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FOIA Number: 2013-0661-F (3)
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the William J. Clinton
Presidential Library Staff.
Collection/Record Group:
Clinton Presidential Records
Subgroup/Office of Origin:
Americorps
Series/Staff Member:
General Files
Subseries:
OA/ID Number:
24234
FolderID:
Folder Title:
National Service Initiative
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
S
66
1
2
2
United States
Agricultural
P.O. Box 96576
Department of
Cooperative
Washington, DC
Agriculture
Service
20090-6576
January 21, 1994
To:
Joel Berg, Director of Public Liaison and National Service
From:
Randall E. Torgerson, Administrator, ACS
Subject:
National Service Initiatives
Agricultural Cooperative Service FY 94 or FY 95 program initiatives do not lend themselves
to AmeriCorps participation. Future programs, assuming reorganization initiatives are achieved,
may make participation possible.
The Agricultural Cooperative Service
is an agency of the
United States Department of Agriculture
United States
Agricultural
P.O. Box 96456
SAMPLE
Department of
Marketing
Washington, DC
Agriculture
Service
20090-6456
FEB 03 1994
MEMORANDUM TO DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC LIAISON AND NATIONAL SERVICE
JOEL BERG
THROUGH: for Patricia Jensen VerBor February 3, 1994
Acting Assistant Secretary
FROM:
Lon Administrator Hatamiya LaStatage
SUBJECT: Sponsorship of National Service Initiatives
The Agricultural Marketing Service has several programs, particularly in its Transportation
and Marketing Division, that fit with the AmeriCorps proposal. Listed below are areas we
have identified, a brief description of a participant's role, and a preliminary look at the
budgetary demands of such a program.
Wholesale Market Development
AMS' Wholesale Market Development Program conduct research and provides technical
assistance to improve wholesale food distribution facilities and farmers' markets.
An AmeriCorps participant could gather information necessary for the design and
development of wholesale farmers' markets in rural and urban areas.
Distribution Services Program
The Distribution Services Program studies problems in agricultural marketing systems and
develops or applies new technologies to reduce marketing cost, improve efficiencies, and
retain product quality.
An Americorps participant could (1) assist in research that uses volunteers to handle samples
for tests to extend shelf life, (2) construct prototype equipment to cool product, (3) sanitize
food transport vehicles, and (4) collect test results.
USDA
The Agricultural Marketing Service
is an agency of the
United States Department of Agriculture
Page 2
Rural Transportation
AMS conducts economic studies and policy analyses on marketing and transportation issues.
An AmeriCorps participant could assist in gathering data from state departments of
transportation on rural rail service. Rural communities could use this information to
maintain rail service. A participant could also gather information on rural transportation
issues relevant to the implementation of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act
of 1991, which delegates most decisionmaking authority to the state level.
Organic Program
Pursuant to the 1990 Farm Bill (Title XXI), AMS is developing a national system of
standards and definitions for organically produced food products.
An AmeriCorps participant could (1) conduct seminars in primary and secondary schools, (2)
coordinate (with Extension Service) the establishment of organic gardening projects in cities
to enhance the appreciation for fresh produce, and (3) search for literature on successful
production methods that meet the standards for organically produced food.
Field Laboratories
AMS' Science Division conducts laboratory tests on agricultural commodities to assist the
grading of such commodities.
This program could accommodate up to 4 AmeriCorp participants to assist the testing
operations and sample preparations.
This preliminary look at possible program does not yet have firm budget numbers.
However, the cost should generally only be salary and the required overhead/fringe
obligations for each position. Additionally, a participant would work with a mentor, who
would devote a portion of his or her time to assisting the participant.
United States
Office of
Office of
Washington
Department of
The Secretary
Personnel
D.C. 20250
Agriculture
JAN 2 5 1994
SUBJECT: Sponsorship of National Service Initiatives
TO: Joel Berg
Director of Public Liaison
and National Service
We are very pleased and excited, as I'm sure you are, about the Administration's
national service program, AmeriCorps.
The Office of Personnel (OP) is a Departmental Administration agency and is not
set-up like most Department of Agriculture (USDA) agencies that have programs,
therefore, we will not be identifying current Fiscal Year 94 initiatives that lend
themselves to AmeriCorps participation. However, regardless of the program area, all
initiatives will involve USDA employees which fall appropriately in the area of
personnel.
We continue to offer our participation and advisory services in the personnel area
to assist you and the agencies in effectively delivering the national service program,
AmeriCorps. OP's representative in this effort is Betty Waters. She can be reached on
(202) 720-6905.
205 5679
Freding A.Coxy
Frederick R. Cooper
Director
Recruitment and Employment Division
DEPARTMENT DI
United States
Office of
Office of
Washington, D.C.
Department of
the Secretary
Information Resources
20250
Agriculture
Management
JAN 24 1994
SUBJECT: Response to Sponsorship of the National Service Initiative (AmeriCorps)
TO: Joel Berg
Deputy Director for Public Liaison
Office of Communications
This is in response to a recent memorandum from Ron Blackley. The Office of
Information Resources Management is a central policy office. We do not carry out
programs in the areas outlined in Mr. Blackley's memorandum. Therefore, we will be
unable to participate in the National Service Program.
JOHN L. OKAY
Director
cc: Wardell C. Townsend, Jr.
United States
World Agricultural
Washington, D.C.
Department of
Outlook Board
20250-3800
Agriculture
January 24, 1994
SUBJECT: Sponsorship of National Service Initiatives
TO: Joel Berg
Director of Public Liaison
and National Service
This is in response to the Chief of Staff's January 10 memorandum.
WAOB has no FY-94 initiatives which lend themselves to AmeriCorps participation.
Further, in anticipation of a continued extremely tight budget situation, WAOB can
obligate no FY-95 funds for this purpose.
James R Donall R. Donald
James R. Donald
Chairperson
02 FEB 1994
SUBJECT:
National Services Initiatives
TO:
Ron Blackley
Chief of Staff
We are pleased to have the opportunity to support the President's priority for Ameri Corps.
We are particularly excited by the prospects of focusing our efforts on the Empowerment and
Anti-Hunger Team announced by the Secretary to help achieve our goals of improving
nutrition and eliminating hunger in America.
As we considered ways to use the significant resources embodied in the budget and programs
of the Food and Nutrition Service to support this initiative, one fact loomed large: virtually
all of the Agency's resources are passed through to State and local service providers. Each
of the 14 domestic food assistance programs is administered in collaboration with State
agencies and all of the services and benefits we provide are mediated through State and local
governments and community organizations.
Given the way these programs are structured and the way the Agency does business, we
believe the best way to pursue the President's and the Secretary's agenda is to serve as a
catalyst for the utilization of national service corps workers in our programs and in other
community-based organizations to improve nutrition and fight hunger. An example of this
model is the offer by the Los Angeles Service Corps to assist in the Food Stamp application
process for quake victims.
We propose to use our share of any resources which might be made available from Ameri
Corps to inform and stimulate State organizations to take advantage of the opportunities
offered by Ameri Corps.
In general, we would provide information and technical assistance to groups seeking Ameri
Corps funds for anti-hunger efforts. Specific activities could include any or all of the
following:
o
Fund at least two grants to national organizations to stimulate the utilization of the
National Service Corps by local community organizations. One would target the
nutrition education community and the other would target local anti-hunger
organizations. These grants might be used to develop appropriate materials for use in
various communities; to sponsor meetings, workshops, and conferences; and to
Ron Blackley
2
disseminate information. The parties could also be called upon to collect and
distribute information on successful community initiatives and to track the number of
service corps placements created within their network.
FNS Headquarters and Regional Office staff will communicate directly to the States
which administer our programs about Ameri Corps. We will work with them to
identify opportunities where they can use national service corps projects to support
their program missions. In the case of food stamps, we will identify when
administrative funds which the State expends for the use of national service corps for
program purposes could be eligible for Federal match.
Build links to ongoing activities with community enterprises and empowerment zones.
We can charge staff in both Headquarters and Regions to work with interested States
and communities to draw on the combined resources of the national service corps and
the enterprise zones to address program outreach and nutrition education.
Build on planned competitive grant programs within FNS such as the second round of
grants to community organizations to improve participation in the Food Stamp
Program (about $1 million) and an initial round of community challenge grants to
better integrate nutrition into food assistance programs (about $1 million). We can
encourage or require that applicants in such competitions describe their plans for
tapping into the Ameri Corps.
We have no doubt that other opportunities will emerge as the plans for Ameri Corps take
shape. We are eager to take on this challenge.
Ellen Hear
Ellen Haas
Assistant Secretary for
Food and Consumer Services
FNS:OAE:FPS.SCARLSON.1s:305-2134:January28, 1994
FILE:J:NSI.SC
retyped 1/31/94
United States
Rural
Washington, D.C.
SAMPLE
Department of
Development
20250
STATE
Agriculture
Administration
FEB 08 1994
SUBJECT: Rural Development Administration's (RDA) Potential Role in the National
Service Initiative
TO: Joel Berg
Director of Public Liaison
Office of Public Affairs
10% be Spr D
on too
THROUGH: Bob J. Nash
safety
Under Secretary
$500,00
Small Community and Rural Development
There are several Fiscal Year 1994 Rural Development Administration (RDA) Initiatives
which could lend themselves to the National Service Corps effort:
Americorps Volunteers would serve communities well by acting as community and
economic development promoters, initiating the establishment of local
development entities, and helping municipalities apply for RDA Financial Programs.
Through the RDA funds, basic community services such as water systems,
libraries, fire stations, etc. could be made accessible. This could be especially
helpful in creating applicant entities to apply for RDA funds in areas where lack of
an institutional base is a problem.
The Empowerment Zones/Enterprise Communities effort is now starting up, and
trained National Service Corps members could be very helpful in assisting
communities with the development of Strategic Plans, filing grant applications, and
implementing projects.
Similarly, in the Pacific Northwest, the President's Economic Adjustment Initiative
would be well served by volunteers working with communities on strategic planning
efforts and project implementation.
RDA has an initiative with selected 1890 Universities into which Americorps
participants could be tied. Outreach to underserved populations is a priority for
RDA under the Clinton Administration, and Volunteers would find themselves well
utilized in this effort.
RDA
Rural Development Administration is an Equal Opportunity Lender.
)
Complaints of discrimination should be sent to:
Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250
February 8, 1994
MEMORANDUM
TO:
Sharon Longino
Associate Administrator, FmHA
FROM:
Joel Berg B
SUBJECT: Funding for National Service Initiatives
The preliminary concept for funding of national service initiatives involves three possible
strategies:
1.
A portion of agency funds in specific program areas could be earmarked to be expended
using participants in approved national service programs. For example, a portion of the
existing grants for housing repair or construction could be designated to be given to an
approved national service program managed by USDA or in partnership with other
organizations.
2.
A portion of agency funds could be combined with funds from other agencies to form a
pool of money used to support the Department's national service programs.
3.
Funding is requested as a separate line item in the Department's appropriations request.
It is too late to request a line item appropriations for FY 95, so funds for FY 94 and FY 95 will
have to come from one of the first two strategies or a combination of both.
In conjunction with the Office of Budget and Program Analysis (OBPA) and the Office of
General Counsel (OGC), my staff and I have been doing preliminary investigations into the
legality of earmarking existing funds and/or reprogramming funds. As a first step, the
Department's FY 94 budget was analyzed to determine program areas where funds might be
earmarked or pooled. Obviously, before any final determination is made as to the disposition
of funds, each agency must review their programs and assess the impact of earmarking or
pooling funds.
In the case of FmHA, the attached table lists the programs that at first glance seem to be a
potential source of funds. As a starting point in our effort to frame FmHA's participation in the
national service effort, it would be helpful for you and your staff to review the attached list and
evaluate if there are any obstacles to either earmarking a portion of the funds or pooling a
portion of the funds into a national service "pot". I would also like you to consider other areas
in your budget where funds might be available. Mr. Ron De Munbrun of my staff has been
working most closely with OBPA and OGC and he is ready to meet with you and your staff to
discuss these strategies. He may be reached at 720-3260, (202) 542-3339 (beeper).
POSSIBLE FUNDS FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM
ALREADY IN USDA BUDGET
TITLE
DESCRIPTION FROM FY 94
POTENTIAL
EXPLANATORY NOTES
FUNDS
(IN MILLIONS)
FMHA
Provides funds for grants to very low-income elderly owner-
25.000
Very Low-Income
occupants to make necessary repairs to improve and modernize
Repair Grants
their dwellings in order to remove safety and health hazards.
FMHA
Provides funds for USDA to share with state or other political
8.000
Rural Housing for
subdivisions, public or private nonprofit organizations, or
Domestic Farm Labor
nonprofit organizations of farmworkers the cost of providing low-
rent housing, basic household furnishings and related facilities to
be used by domestic farm laborers.
FMHA
Provides funds for grants made to local organizations to promote
12.750
Mutual and Self-Help
the development of mutual or self-help housing programs under
Housing Grants
which groups of usually six to ten families build their own homes
by mutually exchanging labor. Funds may be used to pay for
construction supervisors who will work with the families.
FMHA
Provides funds for grants to eligible private nonprofit groups,
23.000
Rural Housing
Indian tribes, and government agencies for the rehabilitation of
Preservation Grants
single family housing owned by low-income and very low-income
families and the rehabilitation f rental and cooperative housing
for low and very low-income families.
FMHA
Provides funds for grants to public and private nonprofit
1.000
Supervisory and
organizations for packaging loan applications for housing
Technical Assistance
assistance under the various housing programs of FMHA.
Grants
'The Dollar amounts have been adjusted to reflect approximate budget request amounts for FY 95 but the explanatory notes
have not been changed because they were unavailable.
2
Regarding FY 1995 budget figures in RDA, while projects have been identified for the
coming fiscal year, no specific figures are currently available.
WILBUR T. PEER
Acting Administrator
United States
Rural
Washington, D.C.
SALES
Department of
Development
20250
Agriculture
Administration
FEB 08 1994
SUBJECT: Rural Development Administration's (RDA) Potential Role in the National
Service Initiative
TO: Joel Berg
Director of Public Liaison
Office of Public Affairs
THROUGH: Bob J. Nash
Under Secretary
Small Community and Rural Development
There are several Fiscal Year 1994 Rural Development Administration (RDA) Initiatives
which could lend themselves to the National Service Corps effort:
Americorps Volunteers would serve communities well by acting as community and
economic development promoters, initiating the establishment of local
development entities, and helping municipalities apply for RDA Financial Programs.
Through the RDA funds, basic community services such as water systems,
libraries, fire stations, etc. could be made accessible. This could be especially
helpful in creating applicant entities to apply for RDA funds in areas where lack of
an institutional base is a problem.
The Empowerment Zones/Enterprise Communities effort is now starting up, and
trained National Service Corps members could be very helpful in assisting
communities with the development of Strategic Plans, filing grant applications, and
implementing projects.
Similarly, in the Pacific Northwest, the President's Economic Adjustment Initiative
would be well served by volunteers working with communities on strategic planning
efforts and project implementation.
RDA has an initiative with selected 1890 Universities into which Americorps
participants could be tied. Outreach to underserved populations is a priority for
RDA under the Clinton Administration, and Volunteers would find themselves well
utilized in this effort.
RDA
Rural Development Administration is an Equal Opportunity Lender.
RURAL
Complaints of discrimination should be sent to:
Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250
(
ADMIND
Regarding FY 1995 budget figures in RDA, while projects have been identified for the
coming fiscal year, no specific figures are currently available.
WILBUR T. PEER
Acting Administrator
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
From:
UNDER SECRETARY FOR
SMALL COMMUNITY AND
Date: 1/3/
RURAL DEVELOPMENT
To: Joel Bery - Pub Affair
For your signature
Rewrite-text
Please return
Prepare reply for my
Rewrite-not enough
As you requested
signature
information
For your information
For Secretary's signature
For your action
Please file
Reply directly-copy to me
For your approval
Set up meeting on this
Copy to me with copy
For your comments
of incoming
Call me on this
Remarks:
MONK, Trese Are
gooD FOLK.
Bor
Action Date:
-
JAN-28-94 FRI 15:17
AR HUMAN DEVEL CORP.
FAX NO. 3741413
P.02
ARKANSAS
Human Development Corporation
300 South Spring Street. Suite 800 / Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-2424
DR. CLINTON R. HAMPTON
Area Code (501) 374-1103 / FAX # 501-374-1413
Board Chairparson
EARL L. MOORE, JR.
Erecutive Director
January 28, 1994
Joel Berg
Director
Public Liaison
Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Washington, DC 20250
Dear Mr. Berg:
Your letter of January 11 concerning the USDA response to the National Service Trust
Act has generated considerable interest among two community service organizations
in Arkansas. As a staff member for both groups, I wanted to establish communication
with your office to explore strategies for implementation of USDA community service
programs in collaboration with well established and highly recognized nonprofit
organizations.
These are the Arkansas Human Development Corporation (AHDC) and Arkansas Land
and Farm Development Corporation (ALFDC). Both organizations serve low income
people and help individuals and communities develop greater capacity for social and
economic progress. AHDC programs train people to establish their own businesses.
AHDC programs also work with seasonal farm workers, helping them to gain new
employment skills. ALFDC has achieved national recognition for its work with limited
resource and minority farmers, addressing issues of land retention, sustainable
agriculture, and rural community development.
Additionally, AHDC and ALFDC both have rural housing and youth entrepreneur
development programs serving people in the Arkansas Delta. Further, the
organizations are members of the Arkansas Delta Consortium, a unique collaboration
of nonprofit public service organizations working in east Arkansas. Both have
extensive history with VISTA volunteers and both have current assignment of Delta
Service Corps members.
In my shared role as Director of Planning and Development for the two organizations,
I wanted to briefly introduce these groups and present their strong interest in working
with the USDA in the proposal areas identified in your letter. Arkansas is in the
JAN-28-94 FRI 15:17
AR HUMAN DEVEL CORP.
FAX NO. 3741413
P.03
process of developing a state plan for Americorps implementation. If there are
additional opportunities to implement the new national service program through direct
partnership with USDA, we are eager to learn of them.
I will plan on calling your office next week to arrange a time when we can discuss this
opportunity in more detail. I look forward to our conversation.
Sincerely,
Marcin Schwart
Marvin Schwartz
Director of Planning and Development
MS/Isr
CC:
Clevon Young, AHDC Executive Director
Calvin R. King, Sr., ALFDC Executive Director
MAR 16 '94 10:58 FROM LSRT
PAGE. 002
Proprial
USDA AmeriCorps
Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) Proposal
FmHA Objective: To elevate and advance the capacity development of
Delta Region residents through the National and Community Service
AmeriCorp by incorporating the existing resources of FmHA through a
collaborative effort with the National Service Corp.
FmHA Partnership with Delta Residents: FmHA participants will be
targeted in areas where FmHA subsidized (rental) housing facilities are
located.
FmHA Collaboration with Welfare Reform: The selected participants
would be welfare recipients and at-risk male youth.
Proposed Funding Structure
FmHA Demonstration Project = 40 Slots @ 7 States = 280
1. 25 Current Welfare Recipients (Ages 17-25)
2. 15 At-Risk Male Youth (Ages 13-15)
** 3. 7 Case Managers @ $30,000 = $210,000.00
(one case manager per 40 participants)
++ 4. 1 Case Manager Coordinator @ $35,000
total $ 245,000.00
280 @ 8,256 = $ 2,311,680.00
@ 4 years = $ 9,246,720.00
Cost Savings = = $11,381,720.00
Child Care expenses and health care are not included in the yearly stipend
per participant.
Food and Nutrition Collaboration--The Service Corp recipient's food stamp
allocation would be reduced based on their stipend.
**Salary and Fringe Benefits
MAR 16 '94 10:58 FROM LSRT
PAGE. 003
-2-
FmHA AmeriCorp Proposal
National Service
Health Care Collaboration-The participants would receive a waiver that
will allow them to keep their health insurance (Medicaid) from the
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
FmHA proposal focuses on breaking the welfare cycle in rural areas. the
proposal will provide welfare recipients and at-risk male youth with an
alternative that would enable them to become self-sufficient.
FmHA's proposal would identify and certify 40 participants; and develop
case files on each participant with an assessment of the participant's
needs. Additional assistance for each participant will be provided during
the application process for entrance to a junior college or four year college
within a given area. Each participant would be required to agree to
behavior modification counseling. They will be placed in a job within their
local or state government. The job placement will correlate with their
educational field of study.
Once the participants are in the AmeriCorp training, a follow-up criteria
will be utilized to assist them in accessing other resources they may need,
such as child care, transportation, etc.
The case manager will also work with the participants in establishing a
support group. A year-end progress report on each participant will be
provided to the AmeriCorp USDA Coordinator.
FmHA's proposal will not only provide a mechanism for assisting welfare
recipients, but it will have a value-added component for local government
bodies in the recipients area.
AGRICULTURE
The Honorable Mike Espy
Congressionally Authorized Programs of Volunteerism/Community Service
Chief of Staff: Ron Blackley, phone: 202-720-3631, fax: 202-720-5437
Agency Contact: Joel Berg, Office of Public Affairs, phone: 202-720-4623, fax: 202-720-5043
FY 1993
Cooperative
Service
Number of
Program wit
Name of Program
Post
Summer
Agency
External
other Federa
Funding
Partic-
and Contact Person
Service
1993
Program Description
Volunteer
Time Line
Employee
Level
Agencies
ipants
Stipend
Benefit
Program
Recognition
Volunteers
Touch America
During FY 1992 about 109,000 volunteers assisted
Project
on the management of the National Forest System.
The Touch America Project (TAP) is a special
AGENCY: Forest
component of the overall volunteer effort. It
Service
provides opportunities for youths, ages 14-17, to
gain work experience and environmental awareness
while working on the public lands. In FY 1992,
private sector organizations sponsored over 4,600
youths in TAP. Projects included maintaining and
building trails and constructing recreation areas.
The FS and cooperating private sector entities
provide tools, training, and supervision. The
government assumes tort and workmen's
compensation liability,
Youth Conservation
OICD NAL
The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) provides 8
$2.5 million
Corps
weeks of summer employment for 15 through 18-
FNS- FS
year-olds from all strata of society. Youths earn
AGENCY: Forest
minimum wage and learn while performing
ES'
Service
conservation work on the National Forest System.
The enrollees are paid from Forest Service funds
SCS.
appropriated for resource activities. Each forest
decides how much of its work to accomplish
through a YCC program as opposed to hiring adult
seasonal workers or private sector contracting. In
FY 1992. 1.185 youth participated in the program.
.Earth Team
The Earth Team was established in the Soil
Volunteer Program
$100,000
Conservation Service (SCS) in 1981. Volunteers
work in SCS field offices performing an assortment
AGENCY: Soil
of duties in administration, technical support,
Conservation
information, and education. They also work on
Service
farms and ranches helping landowners deal with a
variety of conservation problems. The Earth Team
has memoranda of understanding with national
organizations that help encourage conservation
projects at the local level.
Summer
OICD's Summer Employee's Program is sponsored
Employee's
Minimal
in concert with the Cooperative State Research
Program
amount--
Service (CSRS) and the Agricultural Marketing
absorbed by
Service (AMS). The program provides professional
AGENCY: Office of
agencies
on-the-job (OJT) experience for both college and
International
high school students. The program is tailored like
Cooperation and
an "internship" in that the OJT experience can be
Development
used for academic credit by the students. Once a
No program in 1993.
week a group seminar is conducted by the three
agencies to review the work experience and obtain
feedback from the participants. Also, the students
are exposed to guest speakers that cover an array
of subjects from agriculture to transportation.
Additionally, their OJT experience is enhanced by
field trips that included such activities as: (a) the
Congress and its function, (b) Embassy visits with
the emphasis on their role and interaction with
Government, and the National Association of State
Departments of Agriculture and their role and
interaction with USDA/Government.
Food Stamp
Outreach activities (i.e., explaining program rules,
Program
Volunteers
helping people apply and fill out forms, etc.).
are unpaid.
More outreach grants are coming up. Trying for 8-
AGENCY: Food and 10 grants in FY 1993. (Private-Public
Nutrition Service. Partnership).
TEFAP The
Unload trucks. hand out food at donation sites,
Emergency Food
Unpaid
help with applications, etc.
Assistance
volunteers.
Program (donated
Reimburseme
commodities)
nts allowed
for specific
AGENCY: Food and
costs
Nutrition Service
incurred,
e.g. trans.
costs.
Nutrition
Provide nutrition education information in school
Education and
Unpaid;
meal programs and child care centers, help with
Training Program
small
distribution of materials, and in teaching
principles of nutrition education. Example: High
program no
AGENCY: Food and
funds for
school and college students in costume
Nutrition Service
reimburseme
(Nutrisaurus Rex) to teach nutrition education.
Youth at Risk
nts
The Youth at Risk Program provides funding for
Program
$10 million
1890
community-based programs to address the needs of
institutio
at risk youth. Programs provide after school
AGENCY:
ns serve
educational programs, programs to improve
Extension Service
as
reading and science literacy and programs to
address teen pregnancy, drug abuse, depression
partners
for
and other problems. Opportunities are available
several
for youth to receive training and to assist with
projects.
program delivery. In addition to Federal funding,
100,000
local and private matching funds are provided.
participat
National
ing youth.
NAL provides opportunities for adult and youth
Agricultural
N/A
20
volunteers. Depending on skills of the individual,
Library Volunteer
volunteers provide clerical, technical, or
Program
professional assistance to NAL in operating its
library and database programs.
AGENCY: National
Agricultural
Library
4-H
Co-op with
3 million
land grant
school age
colleges
youths.
10-20
Extension
years old
3 million
volunteer
S
National Forest
The National Forest Foundation is a nonprofit
8 and 10
FS will incur
200
Minimum
Foundation Youth
corporation established by statute. Its purpose is
week
some
expected
wage
Camps
to raise funds from private sources for activities
programs
minimal
which support the programs administered by the
costs. Most
AGENCY: Forest
FS. The Foundation has just begun its activities.
of the
Service
One of its first projects will be to finance the
program will
operation of three summer camps for youth at risk
be financed
on the George Washington, Mt. Hood, and Gifford
by FS.
Pinchot National Forests. There will be a special
emphasis on supplementing the work experience
with social and remedial education skills with a
goal of feeding participants into the job corps or
private sector employment.
MEMORANDUM
To: Susan Stroud
From: Stephan Tibbs
Re: Departmental National Service Initiatives
Date: December 8, 1993
The following is a digest of the departmental responses to the
October 7, 1993 memo from Eli Segal and Christine Varney,
requesting reports on National Service involvement.
Each profile is generally organized around proposed involvement and
current involvement in national service. Departmental time lines
have been reproduced if provided. Proposed program initiatives
have also been included as have ideas and concerns of the
departments when provided.
Please note that most reports were dated during mid-October and
will not necessarily reflect the current state of affairs.
However, I hope this does work as a good starting point to assess
each department's programming focus and direction.
Department of Agriculture
Current Involvement
*Coordinated USDA relief efforts in Midwest with state
conservation corps.
Created 4 working groups of USDA employees to develop 3
national service corps.
*Secretary Espy testified on behalf of the National Service
Bill before Senate Labor and Human Resource Committee.
*Secretary Espy discussed national service with Presidents of
historically Black Colleges.
Proposed Involvement
Rural Development Corps.
Environmental Corps.
*
Anti-Hunger/Empowerment Corps.
*Help constituency groups to participate in the program.
Provide information and technical assistance to
environmental, consumer, rural development,
agribusiness, and nutrition groups.
*Expand employee volunteer program.
USDA volunteer tutors in DC schools.
Encourage USDA employees to increase their community
service efforts.
Time Line
January 15, 1994:
Sign memos of understanding with other Federal
Agencies.
January 24, 1994:
Submit preliminary proposal to CNCS.
February 1, 1994:
Develop with USDA Budget Office. potential
line item budget requests for FY95.
Department of Transportation
DOT seeks to encourage states to use Highway and Transit Grant
funds for clean up and beautification of transport and highway
facilities. DOT would cover the Federal share from its own funds
to pay living expenses and health care. While the CNCS would pay
the education benefit.
Current Involvement
*Partnership in Education with DC public schools.
-Tutoring program
-The Friendship Program (mentoring for at-risk youth)
-DOT lecture series (Presentations on DOT mission &
careers)
-"Futures" (relating math & science skills to careers)
-Cultural enrichment activities
*Hine Junior High School Community Projects (DC public
schools).
-PRIDE (Parent's Resource Institute for Drug Education)
Anti drug awareness and training seminars.
-Rent a Teen program of Capitol Hill
After school services to individuals and businesses.
Proposed Involvement
*Community traffic safety and education programs.
*Urban Youth Corps
Clean up & beautification of transportation related
facilities.
Transportation services to medical facilities.
*Operation Lifesaver
A program currently in existence and run by the Fed. Rail
Road Administration to promote rail safety measures.
"national service workers could expand visibility and
outreach.
*Hazardous Materials Identification
Ongoing program to train " emergency responders", (ie.
fire depts. etc) in hazardous materials training.
Department of Justice
DOJ proposes to disseminate information and outreach on national
service through existing department resources. In order to pool
resources and experience Justice has formed working groups with
Action and the Corporation.
Current Involvement
Existing Programs which can incorporate national service volunteers
*The Bureau of Prisons
Volunteers to assist offenders with transition back to
the community.
*Weed and Seed
-Community policing
-Research
-Athletics
-Nutrition
*Drug Enforcement Administration
Place program participants to "render service directly to
client and the community.
*Community Relations Service
Utilize volunteers for conflict resolution and community
relations.
Proposed Involvement
*National Performance Review Laboratory
"Pilot effort to assist neighborhoods in enhancing their
comprehensive strategies, through single applications for
multiple Federal resources." Sites to provide multiple
services in a one stop shop: employment, education,
health, welfare, criminal justice, and economic
development."
*Pre-Professional Corps
DEA would involve program participants with an interest
in law enforcement for recent grads or those with 2 years
of college.
*Outreach efforts to potential grantees
-Publications
-Electronic bulletin boards
-Conferences
-Specialized academies
-Field offices
Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUD plans to slot national service volunteers within the numerous
community oriented programs which currently exist under HUD. These
programs target public housing residents, homeless persons, Native
Americans and the youth.
National Service volunteers in many of the programs will assist in
implementing the programs and often act as liaisons between the
Agency and the relevant community groups. Volunteers are to be
chosen at the local level by the grantees. Volunteers would be
required to reside within in the service areas. Therefore, " a
youth applying to become a national service volunteer in an
empowerment zone must live within the boundaries of the zone."
HUD will require grantees who receive a national service volunteer
to pay a portion of the volunteer's stipend and this "match will be
used to fund additional volunteers above the amount, if any
provided through the Corporation grant. Furthermore, HUD will
"award bonus" points to applicants in its own competitive grant
programs to applicants who use a national service volunteer.
HUD has targeted several existing programs and targeted groups to
be served with national service volunteers. These include:
-Empowerment Zones and Enterprize Communities
-Youthbuild (Opportunities for Youth)
-Native American Housing Program
-McKinney Homeless Program
-Urban Revitalization Demonstration Program
-Community Policing
-Crime Prevention
-Youth Initiatives
-Resident Organizational Development
-Community Outreach Partnership
-Joint CD Program
-Public Housing Resident Initiative Project
-Section 3 Program
-Resident Management Technical Assistance
-Youth Fair Chance and Interagency Collaborative Initiatives
-Drug Elimination Programs
-Community Development Block Grant Program
Department of Health and Human Services
DHHS has requested each of its agencies to identify current and
proposed service activities, outreach strategy to involve
constituent groups in national service and plans to increase
volunteerism among DHHS employees.
DHHS has had discussions with the Dept. of Education on early
childhood and youth at risk issues and DOT on transportation
barriers to health care.
Proposed Involvement
*Home Visitation Program
*Youth Service Mentor Program
*National Service Regional Coordinator Program
Bureau of Primary Health Care and ACTION have signed an
interagency agreement to set up a framework to coordinate
national, state and local health related volunteers.
*Junior Health Service Corps
*Effective Use of Volunteers in Public Health -- Center for
Disease Control (CDC)
CDC and several health care organizations, including the
Public Health Foundation and local and county health
associations, plan to provide funds to government and
private health organizations to develop a blueprint for
the use of national service volunteers in public health.
*KidServe
Collaboration of national organizations, including Nat'l
Head Start Assoc. to develop a training strategy and
materials for programs targeting early childhood
development.
*Health Professions National Service Investment Fund
Corporation dollars, leveraged by a "hard cash match of
the educational benefit" from the participating
institutions. The fund will be used to encourage
students in the health professions to participate in
national service.
Time Line
November 1:
Compile responses to HHS national service inventory
request. Provide technical assistance for final
proposals. Coordinate efforts with DOT and DOE.
November 15:
Prepare materials for outreach to constituents.
Schedule meetings with key constituents for
national service briefings. Establish review
process.
December 15:
Begin internal review of final program proposals.
Encourage constituents to develop and submit
proposals to state commissions. Develop model
programs and distribute technical assistance
materials to constituents
Department of Defense
The most prominent DOD program is the Civilian Community Corps. An
additional $20 million is to be provided to establish a
nonresidential national service program to be coordinated with the
National Guard Civilian Youth Opportunities Program, targeted
towards areas heavily affected by defence conversion, these
communities will be identified by DOD.
To assist in the search for national service candidates DOD and the
Department of the Army has discussed providing lists of military
service applicants, who for medical reasons were not qualified for
the military. These individuals may be interested and qualified
for national service and these lists would be made available to all
government agencies participating in the national service effort.
Civil-Military Cooperative Programs
*Civilian Community Corps
*Summer of Service
*National Guard Programs
*Civilian Youth Opportunities Pilot Program
A program to determine whether the National guard can
provide skills and enhance employment opportunities for
school drop outs through military-style training. $44M
has been appropriated.
*Medically Underserved Communities Program
"The primary objective of this program is to provide
training and professional development to Guard personnel
through provision of health services" in under served
communities. $1.5M has been appropriated and
a
demonstration program implemented in Arkansas.
*Math and Science Outreach
A program to encourage students (6-18 years old) in math
and science.
*LA School District Outreach
Similar to above but will include faculty members along
with students and engineering as well as math & science.
*JROTC Career Academies
To provide "at risk inner city youth" with vocational and
academic skills emphasizing high school graduation,
discipline and citizenship.
*High School Career Academies
Targeted at communities affected by defense conversion.
Emphasizes many of the same elements as the JROTC
Academies but does not require JROTC enrollment.
*National Service Registry
Listing former service members interested in community
service.
*Registry of Community Service Organizations
Note: Both registries will be available to all government
agencies participating in national service.
*Military Retirement Credit
Retired active duty personnel to receive credit toward 20
years of military service through registered community
service.
Department of Veterans Affairs
The VA currently coordinates approximately 94,000 volunteers in its
health care facilities through the VA Voluntary Service Program.
The VA also encourages employee volunteerism and through awards
recognizes their community service efforts. The VA plans to
publicize opportunities for national service in its newsletters,
and employee magazine.
The VA will submit an application to CNCS by February for funding,
to meet unmet needs of veterans and communities without "displacing
existing VA programs and employees".
The VA's guiding principles in relation to national service:
*
Put Veterans first
*
Empower VA field offices to meet unmet local community
needs.
*
Create results not red tape.
Department of Education
The Department has formed and Education Working Group comprised of
approximately 45 employees from all principal offices and chaired
by Deputy Secretary Kunin and Terry Peterson.
Proposed Involvement
*
An amendment to the Higher Education Act " for an early
intervention initiative under Chapter 2
to encourage
states to develop programs for at-risk secondary students, in
return for guaranteed financial assistance for post-secondary
education."
*
Use of PELL Grant and SEOG funds for disaster relief.
*
Request institutions receiving Federal Work Study funds to
allocate 10% of these funds to allow students to participate
in community service.
*
Request more funding for the Higher Education Innovative
Projects for community service.
*
Expand the DOE employee volunteerism initiative by allowing an
additional 4 hours leave per month.
Efforts to clarify the calculation of the post service benefit
and stipend in determining student need. The Department wants
to be sure that no financial disincentives exist to prevent
financial aid students to participate in national service.
Additional Ideas
*Matching National Service priorities with DOE's selection
criteria for its own grant review process.
Leveraging National Service and DOE program funding by
allowing organizations to apply to both the
Corporation/State Commissions and DOE.
*Title I
Advocating "a more concentrated approach to distributing
Title I funds to the poorest schools." Encouraging
school districts to use Title I funds for service and
service learning programs.
*Safe and Drug Free Schools
Integrating the Safe and Drug Free Schools Initiative
with national service, by placing national service
volunteers in targeted safe school projects.
Department of the Treasury
Treasury currently sponsors 13 service related programs. The U.S.
Savings Bonds Division Marketing effort with "approximately 500,000
volunteers" promotes Savings Bonds. Other financial programs
include: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the
Elderly.
Other community service programs include:
*Leadership Academy of Springarn High School
A partnership between business, education and government
"to develop future leaders for law enforcement and
related careers"
Contact: Joseph Coffee 202-927-8600
*Community Outreach Programs (2,700 participants)
Provides food and clothing for shelters and children.
Contact: Dannetta Hawkins 202-927-4220
John Benton 202-927-4480
Department of the Interior
The Department will establish an internal office on National and
Community Service to be funded in the FY94 budget.
The Department is currently involved with Youth Conservation Corps
in trail maintenance, reforestation, ecological restoration fire
prevention and wildlife protection. The Department plans to expand
these activities in the future.
Department of Energy
Terry Cornwell, Director of the Office of Science Education and
Technical Information has been designated as the lead coordinator
for the department's national service issues. Howlie Davis has
been designated as the project manager. The Department intends to
complete a strategic plan to add national service components to
existing programs.
*DOE/NAACP Scholarship Program
Requires a 10 hour national service commitment.
*Weatherization Assistance Program
National Service participants would assist in
weatherization efforts.
*State Energy Programs
Participants would work with the Federal Institutional
Conservation Program and the State Energy Conservation
Program upgrading building codes and efficiency
standards.
*Energy Education
High School Seniors and College students will be
integrated into K-12 classrooms to promote energy
awareness.
*Federal Energy Management Program
Assisting in the efficiency upgrading of Federal
buildings.
*High Energy Efficiency Communities
Participants with landscape or architecture backgrounds
will plant trees to reduce the "urban heat island
effect".
*Upgrade of Federally Assisted Housing
Participants with building skills (carpentry engineering
etc.) to upgrade public housing facilities.
*Efficiency and Renewables Information Offices
Participants will help to staff offices providing
information on energy efficiency.
*Efficiency and Renewables Assistance for Native Americans
Training Native Americans in installing photovoltaics in
remote locations.
*Clean Cities
Data collection on alternative fuel vehicles.
*Alternative Fuels Challenge
An additional reward for college students currently
competing in the design of alternative fuel vehicles.
Time Line
October 1993: Strategic Plan finalized, approved and announced.
November 1993: Meeting with DOE program officers and assign
coordinators.
December 1993: Review CNCS program regulations.
December
-January 1994: Refinement and execution of strategic plan.
February
- March 1994: Submit proposals to CNCS.