission:
    1. Project applications must contain clear and measurable outcome 
objectives for a 24-month period that address the overall objectives of 
the America Reads initiative. Proposed projects must show how the 
activities of AmeriCorps*VISTA members contribute to specific outcomes 
related to reading/literacy achievements for children, birth through 
third grade. Outcome objectives should also address expectations for 
community volunteers, schools and teachers, parents, and the community 
at-large. It is expected that outcome objectives will reflect the 
evolution of the project over the 24-month period.
    2. Project activities must provide a direct benefit to children 
that is valued by the school and/or community-based organization. 
Activities include the involvement of volunteers from the community in 
working with individual children, supporting classroom activities, 
supporting families, and serving as catalysts/organizers of community-
level reading initiatives. Activities proposed must be well-designed 
and able to be successfully implemented, including the use of qualified 
professionals such as reading specialists in the provision of on-going 
training and support for the project, and special efforts where 
appropriate to meet the needs of children whose first language is other 
than English.
    3. Applicant organizations must describe the specific approach that 
will be used to improve children's reading abilities, and must 
demonstrate the reliability and effectiveness of this approach.
    4. Projects must include activities and mechanisms that provide for 
the involvement of families, parents, or guardians.
    5. Projects must have systems for the evaluation and monitoring of 
project activities. Applicants must describe the systems that will be 
used to track progress toward the stated objectives, and the management 
procedures that will provide the feedback needed to make adjustments 
and improve program quality. Projects must also be prepared to 
cooperate with the Corporation for National Service and its evaluation 
partners in all Corporation monitoring and evaluation efforts.
    6. Applicants should indicate how the proposed project complements 
and/or enhances children's literacy activities already underway in, or 
planned for, the community(ies) which will be served by the project. To 
the extent possible, projects should seek out opportunities to 
collaborate with other Corporation programs, as well as with other 
community partners such as literacy groups, youth-serving 
organizations, senior citizen groups, PTAs, churches, libraries, 
institutions of higher education, private volunteer organizations, etc.
    7. Letters of support must be provided from participating schools 
and other organizations which will be collaborating in the overall 
project effort. Letters should reflect knowledge and endorsement of the 
specific objectives of the project, as well as any commitment of 
resources to the project if applicable.

H. Application Review

    The Corporation for National and Community Service is looking for 
high-quality programs that are innovative, have potential to be 
replicated in other areas, and can be sustained with other support when 
the project period ends.

Proposal Evaluation

    To ensure fairness to all applicants, the Corporation reserves the 
right to take action, up to and including disqualification, in the 
event that a proposal fails to comply with any requirements specified 
in this Notice.
    1. Project Application/Narrative (70% as described below):
    The project application allows the Corporation to assess the 
capacity of the applicant organization to implement the project and 
accomplish the purpose of the America Reads initiative. The overall 
quality of the application will be evaluated as follows:
    a. Responsiveness to General Criteria for AmeriCorps*VISTA Program 
Grant Selection (30%)
    b. Responsiveness to Specific AmeriCorps*VISTA America Reads 
Criteria (40%)
    2. Organizational Capacity and Sustainability (20%)
    The applicant organization's capacity to direct, manage, support, 
provide technical assistance, and assess the project, and enhance 
sustainability of the project's efforts, must be reflected in the 
Project Application.
    3. Budget (10%)
    Applicants must prepare the budget according to information 
contained in Item D above, and instructions about costs and allowance 
levels contained in the application kit. A detailed Budget Narrative 
must identify and justify each line item and cost. The Corporation will 
assess the cost-effectiveness of the

[[Page 66346]]

proposed project and the project's ability to leverage significant 
resources from private and/or public sources.

I. Geographic Diversity

    In addition to evaluating the overall quality of the proposal and 
its responsiveness to the criteria noted above, the Corporation will 
also ensure that funded projects are geographically diverse, include 
projects in both urban and rural areas, and focus on the needs of low-
income communities, including those in empowerment zones and enterprise 
communities.

    Dated: December 15, 1997.
Stewart A. Davis,
Acting General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 97-33052 Filed 12-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-28-P