AmeriCorps

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AmeriCorps

• A network of national programs that allow
  citizens to provide service that addresses
  critical needs in their communities.

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AmeriCorps in Oregon

• Federal funding for statewide programming comes
  through Oregon Volunteers www.oregonvolunteers.or
  g
• Application and financial support is required
  from a sponsoring organization.
• Funding is in 3 year cycles
• Team must include 10 FTE or more

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Keys to Successful Program

• Commitment of Sponsor
• Organizational Capacity
• Address critical need
• Strong program design
• Clear partnerships
• Ability to recruit, train and support AmeriCorps
  members

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Parameters

• AmeriCorps members expand or enhance existing
  services
• Cannot displace existing staff
• Cannot perform administrative tasks
• Cannot be involved with federally prohibited
  activities
• Are not employees of sponsor, or program. They
  are participants.

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AmeriCorps Basics

• Member not employee
• Living allowance not salary
• Service not employment
• Select not hire

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AmeriCorps Basics

• Full time members 1700 hours in a 12 month
  period
• Perform direct hands-on service
• Fund raising limited to project specific no
  operating funds
• Members receive training hours
• No upper age limit (17)
• Eligibility Age citizenship

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Partnerships for Student Achievement

• The mission of Partnerships for Student
  Achievement (PSA) is to increase student academic
  achievement in Washington County Schools.
• The PSA AmeriCorps Team will improve academic
  achievement through
• tutoring,
• mentoring,
• extended school day activities,
• parent involvement programs and
• volunteer generation.

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Relationships
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Relationships Sponsor

• The Forest Grove School District
• Host District
• Administrative Support
• Space
• Training Resources
• Payroll Accounting

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Relationships AmeriCorps program

• Partnerships for Student Achievement
• Program staff manage program
• Identify sites, recruit members, provide training
  for members and sites
• Responsible for financial and progress reporting
  to federal funders
• Provides ongoing support to members
• Evaluates program and ensures design continues to
  meet critical needs
• Applies for funding annually

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Relationships Host Sites

• Individual Partner Schools (K-12)
• Any public school in Washington County
• Application to PSA for member with individual
  position description
• Assist with recruitment
• Site level supervision and mentoring
• Training and professional development
• Cash and in-kind match

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Member Activities

• Members serve full-time and support individual
  school initiatives through the following
  activities
• Tutoring
• Extended School Day Activities
• Parent Outreach
• Volunteer Generation

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Program Design

• Individual Placement Model
• Site Level Support, Mentorship, and Training
• Weekly Program Training
• Ongoing Support
• Site Visits

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Benefits for Schools

• One-on-one small group tutoring services
• Before and after school programs
• Parent outreach activities
• Volunteer generation, coordination, training, and
  recognition
• Role models for students
• Fresh creative energy

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Results

• Last year alone, 20 PSA members provided tutoring
  and mentoring services to over 1,300 students.
• 99 of those students demonstrated an increase in
  the area tutored.
• Extended School Day activities served over 1,000
  students.
• Over 60 Parent Outreach activities were
  completed.
• 391 volunteers were recruited serving over 5,300
  hours of service to partner schools.

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Member Benefits

• Tangible PSA member benefits include the
  following
• A living allowance of 1,036/month
• An AmeriCorps Education Award of 4,725
• Forbearance from outstanding student loans
• Health Care
• 4 Graduate credits from Pacific Universitys
  School of Education Issues and Trends in
  Education PSA only
• Childcare

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And theres more

• The intangible benefits include
• The knowledge that they have made a difference in
  a young person's life
• The satisfaction that comes from serving their
  community and country
• Development of career plans and a professional
  portfolio of accomplishments
• The opportunity to work with education
  professionals on some of the most pressing
  problems in education today

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More information

• AmeriCorps www.americorps.gov
• AmeriCorps in Oregon
• Oregon Volunteers www.oregonvolunteers.org
• Patricia Bollin 503-725-8334
• patricia_at_oregonvolunteers.org
• Partnerships for Student Achievement
• Jeri Lerwick 503-359-8110 x4537
• jlerwick_at_fgsd.k12.or.us