Sneak Preview: AmeriCorps Proposes Senior Program Rule Revisions
(The following was excerpted from a recent Thompson Grants Compliance Expert article.) AmeriCorps, also known as the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), is proposing regulatory amendments to three AmeriCorps Seniors (formerly National Service Senior Corps) programs aimed at removing barriers to participation and increasing grantee flexibility. One such amendment under one of the programs would maintain a single 10% nonfederal match over the life of the grant.
Stakeholders may submit comments by April 15 on the proposed rule, which was issued in the Feb. 14 Federal Register, via Regulations.gov by referring to CNCS-2024-0005.
AmeriCorps Seniors operates four programs: Senior Companion Program (SCP), Foster Grandparent Program (FGP), Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and Senior Demonstration Program. This proposed rule would affect the SCP regulations at 45 C.F.R. Part 2551; FGP regulations at 45 C.F.R. Part 2552; and RSVP regulations at 45 C.F.R. Part 2553. The Senior Demonstration Program is not impacted by the proposed rule.
AmeriCorps Seniors programs provide grants to qualified agencies and organizations to engage persons 55 and older, particularly those with limited incomes, in volunteer service to meet critical community needs and to provide a high-quality experience that will enrich the lives of the volunteers. SCP program funds are used to support senior companions in providing supportive, individualized services to help older adults with special needs maintain their dignity and independence. FGP awards help support foster grandparents to provide supportive, person-to-person service to children with special and/or exceptional needs, or in circumstances that limit their academic, social or emotional development. Senior volunteers in RSVP choose how, where and when they want to serve.
SCP, FGP and RSVP grantees are required to provide a nonfederal match. The SCP and FGP match is 10%, while the RSVP match must be no more than 10% the first year, 20% the second year and 30% for subsequent years. In addition, eligible volunteers in SCP and FGP programs are offered a stipend for their service. The stipend rate currently is $4 per service hour. Existing regulations provide that a grant recipient must pay the stipend rate that AmeriCorps establishes and offers no flexibility to grantees that may have additional funding available to supplement the stipend.
(The full version of this story has now been made available to all for a limited time here.)
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