15-16 PACC*VISTA Host Site Application Available

Posted by Pennsylvania Campus Compact on October 27, 2014

15-16 PACC*VISTA Host Site Application is Available!

See http://www.paccompact.org/applyforvistahostsiteproject

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-nine (29) AmeriCorps*VISTA awards to our member institutions for the 2015-2016 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 8, 2014 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 work on eliminating 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 2015-2016 program year, PACC*VISTA members will be assigned to member campuses with projects in one of the following focus areas:

1. Economic Opportunity: Safe and affordable housing for vulnerable families, enhanced financial literacy, and employment training and access.

2. Education: Improved school readiness and academic performance in K-12 schools, increased graduation rates, and college enrollment and retention.

3. Healthy Futures: Improved access to nutritious foods and health care, particularly as low-income communities in PA adjust to the Affordable Care Act.

4. Veterans and Military Families: Engaging veterans in service, providing service to veterans and military families

Consistent with the 2015 AmeriCorps VISTA Program Guidance, CNCS is particularly interested in projects that support:

· The My Brother’s Keeper initiative (http://www.whitehouse.gov/my-brothers-keeper), such as youth mentoring, education, and workforce development

· Science, technology, engineering, and math education (STEM) to bolster the number of underrepresented students who pursue and obtain STEM degrees

· Refugee resettlement and victims of human trafficking

· Intergenerational food security and ending childhood hunger

To complete an application, review and complete the following documents:

Supplementary Document (to review):

· Host Site Application Overview

Application (to complete):

· Cover Sheet

· Host Site Application

o Part A: Narratives

o Part B: VISTA Assignment Description (VAD)

o Part C: Data Collection & Performance Measure Commitment Agreement

o Part D: Financial Commitment

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

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

· Supporting Document: Resume of Supervisor

Please note there have been several changes to the 2015-2016 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.

For Year 1 Projects—Intent to Apply Calls:

PACC is now requiring all potential new projects to schedule a call with us to discuss the project further as a part of the application process. Please schedule this call with Sarah Garnitz through email or phone prior to submitting your application.

Technical Assistance Conference Calls:

If you would like more assistance in the process of filling out the application, you can join us on a conference call: Monday, October 27, 2014; 2pm – 3pm. Contact Sarah Garnitz for more information about this conference call.

Application Deadline: Monday, December 8, 2014 by 12 noon.

Please Contact Sarah Garnitz, PACC Program Manager, by email at sgarnitz@paccompact.org or by telephone at 717-460-6333 if you have questions, need additional information, or want to take part in the conference call or schedule an “Intent to Apply” call. All application materials should also be submitted as one (1) .pdf or word document—with your institution’s name and the word “VISTA15-16” as the title (exp. HarvardVISTA15-16) to sgarnitz@paccompact.org.