9/12/2015 Real Stories of AmeriCorps: Gain Skills, Make Friends, Earn an Education Award, and Attend College! Jewel Bazilio-Bellegarde, Senior Training.

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Real Stories of AmeriCorps: Gain Skills, Make Friends,

Earn an Education Award, and Attend College!  

Jewel Bazilio-Bellegarde, Senior Training Officer Disability Inclusion, CNCS

Erin Gannon, Senior Training Specialist, NSIP

Paula Sotnik, Director, NSIP

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www.SERVICEandINCLUSION.org

Toll-free hotline: 888-491-0326 (voice/TTY)

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Welcome! Today we will…

• Provide an overview of national and community service• Talk about AmeriCorps• Discuss why AmeriCorps is a great idea for transition• Experience real stories of AmeriCorps members• Examine why more youth with disabilities are not taking advantage

• Listen to you! What can we do next!

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What brought him to service?

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5

Corporation for Nat’l & Community Service

• A federal agency established in 1993 and reauthorized in 2009 with the passage of the Kennedy Serve America Act, to provide opportunities for ALL Americans to give back to their communities through service and volunteering

•CNCS mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering

•Structured volunteer service opportunities are provided through three major programs: Senior Corps, AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve America. Many new programs to be established with the Serve America Act which reinforces the CNCS commitment to the inclusion of individuals with disabilities

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VISTA LeadersHQ

Sponsoring Agencies

Senior Corps

Foster GrandparentsSponsoring Agencies

State Offices

RSVPSponsoring Agencies

State Offices

Senior CompanionsSponsoring Agencies

State Offices

Nat’l Demonstration Projects

Nat’l Organizations

Sponsoring AgenciesAmeriCorps

Nat’l Demonstration Projects

HQ

Nat’l Organizations

National, Regional & Local Projects

SE Region Campus

NE Region Campus

Central Region Campus

Western Region Campus

Capital Region Campus

State GrantsState Commissions

Ed Award Program GrantsState Commissions

Nat’l Organizations

Tribes & Territories

Tribes & Territories Grants

National Directs GrantsNat’l Parent Organizations

* Sub-Grantees

* Sub-Grantees

Learn & Serve AmericaState Ed Agencies (K-12)

Higher Ed Institutions

Community-based Orgs

Tribes

Presidential Freedom

Scholarships

HS Jrs & Srs

Learn & Serve America

Nat’l S-L ClearinghouseAll S-L practitioners & researchers

AState & NationalAState & National

ANCCCANCCC

AVISTAAVISTA

Sponsoring Agencies

The National Service Network Programs & Partners

Local ProjectsSponsoring Agencies

State Offices

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In addition to the many benefits, in exchange for volunteering in a National Service program participants are eligible to receive: 

–A living stipend–An Education Award–Health Insurance, as needed–Child care benefits, as needed

Member Benefits

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AmeriCorps (AC) supports a broad range of local service programs that engage thousands of Americans in full or part-time volunteering to meet critical community needs. AmeriCorps program grants go to states, national nonprofits, Indian Tribes and U.S. territories. US Citizens 17 years or older, with a H.S. diploma/GED or working on one, or with an Independent Educational Assessment are eligible to apply.

AC State and National members are eligible to receive a living allowance, health insurance, child care, and an education award upon successful completion of the service period. The HEART Act of 2008 made it possible for the living stipend to be disregarded as income for SSI eligibility purposes.

Limited funds are available to members and volunteers in all streams of service through State Service Commissions for reasonable accommodations.

AmeriCorps

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AmeriCorps VISTA provides full-time volunteers to community organizations and public agencies to create and expand programs that build capacity and ultimately bring low-income individuals and communities out of poverty.

AmeriCorps VISTA members or volunteers are eligible to receive a living allowance, health care, child care and an education award upon completion.

The VISTA living allowance is not regarded as income for purposes of SSI or SSDI eligibility

AmeriCorps VISTA

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The AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) is a full-time residential program for men and women aged 18-24 that strengthens communities while developing leaders through direct, team-based national and community service.

NCCC members receive a living allowance, health care and an education award upon completion.

AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC)

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The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award•a benefit VISTA, AmeriCorps, & NCCC members receive upon successful completion of their term of service. •members are eligible for an award of up to $5,550. •AmeriCorps, VISTA, and NCCC members can enroll in multiples terms of service that add up to the value of two full-time education awards. •a number of colleges & universities encourage AmeriCorps alumni to attend by offering them scholarships. •used for enrichment classes, course(s) through community college, junior college, or university, to purchase a computer &/or and/or buy school gear as long as items qualify as "cost of attendance" expenses at a Title IV school.

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Other Benefits:AlumniContinuing Their Service and Commitment

Longitudinal studies show AmeriCorps alums:• are more connected to their communities• continue to participate in community activities• choose public service careers at higher levels than their peers

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Think College and National Service Inclusion Project:Intersection of the Two Programs

• underrepresentation of individuals with ID in service and college;

• underrepresentation of individuals with ID in national service;• national service can lead to PSE and provide benefits;• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award can be used to pay 

education costs • supports can benefit individuals to fully participate in college;

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National Service & Postsecondary Education Mini-Grant Waisman Center UCEDD and Serve Wisconsin

• Demonstrate how national service and the education award can support individuals with ID to go to college, lead to work and much more!

• Let’s hear from Claire and Jacob!

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JACOB’S STORY

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CLAIRE’S STORYMadison, WI

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So, is this a great option for transition?

If so, why aren’t more youth applying?

1.Did you know about AmeriCorps?

2.Did you know about the benefits?

3.What are the concerns, questions?

4.What will you do next? ACTION PLANS?

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Interested? Talk to your states disability coordinator. Please see:http://www.serviceandinclusion.org/index.php?page=coordinatorslist 

Visit AmeriCorps.gov to learn more!Especially http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/overview/index.asp

AmeriCorps?

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