[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 111 (Wednesday, June 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31753-31755]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15380]


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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE


AmeriCorps*VISTA Supervision and Transportation Support 
Guidelines

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Final Notice for AmeriCorps*VISTA Supervision and 
Transportation Support Guidelines.

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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service will 
replace the VISTA Supervision and Transportation Support Guidelines 
published in the Federal Register on May 5, 1987 (52 FR 16422). These 
revised guidelines will enable AmeriCorps*VISTA to make a grant 
agreement, or other arrangements with a sponsoring organization to pay 
for on-the-job transportation and/or supervisory support for 
AmeriCorps*VISTA members.

DATES: These guidelines become effective on July 9, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Diana B. London, Acting Director of 
AmeriCorps*VISTA, (202) 606-5000 ext. 228.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A request for comments on the revised 
AmeriCorps*VISTA Supervision and Transportation Support Guidelines was 
published in the Federal Register on March 2, 1998, (63 FR 10200), and 
no comments were received. Thus, these are the final guidelines for all 
AmeriCorps*VISTA member supervision and/or transportation support grant 
applications/agreements submitted to the Corporation for National and 
Community Service. The text of the guidelines follows:

AmeriCorps*VISTA Supervision and Transportation Support Guidelines 
Implementation

    These Guidelines apply to all AmeriCorps*VISTA member supervision 
and/or on-the-job transportation support grant applications/agreements 
submitted to the Corporation for National Service on or after the 
effective date of the final notice.

[[Page 31754]]

1. Purpose

    Section 105(b) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, Pub. 
L. 93-113, as amended, requires the AmeriCorps*VISTA program to ensure 
that each member serving under Title I, Part A of the Act has available 
such allowances and support as will enable them to carry out the 
purpose and provisions of the Act and to perform their assignments 
effectively. In accordance with Section 105(b) and these guidelines, 
AmeriCorps*VISTA may make a commitment through a grant agreement, or 
other arrangement with a sponsor, to pay for on-the-job transportation 
and/or supervisory support of such members.
    This order establishes the policy and guidelines for determining:
    a. The circumstances under which grants or other arrangements for 
AmeriCorps*VISTA contributions to on-the-job transportation expenses of 
AmeriCorps*VISTA members may be negotiated between AmeriCorps*VISTA and 
the sponsor; and
    b. The circumstances under which grants or other arrangements for 
AmeriCorps*VISTA contributions to the cost of providing supervision for 
AmeriCorps*VISTA members may be negotiated between AmeriCorps*VISTA and 
the sponsor.

2. Scope

    Provisions of this policy and guidelines apply to AmeriCorps*VISTA 
sponsors and members serving under Title I, Part A of Pub.L. 93-113, as 
amended.

3. Background

    While AmeriCorps*VISTA must ensure that members have available such 
allowances and support as will enable them to perform their project 
assignments effectively, the provision of adequate on-the-job 
transportation and supervision for AmeriCorps*VISTA members is 
primarily the responsibility of the sponsoring organization.
    AmeriCorps*VISTA recognizes, however, that in some instances 
sponsoring organizations requesting members for projects that conform 
to AmeriCorps*VISTA's programming criteria may need assistance in 
providing this support. Corporation State Program Directors are 
provided with limited financial resources for the purpose of entering 
into transportation and/or supervision arrangements with 
AmeriCorps*VISTA project sponsors.
    When such arrangements are established with a sponsoring 
organization, they are to provide for the direct support of member 
transportation and supervision, as well as travel needed to supervise 
AmeriCorps*VISTA members. They are not intended to provide for other 
support needed to accomplish the goals of the project. All other 
overhead expenses such as supplies, materials, and equipment are the 
sole responsibility of the sponsoring organization.

4. Policy

    AmeriCorps*VISTA will provide full or partial funding for on-the-
job transportation of AmeriCorps*VISTA members and/or for hiring of 
persons responsible for supervision of the members, but only in those 
cases where such support is deemed by the Corporation State Program 
Director to be:
    a. Necessary to the effective functioning of the AmeriCorps*VISTA 
members on the project, and
    b. Within these guidelines.
    (1) Gradual assumption of transportation and/or supervision support 
by the sponsoring organization over the life of the project is 
encouraged.
    (2) When a supervision and/or transportation arrangement is 
approved, the nature of the agreement between the Corporation State 
Program Director and the sponsor will be reflected in the relevant 
Memorandum of Agreement. Any agreement whereby AmeriCorp*VISTA provides 
funds for these purposes will include provisions to ensure that:
    (i) Services are furnished at a reasonable rate;
    (ii) The rate conforms to sponsor's hiring policies and/or local 
prevailing salary levels;
    (iii) Any expenses incurred by the sponsoring organization over the 
agreed amount will be at its own expenses.
    (3) In developing/renewing projects, the Corporation State Program 
Director shall take into account the travel and supervisory 
requirements of the proposed project. AmeriCorps*VISTA project support 
funds will be provided only when needs of the project and the assigned 
members cannot be met by the sponsor's own structure and resources.
    (4) Renewal of supervision and/or transportation grants 
arrangements will be based on need, availability of resources, and 
project performance.

5. Guidelines for Transportation Arrangements

    The Corporation State Program Director will establish the following 
facts before approving AmeriCorps*VISTA funds to support on-the-job 
transportation for AmeriCorps*VISTA members:
    a. Necessity of transportation for AmeriCorps*VISTA members to 
achieve the goals/objectives of the project as contained in the project 
application;
    b. Inability of the sponsoring organization to provide adequate 
transportation.
    c. Travel expenses incurred by AmeriCorps*VISTA members from their 
residence to and from their project site shall not be eligible for 
reimbursement with transportation grant funds.
    d. AmeriCorps*VISTA funds shall not be used to provide on-the-job 
transportation funds to transport members to and from their regularly 
assigned post, or to transport or provide delivery services to the 
population being served.
    e. Expenses incurred by AmeriCorps*VISTA members who utilize public 
transportation for project-related purposes shall be eligible for 
reimbursement consistent with actual costs, including public 
transportation passes.
    The Corporation State Program Director will consider budget 
constraints, available resources, and program and geographic priorities 
in distributing AmeriCorps*VISTA on-the-job transportation funds.

6. Guidelines for Supervision Arrangements

    The Corporation State Program Director shall establish the 
following facts before approving AmeriCorps*VISTA funds to support on-
the-job supervision of AmeriCorps*VISTA members:
    a. Necessity of full or part-time supervision for members to 
achieve the goals/objectives of the project as outlined in the project 
application;
    b. Inability of the sponsoring organization to provide adequate 
supervision;
    c. Number of AmeriCorps*VISTA members assigned to the project 
during the period covered by the Memorandum of Agreement:
    (1) Projects averaging three (3) or fewer AmeriCorps*VISTA members 
over the course of the Memorandum of Agreement will not be eligible for 
any AmeriCorps*VISTA supervisory funding.
    (2) Projects averaging at least four (4) AmeriCorps*VISTA members 
during the term of the Memorandum of Agreement are eligible for part-
time supervisory funding in the same ratio as the individual would 
spend in actual supervision, e.g., if the supervisor spends at least 
30% time directly supervising the members, AmeriCorps*VISTA would fund 
up to 30% of salary.

[[Page 31755]]

    (3) AmeriCorps*VISTA projects are eligible for funding of a full-
time supervisory position if the project averages at least eight (8) 
AmeriCorps*VISTA members over the course of the Memorandum of 
Agreement.
    d. Necessity of supervisor job-related travel based on number of 
AmeriCorps*VISTA members assigned and the geographic dispersion of the 
project.
    The Corporation State Program Director will consider budget 
constraints, available resources, and program and geographic priorities 
in distributing AmeriCorps*VISTA supervision funds.

7. Elimination or Reduction of Transportation and/or Supervision 
Funding

    a. As a general rule, the level of funding, determined by the 
Project Manager and contained in an AmeriCorps*VISTA project support 
grant/agreement, will be maintained throughout the term of the annual 
Memorandum of Agreement between the Corporation for National Service 
and the sponsoring organization. However, types of conditions which may 
cause the reduction or elimination of project support during the term 
of the annual Memorandum of Agreement are:
    (1) Amendment by mutual agreement between the Corporation for 
National Service and the sponsor;
    (2) Termination by the sponsor for any reason;
    (3) Reassignment, resignation, or termination of AmeriCorps*VISTA 
members from the project before their term of service has ended with no 
replacements during that budget year;
    (4) Substantial changes in member assignments; or
    (5) Suspension or termination in accordance with 45 CFR Part 1206, 
Subpart A.
    b. All grant awards or agreements documenting supervisory or on-
the-job transportation arrangements will contain language indicating 
that the AmeriCorps*VISTA funding may be reduced or eliminated in 
accordance with the provisions of this Guideline and the Memorandum of 
Agreement.

    Dated: June 4, 1998.
Kenneth L. Klothen,
General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 98-15380 Filed 6-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-28-P