Iowa AmeriCorps Fellowship Program - Iowa State University



Iowa AmeriCorps 4-H

Environmental education Program

2018-2019 AmeriCorps Host-Site Application

& Program Information

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Apply to host an AmeriCorps 4-H

Environmental Education Member!

**Proposals due October 12th, 2018**

Iowa’s 4-H Information

AmeriCorps 4-H Environmental Education is a unique partnership between AmeriCorps and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The vision of ISU Extension & Outreach 4-H is to prepare Iowa’s youth to be knowledgeable, active, contributing members of society.

To achieve this vision, Iowa 4-H’s mission is to “empower youth to reach their full potential through youth-adult partnerships and research-based experiences.”

Research shows that youth who participate in 4-H youth development activities increase the chances of becoming successful adults. The essential elements to 4-H programming are:

1. Caring Adults: Ongoing relationships with caring adults — parents, mentors, tutors or coaches — offer youth support, care and guidance.

2. Safe Environments: Safe places with structured activities during nonschool hours provide both physical and emotional safety for youth.

3. Inclusive settings: An environment that creates a sense of belonging, and encourages and supports its members with positive and specific feedback and celebrates the success of all members, taking pride in the collective efforts of all participants

Opportunities for:

4. Mastery: To build knowledge, skills and attitudes and demonstrate the competent use of this knowledge and skill by a proficient practitioner.

5. Service: To find yourself by losing yourself in service to others to gain exposure to the larger community.

6. Self Determination: to believe that you have an impact on life events rather than passively submitting to the will and whims of others. Youth must develop a sense of influence over their live, exercising their potential to become self-directing, autonomous adults.

7. Planning for the Future: develop the ability to see oneself in the future enables youth to have hope and optimism to shape life choices, which facilitates the transition into participating in the future.

8. Engaged Learning: An engaged youth is one who is mindful of the subject area, building relationships and connections in order to develop understanding. Through self-reflection, youth have the ability to self-correct and learn from experience. The engaged learner has a higher degree of self-motivation and an inexhaustible capacity for creativity.

AmeriCorps 4-H Environmental Education seeks to provide youth with a setting that fosters:

1. Recognizing the importance of Iowa's native resources and conservation practices

2. Understanding the science of the natural world

3. Experiencing the joy of outdoor activities and healthy living

4. Developing appreciation and sense of stewardship for the environment

Iowa AmeriCorps 4-H Information

On December 13, 2004, then Governor Vilsack accepted recognition from America’s Promise designating Iowa as a State of Promise for children and youth. Consequently, starting in 2005, in collaboration with Iowa’s Promise, Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service, and the Iowa Collaboration for Youth Development (IOYD), Iowa State University Extension’s 4-H Youth Development program began hosting the Iowa AmeriCorps State of Promise program. The program, now named Iowa AmeriCorps 4-H Outreach is administered by ISU Extension and Outreach. In 2018, the Outreach program expanded to create Iowa AmeriCorps 4-H Environmental Education, who coordinates the activities of the AmeriCorps members serving in communities across the state.

The AmeriCorps members will lead efforts to recruit and mobilize volunteers for a variety of environmentally focused educational activities and programs, coordinate community youth leadership initiatives, develop new partnerships between private organizations and youth-serving programs, and design and develop community service learning projects. The AmeriCorps members are placed in various programs, organizations, and sites (government, faith-based, non-profits, and community-based) that focus on providing youth programming based on the 4-H youth development principles and practices. Emphasis is placed on the 4-H priority topics of 1) Healthy Living; 2) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM): Citizenship and Leadership; 4) Communications and Arts.

As environmental issues begin to hit closer to home in Iowa, it is more essential to make sure our youth understand the issues they will face as adults. Fostering a passion for nature will create more positive growth mentally and physically, as well as ensuring a healthy environment in the future. Through this philosophy, the AmeriCorps 4-H Environmental Education program was developed in 2018. The bonding of ideas will create healthier youth in Iowa, as well as a healthy environment for them to live, play, and grow in.

AmeriCorps 4-H Environmental Education members aim to:

• Provide leadership training to groups of youth learn to design and implement community service-learning projects related to conservation or nature.

• Create a connection with the environment and get students outside and active.

• Enhance out-of-school programs by developing programming that encourages a love for nature.

• Educate youth on healthy lifestyle choices, leadership, and creating youth recreational programs.

• Design curriculum on soil health, water quality, storm patterns, native ecosystems, climate, and Iowa’s current environmental challenges.

• Develop or expand youth philanthropy programs at volunteer centers and community foundations, making natural spaces more available to disadvantaged populations

The AmeriCorps members are the heart of this partnership as they link the sites in:

• Recruiting, training, and managing volunteers.

• Establishing alliances and partnerships with local government, faith based, and community-based organizations and initiatives.

• Passion for nature with youth’s curiosity.

• Helping local host-sites acquire the resources and volunteers needed to achieve long-term sustainability.

• Building local capacity by providing information on K-12 environmental education to local individuals, groups, and organizations.

In exchange for their year of service, AmeriCorps members develop skills that build a strong, leadership-packed résumé, earn an annual living allowance and receive a post-service education award to finance higher education or pay towards qualified student loans. Additionally, AmeriCorps members may apply for education loan forbearance during their term of service.

AmeriCorps 4-H Environmental Education also provides basic health insurance for full time members and AmeriCorps offers a limited childcare subsidy for full time members who qualify financially. Full-time members serve at least 1,700 hours and half-time members serve at least 900 hours over a ten to twelve-month commitment at local host-sites. Environmental Education full-time members are not available for the 2018 program year. Full-time member slots will be available for the 2019-2020 service year.

Program Partners

The following organizations play an important role in the life of the program as funders, visionaries, and support providers.

• The Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service (ICVS) promotes volunteerism and community service throughout the state of Iowa and provides technical assistance and training to the IASOP program coordinator.

• The Corporation for National and Community Service contributes to each state commission an amount of money for operating AmeriCorps programs in that state. Then, with oversight of the Corporation, each state commission administers their own AmeriCorps programs. ICVS administers the AmeriCorps State programs operating in Iowa.

• The Iowa Collaboration for Youth Development (ICYD) has adopted the Iowa’s Promise framework to communicate a common and powerful message to Iowans about the importance and value of providing children and youth with the services, opportunities, and supports young people need to succeed.

• ISU Extension & Outreach mobilizes people from throughout Iowa to contribute to the positive development of all Iowa’s youth.

AmeriCorps 4-H Environmental Education provides youth-serving organizations and coalitions the opportunity to apply to host one or more AmeriCorps members who coordinate youth stewardship projects and programs during the course of their AmeriCorps service year. In order to do this, the program applies for AmeriCorps funding each year from the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Iowa Commission for Volunteer Service. ISU Extension and Outreach has applied for funding for the 2018-2019 service year. The available slots will be awarded through this application process to host-sites across the state.

The application process to become an AmeriCorps 4-H host-site is as stated below:

1) Thoroughly read the program details and application instructions.

2) Fully answer the questions as described in the attached proposal guidelines.

3) Complete all required sections and submit a signed PDF copy via e-mail to minardb@iastate.edu by 4:30 PM October 12th, 2018.

Please read through the following sections of the application process. Detailed information needed to apply for and host an AmeriCorps 4-H Environmental Education member is included. If questions remain, please contact Bobbi Minard, Program Coordinator, at 515.294.8013 or minardb@iastate.edu.

Eligible Organizations

To be eligible, organizations:

• Are non-profit, 501(c)3 organizations, schools, or government agencies operating in Iowa.

• Have been operational for at least one year with at least one full-time staff member and the capacity to host an AmeriCorps 4-H Environmental Education member.

Expectations for Hosting an AmeriCorps 4-H Environmental Education Member

Applicants must demonstrate that hosting a member will enable the organization to:

• Provide more services to the community by creating or enhancing a youth-focused project relating to the environment or outdoors.

• Improve the quality and effectiveness of its current nature-related youth programming.

• Partner with a network of youth-serving organizations and agencies.

Criteria for a Host-site Project

AmeriCorps 4-H Environmental Education member projects must:

• Meet a defined community need or benefit and involve young people (K-12) and align with program’s performance measures of increasing youth engagement through the outdoors (described on page 7).

• Be a new project or an expansion of an existing project.

• Educate youth on environmental topics or stewardship.

• Have a large-scale impact.

• Be AmeriCorps 4-H Environmental Education member-led or be part of a larger member-led project.*

*Members can be involved with more than one project

Prohibited Activities

AmeriCorps members cannot:

• Displace a current employee or serve in a regular staff position.

• Be involved with political advocacy, religious instruction, voter registration drives, fundraising for host-site match/operating expenses, writing federal grants, union organizing, or clerical activities.*

• Volunteers recruited by or working with AmeriCorps members are also subject to Prohibited Activities listed in 45 CFR 2520.65, to Prohibited Activities listed in 45 CFR 2520.65, 2520.4, 2520.45.

*Members can perform limited administrative and fundraising duties necessary to their project.

AmeriCorps Members Background and Training Requirements

AmeriCorps 4-H Environmental Education Members have come from diverse backgrounds and have a passion for community service. Many Members are college graduates looking for a hands-on service and youth development experience and to gain a deeper understanding of sustainability and the environment. AmeriCorps members receive an initial orientation and training from the program and ongoing leadership training and professional development opportunities throughout the year. A member’s background in environmental sciences may be limited, but they will be education on Iowa’s current environmental issues, natural resource conservation, native Iowa ecosystems and species, and climate. The host-site is responsible for site-specific and project-related training and orientation, and CPR certification. There are some funds available for reimbursement of training, travel, or supplies.

An AmeriCorps member must:

• Be at least 17 years of age by the time of enrollment which begins in October 2019 (there is no upper age limit).

• Be a United States citizen or have a permanent resident visa.

• Have a high school diploma or GED, or agree to achieve a diploma or GED before applying for an education award.

• Have served no more than three terms of service in national service programs. Note: If a person has earned the equivalent of two full time education awards, he/she is still eligible to serve up to four terms, but is not eligible for another education award.

Recruitment and Enrollment Process

AmeriCorps 4-H Environmental Education asks host-sites to be responsible for recruitment and hiring of their member(s). Hiring is site specific—a generic position description will be provided, but the local sites must identify site specific responsibilities and identify the skill sets needed by each member. The program will assist, as needed, in the interviewing process and handle the official enrollment of the AmeriCorps member.

Application Timeline

Applications are due before on or by 4:30 PM, October 12th, 2018.

• AmeriCorps member host-sites will be selected and notified by October 12th, 2018.

• The program may work with host-sites to recruit and enroll an AmeriCorps 4-H EE member; however the host site has final responsibility for hiring.

• AmeriCorps members can be enrolled October 1st. Half-time members must complete 900 hours. Quarter time members must complete 450 hours. Minimum-time must complete 300 hours. AmeriCorps member(s) can be enrolled and start service as late as June 3rd, 2019.

Host-sites Selection Process

Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee that will make recommendations to the Program Coordinator. Final decisions are made by the Program Coordinator. Key elements include:

• Organizational capacity to develop and manage the project and oversee and supervise the AmeriCorps member.

• Realistic objectives with measurable outcomes that align with the program’s performance measures.

• Proper support, supervision, and training for the AmeriCorps member during the year of service.

• Demonstrated collaborative relationship with the program.

Allowable Number of AmeriCorps Member(s) per Host-Site

• Host-sites have hosted more than one AmeriCorps member in a service year.

• Host-sites may request half-time (900 hours), quarter time (450 hours), or minimum time (300) slots.

• The application must clearly define the role of each member slot being requested.

The AmeriCorps 4-H Program Provides

The AmeriCorps 4-H Environmental Education Program is committed to the success of each AmeriCorps member and their host-site. The program provides:

• AmeriCorps 4-H member slot(s)— half-time, 20 hours per week for 12 months or 40 hours per week for 6 months. Quarter time, 40 hours per week for 3-4 months. Minimum time, 40 hours per week for 2-3 months. Service months may vary depending on agreement between host sites and members.

• In-service leadership and member training.

• Access to the AmeriCorps national service network and associated trainings and conferences.

• Orientation and training for the AmeriCorps member(s) and host-site supervisor.

• Site visits to address host-site needs and evaluate AmeriCorps member progress and project goals.

• Administration of AmeriCorps benefits: monthly living allowance, post-service education award, health insurance (full time only), training opportunities, and AmeriCorps-related expense reimbursements.

• DCI and FBI background checks on all AmeriCorps members.

• Limited reimbursement for local travel expenses and program supplies expended as part of the member’s service for the host-site. Amount reimbursed varies on the length of a member’s service term. AmeriCorps-required training and travel is paid for by the program.

• Ongoing support, oversight, and technical assistance for the host-site and its AmeriCorps member(s).

Host-site Requirements

• A clear vision of the project and how the AmeriCorps member can be most effectively utilized.

• Adequate office space and supplies: to meet AmeriCorps requirements and for the success of the members’ service term, all host-sites must provide office space, desk, internet, e-mail, phone, fax, postage for work-related mail, and supplies for each AmeriCorps member. AmeriCorps members may not work from a home office.

• Supportive leadership from staff and host-site to ensure the AmeriCorps member is considered and treated as an integral part of the organization. AmeriCorps members are committed to service, and their experiences should lead to valuable life skills, increased leadership, and self-determination. Host-sites who incorporate the AmeriCorps member into the organization and community reach a greater level of sustainability and community impact.

• One designated host-site supervisor to provide ongoing supervision and support. This person must have strong knowledge of the community, natural environment, and be willing to comply with this application and AmeriCorps 4-H Environmental Education grant regulations and guidelines. The site supervisor must be able to provide consistent supervision of the AmeriCorps member and ideally facilitate staff meetings with the member at minimum bi-weekly. Additionally, the supervisor must validate time sheets, prepare program/grant reporting requirements, and work with the AmeriCorps member to create and sustain individual site programs, events, and goals. A mandatory site supervisor training will be held in October 2018, or in Spring 2019 for members who will begin later in the service year. All successful host-site applicants must send their designated supervisor. The AmeriCorps member must be on location with the site supervisor.

• A cash contribution (see page 7) to defray a portion of the program costs.

Performance Measures

AmeriCorps members, through community based host agencies, will provide high-quality, research-based environmental education experiences for economically or otherwise disadvantaged youth in Iowa rural and urban communities with limited youth supports. The site will report the number participants who complete a minimum of six hours of education activities including afterschool and summer programming, with an emphasis on the 4-H priority topics of Healthy Living, STEM, Citizenship and Leadership, and Communication and Arts, in connection to the environment or natural world. All activities will be based on 4-H youth development principles and practices using research based curricula. Improved academic performance and attitudes following participation in the positive youth development educational programs will be demonstrated through administration of a pre/post student survey. Programs provided through AmeriCorps 4-H Environmental Education should strive to be at least 6 hours in length.

Sites will also report information on member recruitment, training and management of volunteers.

Host-site Cash Contribution

Each host-site organization must invest in the partnership by providing a non-federal cash match. The contribution is used to cover a portion of the total cost of the 4-H Environmental Education program and the cost of the member serving at your site. Cash resources will be used solely in support of the 4-H Environmental Education Project. Host-sites must contribute $3,400* for a half-time AmeriCorps member who serves a minimum of 900 hours over a six-month term of service. This is a great value; the total cost for the grant to support each AmeriCorps FTE position is $27,000. Host-sites must contribute $1,800 for a quarter-time AmeriCorps member who serves a minimum of 450 hours. Minimum time slots require a cash match of $1,625. The cash contribution is due in full on the 1st of the month after a member begins service. So, if a member were to begin on May 24th, the full cash-match is due June 1st.

The funds go toward the overall program and member’s living allowance, FICA, health insurance, training, transportation, conference calls, and other member support services. The contribution is non-refundable. The total yearly cash match contribution will be paid to ISU Extension even if an AmeriCorps member does not successfully complete his/her term of service, or in the event that the community is unable to fill contracted service positions. AmeriCorps positions can only be refilled if the former, exiting member has completed less than 15% of their contracted service hours (30% if exited without a partial education award).

Host-site In-kind Match

Each host-site organization must contribute to the initiative by providing an in-kind match. The in-kind match is based on the site supervisor’s time given in support and supervision of the site’s AmeriCorps member(s). Site supervisors must document their hourly rate (salary +benefits) and submit monthly time reports to document the match.

Please complete the attached proposal template (Sections I, II, III). The template follows on the next page and can be navigated by using the tab button on your computer. You are encouraged to be creative in the proposal development, but must follow the guidelines below.

➢ Answer each section clearly and in order—use the template to guide you in the process.

➢ Type your narrative directly into the template. Be sure to follow the character limits.

➢ If you are applying for more than one AmeriCorps member and the members will be working on different projects and/or performing different activities, in Section III complete separate Project Overview for each project and a Service Description for each unique position, indicate the associated project.

➢ Print, sign, and submit the proposal to the address below.

If you have questions or encounter any technical difficulties in completing your application, please contact Bobbi Minard at 515.294.8013 or minardb@iastate.edu.

Section I: Title Page (Page 10)

Enter all applicable information and attach to the front of your application with appropriate signatures.

Section II: Organizational Overview (Page 11: Maximum of 2,500 characters)

Provide a clear and concise description of your organization answering at least the following: What is your organization’s mission? What are its major programs and services? What is the source of the non-federal cash support for this program?

Section III: Project Narrative (Page 11-12: Maximum of 10,000 characters)

Please describe your project using each of the areas described below. If applying for multiple member slots, a service description is required for each requested slot. If members will be working different projects, individual Project Overviews is required for each slot.

1) Project Overview: Provide a one-paragraph summary of the AmeriCorps Project, including the target number of youth participants that will complete a minimum of 6 hours of programming. (Maximum of 2,500 characters)

2) Service Description: Describe the service activities the AmeriCorps member will perform and the expected accomplishments. Consider: What are the objectives of the project? What are the AmeriCorps member’s specific duties (think of a detailed job description)? Very important: this section holds a majority of the weight during the review process and is used to develop the final service description. Member experience is a vital part of program continuation. Applications are assessed on feasibility, community impact, clarity, and detail. (Maximum of 5,000 characters)

3) AmeriCorps Member Support and Supervision: AmeriCorps members need support and guidance to be successful. Convince us that your organization has the capacity to support the AmeriCorps member(s) and the proposed project. Consider: Who will be the AmeriCorps supervisor? What support and training will you provide the AmeriCorps member? What other training/development opportunities, support, and/or benefits will you provide? (Maximum of 2,500 characters)

Section I: Title Page

|Applicant Information |

|Organization Name: |      |

|Total # of AmeriCorps Members Proposed For Your Organization: |      |

|# of Quarter-Time Positions: |      |# of Half-Time Positions: |      |

|# of Minimum-Time Positions: |      | | |

|Mailing Address: |      |

|City: |      |Zip: |      |Website: |      |

|Contact Person: |      |

|(Must have authority to commit/receive funds) |

|Phone:       |Fax:       |Email:       |

| |

|Host-Site Information |

|Host-Site Organization: (if different |      |

|than above) | |

|AmeriCorps Member Supervisor Name: |      |

|Mailing Address: |      |

|City: |      |Zip: |      |Website: |      |

|Phone: |      |Fax:       |Email:       |

| |

|Understanding |

|In submitting this information to 4-H Environmental Education, we certify that the information is true and correct to the best of our knowledge. We further |

|understand that if this site is selected to host an AmeriCorps member(s), we are responsible for: |

|Providing on-site supervision and support for the AmeriCorps member, including an on-site pre-service orientation and training, weekly to bi-weekly supervisor |

|meetings. |

|Paying a non-federal cash contribution to help support the AmeriCorps member costs in full on the 1st month after an AmeriCorps member’s start date |

|Providing adequate work space including desk, computer, internet, e-mail, phone, and access to fax and copier. |

|Participating in AmeriCorps member evaluations, site visits, and other AmeriCorps events deemed appropriate. |

| |

|Please type or print: |

|Name: |      |

|Title: |      |

|Date: |      |

|Signature: | |

Section II: organizational overview

Provide a clear and concise description of your organization. Consider: The organization’s mission and the major programs and services. (Maximum of 2,500 characters)

     

Section III: Project Narrative

1) Project Overview

Why do you want to host an AmeriCorps member(s) and how will the AmeriCorps member(s) serve in your organization to increase community capacity to provide youth with the positive youth development experiences? Review local data and demonstrate how your local initiative will address community need and serve underserved population(s). Please cite the data source (i.e. Iowa Youth Survey, Council, Health Assessment, Delinquency Data, etc.). Also provide a summary of the proposed AmeriCorps member(s) environmental education project, including target number of youth completing 6 hours or more of programming. (Maximum of 2,500 characters) (This section is worth 15% of the total application.)

**PROJECTED NUMBER OF YOUTH COMPLETING AT LEAST 6 HOURS OF PROGRAMMING THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM YEAR (9/1/18-8/31/19)**      

     

2) Service Description

Describe the service activities the AmeriCorps member will perform and the expected accomplishments. Consider: The objectives of the project and the AmeriCorps member’s specific duties (think of a detailed job description). Very important: Preference will be given to programs aligned with topics relating to environmental sciences and stewardship, and with the 4-H priority topics of Healthy Living, STEM, Citizenship and Leadership, and Communications and Arts. This section holds a majority of the weight during the review process and is used to develop the final service description. All these topics should connect to environmental systems, stewardship, or the natural world. Applications are assessed on feasibility and increased capacity. A Service Description must be provided for each unique position. If more than one member will be serving the same term (HT/QT/MT) and performing the same activities, one description is acceptable. Indicate the number of slots with identical descriptions. (Maximum of 5,000 characters) (This section is worth 70% of the total application.)

Position Description #       Term (HT)       (QT)       (MT)       # Slots      

     

3) AmeriCorps Member Support and Supervision

AmeriCorps members need support and guidance to be successful. State how your organization has the capacity to support the AmeriCorps member(s) and the proposed initiative. Identify the AmeriCorps member’s supervisor. List the support and training you will provide the AmeriCorps member(s). Identify additional development opportunities, support, or benefits you will provide to the AmeriCorps member(s). (Maximum of 2,500 characters) (This section is worth 15% of the total application.)

     

Section Iv: Previous Successes/challenges

This section is to be completed by applicants that have previously participated as a host site with Iowa AmeriCorps State of Promise or AmeriCorps 4H Outreach. Describe the success of your previous AmeriCorps project(s) and the role of AmeriCorps member(s) in that success. Address challenges encountered in the previous projects and discuss corrective actions or improvement plans. Provide data and examples to support the program success. (This section is worth an additional 10%)

     

*This is the anticipated cash match. Cash match specifics are contingent on successful funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service.

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Empower youth to reach their full potential through youth-adult partnerships and research-based experiences

Program Overview

Application Overview

Program Details

Proposal Guidelines

Applications are due before or by 4:30 PM, October 12th, 2018.

E-mail a signed PDF to minardb@iastate.edu

Host-Site Application

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