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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 112 (Monday, June 11, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34354-34355]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-14014]

[[Page 34354]]

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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

Notice Inviting Informal Public Comment on Training and Technical 
Assistance and Disability Inclusion Programming

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).

ACTION: Notice Inviting Public Comment.

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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is 
inviting informal public comment from the public concerning the 
development and implementation of a unified training and technical 
assistance (TTA) strategy and disability inclusion programming for all 
CNCS programs. This input will be used to inform competitive processes 
for funding TTA as we transition from a formula-based methodology to 
competitive processes.
    The new budget environment requires a more focused and outcome-
oriented strategy for TTA and disability programming. Our desired 
outcomes for TTA center on performance measurement and management, 
member/volunteer development and impact, as well as assisting programs 
in meeting requirements related to fiscal and program compliance. For 
disability inclusion, our goal is to increase the numbers of people 
with disabilities serving in national service programs. Stakeholder 
feedback on the most effective way to address these outcomes will be 
helpful to CNCS as we plan and prepare for this work.
    We will accept comments in writing, as described below, or in 
person at a listening session at the National Conference on 
Volunteering and Service in Chicago, June 19, 2012. We will also hold 
two conference calls before the end of the comment period (please see 
schedule below). Please see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for topics to 
consider when formulating input. CNCS will not respond individually to 
those providing input, but will consider comments in preparing for 
future competitions.
    Please note that this Notice does not request comments on 
individual application forms used under the various programs of CNCS. 
CNCS periodically publishes separate requests for comment concerning 
such application forms.

DATES: Comments due: July 6, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
    (1) Electronically through the CNCS email address system sent to: 
tta@cns.gov or via www.regulations.gov.
    (2) By participating in any of the conference calls or the 
listening session described below.
    (3) By mail postmarked no later than July 6, 2012 sent to: 
Corporation for National and Community Service, Attn: Gina Fulbright-
Powell; 1201 New York Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20525.
    (4) By fax to: (202) 606-3477 Attn: Gina Fulbright-Powell.
    For more information on CNCS and its programs, please visit our Web 
site at http://www.nationalservice.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gina Fulbright-Powell, Corporation for 
National and Community Service; tta@cns.gov; (202) 606-7515 or TDD 
(202) 606-3472. Persons with visual impairments may request this notice 
in an alternative format.

Description of Requested Input

    CNCS is inviting informal input from the public concerning the 
development and implementation of a unified training and technical 
assistance strategy and disability inclusion programming to make the 
best use of federal funds to support all CNCS programs--AmeriCorps, 
Senior Corps, VISTA, NCCC, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, 
the 9-11 Day of Service, and the Social Innovation Fund. We will accept 
written comments via tta@cns.gov or www.regulations.gov.
    We will also accept comments at a listening session held at the 
National Conference on Volunteering and Service in Chicago on June 19, 
2012, and will conduct two conference calls between now and the end of 
the comment period.
    CNCS will not respond individually to those providing comments, but 
will consider input in planning for future competitions. Please submit 
written input to tta@cns.gov or via www.regulations.gov as soon as 
possible. Comments should be received no later than 5:00 p.m. ET July 
6, 2012 in order for full consideration.
    When providing in-person or written input, please consider the 
following questions:

Aligning TTA With CNCS Strategic Priorities

    The CNCS outcomes for training and technical assistance will focus 
on performance measurement and management, member/volunteer development 
and impact, and fiscal and program compliance. How are these priorities 
similar or emergent across CNCS programs? What are other program-
specific needs or priorities that should be considered? What might be 
the best way to deliver TTA to address these priorities? Are there 
external partners or other federal agencies with intellectual capital 
in any of these areas we could examine and possibly leverage?

Cost Efficiencies

    Funds for training and technical assistance are appropriated under 
several distinct authorities. However, in what ways can CNCS maximize 
TTA investments by identifying a common set of needs and strategies? 
How can we ensure that all programs receive the right level of support? 
What competencies are common to all CNCS programs? What competencies 
are unique to a specific program? What learning strategies or 
infrastructure can be common to all programs? How might we use 
technology to reach more grantees more effectively? What applicable 
learning infrastructure exists at the state or intermediary level or 
through other federal agencies that CNCS might replicate or adopt?

Measuring TTA Impact

    How can TTA produce the greatest impact? What are the most 
important outcomes of successful CNCS training and technical 
assistance? What are some low cost ways CNCS can measure and account 
for TTA investments?

Additional Considerations

    CNCS seeks additional thoughts and feedback on the following ideas 
and strategies we have identified and are considering:

 Development of core competencies and assessments across CNCS 
programs (with tailoring as needed for specific audiences)
 Enhanced Online Learning Center (with tracking of knowledge 
gains by course and completion by grantee/project/member)
 Knowledge Networks (to stimulate online user-generated content 
on what works through communities of practice in the focus areas)
 Convenings (both face-to-face and virtually) Regional, 
national, or local convenings meetings, trainings, or institutes around 
key competencies (e.g. performance management) or convened by subject 
(i.e. effective practices in a particular focus area)
 Individualized TA to support targeted programs and projects 
(based on assessment of capacity and a developmental coaching approach)

Maximizing Disability Inclusion Resources

    The intent of funding for Disability Inclusion is to increase the 
participation of individuals with disabilities in national service and 
for demonstration

[[Page 34355]]

activities to further that goal. Given that goal, what competencies are 
needed for CNCS programs to conduct outreach and recruit people with 
disabilities to participate in national service programs? What is the 
best approach for making reasonable accommodations on behalf of all 
CNCS programs? What are the strategies most likely to lead to greater 
inclusion of people with disabilities in national service programs? 
Given the restrictions for collecting information on people with 
disabilities (other than self-disclosure), how do we track and report 
the numbers of people with disabilities across CNCS programs?
    Conference Calls and Public Input Meeting: CNCS has scheduled two 
conference calls as follows:
    Conference call #1: Monday, June 25 from 4:00-5:00 p.m. ET, call-in 
number 888-324-4147, participant passcode: POWELL.
    Conference call #2: Thursday, June 28 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. ET, 
call-in number 800-779-1632, participant passcode: 2116663.
    CNCS would like to anticipate the number of participants on each 
call. If you intend to participate, please indicate your intent by 
sending an email with your name, title, organization, contact 
information, and which call you will be joining to tta@cns.gov. 
Transcripts will be available on the CNCS Web site following each call.
    The public input listening session will be held on Tuesday, June 19 
during the National Conference on Volunteering and Service in Chicago, 
Illinois at the McCormack Place West at 2301 S. Indiana Avenue from 
8:30-10:00 a.m. CNCS would like to anticipate the number of 
participants. Please send an email indicating your intention to attend 
the listening session at the National Conference with your name, title, 
organization, and contact information. We will follow up with a 
confirmation. Should you not be registered as an attendee for the 
National Conference you will use this confirmation to secure your 
admittance. If you are registered for the conference, please go to the 
conference Web site (www.volunteeringandservice.org), and add session 
3336 to your Itinerary.
    Also, if you cannot attend the listening session at the National 
Conference in person, a transcript of the session will be posted on the 
Web site for online review.
    Please check our Web site at http://www.nationalservice.gov/tta for 
further information and updates.

    Dated: June 5, 2012.
Gretchen Van der Veer,
Director, Leadership Development and Training.
[FR Doc. 2012-14014 Filed 6-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-$$-P
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