AMERICORPS VISTA PROGRAM

Transcription

1 CONNECTICUT CAMPUS COMPACT AMERICORPS VISTA PROGRAM Program Overview and Host Site Request for Proposal

2 The Connecticut Campus Compact (CTCC) AmeriCorps VISTA Project places VISTA members on campus and community host sites in order to create, expand, or enhance projects that lift people out of poverty. Through their work, our VISTAs will develop sustainable connections and build the capacity of community and campus partners to address poverty-related community needs. CTCC does this by focusing on the priority area of education. This focus reflects the mission, values and strategic goals of Connecticut Campus Compact, and the strengths of Campus Compact as a national organization. This RFP and Program Guide outlines the requirements of the AmeriCorps VISTA Program and CTCC VISTA Project, as well as the steps for applying to serve as a Host Site for the Program Year. All questions can be directed to Kaytee Stewart, CTCC Program Coordinator, at kaytee.stewart@ctcampuscompact.org or Program Application & Recruitment Schedule November 15, 2015 December 14, 2015 December 18, 2015 January 6, 2016 January 20, 2016 February 27, 2016 Early March 2016 March April 2016 May 1, 2016 June 1, 2016 June TBD July TBD July TBD July TBD August TBD Applications Released Webinar for Interested Applicants: Review of RFP and Application Process Intent to Apply Due Webinar: Application Requirements Review & Troubleshooting Applications Due Host Site Acceptance Notifications Sent MOUs and Invoices issued VISTA Member Application Available on VISTA Portal Webinar: Recruiting VISTA Members Candidate Screenings & Interviews by CTCC Host Site Interviews of CTCC-Recommended Candidates Deadline for selecting a VISTA applicant Memorandum of Agreement & Host Site Fees Due Supervisor Orientation VISTA member attends Pre Service Orientation (PSO) Connecticut Campus Compact VISTA Member Orientation VISTA Member Begins at Host Site Supervisor & Member Meeting How to Submit Applications The host site application and additional materials should be submitted in one document via to Kaytee Stewart at kaytee.stewart@ctcampuscompact.org by 5pm on January 20, Connecticut Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Program & Application Guide Page 2 of 20

3 Contents Program Overview... 4 AmeriCorps VISTA Overview... 4 History and Background: CNCS & VISTA... 4 Four Core Principles... 5 Focus Areas... 5 Structure of VISTA Projects... 5 CTCC Overview... 6 About Connecticut Campus Compact... 6 CTCC VISTA Project: Structure and Goals... 6 Primary Focus Area: PK-16 Education... 7 Benefits and Expectations... 7 Host Sites... 7 Partner Sites... 8 VISTA Members... 9 Connecticut Campus Compact... 9 Host Site Application & Recruitment Process Timelines and Submission Information Program Application & Recruitment Schedule How to Submit Applications Selected Host Sites: VISTA Recruitment & Selection Application Requirements Summary of Requirements Background Information Proposal Narrative VISTA Member Support Plan VISTA Assignment Description (VAD) Campus or Community Partner Letter of Support President Letter of Support Host Site and Community Advisory Board Budget Host Site Agreement form Terms, Definitions & Resources Terms Connecticut Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Program & Application Guide Page 3 of 20

4 Online Resources: Useful Websites Program Overview AmeriCorps VISTA Overview History and Background: CNCS & VISTA VISTA is an AmeriCorps program that engages individuals in a year of full-time service with a sponsoring organization to create or expand programs designed to bring individuals and communities out of poverty. The VISTA program was created in 1964 as Volunteers in Service To America. Today, more than 7,000 VISTA members serve with community-based organizations and governmental agencies across the United States. Members serve for one year, receive a living stipend and basic health benefits, and are eligible for an education award upon completion of their service. Like other AmeriCorps programs, VISTA is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), a federal agency that seeks to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering. The statutory purpose of VISTA is to develop solutions that help empower individuals and communities out of poverty. Projects should be responsive and relevant to the lives of community residents and engage them in project planning and evaluation. Activities should focus on building capacity of organizations or communities, rather than providing direct service to individuals. As short-term resources designed to create long-term solutions, VISTA must focus on sustainable improvements that will last beyond the VISTA term. Host site applicants should keep these key principles in mind as they consider their plans for a VISTA s service. All VISTA project must include the four core principles outlined by CNCS (anti-poverty, community empowerment, sustainable solutions and capacity building) and at least one of the priority focus areas (disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and veterans and military families.). These principles and focus areas are described more below. Connecticut Campus Compact has designated their focus area as education and all projects must incorporate education as a focus. Read more below about CTCC VISTA project below in CTCC Project Overview. For more information about AmeriCorps VISTA, visit: nce%20fiscal%20year% pdf Connecticut Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Program & Application Guide Page 4 of 20

5 Four Core Principles All VISTA projects must demonstrate four core principles: Anti-Poverty Focus: The statutory purpose of VISTA is to support efforts to fight poverty. The goal of every project must be to help individuals and communities out of poverty, not simply make poverty more tolerable. VISTA projects should focus on long-term solutions rather than short-term services. Community Empowerment: Prospective and current VISTA project sponsors must ensure their project engages low-income community residents in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating the project. The project must be responsive and relevant to the lives of the community residents, and tap into inherent community assets, strengths, and resources. Sustainable Solutions: As directed by Congress, VISTAs are short-term resources that serve to build the long-term sustainability of anti-poverty programs. VISTA projects should be developed with a goal to phase out the need for VISTA members and maintain the ability of the project to continue without them. Capacity Building: VISTA projects expand the scale, reach, efficiency or effectiveness of, or leverage resources, for programs or organizations that fight poverty. Rather than providing direct services to lowincome individuals and communities, VISTAs strengthen and support organizations by building infrastructure, expanding community partnerships, securing long-term resources, coordinating training for participants, and much more. Focus Areas The Corporation for National and Community Service Strategic Plan outlines the strategy for addressing the six focus areas identified in the Serve America Act: disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and veterans and military families. Disaster Service: Concerns regarding the preparation, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts that relate to disaster events. Economic Opportunity: Addresses unmet needs of economically disadvantaged individuals, including financial literacy, affordable housing, and employment related assistance. Education: Topics related to unmet educational needs within communities, especially those that help at-risk youth to achieve success in school and prevent them from dropping out. Environmental Stewardship: Matters regarding energy and water efficiency, renewable energy use, at-risk ecosystems, and behavioral change leading to increased efficiency. Healthy Futures: Addresses unmet health needs, including access to health care, increasing physical activity and improving nutrition in youth, and increasing seniors ability to remain in their own homes. Veterans and Military Families: Addresses unmet needs of veterans, members of the armed forces, and family members of deployed military personnel. Structure of VISTA Projects Each VISTA member makes a year-long, full-time commitment to serve on a specific project at a nonprofit organization or public agency. In return for their service, AmeriCorps VISTA members receive a modest living allowance and health benefits during their service, and have the option of receiving Connecticut Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Program & Application Guide Page 5 of 20

6 a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award or post-service stipend after completing their service. Typically, VISTA projects span three years. In years two & three, host sites may submit a continuation application to continue to host a VISTA. At the end of year three, the VISTA resource will be phased out or the host site may submit a new application proposing a different project. Receiving a VISTA in any year does not oblige a host site to seek a VISTA in subsequent years, nor does granting a VISTA to a host site in one year oblige Campus Compact to award that site a VISTA placement in future years. CTCC Overview About Connecticut Campus Compact Campus Compact, founded in 1985 by the presidents of Brown, Georgetown and Stanford Universities and the president of the Education Commission of the States, is a national coalition of more than 1,100 college and university presidents dedicated to civic engagement. With a national office and 34 state affiliates, Campus Compact promotes community service that develops students citizenship skills and helps campuses forge effective partnerships. Connecticut Campus Compact (CTCC) is comprised of 29 public and private college and universities, making it uniquely positioned as the only organization in the state that represents both private and public institutions. CTCC member campuses are committed to involving students, faculty, and staff in reciprocal partnerships in order to enhance students academic, civic and personal development while simultaneously meeting the self-identified needs of communities. CTCC supports the integration of community engagement into the academic and co-curricular cultures of its member campus network by sponsoring faculty and professional development, funding high quality initiatives, advocating for critical priorities, and building reciprocal, cross sector partnerships. For more information about Connecticut Campus Compact or National Campus Compact, visit or CTCC VISTA Project: Structure and Goals Campus Compact member campuses or community-based organizations with a member campus partner may apply to host a Connecticut Campus Compact VISTA. The CTCC AmeriCorps VISTA Project places VISTA members on campus and community host sites in order to create, expand, or enhance projects that lift people out of poverty. Through their work, our VISTAs will develop sustainable connections and build the capacity of community and campus partners to address poverty-related community needs. CTCC does this by focusing on the priority area of education. This focus reflects the mission, values and strategic goals of Connecticut Campus Compact, and the strengths of Campus Compact as a national organization. Connecticut Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Program & Application Guide Page 6 of 20

7 Primary Focus Area: PK-16 Education Under the Serve America Act, and detailed in CNCS s strategic plan, VISTA Projects must address at least one of six priority areas (listed above). All projects must incorporate the four principles of community empowerment, capacity-building, anti-poverty, and sustainability. Although CTCC VISTA host sites have addressed several different focus areas in the past, the goal is to have all CT Campus Compact VISTAs sites address community issues linked with PK-16 education. The AmeriCorps VISTA Program Guidance defines several key objectives for each priority area. Education projects are described as projects that provide support and/or facilitate access to services and resources that contribute to improved educational outcomes for economically disadvantaged children. The VISTA project should focus on the following education objectives: School readiness: School readiness for economically disadvantaged young children. K-12 Success: Educational and behavioral outcomes of students in low-achieving elementary, middle and high schools. Post-secondary success: Preparation for and prospects of success in post-secondary education institutions for economically disadvantaged students. And, where feasible, project activities in these Education Objectives should seek to align with the goals of Together for Tomorrow: Celebrate and inspire community and family engagement in education and strengthen a community culture of education success. Foster the capacity of low-performing schools to manage school-community partnerships. Focus community partnerships on boosting key measurable student outcomes Attendance, Behavior, Course performance, and College access (the ABC s) as a means to improve lowperforming schools. Additionally, programming that effectively introduces or expands science, technology, engineering and math education (STEM) is encouraged. Read more in the VISTA Program guidance,: nce%20fiscal%20year% pdf Benefits and Expectations Host Sites Host sites are the main site that applies to host a VISTA, and as such are primarily responsible for the VISTA, their assignment, and the collaboration with CTCC as the project sponsor. There are many reasons for sites to apply to host a VISTA to enhance their work in the community and help move a local effort or organization forward. The VISTA is a benefit to the host site as a resource that: Builds or strengthens a partnership with a community-based organization that fights poverty. Impacts community needs in priority focus area. Mobilizes and organize campus and community volunteers for the community based partner/s. Leads fundraising and grant-writing efforts to support community partnership. Connecticut Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Program & Application Guide Page 7 of 20

8 Coordinates national days of service and other large-scale service events related to focus area (e.g. Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week). Adds nearly $40,000 worth of human resources (the full-time VISTA) to a host site. All Host Sites are expected to: Designate a site supervisor to oversee and advise the VISTA, attend supervisor trainings, conduct weekly meetings with the VISTA, and complete performance evaluations. Provide a small budget for work-related travel and transportation. Provide office space, computer, phone access, and office supplies. Create a regular schedule for VISTA member to work on-site with community partner (the VISTA should be spending the majority of their time at the community based organizations). Pay an administrative fee (known as the Host Site Fee) to Connecticut Campus Compact: CTCC pays the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) for the AmeriCorps VISTA Project. The administrative fee helps programmatic costs as well as training and grant management fees. Administrative Fee Structure: Year 1 Projects: $7,000 Year 2 Projects: $9,250 Year 3 Projects: $11,500 (Full CNCS Cost Share) Optional but recommended noncash support: Host sites are permitted to provide additional support to VISTA members to support them during their service year. These must be provided to the VISTA as non-cash support. Cash payments to the VISTA are prohibited. Such support could include, but are not limited to: housing (on or off campus); meal plans; fitness center passes; transportation passes; library cards on campus; access to free or reduced courses. Partner Sites Host site applicants must apply with a community partner or small group of community partners to connect the VISTA member s assignment to both higher education and the local community. For member campuses applying to be a host site, you must apply with a community-based partner; for community-based organizations, you must apply with a CTCC member campus. Members should spend time serving at both the host site and the partner site; when planning for on-site placements, remember the VISTA should not perform direct service, unless the service is for orientation and training purposes. Potential benefits of participating in the CTCC VISTA project for a community partner organization include: Stronger partnership with host site/campus Increased organizational capacity through VISTA activities New or updated products, processes, or systems that will last beyond VISTA term Increased volunteers and/or funding for project through VISTA effort Special program improvements, assessments, or evaluations that are not feasible with existing organization staff Chance to inspire and coach future non-profit professional Partners are expected to play an active role in the VISTA project, including: Collaborate with host site to identify urgent community needs and project goals. Connecticut Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Program & Application Guide Page 8 of 20

9 Submit a letter of support as part of host site application. Designate a community partner representative to actively work with and support the VISTA. Sign the VISTA Assignment Description (VAD) Signature Page. Monitor the VISTA while he or she is on-site. Give feedback to VISTA to improve service and impact. Contribute to host site fee (*this is not required, but encouraged). VISTA Members VISTAs commit to 1 year (12 months) of full-time service on a specific project at a host site. VISTAs typically serve the same hours as staff who work at the host site, but VISTAs must also be available evenings and weekends as the project demands. VISTAs serve a minimum of 35 hours a week for 52 weeks a year, with a limit of 10 leave days (this does not include holidays). As some campuses may be closed for extended periods of time, VISTAs either need to take leave during those extended periods or work with Connecticut Campus Compact to make arrangements to serve at another location during school closure times. All VISTAs are part of the AmeriCorps National Service initiative and receive the following benefits: Living stipend of approximately $900/month (pre-tax) determined by cost of living in a particular county 10 Personal and 10 Sick Days Upon completing service, Segal Education Award of $5775 OR $1500 end of service payment Health care benefits provided by AmeriCorps Loan deferment/forbearance while enrolled in the program (depending on lender) Some relocation reimbursement if moving more than 50 miles to serve Professional training opportunities To serve in the CTCC VISTA program, all candidates must have at least a Bachelor s degree (4-year) and must be a U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident. While serving as a VISTA, members may NOT: be a full-time student provide direct service (except in limited capacity for training purposes) engage in lobbying or other restricted political activities, including voter registration provide religious instruction as part of their VISTA duties receive any additional direct payments from host site For more information about VISTA benefits, terms, and conditions, please click here. Connecticut Campus Compact As the VISTA Project Sponsor, Connecticut Campus Compact (CTCC) oversees the logistical aspects of the VISTA grant as awarded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, as well as provides structures for host sites in applying, recruiting and hosting a VISTA. CTCC provides support, training and resources for the VISTAs, supervisors, and host sites to best implement a VISTA assignment. Connecticut Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Program & Application Guide Page 9 of 20

10 Benefits of working with CTCC: Connections with CTCC s 29 member campuses and vast network of community engagement professionals and partners CTCC oversees the grant and project implementation, including all federal processes and procedures to ensure compliance with the VISTA project, and all grant applications and reporting. CTCC leads member recruitment and provides training and support to supervisors for their recruiting processes CTCC works with the CNCS State Office to organize the hiring, paperwork, and required preservice orientation CTCC provides technical support and training to the VISTAs formally on a monthly basis as well as informally as needed CTCC provides support and training to the supervisors twice annually, as well as information sessions and resource sessions on host site applications, and additional support as needed. In addition to the specific duties outlined in their VISTA Assignment Description, CTCC Requires VISTA Members to: Attend CTCC Monthly Trainings Participate in CTCC-sponsored activities (meetings, conferences, events). Assist with recruitment for CTCC VISTA Members. Contribute to and be featured in CTCC Communications (blog, written reflections, featured profiles). Report to CTCC monthly. May be asked to represent CTCC at meetings, events, etc. CTCC Requirements of Host Site/Community Partner Supervisors: Attend supervisor orientation and meetings throughout the year. Assist with and approve VISTAs monthly reports and timesheets (signature required) Complete Quarterly Supervisor Report Provide additional data and narratives for reporting as needed. Ensure the attendance of VISTAs at monthly meetings, statewide trainings, and CTCC events Meet with CTCC at least twice per year during on-site visits. Complete Memorandum of Understanding and compliance paperwork annually as part of CNCS grant requirements. Host Site Application & Recruitment Process Timelines and Submission Information Program Application & Recruitment Schedule Dates begin in 2015 and conclude in 2016 for Program November 15 Applications Released December 14 Webinar for Interested Applicants: Review of RFP and Application Process Connecticut Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Program & Application Guide Page 10 of 20

11 December 15 Intent to Apply Due January 6 Webinar for Applicants: Application Requirements Review & Troubleshooting January 20 Applications Due February 27 Award notifications sent (MOUs and Invoices issued) Early March VISTA Member Application Available on VISTA Portal March April Candidate Screenings & Interviews by CTCC; Host Site Interviews of CTCC-Recommended Candidates May 1 Deadline for selecting a VISTA applicant June 1 Memorandum of Agreement & Host Site Fees Due June TBD VISTA supervisor training July TBD July TBD July TBD August TBD VISTA member attends Pre Service Orientation (PSO) VISTA member attends the CT Campus Compact VISTA member orientation VISTA member arrives on site First Monthly Meeting/Training How to Submit Applications The host site application and additional materials should be submitted via to: Kaytee Stewart Connecticut Campus Compact Program Coordinator kaytee.stewart@ctcampuscompact.org Submission Guidelines: Applications must be received by 5:00pm on stated deadline (January 15, 2016) All materials should be compiled into one PDF file (including letters of support, VAD & budget) A second copy of the VISTA Assignment Description (VAD) should be sent as a Word file A second copy of the budget should be sent as an Excel file Selected Host Sites: VISTA Recruitment & Selection VISTA recruitment and selection is a collaborative effort between host sites and CT Campus Compact. The Compact develops a general position description based on overall assignment goals which can be used for recruiting activities. Host sites may clarify specific skills or knowledge preferred. CNCS encourages projects to recruit military veterans into VISTA service. The process is as follows: 1. Position is posted through myamericorps.gov, after approval from the CNCS State director. 2. Connecticut Campus Compact and host sites publicize VISTA position. 3. Candidates complete AmeriCorps application online at (complete applications require two professional references). 4. Candidates submit the application to Connecticut Campus Compact s position listing via the MyAmeriCorps system. Host site supervisors should notify the Compact if preferred candidates are applying. Connecticut Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Program & Application Guide Page 11 of 20

12 5. Compact staff contact applicant to confirm receipt of application and request supplemental information (including résumé and supplemental form with site preferences) 6. Compact staff review application materials, and conduct phone screening interview. 7. Compact staff forward materials for promising candidate(s) to the host site supervisor. Some candidates may be forwarded to multiple host sites based on their qualifications and preferences. 8. Host site supervisor conducts interviews, selects preferred candidate and alternates, and notifies Compact staff of these choices. 9. Compact staff offers the VISTA position to selected candidate. 10. Candidate indicates intention to accept position, and application is submitted to the CNCS State Office for final approval. There is no guarantee a candidate recommended for hire to the CNCS State Office will be approved as a VISTA. 11. Candidate is approved by CNCS State Office and completes necessary paperwork, including registering for mandatory Pre-Service Orientation (PSO). 12. Candidate attends the AmeriCorps VISTA PSO in early July and a CTCC orientation directly after. 13. VISTA Member begins service at host site the following week. Application Requirements Summary of Requirements Campus Compact member campuses or community-based organizations with a member campus partner may apply to host a Connecticut Campus Compact VISTA. Host site selection is competitive, based on proposal alignment with the missions of AmeriCorps VISTA and Connecticut Campus Compact. VISTA assignments must address urgent, poverty-related community needs and leverage campus resources to build capacity of key community partners. The value of each application section is noted below. Sections marked by * have no point value but are still required for an application to be considered. Submitting an application does not guarantee a VISTA placement. The application is rated based on the following requirements: * Background Information 30 pts. Proposal Narrative 15 pts. VISTA Member Support Plan & Orientation Plan 25 pts. VISTA Assignment Description (VAD) & Skills Preference 10 pts. Community/Campus Partner Letter of Support and President s Letter of Support 10 pts. Host Site and Community Advisory Board 10 pts. Budget* *Budgets are not rated based on the amount of funds dedicated to the VISTA assignment, but the quality of the budget proposal in regards to completing all sections appropriately. Typically, VISTA assignments at any given host site span three years. In years two & three, host sites may submit a continuation application. At the end of year three, the VISTA resource will be phased Connecticut Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Program & Application Guide Page 12 of 20

13 out or the host site may submit a new application proposing a different assignment. Receiving a VISTA in any year does not oblige a host site to seek a VISTA in subsequent years, nor does granting a VISTA to a host site in one year oblige Campus Compact to award that site a VISTA placement in future years. Background Information Please include the basic overview of the assignment, including title, and contact information for the host site and the partner site. Assignment Title: Position title for the project you will have the VISTA focus on will be used in advertising the position and promoting the project. (i.e. Partnerships for Success VISTA or New Haven Public Schools Mentor Program VISTA ) Assignment Year: The year of the VISTA assignment. If you are applying for to be a new host site, this would chose 1. If you are continuing a project, please indicate whether this is the second or third year of the project. Member Campus: This is the campus that is either applying to be the main host site or is a partner site of a community-based organization. Host Site: Main site of VISTA assignment; they are responsible for main supervision of the VISTA, payment of host site fees and overseeing compliance with VISTA project. Partner Site: Secondary site of VISTA assignment; they work closely with VISTA host site in developing VISTA assignment and supporting the activities through supervision and other support as possible. Proposal Narrative The proposal narrative outlines the assignment in its entirety, and serves as the framework for the additional sections of the application. The narrative is worth 30 points in total. The proposal narrative should include the following elements: 1. Summary Statement 2. Campus-Community Partnership 3. Community Need 4. Assignment Goals & Evaluation 5. Capacity-Building Activities 6. Sustainability Plan Within this section, applicants must outline how their assignment links with the Primary Focus Area of Education. Your Proposal Narrative and VAD must explain community need, partnerships, and VISTA activities in education and how the assignment reflects the four core principles of VISTA. For returning sites, this section can use language from original application but must also include how the continuation of the assignment will add additional capacity (not just sustain activities of the previous VISTA). Additional Instructions: Connecticut Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Program & Application Guide Page 13 of 20

14 Summary Statement: This summary should give a basic overview of the entire VISTA assignment, including information on the host site and partner site, overall goals, general activities, and issue(s) VISTA member will address. This will be used for advertising the position externally in recruitment and in promoting sites selected to host a VISTA member. Partnerships: All VISTA Assignments through Connecticut Campus Compact must include partner sites in which at least one is an institution of higher education. This section should outline how the VISTA member will develop/support the partnerships, and how the organizations will work together to support the VISTA member. Consider including shared goals, past collaboration, and evidence of a successful partnership (when available). For developing partnerships, articulate how you hope to align goals and collaborate in the future. Community Need: Use relevant, up-to-date and credible qualitative and quantitative data to show the need that the assignment would address in relation to education and poverty. Cite all sources used. Link this need to the work of the partner organizations and the mission of VISTA. Assignment Goals & Evaluation: Define measureable, attainable goals that the VISTA member will be working towards. Utilize language from performance measures when possible (see resources below). Any goals should have quantifiable outcomes that can be realistically tracked and measured by the host site and the VISTA member. Capacity Building Activities: These are indirect service activities that expands the ability of organization(s) to serve a population and/or address an issue. These can include: volunteer management and development; training; fund development; program development and evaluation; needs assessments; creating new systems or practices; and so on. View capacity building outcomes in the VISTA Performance Measure Guide for reference, and align both with assignment goals and the VISTA Assignment Description (VAD). Sustainability Plan: New applicants should describe a three-year plan for VISTA assignment, including sustainable structures and strategies to be created, major VISTA activities and milestones for each year. Returning Applicants should illustrate what successes they have had in years one or two, and the steps they will be taking to sustain progress and expand further. VISTA Member Support Plan The VISTA Support Questionnaire describes your host site s plans for orienting, supervising, accommodating, and supporting a VISTA. The Questionnaire consists of 8 sections. The Questionnaire is worth 15 points. 1. Supervision 2. Working with Partner Organization 3. Office & Technology Support 4. Additional Non-cash Support 5. On-site Orientation and Training Plan (OSOT) 6. Professional Development & Training 7. Accommodating VISTAs with Disabilities Additional Instructions: Housing and Meal Support: for your VISTA are optional, but may make your site more desirable to candidates. Direct cash payments to VISTAs are not permitted. Host sites may offer on- Connecticut Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Program & Application Guide Page 14 of 20

15 campus housing or meal plans, or you may make payments directly to a landlord, for example, to defray a VISTA s rent. On-site Orientation and Training Plan (OSOT): Your OSOT should include detailed orientation to your site, the assignment and the VISTA s roles. The OSOT must include: 2 weeks of activities, with learning outcomes for the week 1 meeting/tour with community partner representative Tour of host site and introduction to key staff Review of host site application and VAD Additionally, the OSOT could including the following, if appropriate: Orientation materials used with other new staff Tours provided by campus/community organizations Appropriate training opportunities provided by campus/community partner Reviews of host site/community partner strategic plans, annual reports, websites and other contextual information Exit binders or transition materials compiled by previous VISTA By the end of OSOT, your VISTA should understand: Common expectations for working relationship between VISTA and supervisor Schedule and nature of time spent with community partner Culture and mission of host site and community partner Basic workplace policies: parking, office hours, use of social media, project budget, safety procedures, process for requesting leave, etc. Basic skills for implementing their VAD; this could either be technical assistance/training to develop these skills during the OSOT, and/or a plan for skills development through the VISTA term How to begin making progress on VAD activities and goals VISTA Assignment Description (VAD) A VISTA s work plan is called a VISTA Assignment Description or VAD. The VAD helps VISTAs understand their activities, how they can meet goals, and what milestones will mark progress. The VAD is an asset to all the stakeholders for the host site and partner site: it directs the VISTA in her/his daily work as well as their year of service; it is a tool that allows the host site and partner site to articulate goals clearly to make the VISTA assignment most effective and sustainable; it provides CTCC the clearest picture of an assignment both for accepting the applications and reporting on them, as well as supporting the VISTAs through their implementation. For all stakeholders, it is a common document to refer to in planning, implementing, troubleshooting and improving the VISTA assignment. The VAD should capture the capacity-building activities VISTAs will take on throughout the year. Periodically, VISTAs and supervisors will review the VAD and the VISTA s progress toward goals. VISTAs will report on progress toward these goals each month. The VAD may be revised, if necessary, to account for changes in the assignment, community, or organizational environment. Please keep these tips in mind when creating the VAD: VAD should address poverty-related community needs, VAD should be detailed enough to provide structure for attaining overall objectives, but also allow for flexibility. Connecticut Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Program & Application Guide Page 15 of 20

16 VAD should be challenging, but realistic for a one-year service assignment. VAD should be goal and action-oriented. VAD must include activities that are capacity-building and sustainable. Third year projects should consider having an objective solely around project sustainability. Host sites must submit a proposed VAD consisting of the following sections. The VAD is worth 25 points. 1. Assignment Title 2. Assignment Goals 3. Objectives with: a. Activities (2-5 for each objective; sub-activities optional) b. Performance Period c. Performance Measures & Targets (Qualitative and Based on CNCS s Performance Measures) The Community Need is a brief description of the need in the community the VISTA member will placed. The Goal is a brief description of your entire VISTA assignment (years 1 3). Under your overall goal, you must describe at least two Milestones, which will be a specific plan of action related to a focus area priority. We recommend defining one or two objectives for each focus area. You might define the Objectives sequentially. The VAD Form in the Host Site Application provides space for four milestones and associated steps. Please add additional pages if necessary. For each Milestone, you must define a Performance Period. This may be a portion of the service year, or it may be the entire year if objectives are ongoing or will require a year of work. For each objective, you must also define the Performance Indicators and Measurement methods. These may be capacity-building accomplishments or community impact measures. You must be prepared to help your VISTA track data associated with these measures. The target is a goal (often a number) your VISTA will try to reach. For each objective, you should define two or more activities or action steps. Action steps are sequential, breaking the major work into smaller steps to achieve the objective and measure progress. Please use the Performance Measure sheet as reference to help you articulate impact measures using the terms and indicators created by CNCS. You can read about performance measures on CNCS s Website, or see the summary chart for Capacity Building Performance Measures on CTCC s Website. Campus or Community Partner Letter of Support As part of your host site application, please include letter(s) of support from the community (or campus) partner organization(s). The letter should briefly explain the organization s mission and client population and how its work relates to the VISTA mission of fighting poverty. The letter should also briefly discuss how the VISTA assignment and partnership will help build the organization s capacity to alleviate poverty. The partner letter is worth 5 points in the application scoring. Connecticut Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Program & Application Guide Page 16 of 20

17 President Letter of Support Submit a letter, signed by the campus president either of the host site (if the host site is a campus) or of the campus partner (if the host site is a community based organized), highlighting his/her awareness and support of this VISTA application and the goals of the VISTA assignment for the host site. The President letter is worth 5 points in the application scoring. Host Site and Community Advisory Board All projects must have an advisory board, and the application must outline who will serve on the board, and the plan for how this board will be utilized to support the VISTA assignment. The Advisory Board section is worth 10 points. This section should include both a list of potential participants and an outline of the board s functions. Members could potentially including faculty, staff, student, community partners and other individuals, involved in the design and supporting the VISTA assignment. All VISTA host sites must engage the lowincome community being served in development and implementation of the assignment. The board must consist of at least 51% members from the low-income community being served. The members of the Board will meet with the VISTA member at least twice during their service year. The VISTA member should be able to reach out and meet with these individuals throughout their service; for support, guidance, updates, etc. Budget The budget section details the financial commitment your institution will make to the AmeriCorps VISTA member and to the VISTA on your campus. Including all in-kind contributions as well as CTCC administrative fee and a percentage (usually 10-15%) of the supervisor s salary commensurate with time spent on VISTA. Required support includes administrative host site fee, technology needed to complete VISTA work, office space, office supplies, and transportation allowance for work-related travel. Others are not required (housing, parking, meal plan, fitness pass, others) but are allowed and encouraged to help best support the VISTA. Cash support is not allowed. Please complete the template in the application. You will be asked to quantify financial contributions in the following categories: Administrative host site fee Technology: Computer, telephone, internet, etc. Office Space Office Supplies Transportation Allowance Supervisor time (% of salary) Operating Budget (Used to Support VISTA-run activities) Housing On-campus (through residential life; campus in-kind donation) Off-Campus (either through free housing not through residential life or payments paid directly to a landlord on the VISTAs behalf; money for rent cannot be given to a VISTA) Parking Permit Meal Plan Connecticut Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Program & Application Guide Page 17 of 20

18 Fitness Pass Other (you will need to specify each) The budget is worth 10 points in the application scoring. Host Site Agreement form This form asks applicant to acknowledge understanding of an agreement to a number of programmatic stipulations. This form outlines the expectations for host site, supervisor and community partner. Applicants must read through, check all the boxes to acknowledge agreement, and sign the document in order for the application to be considered complete. Terms, Definitions & Resources Throughout this document, several different terms and resources are referenced. Outlined below are basic definitions articulated by CTCC reflecting how these terms are used in this application, and a list of resources for applicants to access. Terms Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS): Federal government agency that helps more than 5 million Americans improve the lives of their fellow citizens through service. CNCS State Office: Federal government employees who work out of field offices located in states where they oversee federal government programs funded by CNCS. The CNCS State Director approves the CTCC VISTA project application, approves the host site applications, and approves the hiring of candidates to be VISTA members. The CNCS State Director also oversees planning for preservice orientation, assisting with entrance and exit process for all members and assisting with any support or needs of VISTAs that cannot be addressed by host sites or VISTA project supervisors: Connecticut Campus Compact (CTCC): Connecticut Campus Compact (CTCC) is comprised of 28 public and private college and universities, making it uniquely positioned as the only organization in the state that represents both private and public institutions. CTCC member campuses are committed to involving students, faculty, and staff in reciprocal partnerships in order to enhance students academic, civic and personal development while simultaneously meeting the selfidentified needs of communities. CTCC supports the integration of community engagement into the academic and co-curricular cultures of its member campus network by sponsoring faculty and professional development, funding high quality initiatives, advocating for critical priorities, and building reciprocal, cross sector partnerships. Project Sponsor: CTCC oversees a VISTA project with multiple VISTA slots, making CTCC a project sponsor. This means CTCC applies for grants through CNCS and oversees the logistical implementation of the grant (reporting, cost-share payments, biweekly approvals, etc.) and facilitates the recruitment and hiring process through the federal procedures to hire VISTA members. CTCC also provides training, support for VISTAs, and expect collaborative work with the host sites and VISTAs (see Benefits and Expectations Section ); Please note, CNCS/VISTA often refer to project sponsors with multiple sites as intermediaries. Connecticut Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Program & Application Guide Page 18 of 20

19 Host Site: The site that applies to host a VISTA for a year of service on an approved assignment. This site accepts the financial and legal obligations outlined in this guide and the application. Host sites are the primary service location for the VISTA, and have to fulfill the training, support and supervision requirements. Host sites collaborate with partner sites on VISTA assignments in the community, and can arrange to share some of the financial and supervisory expectations with partner sites. Please note, CNCS/VISTA often refer to this as the sub site or service site. Partner Site: This site forms a partnership with the host site to collaborate on assignments using VISTAs to help implement capacity-building change. Partner sites do not have direct responsibilities to the Project Sponsor but are encouraged to be actively involved in the support and training of VISTAs. Partner sites are required to submit a letter of support and identify a site contact as part of the host site application. Performance Measures: Qualitative outputs and outcomes designed by the Corporation for National and Community Service to measure impact of National Service Projects. For VISTA Members, performance measures in capacity building and anti-poverty are required for each project and are reported to CNCS throughout the program year. See also: CTCC VISTA Project: The word Project or VISTA Project refers to the overarching project run through CTCC which includes multiple VISTA members serving at a variety of host sites throughout the state. This project provides orientations, monthly trainings, and participation in the work of CTCC. The host site application is an agreement to participate in the VISTA project run by CTCC, both for VISTAs and Supervisors. The CTCC VISTA project identifies priorities and goals that are outlined by CTCC as part of the RFP process. Assignment: This term refers to the individual VISTA assignments that are written by host sites and implemented by individual VISTAs at a host site. Assignments can last up to three years before they needs to be transitioned out, but host sites can have multiple assignments, each of a three year cycle, simultaneously or one after another. The VISTA Assignment Description is what most specifically outlines the assignment and should reflect the values of the CTCC project and the AmeriCorps VISTA program. Returning Host Sites: For the purpose of this application, this term describes a site who is continuing an assignment that is currently part of the CTCC VISTA project and is eligible to continue (meaning, the host site must currently be in its 1 st or 2 nd year). Applying as a host site does not guarantee being awarded VISTAs. New Host Sites: For the purpose of this application, this term describes any site that will be new for ; a site that has previously hosted a VISTA but did not host in or is beginning a new project is considered a new host site; sites that have never hosted a VISTA with CTCC are also considered new. Online Resources: 2016 AmeriCorps VISTA Program Guidance: uidance%20fiscal%20year% pdf Webinar for Supervisors: The Role of the Sub-Site (Host Site) Supervisors VISTA Program Information on CNCS Website: Connecticut Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Program & Application Guide Page 19 of 20

20 Presentation: Creating Effective VISTA Assignment Descriptions (VADs) CNCS VISTA Performance Measure Overview Additional resources about applying, recruiting and supervising VISTAs can be found on Useful Websites (below). Useful Websites o o o o o Corporation for National and Community Service Website: This website has the most basic information on the Corporation for National Community Service and its programs, including AmeriCorps VISTA. There are several links to guides and resources, as well as a plethora of information that can be used to better understand the VISTA program VISTA Campus: This website has a variety of resources on the VISTA program, including guides for VISTAs in completing their work and support forums, guides, tutorial videos, etc. for host site supervisors. Any host site supervisor can sign up for a free account and access this information. MyAmeriCorps: This is where job opportunities are posted and interested candidates can apply online. Jobs are submitted by CTCC staff via egrants, where they are also officially hired. The place where current VISTA members and alums are able to maintain their profiles, VISTA status, etc. Members may be asked to complete information regarding their payment information, pre-service orientation, education award or stipend, etc. this is done through My AmeriCorps. egrants: The federal grant and reporting website, this is not a site that host sites or supervisors have access to, but may be referenced in other VISTA resources. This is where CTCC uploads VADs, approves positions, applies for grants, reports to CNCS, etc. If you see egrants, it is likely not something that you, as a host site, should be concerned about. CTCC Website: Connecticut Campus Compact s Website has basic information on CTCC s mission, vision and programs, including VISTA. It is a resource for learning more about CTCC s organization generally and to see current information on VISTA. Please note: This RFP and guide reflects program requirements and policies as of November 1, Connecticut Campus Compact (CTCC) AND/OR the Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) may request additional information and compliance with any federal policies to the VISTA program. Therefore, the timeline and requirements are subject to change. Connecticut Campus Compact AmeriCorps VISTA Program & Application Guide Page 20 of 20