14-15 PACC*VISTA Host Site Applications Now Available

Posted by on October 21, 2013

In partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), Pennsylvania Campus Compact (PACC) is pleased to announce the availability of up to twenty-four (24) AmeriCorps*VISTA awards to our member institutions for the 2014-2015 academic year.  In exchange for a full-time PACC AmeriCorps*VISTA, host sites are required to be members of PA Campus Compact and pay an AmeriCorps VISTA program fee of $5,000.00.

PA Campus Compact is accepting host site project applications now through Monday, December 2, 2013 at 12 noon.

These are competitive awards through PACC, approved by CNCS, and will be granted based upon the quality of the project and its alignment with the mission of AmeriCorps*VISTA and the goals of the PACC*VISTA program.  All projects are contingent on CNCS funding.

The purpose of the AmeriCorps*VISTA program is to enable organizations and low-income communities to expand their capacity to solve their own problems related to the root causes of poverty. PACC*VISTA projects should be developed around a three-year timeline for completion that builds community capacity and ultimately leads to a project that is self-sustaining.

The project and PACC*VISTA member’s work must explicitly address the following program goals:

1.   To develop or enhance campus-community efforts to address one of the identified project focus areas;

2.   To create, develop, or sustain reciprocal, mutually beneficial partnerships between the campus and community organizations, leaders, and members;

3.   To foster PACC*VISTA members as professionals and emerging leaders in the fields of community development, civic engagement, and/or higher education.

For the 2014-2015 program year, PACC*VISTA members will be assigned to member campuses with projects in the one of the following areas:

·         ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Financial Literacy

·         ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Housing

·         ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Employment

·         EDUCATION: School Readiness

·         EDUCATION: K-12 Success  (Formerly Academic Achievement)

·         EDUCATION: Post-Secondary Success (Formerly College Access)

·         HEALTHY FUTURES: Obesity and Food Resources (Formerly Food Access)

·         HEALTHY FUTURES: Access to Health Care

Please note that CNCS has indicated the above strategic initiatives, and more specific interests include the following:

·         Projects serving  veteran and military families

·         Projects partnering with Title 1 school(s)

·         Projects supporting STEM education initiatives

·         Projects supporting the implementation the Affordable Care Act

To complete an application, review the following documents:

Supplementary Documents:

·         Program Overview and Requirements can be found at http://www.paccompact.org/~ab1184/sites/default/files/Program%20Overview%20and%20Requirements%2014-15.pdf

·         Program Models can be found at http://www.paccompact.org/~ab1184/sites/default/files/Program%20Model%2014-15.pdf

Application can be accessed at http://www.paccompact.org/applyforvistahostsiteproject

·         Full Application should include:

o    Cover Sheet

o    Host Site Concept Paper (Executive Summary)

o    Host Site Application

o    Part A:   Narratives

o    Part B:   VISTA Assignment Description (VAD)

o    Part C:    Data Collection & Performance Measure Commitment

o    Part D:   Financial Commitment

o    Supporting Document: Letter of Support from College/University President

o    Supporting Document: Letter(s) of Support from at least one community partner

o    Supporting Document:  Resume of Supervisor

Please note there have been several changes to the 2014-2015 application.  Year 1 projects  must complete all portions of the application. Year 2 and Year 3 projects are required to update the application as necessary.

These are competitive awards through PACC, approved by CNCS, and will be granted based upon the quality of the project and its alignment with the mission of AmeriCorps*VISTA and the goals of the PACC*VISTA program.  All projects are contingent on CNCS funding.

All application materials should be submitted as one (1) .pdf document—with your institution’s name as the title—via email to acprice@paccompact.org.  The Host Site Concept Paper should be submitted as a second, separate .pdf document – with your institution’s name and “Host Site Concept Paper” – via email to acprice@paccompact.org.

Deadline: Monday, December 2, 2013 by 12 noon.

Technical Assistance Conference Calls:

Friday, October 18, 2013; 1pm – 2pm

Tuesday, October 22, 2013; 10am – 11am

Contact PACC Program Manager, Amy Carraux Price, by email for call-in details and supporting documents.  Questions may also be directed to Amy by email at acprice@paccompact.org or by telephone at 717-796-5072 ext. 3.

Information may also be found at: http://www.paccompact.org/applyforvistahostsiteproject