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Records of the Office of National Service (Clinton Administration)
AmeriCorps Files
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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:
24238
FolderID:
Folder Title:
[Reports] [5]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
S
66
1
1
1
Clinton Presidential Records
Digital Records Marker
This is not a presidential record. This is used as an administrative
marker by the William J. Clinton Presidential Library Staff.
This marker identifies the place of a tabbed divider. Given our
digitization capabilities, we are sometimes unable to adequately
scan such dividers. The title from the original document is
indicated below.
L
Divider Title:
State Summary - Louisiana
AMERICORPS
4th QUARTER REPORT
SITE INFORMATION
Operating Site Name:
State Summary
State:
Louisiana
Site ID #
94ADFDC047L27
Your Name:
Billy R. Moore
Your Position:
Project Director
Telephone number:
(318) 473-7768
Fax number:
(318) 473-7682
e-mail address
(If available)
Date report completed
10/6/95
Reporting Period:
July 1-September 30, 1995
Program Start-up date:
September 12, 1994
United States
Natural
3737 Government
Department of
Resources
Alexandria, Louisiana
Agriculture
Conservation
71302
Service
Subject: PER - AmeriCorps Fourth Quarter Report
Date: October 6, 1995
Louisiana
To:
Paula Cole Jones
File: 360
AmeriCorps Program Manager
Community Assistance and Resource
Planning Division
USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Washington, DC
Enclosed is the fourth quarter report for Louisiana's USDA/AmeriCorps projects.
Please call Holly Martien at (318) 473-7753 if you have any questions.
Billy R. Moore
Billy R. Moore
Assistant State Conservationist/Programs
Enclosure
CC:
Donald W. Gohmert, State Conservationist, NRCS, Alexandria, LA
Judith K. Johnson, Regional Conservationist, South Central, NRCS, Ft. Worth, LA
The Natural Resources Conservation Service,
formerly the Soil Conservation Service,
of the
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
State Summary - Louisiana
MEMBER INFORMATION
FULL-TIME MEMBER INFORMATION
Number of Members authorized for your site:
7
Environmental Corps Members:
Rural Development Corps Members:
7
Number of Members enrolled at end of quarter:
0
Environmental Corps Members: :
Rural Development Corps Members:
0
Number of Members at beginning of quarter:
5
Environmental Corps Members:
Rural Development Corps Members:
5
Total Hours of Direct Service for previous Quarter: 3,234.75
Environmental Corps Members:
Rural Development Corps Members:
3,234.75
Total Hours of Direct Service for this Quarter:
956.0
Environmental Corps Members:
Rural Development Corps Members:
956.0
Total Hours of Direct Service to Date:
11,736.25
Environmental Corps Members:
Rural Development Corps Members:
11,736.25
State Summary - Louisiana
PART-TIME MEMBER INFORMATION
Number of Members authorized for your site:
0
Environmental Corps Members:
Rural Development Corps Members:
Number of Members enrolled at end of quarter:
Environmental Corps Members:
Rural Development Corps Members:
Number of Members at beginning of quarter:
Environmental Corps Members:
Rural Development Corps Members:
Total Hours of Direct Service for previous Quarter:
Environmental Corps Members:
Rural Development Corps Members:
Total Hours of Direct Service for this Quarter:
Environmental Corps Members:
Rural Development Corps Members:
Total Hours of Direct Service to Date:
Environmental Corps Members:
Rural Development Corps Members:
State Summary - Louisiana
VOLUNTEER ASSESSMENT
Non-AmeriCorps Member Volunteers
Total Number of non-AmeriCorps Volunteers:
Approx. 100
Involved in AmeriCorps service activities in
this quarter.
Total hours of AmeriCorps service activities:
Approx. 800
Completed by non-AmeriCorps Member volunteers
in this quarter.
State Summary - Louisiana
SIGNIFICANT CHANGES THIS QUARTER
1.
Staff changes made this quarter:
NO staff changes. All USDA/AmeriCorps members in
Louisiana have completed their service.
2.
Program structural changes made this quarter:
None.
Number of Members who have left National Service
5
this quarter.
Total-to-date
9
Number of Members who have gained employment thru
0
their AmeriCorps Service
State Summary - Louisiana
MEMBER ASSESSMENT
as of the end of this quarter
TOTAL AUTHORIZED POSITIONS:
7
TOTAL EMPLOYED:
0
TOTAL ENVIRONMENTAL CORPS POSITIONS FILLED
TOTAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT CORPS POSITIONS FILLED
0
DEMOGRAPHICS OF AMERICORPS MEMBERS
Box 1 - GENDER
Number of Males
Number of Females
TOTAL
Box 2 - RACE
Number of Caucasians
Number of African Americans
Number of Native Americans
Number of Hispanics
Number of Asian American/Pacific Islander
TOTAL
Box 3 - EDUCATION
Number w/out High School Diploma or GED
Number with High School or GED
Number with some college
Number with college degree
Number with Graduate degree
Number w/Professional or Trade School
TOTAL
NOTE: Totals in boxes 1-3 should be the same number and should be the same as TOTAL EMPLOYED.
Box 4 - OTHER
Number receiving Health Insurance from NRCS
Number receiving Child Care through AmeriCorps
Number of Children
Number w/Disabilities
State Summary - Louisiana
BUDGET INFORMATION
Federal dollars spent on AmeriCorps (Local Level Only)
Project Manager completes this section
Per cent of your time spent on AmeriCorps
25*
Approximate dollar amount
$10,300.00*
Cost for any other Federal employee spending
time on AmeriCorps
Travel costs for Members & Managers
Training costs
Supplies
$150.00*
Uniform costs
Program costs
$975.00*
(Please explain what these costs were.) *Gas, Utilities
Partner dollars spent on AmeriCorps
Supplies
$100.00
Travel
0
Training
0
Program Costs
0
Other
$200.00
*Totals Represent 5 Supervisors/5 Sites.
PROJECT DIRECTOR COSTS (One per State - Above site level costs
only) Do NOT include any costs already captured by the Project
Manager.
Federal dollars spent on AmeriCorps
Per cent of your time spent on AmeriCorps
5
Approximate dollar amount
$2,060.00
Cost for any other Federal employee spending
$2,060.00
time on AmeriCorps
Travel costs for Members & Managers
$1,200.00
Training costs
Supplies
$500.00
Uniform costs
Program Costs
(Please explain what these costs were).
Non-Federal Funds Spent
(Explain)
Objectives Section
Objective: (state objective)
Develop the knowledge and skills of three AmeriCorps members
within six weeks in order to provide technical assistance
necessary to carry out the Farm*A*Syst program.
Progress towards meeting this community service objective.
This community service objective was completed within the first
quarter of the AmeriCorps year. Additional on-the-job training
and formal training on Farm*A*Syst assessments have been
conducted throughout the service year.
Objectives Section
Objective: (state objective)
Reduce the pollution risk of ten farmsteads per parish (9) as
measured by the results of pre- and post-assessment surveys.
Progress towards meeting this community service objective.
This community service objective has been accomplished.
Throughout the AmeriCorps year over 500 high school students
received Farm*A*Syst assessment packages. Most of the students
were required as a class assignment to complete the pre- and
post-assessments and worksheets in order to receive a grade.
Over 685 landowners gained knowledge of the Farm*A*Syst program
and received assessment/worksheet packages. At least 90 one-on-
one Farm*A*Syst assessments were conducted.
Eighty-five landowners completed the post-assessment Farm*A*Syst
survey. of 85 landowners responding, 39 landowners either made
or planned to make 55 changes to their farming practices. Of
those 55 changes planned, 43 were due solely because of
information gained through Farm*A*Syst. of the 55 changes
planned, 25 changes have been accomplished.
Objectives Section
Objective: (state objective)
Develop the knowledge and skills of four AmeriCorps members
within six weeks in order to provide technical assistance
necessary to carry out the dry fire hydrants program.
Progress towards meeting this community service objective.
This community service objective was accomplished within the
first quarter of the AmeriCorps year. USDA/AmeriCorps Members
received extensive on-the-job training to develop skills to
coordinate the dry fire hydrant program in Louisiana. The
members developed strong working relationships with Natural
Resources Conservation Service employees, landowners, state and
federal agencies, and local police juries and fire departments.
Objectives Section
Objective: (state objective)
Complete planning activities for the installation of 35 dry fire
hydrants per parish.
Progress towards meeting this community service objective.
All parishes in the Trailblazer RC&D area have passed resolutions
agreeing to participate in the dry fire hydrant program. Parish
surveys have been completed for all eight parishes. Each parish
has made a request for hydrants, and nearly all applications have
been received, and permits are being requested from the U.S.
Corps of Engineers. The USDA/AmeriCorps member assisted police
juries with their letters of resolution (which state their intent
to participate in the dry fire hydrant program), their
application process (which involved working with the police jury
and local fire protection agencies to determine precisely what
materials were needed to complete the project in each area), and
tracked the volunteer effort of all eight parishes by keeping a
record of time, miles, equipment use, etc., donated for the
project. Filming was completed of the installation of a dry
hydrant in Bienville Parish, and using this film, a dry hydrant
program video has been produced.
Thirteen parishes in the Capital RC&D area have established six-
member dry hydrant committees composed of volunteers from the
RC&D council, soil and water conservation district, police
jury/parish council, and volunteer fire departments along with
employees of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The
USDA/AmeriCorps member has developed and distributed a dry
hydrant pamphlet for local use. The USDA/AmeriCorps member has
secured quad sheets for each parish to assist in identifying
hydrant sites. The USDA/AmeriCorps member has participated in 15
dry hydrant committee meetings and made three presentations to
fire chief meetings.
The USDA/AmeriCorps member working with Twin Valley RC&D has
contacted 26 parishes to introduce the dry fire hydrants program
and solicit parish participation. Fire districts in every parish
have been contacted. Of the 26 parishes, 24 parishes will be
participating in the dry fire hydrant program. Dry hydrant site
locations are being determined with 9 parishes. 35 hydrant sites
have been identified and surveyed in Iberia Parish. Three
primary storage locations in the Twin Valley RC&D area have been
identified for materials pick-up and storage. Materials have
been delivered. A consolidated list of materials for hydrants
from all participating parishes was developed and provided to
Trailblazer RC&D. Easements and permits for the installation of
hydrants were also secured.
A USDA/AmeriCorps member worked with all twelve parish
coordinators for the dry hydrants program in the Northeast Delta
RC&D area to conduct an inventory for possible site locations.
The member presented dry fire hydrant program information to
police juries and volunteer fire departments throughout the
Northeast Delta RC&D area.
All of the parishes in the Imperial-Calcasieu RC&D area have
completed all the steps necessary to participate in the dry
hydrants program and materials have been delivered. Cameron
Parish will be installing 35 hydrants; Jefferson Davis 35
hydrants; Allen Parish 35 hydrants; Beauregard Parish 35
hydrants; and Calcasieu Parish 35 hydrants. The USDA/AmeriCorps
member obtained all easements, surveyed all sites, applied for
all permits; and sent in application packages for each parish to
Trailblazer RC&D.
Objectives Section
Objective: (state objective)
Plan and install, as appropriate, 35 dry fire hydrants in each
receptive parish within the respective area of responsibility and
perform required evaluation.
Progress towards meeting this community service objective.
Implementation of the statewide dry fire hydrant program,
administered by the Trailblazer RC&D Council, was delayed because
of negotiations between the Louisiana Department of Natural
Resources and the Trailblazer RC&D Council. The contract for
this program was signed in March 1995. Our members used the
first quarter and most of the second quarter to publicize the dry
hydrants program, form dry hydrant committees, coordinate
federal/state/local involvement in the dry hydrant program, and
locate dry hydrant sites. Because of the delay caused by
negotiations, this dry fire hydrant project will continue into
FY-96.
Eighty dry hydrant sites have been identified in the Trailblazer
RC&D area. Two hydrants have been installed--one as a
demonstration project, the other as part of a field inspection.
Thirteen parishes in the Capital RC&D area have identified 300
dry hydrant sites. One dry hydrant has been installed.
The USDA/AmeriCorps member working with Twin Valley RC&D has
contacted 26 parishes to introduce the dry fire hydrants program
and solicit parish participation. Of the 26 parishes, 24
parishes will be participating in the dry fire hydrant program.
A dry fire hydrant field day was conducted in Sabine Parish, and
approximately 80 people attended. 600 dry hydrant sites have
been identified. Two dry fire hydrants have been installed.
In the Imperial-Calcasieu RC&D area: Cameron Parish will be
installing 35 hydrants; Jefferson Davis 35 hydrants; Allen Parish
35 hydrants; Beauregard Parish 35 hydrants; and Calcasieu Parish
35 hydrants. 425 dry hydrant sites have been identified. The
USDA/AmeriCorps member obtained all easements, surveyed all
sites, applied for all permits; and sent in application packages
for each parish to Trailblazer RC&D. Two dry fire hydrants have
been installed. Other sites are waiting for 404 permits to be
received.
PRIMARY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1.
Member Development: Progress made in boosting the personal
development of members.
Members have received training on first aid/CPR, sexual
harassment prevention, photography, travel regulations,
safety, national service, improving self-esteem, team
building, effective presentations, ethics, HIV/AIDS, and how
to apply for federal jobs.
Members participated in National Day of Service activities
which included assisting local elementary schools as
teachers aids, working as tour guides in the Kisatchie
National Forest on Forestry Awareness Day, and helping with
Meals on Wheels for the elderly and disabled.
A week-long retreat was conducted at the Golden Meadow Plant
Materials Center in Galliano, Louisiana. During this week,
members reflected on their year of service and had an
opportunity to work as a corps on a coastal revegetation
project for the plant materials center. All members
participating agreed this experience was great--for member
development, for accomplishing something important for the
state of Louisiana (stopping the coastal erosion problem),
for team building, and to help add closure to their year of
service.
Members assisted with flood recovery efforts in New Orleans
during the last week in May 1995. They cleaned and
disinfected homes and removed destroyed furniture and walls
in homes of the elderly and disabled. They were called
angels by those they helped, and they came away from this
experience with a greater compassion for the elderly and for
those in need. Many members said this was the most
meaningful part of their service year.
2.
Community Building: Progress made in meeting your community
service objectives.
USDA/AmeriCorps members in Louisiana have organized groups
of citizens in committees to get dry fire hydrants installed
in rural areas; they have increased the awareness of rural
landowners of possible risks to their groundwater supply;
and they have become important catalysts in their
communities to make things happen. They are accepted in
their communities and have accomplished getting their
projects on the ground. The work they have accomplished
will live for many years and will impact many citizens of
Louisiana.
3.
Other Accomplishments:
USDA/AmeriCorps members volunteered their time to assist the
city of Winnsboro conduct their annual Catfish Festival.
They were an important part of the days activities--they
assisted with festival activities, provided information
about their USDA/AmeriCorps projects, and provided
information about AmeriCorps.
USDA/AmeriCorps members helped to prepare food, greet
guests, and organize tours during the opening day of Hope
Youth Ranch. This ranch is dedicated to helping troubled
teenagers.
USDA/AmeriCorps members planted trees in city park in
Tallulah, Louisiana.
Because of her flood relief experience in New Orleans, one
USDA/AmeriCorps member was selected as an alternate team
member to go and provide disaster relief assistance to the
Virgin Islands.
4.
Unique Successes or "Great Stories":
Members assisted with flood recovery efforts in New Orleans.
They cleaned and disinfected homes and removed destroyed
furniture and walls in homes of elderly and disabled
homeowners. They were called angels by those they helped,
and they came away from this experience with a greater
compassion for the elderly and for those in need. Many
members said this was the most meaningful part of their
service year.
Lieutenant Governor Melinda Schwegmann addressed Louisianas
first class of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
AmeriCorps graduates at the Forestry Center in the Alexander
State Forest near Woodworth, Louisiana on August 4, 1995.
Participating USDA agencies conducted a graduation ceremony
to honor nineteen USDA/AmeriCorps members for their
commitment to a season of service. The Forestry Center was
originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps
(CCC) in the early 1930's.
PRIMARY CHALLENGES
Report on problems resolved and unresolved, obstacles to
achieving program objectives, significant sources of delay,
program elements not meeting expectations, events or incidents
that caused concern. Use the format below for explaining
problems and solutions.
NATURE OF PROBLEM
Please state the problem clearly and concisely. Be candid.
1.
Implementation of the statewide dry fire hydrant program,
administered by the Trailblazer RC&D Council, was delayed
because of negotiations between the Louisiana Department of
Natural Resources and the Trailblazer RC&D Council. The
contract for this program was signed in March 1995. Our
members used the first quarter and most of the second
quarter to publicize the dry hydrants program, form dry
hydrant committees, coordinate federal/state/local
involvement in the dry hydrant program, and locate dry
hydrant sites. Because of the delay caused by negotiations,
this dry fire hydrant project will continue into FY-96.
2.
In Louisiana Natural Resources Conservation Service
AmeriCorps members worked side-by-side with Forest Service
AmeriCorps members. The USDA/AmeriCorps program in
Louisiana was been a great Team USDA effort. However, the
Team USDA concept was not always clear to AmeriCorps
members, especially when one agency requrires one method of
accomplishing something and another agency has another
method.
3.
After completing 902 hours of service, one member was forced
to discontinue her national service with our agency because
of financial problems. This member moved to Louisiana from
Maryland to participate in our USDA/AmeriCorps project.
With the stipend provided, she was unable to pay rent and
utility bills and have enough left for food expenses. She
left our agency to return home to Maryland. Our office
requested that she receive a partial educational award, but
it was recommended by our agencys national headquarters
that she attempt to find an AmeriCorps position in her local
area to complete her commitment to national service.
HAS THE PROBLEM BEEN RESOLVED?
IF NO, WHAT STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM?
1.
Yes. The contract was signed in March 1995, and a
USDA/AmeriCorps project has been approved to continue this
work in FY-96 in Louisiana.
2.
Yes. Employees of both agencies learned to work through the
differences in agency policy to get things done, and
USDA/AmeriCorps members learned to accomplish this also.
3. Yes. The member has returned home to Maryland. However, we
were unable to locate a position for this member to complete
her service, and it was determined by a USDA panel to deny a
partial education award for time served.
WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE SOLUTION OR RESOURCES NEEDED TO RESOLVE
THIS PROBLEM?
Specify what steps you, your Members, USDA, and/or the
Corporation for National Service can take to rectify the problems
or at least ensure they do not recur in the future?
In the future, it would be best if we recruited in the local
area. The financial strain of moving and establishing in a new
community could be overwhelming to new AmeriCorps members.
TRAINING ASSESSMENT
PRIMARY TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NEEDS
Please specify precisely what kind of staff or Member training or
other technical assistance can be provided by USDA, the
Corporation for National and Community Service, or other sources
to improve your project.
Life skills - money management, time management, stress
management
Communication skills - presentation skills, media skills
Organizational skills - project development
Map reading skills - for locating dry fire hydrant sites for use
by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisiana Department of Natural
Resources, and others.
MEDIA ASSESSMENT
1.
NATIONAL IDENTITY ACTIVITIES THIS QUARTER
None.
2.
MEDIA COVERAGE
Television and newspaper coverage of dry fire hydrant field
days with recognition of USDA/AmeriCorps involvement in
project.
Television, radio, and newspaper coverage of our
USDA/AmeriCorps graduation.
3.
OTHER CREATIVE DOCUMENTATION
USDA/AmeriCorps Yearbook is attached.