Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
348833805
label
USDA [Department of Agriculture]/AmeriCorps - Clinton Library Copies - Internal Management Memos - 1993 [2]
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
348833805
contentType
document
title
USDA [Department of Agriculture]/AmeriCorps - Clinton Library Copies - Internal Management Memos - 1993 [2]
citationUrl
collections
Records of the Office of National Service (Clinton Administration)
AmeriCorps Files
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
348833805
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
otherTitles
311842741-20130661F-Seg3-072-002-2023
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
777df125add46759
ocrText
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:
24221
FolderID:
Folder Title:
USDA [Department of Agriculture]/AmeriCorps - Clinton Library Copies - Internal Management
Memos - 1993 [2]
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
S
66
1
6
1
Withdrawal/Redaction Sheet
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
001. memo
re: 1992 campaign (2 pages)
06/24/1992
Personal Misfile
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
AmeriCorps
General Files
OA/Box Number: 24221
FOLDER TITLE:
USDA [Department of Agriculture]/AmeriCorps - Clinton Library Copies - Internal
Management Memos - 1993 [2]
2013-0661-F
rc3049
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
b(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
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.
June
Divider Title:
Withdrawal/Redaction Marker
Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
SUBJECT/TITLE
DATE
RESTRICTION
AND TYPE
001. memo
re: 1992 campaign (2 pages)
06/24/1992
Personal Misfile
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
AmeriCorps
General Files
OA/Box Number: 24221
FOLDER TITLE:
USDA [Department of AgricultureJ/AmeriCorps - Clinton Library Copies - Internal
Management Memos - 1993 [2]
2013-0661-F
rc3049
RESTRICTION CODES
Presidential Records Act - [44 U.S.C. 2204(a)]
Freedom of Information Act - [5 U.S.C. 552(b)]
P1 National Security Classified Information [(a)(1) of the PRA]
b(1) National security classified information [(b)(1) of the FOIA]
P2 Relating to the appointment to Federal office [(a)(2) of the PRA]
b(2) Release would disclose internal personnel rules and practices of
P3 Release would violate a Federal statute [(a)(3) of the PRA]
an agency [(b)(2) of the FOIA]
P4 Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential commercial or
b(3) Release would violate a Federal statute [(b)(3) of the FOIA]
financial information [(a)(4) of the PRA]
b(4) Release would disclose trade secrets or confidential or financial
P5 Release would disclose confidential advice between the President
information [(b)(4) of the FOIA]
and his advisors, or between such advisors [a)(5) of the PRA]
b(6) Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
P6 Release would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of
personal privacy [(b)(6) of the FOIA]
personal privacy [(a)(6) of the PRA]
b(7) Release would disclose information compiled for law enforcement
purposes [(b)(7) of the FOIA]
C. Closed in accordance with restrictions contained in donor's deed
b(8) Release would disclose information concerning the regulation of
of gift.
financial institutions [(b)(8) of the FOIA]
PRM. Personal record misfile defined in accordance with 44 U.S.C.
b(9) Release would disclose geological or geophysical information
2201(3).
concerning wells [(b)(9) of the FOIA]
RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
UNITED UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250-1300
MEMORANDUM
TO: PETER EDELMAN
COUNSEL TO THE SECRETARY
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (HHS)
FROM: JOEL BERG
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC LIAISON
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)
DATE: JUNE 23, 1993
RE: USDA SECRETARY MIKE ESPY'S SENATE TESTIMONY ON NATIONAL SERVICE
In preparation for our first interagency national service meeting,
I thought it might be helpful for you to have an update on USDA
activities. On June 8, Secretary Espy testified on the National
Service Trust Act of 1993 before the U.S. Senate Committee on Labor
and Human Resources and outlined both the civic philosophy behind
the President's program and the concrete ways in which the
Department of Agriculture will participate. A copy of his
testimony is enclosed.
As you can see, Secretary Espy has directed the Department to
develop three specific proposals: a rural development corps, an
anti-hunger and empowerment corps, and an environmental corps.
I Look forward to working with you to develop these ideas.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
PRINTED ON RECLAIMED MATERIALS
DRAFT
From: Joel Berg, Director of Public Liaison, USDA
Date: June 16, 1993
Re: Saving the Core Philosophy of National Service
Imagine if we asked someone in the military to work for free Or if we
allowed soldiers to pass on their G.I. Bill benefits to their kids Or if we paid
infantry based on their family's income
The Republicans would surely howl with derision. Yet now the G.O.P. wants
to trick us into accepting each of those very same concepts for national service.
The bill's legislative language is already dangerously slanted in the direction of
making the initiative a targeted jobs program for the disadvantaged. The other
changes we are negotiating could result in all the pilot programs being
comprised of only the rich or only the poor. These additional changes could cut
out "the forgotten middle class" entirely.
Eli is absolutely right in saying that "Socioeconomic diversity is the core of
what we are trying to achieve." We all know that national service was such
a winning issue for the President during the campaign because it promised equal
benefits for equal rewards. The Republicans want us to throw away this basic
principle NOT because they sincerely think they will improve the bill, but
because the want to deny the President a major, uncompromised, achievement
on which he can campaign.
If we have the votes, why not force a fight? In general, our Administration has
spent so much time lately on fights we can't win and, in some cases, shouldn't
win. But this is a fight we would win and should win! Many of us are prepared
to back you up. Just last week in Senate testimony, Secretary Espy made an
impassioned plea for diversity and AGAINST needs-testing in national service.
Let's dare Congressman Goodling to go back to his rural, middle class, white
district in Pennsylvania and tell his constituents that he thinks national service
funds should go only to the urban poor and not to their own struggling families.
He would never do it because he knows its a losing issue.
I plea to you don't trade away the philosophical guts of President Clinton's
most captivating proposal. Please call me at 720-4623 if we can help.
TO: MYRON JOHNSRUD
ADMINISTRATOR, EXTENSION SERVICE
FROM: JOEL BERG
DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF PUBLIC LIAISON
DATE: JUNE 14, 1993
RE: PARTICIPATION OF DR. EDITH THOMAS OF THE EXTENSION SERVICE ON
USDA NATIONAL SERVICE WORKING GROUP
As you may know, Secretary Espy is committed to creating National
Service pilot programs at USDA that will serve as models for how
other Departments and Federal agencies can incorporate into the
President's initiative. At the Secretary's direction, I have been
chairing a USDA/National Service Working Group. Dr. Edith Thomas
of the Extension Service has been serving as facilitator of the
Working Group, whose task is to create the Department's program in
anticipation of the passage of the National Service Trust Fund Act
of 1993.
On May 4-5, Dr. Thomas facilitated a two-day meeting of the Working
Group at the 4-H Center in Chevy Chase. The meeting included team-
building workshops and informational sessions on the National
Service Trust Act of 1993, which would fund National Service
Programs. Discussions were held on the role of the Department of
Agriculture and the various agencies in this new Presidential
initiative. Participants developed three draft concept proposals
in the areas of the environment, rural development, and
empowerment/hunger.
Since the workshop, members of the Working Group have developed
three concept proposals for a National Environment Corps, a
National Rural Development Corps, and a National Anti-
Hunger/Empowerment Corps. In testimony before the Senate Labor and
Human Resources Committee on June 8, Secretary Espy announced the
plans for creation of these three corps. Dr. Thomas is currently
assisting the development of an agenda for the next meeting of the
Working Group.
The National Service Act, which will authorize funding, is
currently winding its way through Congress. I anticipate its
passage by fall. The Working Group will continue its efforts as we
prepare for USDA's involvement when the bill becomes law. I want
to take this opportunity to let you know of Dr. Thomas' continuing
contribution to the establishment of National Service
Programs at the USDA. I am deeply appreciative of her
efforts.
CC: John Bottum, Deputy Administrator
Planning, Development, and Evaluation
Dea dellor RPCUs as the ag Dep
The name is Kalt Set and d are
volumber in Genegal d have her ch
ag Dy for 2 year - was receive detas
to the Departmental
To: Secretary Espy
From: Joel Berg
Date: June 7, 1993
Re: Potential Questions from Senators at National Service Hearing
Background on the Senators Likely to Attend
Democrats:
The Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee is chaired by Edward Kennedy,
who is not expected to attend the hearing. Kennedy was responsible for brokering
the compromise between Sam Nunn, himself, and the White House that led to the
passage of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, which you co-
sponsored in the House. Kennedy's prime area of interest is service-learning, also
known as experiential learning, in which students from kindergarten through college
perform community service as part of their regular school curriculum.
The hearing will be chaired by Harris Wofford, who helped President Kennedy found
the Peace Corps. Immediately before entering the Senate, Wofford served as
Commissioner of Commerce in Pennsylvania under Governor Casey; under his
direction, the Commerce Department pioneered ground-breaking volunteer and youth
service programs. A staunch supporter of national service, Wofford entered the
Senate after the passage of the 1990 act.
Barbara Mikulski is the member of the Committee whose position on national service
most closely resembles the original proposal of the DLC. She was an original co-
sponsor of the Nunn-McCurdy bill. She also proposed her own bill that would
promote national service, modeled on the ROTC, which would allow part-time service
on weekends and during summers; parts of this proposal were incorporated into the
National and Community Service Act of 1990.
Claiborne Pell sponsored one of the earliest bills to create a type of national service.
He is also the creator of the Pell Grant and may be hesitant to support major changes
in the current system which would downplay needs-based grants.
Paul Simon is the leading advocate of a direct lending system which would cut both
banks and Sallie Mae out of the student loan system. While those changes are
contained in a separate administration bill, on which you will NOT be testifying, Simon
is supportive of national service to a large degree because he sees it as a vehicle to
cut banks out of student aid funds.
2
Howard Metzenbaum, Christopher Dodd (a former Peace Corps volunteer), Tom
Harkin, Jeff Bingaman, and Paul Wellstone are also on the Committee.
Republicans:
James Jeffords of Vermont and Dave Durenberger of Minnesota are the two
Republicans on the Committee that have co-sponsored the bill. Their support will
likely mean that the President's bill in some version will pass the House.
Orrin Hatch of Utah, who is personally lukewarm about national service, played a key
role in getting the Bush White House to agree to a compromise on the 1990 national
service bill.
Nancy Kassebaum of Kansas is one of the Committee's strongest opponents of
national service. She believes the government should not pay people to volunteer and
that any government initiative will duplicate and harm existing private volunteer
efforts.
Dan Coats of Indiana, Judd Gregg of New Hampshire, and Strom Thurmond of South
Carolina are also on the Committee.
Possible Questions and Suggested Answers:
I AM CURRENTLY ATTEMPTING TO OBTAIN FROM WOFFORD'S STAFF AND THE
COMMITTEE STAFF THE EXACT QUESTIONS THAT THE DEMOCRATS ON THE
COMMITTEE PLAN TO ASK YOU. IF I CAN OBTAIN THEM, I WILL IMMEDIATELY
PROVIDE THEM TO YOU, ALONG WITH SUGGESTED ANSWERS. IN THE
MEANTIME, HERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS THAT I BELIEVE YOU MAY BE ASKED:
Question #1: Isn't it really an oxymoron to have "paid volunteers?" Why should our
government pay people to do work they are already volunteering to do for free.
Answer #1: Volunteer work is critical to this nation. One of President Bush's
greatest contributions was to use his high office to continually promote volunteerism
with his "Points of Light Awards." This Administration will continue to promote
volunteerism. In fact, I have directed my own Department to seek ways to expand
its own employee volunteer programs. But volunteerism is NOT national service --
they are two different things. National service is a targeted, systematic approach to
3
fill unmet social needs. National service is mostly full-time, year-round work. Without
compensating servers, it is unlikely that many people other than the rich would be
able to donate a full year of their time to work for free. If Cabinet Secretaries and
Senators and career civil servants get paid for full-time service to their nation, it is
only fitting to compensate youth service with a minimal subsistence wage. Moreover,
there is a greater point to be made; national service is not a giveaway, but a civic
compact made between participants and their society. The G.I. Bill did not dilute the
meaning of citizenship - it enhanced it. National service will enhance citizenship. So
we need both volunteerism and national service.
Question #2: Isn't national service really just a cover for yet another traditional liberal
big-spending, big-government, big-bureaucracy program?
Answer #2: Absolutely not. National service represents an entirely new approach to
reinventing government that is neither right nor left, neither liberal nor conservative.
It combines the traditionally liberal concern with opportunity with the traditionally
conservative concern for responsibility. It is a way of moving beyond established
student aid programs, which do not work very well. It will create virtually no
Washington bureaucracy. Almost all the national service projects will likely be
managed by existing youth service groups, state and local governments, community
groups, entrepreneurs, and non-profit agencies. Any program run by my agency will
be entrepreneurial. We will try to obtain matching funds from private sources. We
will measure performance based on actual outcomes, not on how well program
managers fill out forms. Our bottom line will be that any service program must be
providing valuable service to communities.
Question #3: This program would give large college scholarships to young people
who might be from rich families. Wouldn't our scarce resources be better spent on
targeting aid to students who couldn't get to college without it?
Answer #3: This Administration is maintaining current aid programs, such as the Pell
Grant program, which are intended to help low-income students. National service
educational benefits can be utilized by low-income students in addition to existing aid
programs. Therefore, such youths will benefit even more through national service.
Yet, national service also works towards another ideal, that of equal benefits for equal
contribution to our society. Programs based on this principle, such as Social
Security, receive wide-spread support from the American people beyond the span of
individual Administrations.
4
Question #4: Won't national service discriminate against low-income students by
creating a two-tiered society in which poor students work to perform service to pay
for college but rich students do not?
Answer #4: Nothing discriminates against low-income students more than the failing
status quo. Low-income and middle-class students already have to work for college,
and many are still saddled with a huge debt after graduating. Under a program of
national service, these students could teach reading instead of flipping burgers, and
their subsequent debt would be greatly reduced. In addition, low-income citizens
would be the beneficiaries of much of the work performed by the participants of
national service.
Question #5: How will the President meet his pledge of making national service
available for all Americans?
Answer #5: The President's plan calls for placing 25,000 participants in the field in
the Fall of 1994 and moving up to 150,000 by the end of his first four years in office.
It would be almost impossible to move faster and create a program that meets all our
quality objectives. Not only is the budget deficit a major concern, but we simply do
not want to move so fast that we displace the work of the wonderful service
programs in all fifty states. We want to move as quickly as possible to build upon the
successes of the current system. Our ultimate goal is to make our program so
effective and popular that the it continues to expand no matter who is in office five,
ten, or twenty years down the road.
Question #6: What is your position on Congressional Amendments that would add
to this bill provisions that would require the Departments of Agriculture and Interior
to run youth corps of public lands?
Answer #6: My Department is already making very serious plans to run corps on
National Forests on public lands. I have no position on such an amendment that
would require me to do what I am already planning to do.
5
Question #7: Will the programs run by your department be targeted just for college
students.
Answer #7: No, our programs will be open to all Americans who either have a high
school degree or agree to receive a G.E.D. We do hope, however, that our programs
will inspire, and help pay for, young people to attend college, trade schools, or
apprenticeship programs, even if they had not previously planned to do so. We will
allow service to be performed before, after, or during post-secondary education.
Question #8: Won't the President's proposal wipe out the ACTION agency?
Answer #8: Not at all. By merging ACTION with the new Corporation for National
Service, similar to the existing Commission on National and Community Service, we
will be able to utilize the best of both models. The Administration's plan will, in fact,
greatly expand upon the original mission of ACTION.
To: Susan Stroud
From: Joel Berg
6 pages, including this cover
A few items:
1) I just learned that the disaster relief money administered by the
Commission can only go to Corps. To my knowledge, out of the states
affected by the flooding, only lowa has a corps -- we have contacted
them about applying. In addition, I asked Steve Mullen of our Extension
Service to develop a 4-H "corps-type" proposal for immediate flood relief
for Missouri. A draft is attached. If you think this proposal might legally
qualify for the funds, could your office help push it?
2) We are increasingly concerned about continuing rumors that Senator
Boren might get the public lands corps amendment squashed. We don't
particularly care about that exact amendment per se, so much as we
want to retain the flexibility that some of the language in the amendment
would have given us. Could you please relate to Jack Lew our very strong
concern that our legislation contain specific language that:
A) Allows the Departments of Agriculture and Interior to run public
lands corps for people above the age of 18 -- our current YCC
authority allows us to run programs for only youths under 18
B) Allows Forest Service employees to engage in certain activities
OFF public land, such as giving community development training to
young people in a town near a national forest
3) Steve Mullen has expressed interest in serving on your Interagency
Task Force on Human Needs. As you know, he is highly respected by the
Commission and has done remarkable youth service work for our
Department. If you have any openings, I would highly recommend him.
JUL-14-93 WED 10:14
USDA ES 4H OFFICE
FAX NO. 2027209366
P.02
MO. 4-H YOUTH PROGRAMS
3148844225
P.02
DRAFT
Draft 1
Flood Relief - Community Service Proposal
July 1993
Missouri 4-H Youth Development Program
210 Whitten Hall - UMC
Columbia, MO
314-882-4012
Compiled by
Barry Link, 4-H Natural Resource Spec.
Barb Brown, 4-H SACC Cooridinator
JUL-14-93 WED 10:15
USDA ES 4H OFFICE
FAX NO. 2027209366
P.03
MO. 4-H YOUTH PROGRAMS
3148844225
P.03
DRAFT
Situation-
In 49 Missouri counties, communities have been inundated with flood
waters from the Missouri, Mississippi and many local rivers. These
floods have caused physical loss to homes, personal belongings,
agricultural crops and many businesses. In addition to the
physical loss, the mental stress of being displaced from ones home,
and the total devastation caused by the flood will continue to
affect many individuals long after the flood waters have receded.
Many communities will be faced with reallocation of local
resources, and possibly the complete elimination of local summer
youth oriented programs available through parks and recreation
departments, local churches or school systems.
Why 4-H and University Extension
Within University Extension and Missouri 4-H Youth Development
Programs there exists a capacity to help both communities and
familys' begin to cope with the problems at hand, and to help them
rebuild their lives, homes and their communities. University
Extension has both the people skills as evidenced by the work done
in the early and mid 1980's in dealing with the rural crisis and
the technical expertise to assist both individuals and communities
help restore their lives, homes and businesses.
Proposal -
Creation of a state wide Youth Service Corp, utilizing the many
existing community linkages and the organizational structure, and
educational expertise that currently exists within the local
extension and 4-H system. Local units will be formed consisting of
single or multiple "action teams", headed by a county coordinator.
Each action team will consist of 2 adults and 12 teen stipend
volunteers. This configuration provides for an easily
transportable unit (van), with proper adult supervision and the
manpower capacity to accomplish a given task. The program will
function for an initial period to begin August 15th through
December 31, 1993. Fifty (50) teams (600 youth and 100 adults)
providing a minimum of 120 hours of service per team will be
available for work in local communities. A review of impacts and
additional needs during December 1993 will take place to determine
future directions for 1994.
Multiple benefits will occur with this model:
* communities and elderly individuals will gain direct benefits
from the youthful manpower available to assist with flood clean-up
activities.
* youth who have experienced a loss as a result of this disaster
will have an avenue to vent frustrations, and find a supportive
structure in the team.
JUL-14-93 WED 10:15
USDA ES 4H OFFICE
FAX NO. 2027209366
P.04
MD. YOUTH PROGRAMS
2148344225
P.04
DRAFT
* the model provides constructive alternative activities for older
youth along with an opportunity for income (stipend) which can be
used to replace lost or damaged personal items.
* Youth will develop an increased sense of community ownership and
pride in helping to restore their community.
* Youth will gain valuable job skills, work place ethic and
organizational skills and sense of achievement as various tasks are
accomplished.
* Adults team coordinators will receive compensation for their
services. This will provide an alternative means of income for
adults displaced from work or spouses needing to generate
additional income needed for the family.
PLACEMENT OF TEAMS -
Communities may apply through the local Extension Center for
funding to put teams in place within their communities.
Communities may apply for funding of multiple teams depending on
their needs and availability of interested youth. Teams will be
assembled at the local level, with training coordinated and
provided by appropriate state and local extension staff.
TRAINING-
All program participants will receive and orientation to their
specific project and training relating to flood safety and safe
handling of flood damaged materials. Training in dealing with
stress and people under stress will also be included.
Adult team coordinators will receive additional training on working
and organizing youth on their teams. Ages and stages of
adolescents will be explored in order to provide a positive
experience for the youth involved. Adults will also learn how to
help place these teens into leadership roles within their teams, to
allow for team decision making. Training on identifying and
dealing with stress in individuals will be a final component.
PROPOSED TEAM PROJECTS -
While many projects exist the initial proposal is to involve the
teams in areas that can be best supported by the extension and 4-H
organization and place youth in low risk situations.
YOUTH WORKING WITH SENIOR CITIZENS
A team of youth will be partnered with local senior citizens whose
homes were affected by the flood waters. Youths will provide
assistance in house and yard clean-up, while also being supportive
to the older person as they begin the stressful job of putting
their home back together. Youth involved in this effort will
JUL-14-93 WED 10:16
USDA ES 4H OFFICE
FAX NO. 2027209366
P.05
MO. 4-H YOUTH PROGRAMS
3148844225
P.05
DRAFT
receive training in understanding/sensitivity to an elderly person
in need of attention and support, safety issues associated with
flood water clean-up and how-tos on yard and home clean up.
SAFE, NURTURING ENVIRONMENT FOR SCHOOL-AGERS
When the waters recede, and families begin to either clean-up their
homes, or make decisions to start over, school-age children (youth
ages 5-12) will be greatly affected. The stress caused by the
unknown, decisions made quickly and multiple changes will create
confusion in families. School-agers will need an environment where
they can receive support and understanding for the emotions they
are feeling.
A team of youths will participate in training that will help them
understand the developmental needs and the signs of stress among
school-agers. The team using existing curriculum will design a
program that will help provide school-agers, whose homes were hurt
by the flood, with a supportive, nurturing environment. A program
where school-agers can come to find friends who understand the
confusion at home, and where they can have fun and get away from
the clean-up for awhile.
REMOVAL OF FLOOD RESTRAINING SUPPLIES
Many Missourians volunteered their time to strengthen levies and
protect buildings with sand bags and other structures. These will
have served their purpose, when they waters recede and will need
to be removed, to eliminate a public nuisance. Teams of youths
will assist with the disposal and clean up the thousands of sand
bags and other flood retaining structures, disposing of them
properly. Teams will receive safety training and instruction on
proper disposal techniques.
PUBLIC USE AREAS
When the flood waters recede many recreational areas, that were
build on flood plains will be in bad shape. Cities and counties
that built the facilities will have neither the money or manpower
to rebuild these quickly, and in fact they will probably not be the
first priority in the clean-up. However, these facilities are
often used by the young people in these small communities as one of
the few sources of recreation and entertainment. Teams of youth
will be trained on clean-up techniques, and provided the equipment
and supplies so that these public use areas can be cleared and made
safe for public use.
OPTIONAL TEAM PLANING
Because the needs of communities will vary greatly the option for
these teams to work with local officials and to develop alternative
projects is a viable option. Assistance will be provided to the
teams in order to for them to gain the necessary expertise needed
for their task. Coordination of this assistance will be through
the University Extension Flood Emergency Task Force.
JUL-14-93 WED 10:16
USDA ES 4H OFFICE
FAX NO. 2027209366
P.06
MO. 4-H YOUTH PROGRAMS
3148844225
P.06
DRAFT
EVALUATION
The teams will provide daily work logs to the county coordinator
with tasks accomplished and time spent. These will be reviewed in
order to help balance the work variety for local teams and to help
determine where additional assistance is needed for the teams.
A monthly evaluation of the local project will be conducted with
the coordinator and the local clean-up management committee to
determine the needs and future direction of the project.
BUDGET Draft 7/13/93
Team Budget - 1 Unit - 120 hours per unit
Adult Team Leaders
$1440
(2 adults)
Youth Stipend 12x $100
$1200
Insurance
$250
Transportation
.50 X 300 miles
$150
ID Safety Vests
$150
Work Gloves
$45
Safety Caps
$150
Total Cost per team
$3385
Project Coordinator .5FTE for 6 Mo.
$8,000
Clerical/Payroll
$3000
Total Project 50 Teams
$180,250.00
w/state coordinator
Cost per manhour $2.14
University Extension match will be through training of 50 teams at
8 hours per team total 400 hours. Value $40,000
To: Secretary Espy
From: Joel Berg
Date: June 4, 1993
Re: Background on Tuesday's Hearing on National Service
By the start of business on Monday, I will provide you with draft testimony for
Tuesday's national service hearing of the Senate Labor and Human Resources
Committee, as well as a set of likely questions from the Senators and suggested
answers. Later in the day, I will orally brief you.
Secretary Babbitt testified before the same committee on May 11 and outlined
the details of the President's proposal, therefore it may not be necessary for your
testimony to dwell on the specifics of the bill. Instead, I suggest that your prepared
remarks focus on the general philosophy behind the President's proposal and the
specific ways in which USDA is preparing to participate in the program.
This memo outlines three ways that USDA can incorporate into the President's
national service initiative. If you approve of them, I would like to highlight them in
your testimony.
The Administration's bill, which should pass Congress in the next few months,
would place the participants in the field starting in the Fall of 1994. Under the
proposed legislation, most of the service participants will be managed by state and
local governments and by local non-profit organizations. Through Extension Service
and other USDA agencies, we can play a vital role in providing technical assistance
to organizations and institutions that want to apply for national service grants from
the new Corporation for National Service. For instance, we could work very closely
with the Council of 1890's Presidents/Chancellors to help them in developing their
proposed "Rural Community Service Program."
The legislation will also give USDA and other government agencies additional
funds to allow us to design and manage our own youth service programs. In recent
testimony on the Hill, Secretary Babbitt pledged that his Department would submit a
service proposal the day after the President signs the bill. I have convened a working
group with USDA employees from Extension Service, SCS, Forest Service, RDA, and
FNS to develop specific proposals for corps we can run.
At your direction, I have worked with the task force to develop two very
specific proposals: an Anti-Hunger and Empowerment Corps and a Environmental
Corps. The working group also developed another idea, a Rural Development Corps,
which I have discussed with Bob Nash.
2
Common Characteristics of All the Proposed USDA Service Programs
All the USDA national service programs should:
*
Reinvent government by promoting opportunity, responsibility, and community.
*
Reunite the interests of the middle class and the poor by allowing young people
from all types of families to earn their way through college.
*
Provide models for how the federal government can run national service programs.
*
Expand dramatically as the President phases-in a full-scale national program.
*
Recruit groups of participants that are geographically, racially, religiously, and
socioeconomically diverse.
*
Provide valuable service to the community by systematically filling unmet social
needs.
*
Allow young people to perform service either before or after attending post-
secondary education.
*
Forge links to youth apprenticeship programs run by USDA and other Cabinet
agencies.
*
Give the participants at least a minimum wage living expense, as well as adequate
supervision and training.
*
Limit the work performed to tasks that fulfill significant missions of USDA and are
supported by our major constituency groups (farming, consumer, commodity,
environmental, etc.).
*
Encourage the leveraging funds from states, localities, non-profit organizations, and
corporations.
*
Build a new form of entrepreneurial and non-bureaucratic government.
* Create its staff out of existing USDA personnel.
* Be managed across traditional USDA agency lines.
3
Proposal for National Empowerment Corps
I. SUMMARY:
Corps members would work in urban and rural areas to help-low income families and
individuals move towards self-sufficiency. The main focus of the Corps would be
fighting domestic hunger; it would be similar to EFNEP but would have a greatly
expanded mission. Corps members would help individuals apply for food stamps,
WIC, and the school breakfast program; overhaul their diets; learn to prevent
foodborne illnesses; obtain the expanded Earned Income Tax Credits, microenterprise
loans, and help from community development banks. In short, this Corps would help
put into effect the entire empowerment agenda promoted by you and President
Clinton. A full-scale program could eventually provide a big boost to your efforts to
eradicate domestic hunger.
II. USDA EMPLOYEES CONSULTED ON THE PROPOSAL:
John Webster of FNS; Katherine Gibney of FSIS; Alma Hobbs, Jon Irby and Edith
Thomas of Extension Service
III. HOW PROGRAM WOULD WORK:
Participants would provide outreach and access services, build the anti-hunger
and anti-poverty infrastructures, and run innovative new empowerment programs:
A) Provide outreach/access services (educating eligible people about program
availability and helping make benefits accessible)
o
Outreach
Workers
Inform target populations about program
availability (all programs)
0
Drivers
Help eligible people apply for
and receive program benefits (WIC, CACFP,
TEFAP, NPE, CSFP)
4
o
Delivery
Aides
Deliver program benefits to homebound elderly,
physically disadvantaged, and homeless people
(TEFAP, CSFP, FDPIR)
o
Bilingual
Aides
Provide program information, help with applications,
etc. to eligible non-English-speaking people (all
programs)
o
Service
Facilitator
Conduct telephone follow-up with people who don't
keep appointments, direct people to related health
and welfare services (WIC, CSFP)
B) Bolster the infrastructure (providing the human capital necessary to deliver
the programs according to congressional intent):
o
Food
Handlers
Stock, warehouse, manage, distribute food
products (TEFAP, Charitable Institutions, NPE,
CSFP, school programs, FDPIR)
o
Day Care
Workers
Provide child/adult care services to allow
eligible people to apply for and receive
program benefits (WIC, TEFAP, FDPIR)
o
Bilingual
Case Assistants
Assist case manager with non-English-speaking
clients (WIC)
5
Kitchen/Cafeteria
Aides
Help with meal preparation and serving,
maintenance, monitoring lunchrooms, and sanitation
(school food, CACFP, and commodity programs)
o
Nutrition
Assistants
Help with nutrition education, cooking
demonstrations (WIC, school food programs)
o
CACFC Assistant Improve supervision ratio of provider to participants
in child care/meal preparation functions (CACFP)
C) Boost innovative new empowerment programs
o
EITC
Help families obtain the newly expanded
Earned Income Tax Credit
Microenterprise
Teach people how to start small businesses
Community Develop. Inform families on how to apply for loans
Banks
from community development banks
Assets Building Work with families to develop savings plans
Tenant management Help public housing tenants to develop
organizations for self-management
0
Apprenticeship
Work with local schools and businesses to develop
new school-to-work transition programs
Proposal for a National Environmental Youth Corps
I. SUMMARY:
The Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with Interior and EPA, would
establish an Environmental Youth Corps with urban and rural components. The
urban component would be mostly non-residential and members would work on
conservation projects on public and private lands in cities of various sizes. The
rural component would be both residential and non-residential and would perform
conservation-related work projects on private and public lands in rural America.
The programs would linked, with Corps members having the option of transferring
between the rural and urban settings. For example, a Corps member could work in
a rural environment for six months and then in an urban environment for another
six months.
II. USDA EMPLOYEES CONSULTED:
Brian McGuire and Katherine Allen of the Forest Service; Jim Fuller of SCS; Andy
Fisher of the National Forest Foundation
III. HOW THE PROGRAM WILL WORK:
There are currently an estimated 8 million tree-planting sites in communities across
America with the current replacement rate being one tree planted for every four
removed. Thousands of water quality projects nationwide are awaiting manpower
in our communities and our rural areas, as are riparian area restoration, erosion
control, stream improvement, road bank stabilization, and wildlife habitat projects.
The objectives of the program would be:
to accomplish needed conservation work on public and private lands;
to give youth sense of community and self-discipline
to teach the environmental/biological/ecological and educational skills
necessary to accomplish the conservation work;
Approach:
Urban: More than 80 percent of the American population now lives in cities of
varying size. Currently, the Forest Service, with 620 Ranger Districts across the
country, and the Soil Conservation Service, with more than 2,000 offices
nationwide, have existing local partnerships and delivery systems in many urban
areas.
7
The program would take the Corps to where the people are, operating in any urban
community with an existing network of Forest Service/Soil Conservation Service
programs in partnerships with local governments or non-profit organizations.
The non-residential program would focus on urban conservation projects in the
areas of water quality, waste disposal, erosion control, road bank and stream bank
stabilization, the creation of urban buffers, rehabilitation and maintenance of
deteriorating community infrastructure, urban forestry, and the recycling and reuse
of resources. Corps members would live in the community or already be a
community member.
While the Forest Service has authority over public lands or lands owned by non-
profit organizations, the Soil Conservation Service has authority to perform work
on private lands as well, allowing for a broad range of work projects.
Rural: Corps members would live in a residential setting in a rural area. The
program would provide full-time logistical support for Corps members. As in the
urban program, the Corps members would be expected to pay for living expenses
from their wages.
Work projects could be in erosion control, fire prevention, fire suppression, building
or improving recreation areas, restoration of infrastructure such as buildings and
bridges, watershed protection, and other similar conservation projects. The land
base of the National Forests would be available for projects as well as the privately
held land in partnerships with the Soil Conservation Service.
Corps members could also focus on teaching sustainable agriculture, helping small
farmers stay on the land, building rural housing, and engaging in rural development
projects.
Participants and Clientele:
The participants would be post-secondary education youth. They could perform
the work either before, after, or during their career development education.
The Corps could provide an opportunity for non-paid service for volunteers from
the senior citizen community, non-profit conservation organizations, and the public
in general.
8
Potential Pilot Locations:
Currently the Forest Service, in partnership with the National Forest Foundation, is
operating three residential summer camps in Virginia, Oregon, and Washington.
Through grants, Forest Service and National Forest Foundation also are sponsoring
urban programs in the southern California area. These could serve as initial sites.
Anticipated Results:
The Corps would provide much needed manpower for nationwide conservation
projects. The work of the Corps could reduce the backlog of conservation-related
work across the country.
With the shift from a rural population to an urban one, Americans are losing the
ability to learn first hand about natural resources. We currently have a relatively
uneducated and uninformed citizenry with regard to natural resources and
conservation issues. The Corps would provide an opportunity to learn about
America's natural resources, their uses, and the need to protect them. The end
result would be a citizenry better informed on national conservation issues.
Besides developing new skills, Corps members would have the opportunity to be
exposed to a variety of career options in the conservation field through hands-on
experience. The Corps would provide a broad span of time to explore options and
plan for the future while also providing for food and shelter.
Potential Partners:
I am meeting next week with representatives from Interior and EPA to discuss
how we can plan together.
Association of Conservation Districts
Department of Defense, including such agencies as the Army Corps of Engineers
Land Grant universities
National Recreation Coalition
National Association of State Foresters
National Parks Foundation
National Trust for Historic Preservation
National Tree Trust
Telephone Pioneers of America
9
Proposal for Rural Community Self Development Corps
I. SUMMARY:
The Department of Agriculture would establish a Corps of "professional" and
"paraprofessional" members who could assist communities in identifying needs and
resources necessary for economic well being. This group of individuals would be
able to assist communities of all sizes facing economic recovery and local
leadership development issues to plan and prioritize efforts combining formal and
non formal education to work locally. The Corps will then assist the community to
locate financial resources, prepare proposals, design educational programs, and
implement strategies necessary for revitalization. The entire focus would be on the
community generating its own vision for the future and the USDA corps assisting
the community in creating and attaining that vision. This Corps, consisting of
participants older and more highly educated than the other two Corps, could be
funded by a special section of the Administration's proposed bill that would fund
special professional corps such as "Teachers Corps" or "Police Corps."
II. USDA EMPLOYEES CONSULTED:
Bob Nash; Ruth McWilliams and Brian McGuire of the Forest Service; Norm Reed of
RDA; Carl Bouchard of SCS; Steve Mullen and Randy Williams of Extension
Service; and Joe Binder of REA
III. HOW THE PROGRAM WILL WORK:
This program could give a significant boost to our overall rural development efforts.
The objectives of the program would be:
accomplish much needed community planning activities necessary to
assure the economic vitality and productivity of our rural and mid-sized
communities
teach specific skills in community building, coalition building, strategic
planning and visioning, and leadership development
develop skills in working with units of local government encountered by
community members in everyday living
10
Approach:
Most states have local Planning and Development Districts which provide for the
overall strategic and project planning efforts for a multi-jurisdictional area. Some of
these cover several counties, and some cover multiple communities within a
county or township. They are staffed by local citizens and all have one thing in
common. They are understaffed.
Bob Nash has suggested strongly that our Corps participants be physically located
within the offices of local districts, so that they work with the districts and do not
pose the threat of competition over turf.
Many rural communities now pay high-priced consultants to advise them on
development; right now the Forest Service even gives grants to some communities
to hire such consultants. With proper training, our Corps members could take the
place of these consultants and help communities develop their tourism, high-tech
industries, recreation sites, etc. The Corps members would work with each
community to create an economic development action plan that makes sense for
that particular community.
This Corps would also provide trained people with community involvement skills to
begin to go into the communities and build from the bottom up the kind of plans
that will be able to assure local support for the needed economic changes to occur
through development of local leadership, especially among older youth, and the
multiplier effect where teams work with preadolescent. These youth would
explore with local governments possible avenues to serve as entrepreneurs within
local government.
The participants would training before being assigned to the local districts. They
would then live and work in the communities for which they are providing the
assistance.
To support these Corps members, there already exists an information data base at
the National Agriculture Library called the National Rural Information Center. This
information center maintains a data base of organizations which provide financial
support to communities on a national, regional, and local basis. This data base is
available to the Corps members for assisting the community in developing its own
action plan and applying for funding. Curriculum for teaching leadership and
volunteer development and program management would be necessary along with
basic life skills and understanding of basic business principles.
11
Participants and Clientele:
Participants of this program would hold either bachelor's degrees or graduate
degrees and use the benefits to pay back student loans. Unfortunately, only two
graduate schools in the country now specifically teach rural development; perhaps
we could form partnerships with others to do so. Participants could also be trained
in public administration, civil engineering, or agricultural science.
The communities themselves would be clients. As active participants in the
revitalization of their community, they will have an increased commitment to
maintaining the new economic path they have chosen. There will be considerable
economic incentives for them to participate.
Potential Pilot Locations:
Thirty-two states currently have economic development councils or rural
development councils so early pilot programs would be easy. Pilot programs could
quickly be established in five areas of our country:
Oregon and Washington
Four Corners: Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona
Tennessee and Kentucky
East Texas and Louisiana
North Carolina, Texas, Missouri
The Mississippi Delta
These areas already have an existing multi-agency coordination group functioning
well and communities that are in dire need of assistance.
Anticipated results:
There would be multiple outcomes and benefits derived from this program. The
outcomes would be local and national at the same time. First, there would be the
learning while earning of the Corps members themselves and those with whom
they work. While the objectives of that learning have been chronicled elsewhere, it
12
is necessary here to again emphasize its critical importance to our country and to
the communities that will come to benefit from these skilled citizens.
The increased economic viability of our rural communities and small towns would
be another major benefit. With the assistance of the Corps, communities will be
better able to develop a sound economic base that will take them into the next
century. Results such as increased agricultural production, a viable pollution-free
light industry, increased local tourism, and many other benefits are possible
through planning and implementation of long range strategies as well as developing
a community leadership core for the future.
Through a mentoring program with current community leaders new leaders would
be developed. These practical skills would assist in passing on not only the usual
skills, but allow for the passing on of the vital local cultural nuances as community
spirit. The older leadership in the community would feel a greater sense of pride in
being able to pass on its legacy to a new generation.
Potential Partners:
Monday Management Group (17 federal agencies involved in rural development)
National Association of Counties
National Association of Development Organizations
National Governors Organization
National Association of Towns and Townships
National League of Cities
State Rural Development Councils
State Economic Development Councils or Agencies
Local Planning and Development entities both private and public
National Association of State Foresters
Department of Defense Agencies such as Corps of Engineers, Air Force. etc/
1890's Institutions
13
Issues to be Resolved for All Three Proposals:
1. How are Corps applicants selected, matched with suitable assignments, and
trained? Will there be any age range set for the participants?
2. Would applicants be assigned anywhere they are needed, or only within their
communities of origin? The former requires a higher degree of national
organization;
the latter would reduce re-location costs and might enhance cultural acceptance of
the applicant.
3. Who supervises the Corps member? There will be a need to judge performance,
initiate additional training when needed, and even perhaps to terminate or initiate
re-assignment when necessary. Would workers be evaluated by NEC on quality as
well as quantity (for quantity, productivity as well as hours contributed)?
4. What is a suitable assignment? Should local or county government agencies or
community organizations have free rein in assigning Corps members wherever they
wish, or should the assignments be limited to augmenting the functional
capability of the agency - for example, providing tutoring services where none
existed before. Would assignment as a file clerk, for example, be acceptable on
the grounds that it frees up a staff member who can provide higher-level services
to recipients, or would that assignment be viewed as supplanting efforts already
underway and of no particular value to the Corps member?
5. How would this initiative relate to existing volunteer organizations?
6. What kind of structure will the initiative have? How will it interact with state
and local governments?
7. How many USDA personnel will be required to manage the program?
8. How much will the program cost in total and per server?
9. What states, localities, non-profit organizations, and corporations can help fund
this program?
10. How will locations be selected and the sizes of the pilot program be
determined?
11. How many participants can we place in workable pilot programs? What will
be the ultimate capacity of these programs?
14
Timeline for Suggested Action:
If you agree with the basic outlines of these three proposals, I recommend we
take the following steps:
By June 10, 1993: Brief the Deputy Secretary, the Under Secretaries, the
Assistant Secretaries, and Agency Administrators on the National Service plan and
enlist their full cooperation in helping us develop the Empowerment Corps, the
Environmental Corps, and the Rural Development Corps.
By July 1, 1993: Detail from appropriate agencies staff to serve on a USDA
working group to hammer out specific details of each proposal.
By August 1, 1993: Identify possible pilot project locations and partnerships.
By September 1, 1993: Sign a memorandum of understanding with Interior, EPA,
and other agencies with whom we will jointly makes proposals.
By October 1, 1993: Complete preliminary proposal for submission to Corporation
for National Service.
By March 1994: Finalize start-up plans for projects approved by the Corporation for
National Service.
By July 1994: Interview and place project personnel.
By September 1, 1994: Begin pilot project.
I sincerely thank you for your continuing commitment to making national service
a reality. Please let me know how you would like me to proceed.
TO: MIKE SWEENEY
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT
FROM: JOEL BERG, USDA
DIRECTOR, PUBLIC LIAISON
RE: NATIONAL SERVICE
DATE: JUNE 3, 1993
Here are all the references to Federal agencies in the National
Service Trust Act of 1993 (Senate 919) that I told you I would
send. Thanks for attending the June 2 meeting and I will be in
touch.
"PART I--INVESTMENT IN NATIONAL SERVICE, SECTION 121. AUTHORITY TO
PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND APPROVED NATIONAL SERVICE POSITIONS. (b)
Agreements With Federal Agencies -- The Corporation may enter into
a contract or cooperative agreement with another Federal agency to
support a national service program carried out by the agency. The
support provided by the Corporation pursuant to the contract or
cooperative agreement may include the transfer to the Federal
agency of funds available to the Corporation under this subtitle.
A Federal agency receiving assistance under this subsection shall
not be required to satisfy the matching funds requirements
specified in subsection (e). However, the supplementation
requirements specified in section 173 shall apply with respect to
the Federal national service programs supported with such
assistance.
11
PART II -- APPLICATION AND APPROVAL PROCESS, SECTION 129. PROVISION
OF ASSISTANCE AND APPROVED NATIONAL SERVICE POSITIONS BY
COMPETITIVE AND OTHER MEANS. (D) (2) Federal agencies and other
applicants. The Corporation shall distribute on a competitive
basis to subdivisions of States, Indian tribes, public and private
not-for-profit organizations (including labor organizations),
institutions of higher education, and Federal agencies the
remainder of the funds allocated by the Corporation for provision
of assistance under section 121 for a fiscal year, after operation
of paragraph (1) and subsections (a) and (c).
SECTION 133. CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS. '(2) Priorities--The
Corporation may designate, under such criteria as may be
established by the Corporation, certain national service programs
or types of national service programs described in section 122 (a)
for priority consideration in the competitive distribution of funds
under section 129 (d) (2). In designating national service programs
to receive priority the Corporation may include-
J
(B) national service programs carried out by another Federal
agency;
as you can see, the legislation not only allows
federal Has agencies to run agency theirown procrams corps priority but gives in the grant Processi
California
July Donestic Having toupe Effort Jamie Stevant wrdel
Break
agriculs
10a.m. Project
USDA
from Londa
England
202 63970
Calls for
national
Chris Seness 4471723-8570 8570
Leadere
Pool
/. form
88-90 two free
PC. Vista
honoral
2. assume
special roles in
progr money deny operaty condit
diff
2.0 unter
Leaders
write program
To: Ron Blackley
From: Joel Berg
Date: June 2, 1993
Re: USDA's Long-Term Role in the Clinton National Service Plan
PLEASE REVIEW THE FOLLOWING PROPOSAL AND THEN DISCUSS IT WITH ME
BEFORE I PRESENT IT TO THE SECRETARY.
Background
Whether or not USDA helps funds youth service programs for this Summer, the
Department will likely play a large role in the President's long-term initiative. The
Administration's bill, which should pass Congress in the next few months, would place the
participants in the field starting in the Fall of 1994.
Under the proposed legislation, most of the service participants will be managed
by state and local governments and by local non-profit organizations. Through Extension
Service and other USDA agencies, we can play a vital role in providing technical
assistance to organizations and institutions that want to apply for national service
grants from the new Corporation for National Service. For instance, we could work very
closely with the Council of 1890's Presidents/Chancellors to help in developing its
proposed "Rural Community Service Program.
The legislation will also give USDA and other government agencies additional
funds to allow us to design and manage our own youth service programs. In recent
testimony on the Hill, Secretary Babbitt pledged that his Department would submit a
service proposal the day after the President signs the bill. I have convened a working
group with USDA employees from Extension Service, SCS, Forest Service, RDA, and FNS
to develop specific proposals for corps we can run. At your direction, I have worked with
the task force to develop two very specific proposals:
1) Anti-Hunger and Empowerment Corps
2) Environmental Corps
The working group also developed another idea, which I have discussed with Bob
Nash:
3) Rural Development Corps
2
Common Characteristics of All the Proposed USDA Service Programs
All the USDA national service programs should:
*
Reinvent government by promoting opportunity, responsibility, and community.
*
Reunite the interests of the middle class and the poor by allowing young people from
all types of families to earn their way through college.
*
Provide models for how the federal government can run national service programs.
*
Expand dramatically as the President phases-in a full-scale national program.
*
Recruit groups of participants that are geographically, racially, religiously, and
socioeconomically diverse.
*
Provide valuable service to the community by systematically filling unmet social needs.
*
Allow young people to perform service either before or after attending post-secondary
education.
*
Forge links to youth apprenticeship programs run by USDA and other Cabinet agencies.
*
Give the participants at least a minimum wage living expense, as well as adequate
supervision and training.
*
Limit the work performed to tasks that fulfill significant missions of USDA and are
supported by our major constituency groups (farming, consumer, commodity,
environmental, etc.).
*
Encourage the leveraging funds from states, localities, non-profit organizations, and
corporations.
*
Build a new form of entrepreneurial and non-bureaucratic government.
*
Create its staff out of existing USDA personnel.
*
Be managed across traditional USDA agency lines.
3
Proposal for National Empowerment Corps
I. SUMMARY:
Corps members would work in urban and rural areas to help-low income families and
individuals move towards self-sufficiency. The main focus of the Corps would be fighting
domestic hunger; it would be similar to EFNEP but would have a greatly expanded
mission. Corps members would help individuals apply for food stamps, WIC, and the
school breakfast program; overhaul their diets; learn to prevent foodborne illnesses;
obtain the expanded Earned Income Tax Credits, microenterprise loans, and help from
community development banks. In short, this Corps would help put into effect the entire
empowerment agenda promoted by you and President Clinton. A full-scale program
could eventually provide a big boost to your efforts to eradicate domestic hunger.
II. USDA EMPLOYEES CONSULTED ON THE PROPOSAL:
John Webster of FNS; Katherine Gibney of FSIS; Alma Hobbs, Jon Irby and Edith Thomas
of Extension Service
III. HOW PROGRAM WOULD WORK:
Participants would provide outreach and access services, build the anti-hunger and
anti-poverty infrastructures, and run innovative new empowerment programs:
A) Provide outreach/access services (educating eligible people about program
availability and helping make benefits accessible)
o
Outreach
Workers
Inform target populations about program
availability (all programs)
O
Drivers
Help eligible people apply for
and receive program benefits (WIC, CACFP,
TEFAP, NPE, CSFP)
4
O
Delivery
Aides
Deliver program benefits to homebound elderly,
physically disadvantaged, and homeless people
(TEFAP, CSFP, FDPIR)
O
Bilingual
Aides
Provide program information, help with applications,
etc. to eligible non-English-speaking people (all
programs)
O
Service
Facilitator
Conduct telephone follow-up with people who don't
keep appointments, direct people to related health and
welfare services (WIC, CSFP)
B) Bolster the infrastructure (providing the human capital necessary to deliver
the programs according to congressional intent):
O
Food
Handlers
Stock, warehouse, manage, distribute food
products (TEFAP, Charitable Institutions, NPE,
CSFP, school programs, FDPIR)
O
Day Care
Workers
Provide child/adult care services to allow eligible
people to apply for and receive program
benefits (WIC, TEFAP, FDPIR)
O
Bilingual
Case Assistants
Assist case manager with non-English-speaking
clients (WIC)
5
O
Kitchen/Cafeteria
Aides
Help with meal preparation and serving, maintenance,
monitoring lunchrooms, and sanitation (school food,
CACFP, and commodity programs)
O
Nutrition
Assistants
Help with nutrition education, cooking demonstrations
(WIC, school food programs)
O
CACFC Assistant
Improve supervision ratio of provider to participants in
child care/meal preparation functions (CACFP)
C) Boost innovative new empowerment programs
O
EITC
Help families obtain the newly expanded
Earned Income Tax Credit
Microenterprise
Teach people how to start small businesses
O
Community Develop.
Inform families on how to apply for loans
Banks
from community development banks
O
Assets Building
Work with families to develop savings plans
Tenant management Help public housing tenants to develop
organizations for self-management
o
Apprenticeship
Work with local schools and businesses to develop
new school-to-work transition programs
Proposal for a National Environmental Youth Corps
I. SUMMARY:
The Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with Interior and EPA, would establish
an Environmental Youth Corps with urban and rural components. The urban
component would be mostly non-residential and members would work on
conservation projects on public and private lands in cities of various sizes. The rural
component would be both residential and non-residential and would perform
conservation-related work projects on private and public lands in rural America. The
programs would linked, with Corps members having the option of transferring between
the rural and urban settings. For example, a Corps member could work in a rural
environment for six months and then in an urban environment for another six months.
II. USDA EMPLOYEES CONSULTED:
Brian McGuire and Katherine Allen of the Forest Service; Jim Fuller of SCS; Andy
Fisher of the National Forest Foundation
III. HOW THE PROGRAM WILL WORK:
There are currently an estimated 8 million tree-planting sites in communities across
America with the current replacement rate being one tree planted for every four
removed. Thousands of water quality projects nationwide are awaiting manpower in
our communities and our rural areas, as are riparian area restoration, erosion control,
stream improvement, road bank stabilization, and wildlife habitat projects.
The objectives of the program would be:
to accomplish needed conservation work on public and private lands;
to give youth sense of community and self-discipline
to teach the environmental/biological/ecological and educational skills
necessary to accomplish the conservation work;
Approach:
Urban: More than 80 percent of the American population now lives in cities of varying
size. Currently, the Forest Service, with 620 Ranger Districts across the country, and
the Soil Conservation Service, with more than 2,000 offices nationwide, have existing
local partnerships and delivery systems in many urban areas.
7
The program would take the Corps to where the people are, operating in any urban
community with an existing network of Forest Service/Soil Conservation Service
programs in partnerships with local governments or non-profit organizations.
The non-residential program would focus on urban conservation projects in the areas
of water quality, waste disposal, erosion control, road bank and stream bank
stabilization, the creation of urban buffers, rehabilitation and maintenance of
deteriorating community infrastructure, urban forestry, and the recycling and reuse of
resources. Corps members would live in the community or already be a community
member.
While the Forest Service has authority over public lands or lands owned by non-profit
organizations, the Soil Conservation Service has authority to perform work on private
lands as well, allowing for a broad range of work projects.
Rural: Corps members would live in a residential setting in a rural area. The program
would provide full-time logistical support for Corps members. As in the urban
program, the Corps members would be expected to pay for living expenses from their
wages.
Work projects could be in erosion control, fire prevention, fire suppression, building or
improving recreation areas, restoration of infrastructure such as buildings and bridges,
watershed protection, and other similar conservation projects. The land base of the
National Forests would be available for projects as well as the privately held land in
partnerships with the Soil Conservation Service.
Corps members could also focus on teaching sustainable agriculture, helping
small farmers stay on the land, building rural housing, and engaging in rural
development projects.
Participants and Clientele:
The participants would be post-secondary education youth. They could perform the
work either before, after, or during their career development education.
The Corps could provide an opportunity for non-paid service for volunteers from the
senior citizen community, non-profit conservation organizations, and the public in
general.
8
Potential Pilot Locations:
Currently the Forest Service, in partnership with the National Forest Foundation, is
operating three residential summer camps in Virginia, Oregon, and Washington.
Through grants, Forest Service and National Forest Foundation also are sponsoring
urban programs in the southern California area. These could serve as initial sites.
Anticipated Results:
The Corps would provide much needed manpower for nationwide conservation
projects. The work of the Corps could reduce the backlog of conservation-related
work across the country.
With the shift from a rural population to an urban one, Americans are losing the ability
to learn first hand about natural resources. We currently have a relatively uneducated
and uninformed citizenry with regard to natural resources and conservation issues.
The Corps would provide an opportunity to learn about America's natural resources,
their uses, and the need to protect them. The end result would be a citizenry better
informed on national conservation issues.
Besides developing new skills, Corps members would have the opportunity to be
exposed to a variety of career options in the conservation field through hands-on
experience. The Corps would provide a broad span of time to explore options and
plan for the future while also providing for food and shelter.
Potential Partners:
I am meeting next week with representatives from Interior and EPA to discuss how
we can plan together.
Association of Conservation Districts
Department of Defense, including such agencies as the Army Corps of Engineers
Land Grant universities
National Recreation Coalition
National Association of State Foresters
National Parks Foundation
National Trust for Historic Preservation
National Tree Trust
Telephone Pioneers of America
9
Proposal for Rural Community Self Development Corps
I. SUMMARY:
The Department of Agriculture would establish a Corps of "professional" and
"paraprofessional" members who could assist communities in identifying needs and
resources necessary for economic well being. This group of individuals would be able
to assist communities of all sizes facing economic recovery and local leadership
development issues to plan and prioritize efforts combining formal and non formal
education to work locally. The Corps will then assist the community to locate financial
resources, prepare proposals, design educational programs, and implement strategies
necessary for revitalization. The entire focus would be on the community generating
its own vision for the future and the USDA corps assisting the community in creating
and attaining that vision. This Corps, consisting of participants older and more
highly educated than the other two Corps, could be funded by a special section
of the Administration's proposed bill that would fund special professional corps
such as "Teachers Corps" or "Police Corps."
II. USDA EMPLOYEES CONSULTED:
Bob Nash; Ruth McWilliams and Brian McGuire of the Forest Service; Norm Reed of
RDA; Carl Bouchard of SCS; Steve Mullen and Randy Williams of Extension Service;
and Joe Binder of REA
III. HOW THE PROGRAM WILL WORK:
This program could give a significant boost to our overall rural development efforts.
The objectives of the program would be:
accomplish much needed community planning activities necessary to assure
the economic vitality and productivity of our rural and mid-sized communities
teach specific skills in community building, coalition building, strategic
planning and visioning, and leadership development
develop skills in working with units of local government encountered by
community members in everyday living
10
Approach:
Most states have local Planning and Development Districts which provide for the
overall strategic and project planning efforts for a multi-jurisdictional area. Some of
these cover several counties, and some cover multiple communities within a county or
township. They are staffed by local citizens and all have one thing in common. They
are understaffed.
Bob Nash has suggested strongly that our Corps participants be physically
located within the offices of local districts, so that they work with the districts
and do not pose the threat of competition over turf.
Many rural communities now pay high-priced consultants to advise them on
development; right now the Forest Service even gives grants to some communities to
hire such consultants. With proper training, our Corps members could take the place
of these consultants and help communities develop their tourism, high-tech industries,
recreation sites, etc. The Corps members would work with each community to create
an economic development action plan that makes sense for that particular community.
This Corps would also provide trained people with community involvement skills to
begin to go into the communities and build from the bottom up the kind of plans that
will be able to assure local support for the needed economic changes to occur
through development of local leadership, especially among older youth, and the
multiplier effect where teams work with preadolescent. These youth would explore
with local governments possible avenues to serve as entrepreneurs within local
government.
The participants would training before being assigned to the local districts. They
would then live and work in the communities for which they are providing the
assistance.
To support these Corps members, there already exists an information data base at the
National Agriculture Library called the National Rural Information Center. This
information center maintains a data base of organizations which provide financial
support to communities on a national, regional, and local basis. This data base is
available to the Corps members for assisting the community in developing its own
action plan and applying for funding. Curriculum for teaching leadership and volunteer
development and program management would be necessary along with basic life skills
and understanding of basic business principles.
11
Participants and Clientele:
Participants of this program would hold either bachelor's degrees or graduate degrees
and use the benefits to pay back student loans. Unfortunately, only two graduate
schools in the country now specifically teach rural development; perhaps we could
form partnerships with others to do SO. Participants could also be trained in public
administration, civil engineering, or agricultural science.
The communities themselves would be clients. As active participants in the
revitalization of their community, they will have an increased commitment to
maintaining the new economic path they have chosen. There will be considerable
economic incentives for them to participate.
Potential Pilot Locations:
Thirty-two states currently have economic development councils or rural development
councils so early pilot programs would be easy. Pilot programs could quickly be
established in five areas of our country:
Oregon and Washington
Four Corners: Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona
Tennessee and Kentucky
East Texas and Louisiana
North Carolina, Texas, Missouri
The Mississippi Delta
These areas already have an existing multi-agency coordination group functioning well
and communities that are in dire need of assistance.
Anticipated results:
There would be multiple outcomes and benefits derived from this program. The
outcomes would be local and national at the same time. First, there would be the
learning while earning of the Corps members themselves and those with whom they
work. While the objectives of that learning have been chronicled elsewhere, it is
necessary here to again emphasize its critical importance to our country and to the
communities that will come to benefit from these skilled citizens.
12
The increased economic viability of our rural communities and small towns would be
another major benefit. With the assistance of the Corps, communities will be better
able to develop a sound economic base that will take them into the next century.
Results such as increased agricultural production, a viable pollution-free light industry,
increased local tourism, and many other benefits are possible through planning and
implementation of long range strategies as well as developing a community leadership
core for the future.
Through a mentoring program with current community leaders new leaders would be
developed. These practical skills would assist in passing on not only the usual skills,
but allow for the passing on of the vital local cultural nuances as community spirit.
The older leadership in the community would feel a greater sense of pride in being
able to pass on its legacy to a new generation.
Potential Partners:
Monday Management Group (17 federal agencies involved in rural development)
National Association of Counties
National Association of Development Organizations
National Governors Organization
National Association of Towns and Townships
National League of Cities
State Rural Development Councils
State Economic Development Councils or Agencies
Local Planning and Development entities both private and public
National Association of State Foresters
Department of Defense Agencies such as Corps of Engineers, Air Force. etc/
1890's Institutions
13
Issues to be Resolved for All Three Proposals:
1. How are Corps applicants selected, matched with suitable assignments, and
trained? Will there be any age range set for the participants?
2. Would applicants be assigned anywhere they are needed, or only within their
communities of origin? The former requires a higher degree of national organization;
the latter would reduce re-location costs and might enhance cultural acceptance of the
applicant.
3. Who supervises the Corps member? There will be a need to judge performance,
initiate additional training when needed, and even perhaps to terminate or initiate re-
assignment when necessary. Would workers be evaluated by NEC on quality as well
as quantity (for quantity, productivity as well as hours contributed)?
4. What is a suitable assignment? Should local or county government agencies or
community organizations have free rein in assigning Corps members wherever they
wish, or should the assignments be limited to augmenting the functional
capability of the agency - for example, providing tutoring services where none existed
before. Would assignment as a file clerk, for example, be acceptable on the grounds
that it frees up a staff member who can provide higher-level services to recipients, or
would that assignment be viewed as supplanting efforts already underway and of no
particular value to the Corps member?
5. How would this initiative relate to existing volunteer organizations?
6. What kind of structure will the initiative have? How will it interact with state and local
governments?
7. How many USDA personnel will be required to manage the program?
8. How much will the program cost in total and per server?
9. What states, localities, non-profit organizations, and corporations can help fund this
program?
10. How will locations be selected and the sizes of the pilot program be determined?
11. How many participants can we place in workable pilot programs? What will be
the ultimate capacity of these programs?
14
Timeline for Suggested Action:
I recommend that the Secretary approve the following steps:
By June 10, 1993: Brief the Deputy Secretary, the Under Secretaries, the Assistant
Secretaries, and Agency Administrators on the National Service plan and enlist their
full cooperation in helping us develop the Empowerment Corps, the Environmental
Corps, and the Rural Development Corps.
By July 1, 1993: Detail from appropriate agencies staff to serve on a USDA working
group to hammer out specific details of each proposal.
By August 1, 1993: Identify possible pilot project locations and partnerships.
By September 1, 1993: Sign a memorandum of understanding with Interior, EPA, and
other agencies with whom we will jointly makes proposals.
By October 1, 1993: Complete preliminary proposal for submission to Corporation for
National Service.
By March 1994: Finalize start-up plans for projects approved by the Corporation for
National Service.
By July 1994: Interview and place project personnel.
By September 1, 1994: Begin pilot project.
I sincerely thank you for your continuing commitment to making national service a
reality. Please let me know how you would like me to proceed.
DRAFT
To: Members of USDA/National Service Working Group
From: Joel Berg
JB
Date: June 1, 1993
Re: USDA's Long-Term Role in the Clinton National Service Plan
I WANT TO THANK EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR WORK, ESPECIALLY WITH REGARD TO
PUTTING TOGETHER THESE CONCEPT PROPOSALS. HERE IS MY SYNTHESIS OF
YOUR EFFORTS WHICH WILL BE SUBMITTED SOON TO SECRETARY ESPY.
Background
Whether or not USDA helps funds youth service programs for this Summer, the
Department will likely play a large role in the President's long-term initiative. The
Administration's bill, which should pass Congress in the next few months, would place the
participants in the field starting in the Fall of 1994.
Under the proposed legislation, most of the service participants will be managed
by state and local governments and by local non-profit organizations. Through Extension
Service and other USDA agencies, we can play a vital role in providing technical
assistance to organizations and institutions that want to apply for national service
grants from the new Corporation for National Service. For instance, we could work very
closely with the Council of 1890's Presidents/Chancellors to help in developing its
proposed "Rural Community Service Program.
The legislation will also give USDA and other government agencies additional
funds to allow us to design and manage our own youth service programs. In recent
testimony on the Hill, Secretary Babbitt pledged that his Department would submit a
service proposal the day after the President signs the bill. I have convened a working
group with USDA employees from Extension Service, SCS, Forest Service, RDA, and FNS
to develop specific proposals for corps we can run. At your direction, I have worked with
the task force to develop two very specific proposals:
1) Anti-Hunger and Empowerment Corps
2) Environmental Corps
The working group also developed another idea, which I have discussed with Bob
Nash:
3) Rural Development Corps
DRAFT
2
All the USDA national service programs should:
*
Reinvent government by promoting opportunity, responsibility, and community.
*
Reunite the interests of the middle class and the poor by allowing young people from
all types of families to earn their way through college.
*
Provide models for how the federal government can run national service programs.
*
Expand dramatically as the President phases-in a full-scale national program.
*
Recruit groups of participants that are geographically, racially, religiously, and
socioeconomically diverse.
*
Provide valuable service to the community by systematically filling unmet social needs.
*
Allow young people to perform service either before or after attending post-secondary
education.
* Forge links to youth apprenticeship programs run by USDA and other Cabinet agencies.
*
Give the participants at least a minimum wage living expense, as well as adequate
supervision and training.
*
Limit the work performed to tasks that fulfill significant missions of USDA and are
supported by our major constituency groups (farming, consumer, commodity,
environmental, etc.).
*
Encourage the leveraging funds from states, localities, non-profit organizations, and
corporations.
* Build a new form of entrepreneurial and non-bureaucratic government.
* Create its staff out of existing USDA personnel.
* Be managed across traditional USDA agency lines.
Proposal for National Empowerment Corps
I. SUMMARY:
DRAFT
3
Corps members would work in urban and rural areas to help-low income families and
individuals move towards self-sufficiency. The main focus of the Corps would be fighting
domestic hunger; it would be similar to EFNEP but would have a greatly expanded
mission. Corps members would help individuals apply for food stamps, WIC, and the
school breakfast program; overhaul their diets; learn to prevent foodborne illnesses;
obtain the expanded Earned Income Tax Credits, microenterprise loans, and help from
community development banks. In short, this Corps would help put into effect the entire
empowerment agenda promoted by you and President Clinton. A full-scale program
could eventually provide a big boost to your efforts to eradicate domestic hunger.
II. USDA EMPLOYEES CONSULTED ON THE PROPOSAL:
John Webster of FNS; Katherine Gibney of FSIS; Alma Hobbs, Jon Irby and Edith Thomas
of Extension Service
III. HOW PROGRAM WOULD WORK:
Participants would provide outreach and access services, build the anti-hunger and
anti-poverty infrastructures, and run innovative new empowerment programs:
A) Provide outreach/access services (educating eligible people about program
availability and helping make benefits accessible)
o
Outreach
Workers
Inform target populations about program
availability (all programs)
o
Drivers
Help eligible people apply for
and receive program benefits (WIC, CACFP,
TEFAP, NPE, CSFP)
O
Delivery
Aides
Deliver program benefits to homebound elderly,
DRAFT
4
physically disadvantaged, and homeless people
(TEFAP, CSFP, FDPIR)
O
Bilingual
Aides
Provide program information, help with applications,
etc. to eligible non-English-speaking people (all
programs)
O
Service
Facilitator
Conduct telephone follow-up with people who don't
keep appointments, direct people to related health and
welfare services (WIC, CSFP)
B) Bolster the infrastructure (providing the human capital necessary to deliver
the programs according to congressional intent):
O
Food
Handlers
Stock, warehouse, manage, distribute food
products (TEFAP, Charitable Institutions, NPE,
CSFP, school programs, FDPIR)
O
Day Care
Workers
Provide child/adult care services to allow eligible
people to apply for and receive program
benefits (WIC, TEFAP, FDPIR)
o
Bilingual
Case Assistants
Assist case manager with non-English-speaking
clients (WIC)
o
Kitchen/Cafeteria
Aides
Help with meal preparation and serving, maintenance,
monitoring lunchrooms, and sanitation (school food,
CACFP, and commodity programs)
DRAFT
5
O
Nutrition
Assistants
Help with nutrition education, cooking demonstrations
(WIC, school food programs)
O
CACFC Assistant
Improve supervision ratio of provider to participants in
child care/meal preparation functions (CACFP)
C) Boost innovative new empowerment programs
O
EITC
Help families obtain the newly expanded
Earned Income Tax Credit
Microenterprise
Teach people how to start small businesses
Community Develop.
Inform families on how to apply for loans
Banks
from community development banks
O
Assets Building
Work with families to develop savings plans
Tenant management
Help public housing tenants to develop
organizations for self-management
Apprenticeship
Work with local schools and businesses to develop
new school-to-work transition programs
Proposal for a National Environmental Youth Corps
I. SUMMARY:
The Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with Interior and EPA, would establish
an Environmental Youth Corps with urban and rural components. The urban
component would be mostly non-residential and members would work on
conservation projects on public and private lands in cities of various sizes. The rural
component would be both residential and non-residential and would perform
conservation-related work projects on private and public lands in rural America. The
programs would linked, with Corps members having the option of transferring between
the rural and urban settings. For example, a Corps member could work in a rural
environment for six months and then in an urban environment for another six months.
II. USDA EMPLOYEES CONSULTED:
Brian McGuire and Katherine Allen of the Forest Service; Jim Fuller of SCS; Andy
Fisher of the National Forest Foundation
III. HOW THE PROGRAM WILL WORK:
There are currently an estimated 8 million tree-planting sites in communities across
America with the current replacement rate being one tree planted for every four
removed. Thousands of water quality projects nationwide are awaiting manpower in
our communities and our rural areas, as are riparian area restoration, erosion control,
stream improvement, road bank stabilization, and wildlife habitat projects.
The objectives of the program would be:
to accomplish needed conservation work on public and private lands;
to give youth sense of community and self-discipline
to teach the environmental/biological/ecological and educational skills
necessary to accomplish the conservation work;
Approach:
Urban: More than 80 percent of the American population now lives in cities of varying
size. Currently, the Forest Service, with 620 Ranger Districts across the country, and
the Soil Conservation Service, with more than 2,000 offices nationwide, have existing
local partnerships and delivery systems in many urban areas.
The program would take the Corps to where the people are, operating in any urban
community with an existing network of Forest Service/Soil Conservation Service
programs in partnerships with local governments or non-profit organizations.
The non-residential program would focus on urban conservation projects in the areas
DRAFT
7
of water quality, waste disposal, erosion control, road bank and stream bank
stabilization, the creation of urban buffers, rehabilitation and maintenance of
deteriorating community infrastructure, urban forestry, and the recycling and reuse of
resources. Corps members would live in the community or already be a community
member.
While the Forest Service has authority over public lands or lands owned by non-profit
organizations, the Soil Conservation Service has authority to perform work on private
lands as well, allowing for a broad range of work projects.
Rural: Corps members would live in a residential setting in a rural area. The program
would provide full-time logistical support for Corps members. As in the urban
program, the Corps members would be expected to pay for living expenses from their
wages.
Work projects could be in erosion control, fire prevention, fire suppression, building or
improving recreation areas, restoration of infrastructure such as buildings and bridges,
watershed protection, and other similar conservation projects. The land base of the
National Forests would be available for projects as well as the privately held land in
partnerships with the Soil Conservation Service.
Corps members could also focus on teaching sustainable agriculture, helping
small farmers stay on the land, building rural housing, and engaging in rural
development projects.
Participants and Clientele:
The participants would be post-secondary education youth. They could perform the
work either before, after, or during their career development education.
The Corps could provide an opportunity for non-paid service for volunteers from the
senior citizen community, non-profit conservation organizations, and the public in
general.
Potential Pilot Locations:
Currently the Forest Service, in partnership with the National Forest Foundation, is
operating three residential summer camps in Virginia, Oregon, and Washington.
Through grants, Forest Service and National Forest Foundation also are sponsoring
DRAFT
8
urban programs in the southern California area. These could serve as initial sites.
Anticipated Results:
The Corps would provide much needed manpower for nationwide conservation
projects. The work of the Corps could reduce the backlog of conservation-related
work across the country.
With the shift from a rural population to an urban one, Americans are losing the ability
to learn first hand about natural resources. We currently have a relatively uneducated
and uninformed citizenry with regard to natural resources and conservation issues.
The Corps would provide an opportunity to learn about America's natural resources,
their uses, and the need to protect them. The end result would be a citizenry better
informed on national conservation issues.
Besides developing new skills, Corps members would have the opportunity to be
exposed to a variety of career options in the conservation field through hands-on
experience. The Corps would provide a broad span of time to explore options and
plan for the future while also providing for food and shelter.
Potential Partners:
I am meeting next week with representatives from Interior and EPA to discuss how
we can plan together.
Association of Conservation Districts
Department of Defense, including such agencies as the Army Corps of Engineers
Land Grant universities
National Recreation Coalition
National Association of State Foresters
National Parks Foundation
National Trust for Historic Preservation
National Tree Trust
Telephone Pioneers of America
Proposal for Rural Community Self Development Corps
DRAFT
To: Ron Blackley
From: Joel Berg
Date: June 2, 1993
Re: USDA's Long-Term Role in the Clinton National Service Plan
I WOULD LIKE YOU TO REVIEW THE FOLLOWING PROPOSAL AND THEN DISCUSS
IT WITH ME BEFORE I PRESENT IT TO THE SECRETARY.
Background
Whether or not USDA helps funds youth service programs for this Summer, the
Department will likely play a large role in the President's long-term initiative. The
Administration's bill, which should pass Congress in the next few months, would place the
participants in the field starting in the Fall of 1994.
Under the proposed legislation, most of the service participants will be managed
by state and local governments and by local non-profit organizations. Through Extension
Service and other USDA agencies, we can play a vital role in providing technical
assistance to organizations and institutions that want to apply for national service
grants from the new Corporation for National Service. For instance, we could work very
closely with the Council of 1890's Presidents/Chancellors to help in developing its
proposed "Rural Community Service Program.
The legislation will also give USDA and other government agencies additional
funds to allow us to design and manage our own youth service programs. In recent
testimony on the Hill, Secretary Babbitt pledged that his Department would submit a
service proposal the day after the President signs the bill. I have convened a working
group with USDA employees from Extension Service, SCS, Forest Service, RDA, and FNS
to develop specific proposals for corps we can run. At your direction, I have worked with
the task force to develop two very specific proposals:
1) Anti-Hunger and Empowerment Corps
2) Environmental Corps
The working group also developed another idea, which I have discussed with Bob
Nash:
3) Rural Development Corps
Common Characteristics of All the Proposed USDA Service Programs
DRAFT
2
All the USDA national service programs should:
*
Reinvent government by promoting opportunity, responsibility, and community.
*
Reunite the interests of the middle class and the poor by allowing young people from
all types of families to earn their way through college.
*
Provide models for how the federal government can run national service programs.
*
Expand dramatically as the President phases-in a full-scale national program.
*
Recruit groups of participants that are geographically, racially, religiously, and
socioeconomically diverse.
*
Provide valuable service to the community by systematically filling unmet social needs.
*
Allow young people to perform service either before or after attending post-secondary
education.
*
Forge links to youth apprenticeship programs run by USDA and other Cabinet agencies.
*
Give the participants at least a minimum wage living expense, as well as adequate
supervision and training.
*
Limit the work performed to tasks that fulfill significant missions of USDA and are
supported by our major constituency groups (farming, consumer, commodity,
environmental, etc.).
*
Encourage the leveraging funds from states, localities, non-profit organizations, and
corporations.
*
Build a new form of entrepreneurial and non-bureaucratic government.
*
Create its staff out of existing USDA personnel.
*
Be managed across traditional USDA agency lines.
Proposal for National Empowerment Corps
I. SUMMARY:
DRAFT
3
I. SUMMARY:
Corps members would work in urban and rural areas to help-low income families and
individuals move towards self-sufficiency. The main focus of the Corps would be fighting
domestic hunger; it would be similar to EFNEP but would have a greatly expanded
mission. Corps members would help individuals apply for food stamps, WIC, and the
school breakfast program; overhaul their diets; learn to prevent foodborne illnesses;
obtain the expanded Earned Income Tax Credits, microenterprise loans, and help from
community development banks. In short, this Corps would help put into effect the entire
empowerment agenda promoted by you and President Clinton. A full-scale program
could eventually provide a big boost to your efforts to eradicate domestic hunger.
II. USDA EMPLOYEES CONSULTED ON THE PROPOSAL:
John Webster of FNS; Katherine Gibney of FSIS; Alma Hobbs, Jon Irby and Edith Thomas
of Extension Service
III. HOW PROGRAM WOULD WORK:
Participants would provide outreach and access services, build the anti-hunger and
anti-poverty infrastructures, and run innovative new empowerment programs:
A) Provide outreach/access services (educating eligible people about program
availability and helping make benefits accessible)
o
Outreach
Workers
Inform target populations about program
availability (all programs)
o
Drivers
Help eligible people apply for
and receive program benefits (WIC, CACFP,
TEFAP, NPE, CSFP)
DRAFT
4
O
Delivery
Aides
Deliver program benefits to homebound elderly,
physically disadvantaged, and homeless people
(TEFAP, CSFP, FDPIR)
O
Bilingual
Aides
Provide program information, help with applications,
etc. to eligible non-English-speaking people (all
programs)
O
Service
Facilitator
Conduct telephone follow-up with people who don't
keep appointments, direct people to related health and
welfare services (WIC, CSFP)
B) Bolster the infrastructure (providing the human capital necessary to deliver
the programs according to congressional intent):
O
Food
Handlers
Stock, warehouse, manage, distribute food
products (TEFAP, Charitable Institutions, NPE,
CSFP, school programs, FDPIR)
O
Day Care
Workers
Provide child/adult care services to allow eligible
people to apply for and receive program
benefits (WIC, TEFAP, FDPIR)
o
Bilingual
Case Assistants
Assist case manager with non-English-speaking
clients (WIC)
O
Kitchen/Cafeteria
Aides
Help with meal preparation and serving, maintenance,
DRAFT
5
monitoring lunchrooms, and sanitation (school food,
CACFP, and commodity programs)
Nutrition
Assistants
Help with nutrition education, cooking demonstrations
(WIC, school food programs)
CACFC Assistant
Improve supervision ratio of provider to participants in
child care/meal preparation functions (CACFP)
C) Boost innovative new empowerment programs
EITC
Help families obtain the newly expanded
Earned Income Tax Credit
Microenterprise
Teach people how to start small businesses
Community Develop.
Inform families on how to apply for loans
Banks
from community development banks
Assets Building
Work with families to develop savings plans
Tenant management
Help public housing tenants to develop
organizations for self-management
Apprenticeship
Work with local schools and businesses to develop
new school-to-work transition programs
Proposal for a National Environmental Youth Corps
I. SUMMARY:
The Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with Interior and EPA, would establish
an Environmental Youth Corps with urban and rural components. The urban
component would be mostly non-residential and members would work on
conservation projects on public and private lands in cities of various sizes. The rural
component would be both residential and non-residential and would perform
conservation-related work projects on private and public lands in rural America. The
programs would linked, with Corps members having the option of transferring between
the rural and urban settings. For example, a Corps member could work in a rural
environment for six months and then in an urban environment for another six months.
II. USDA EMPLOYEES CONSULTED:
Brian McGuire and Katherine Allen of the Forest Service; Jim Fuller of SCS; Andy
Fisher of the National Forest Foundation
III. HOW THE PROGRAM WILL WORK:
There are currently an estimated 8 million tree-planting sites in communities across
America with the current replacement rate being one tree planted for every four
removed. Thousands of water quality projects nationwide are awaiting manpower in
our communities and our rural areas, as are riparian area restoration, erosion control,
stream improvement, road bank stabilization, and wildlife habitat projects.
The objectives of the program would be:
to accomplish needed conservation work on public and private lands;
to give youth sense of community and self-discipline
to teach the environmental/biological/ecological and educational skills
necessary to accomplish the conservation work;
Approach:
Urban: More than 80 percent of the American population now lives in cities of varying
size. Currently, the Forest Service, with 620 Ranger Districts across the country, and
the Soil Conservation Service, with more than 2,000 offices nationwide, have existing
local partnerships and delivery systems in many urban areas.
The program would take the Corps to where the people are, operating in any urban
community with an existing network of Forest Service/Soil Conservation Service
DRAFT
7
programs in partnerships with local governments or non-profit organizations.
The non-residential program would focus on urban conservation projects in the areas
of water quality, waste disposal, erosion control, road bank and stream bank
stabilization, the creation of urban buffers, rehabilitation and maintenance of
deteriorating community infrastructure, urban forestry, and the recycling and reuse of
resources. Corps members would live in the community or already be a community
member.
While the Forest Service has authority over public lands or lands owned by non-profit
organizations, the Soil Conservation Service has authority to perform work on private
lands as well, allowing for a broad range of work projects.
Rural: Corps members would live in a residential setting in a rural area. The program
would provide full-time logistical support for Corps members. As in the urban
program, the Corps members would be expected to pay for living expenses from their
wages.
Work projects could be in erosion control, fire prevention, fire suppression, building or
improving recreation areas, restoration of infrastructure such as buildings and bridges,
watershed protection, and other similar conservation projects. The land base of the
National Forests would be available for projects as well as the privately held land in
partnerships with the Soil Conservation Service.
Corps members could also focus on teaching sustainable agriculture, helping
small farmers stay on the land, building rural housing, and engaging in rural
development projects.
Participants and Clientele:
The participants would be post-secondary education youth. They could perform the
work either before, after, or during their career development education.
The Corps could provide an opportunity for non-paid service for volunteers from the
senior citizen community, non-profit conservation organizations, and the public in
general.
Potential Pilot Locations:
DRAFT
8
Currently the Forest Service, in partnership with the National Forest Foundation, is
operating three residential summer camps in Virginia, Oregon, and Washington.
Through grants, Forest Service and National Forest Foundation also are sponsoring
urban programs in the southern California area. These could serve as initial sites.
Anticipated Results:
The Corps would provide much needed manpower for nationwide conservation
projects. The work of the Corps could reduce the backlog of conservation-related
work across the country.
With the shift from a rural population to an urban one, Americans are losing the ability
to learn first hand about natural resources. We currently have a relatively uneducated
and uninformed citizenry with regard to natural resources and conservation issues.
The Corps would provide an opportunity to learn about America's natural resources,
their uses, and the need to protect them. The end result would be a citizenry better
informed on national conservation issues.
Besides developing new skills, Corps members would have the opportunity to be
exposed to a variety of career options in the conservation field through hands-on
experience. The Corps would provide a broad span of time to explore options and
plan for the future while also providing for food and shelter.
Potential Partners:
I am meeting next week with representatives from Interior and EPA to discuss how
we can plan together.
Association of Conservation Districts
Department of Defense, including such agencies as the Army Corps of Engineers
Land Grant universities
National Recreation Coalition
National Association of State Foresters
National Parks Foundation
National Trust for Historic Preservation
National Tree Trust
Telephone Pioneers of America
DRAFT
9
Proposal for Rural Community Self Development Corps
I. SUMMARY:
The Department of Agriculture would establish a Corps of "professional" and
"paraprofessional" members who could assist communities in identifying needs and
resources necessary for economic well being. This group of individuals would be able
to assist communities of all sizes facing economic recovery and local leadership
development issues to plan and prioritize efforts combining formal and non formal
education to work locally. The Corps will then assist the community to locate financial
resources, prepare proposals, design educational programs, and implement strategies
necessary for revitalization. The entire focus would be on the community generating
its own vision for the future and the USDA corps assisting the community in creating
and attaining that vision. This Corps, consisting of participants older and more
highly educated than the other two Corps, could be funded by a special section
of the Administration's proposed bill that would fund special professional corps
such as "Teachers Corps" or "Police Corps."
II. USDA EMPLOYEES CONSULTED:
Bob Nash; Ruth McWilliams and Brian McGuire of the Forest Service; Norm Reed of
RDA; Carl Bouchard of SCS; Steve Mullen and Randy Williams of Extension Service;
and Joe Binder of REA
III. HOW THE PROGRAM WILL WORK:
This program could give a significant boost to our overall rural development efforts.
The objectives of the program would be:
O
accomplish much needed community planning activities necessary to assure
the economic vitality and productivity of our rural and mid-sized communities
O
teach specific skills in community building, coalition building, strategic
planning and visioning, and leadership development
O
develop skills in working with units of local government encountered by
community members in everyday living
DRAFT
10
Approach:
Most states have local Planning and Development Districts which provide for the
overall strategic and project planning efforts for a multi-jurisdictional area. Some of
these cover several counties, and some cover multiple communities within a county or
township. They are staffed by local citizens and all have one thing in common. They
are understaffed.
Bob Nash has suggested strongly that our Corps participants be physically
located within the offices of local districts, so that they work with the districts
and do not pose the threat of competition over turf.
Many rural communities now pay high-priced consultants to advise them on
development; right now the Forest Service even gives grants to some communities to
hire such consultants. With proper training, our Corps members could take the place
of these consultants and help communities develop their tourism, high-tech industries,
recreation sites, etc. The Corps members would work with each community to create
an economic development action plan that makes sense for that particular community.
This Corps would also provide trained people with community involvement skills to
begin to go into the communities and build from the bottom up the kind of plans that
will be able to assure local support for the needed economic changes to occur
through development of local leadership, especially among older youth, and the
multiplier effect where teams work with preadolescent. These youth would explore
with local governments possible avenues to serve as entrepreneurs within local
government.
The participants would training before being assigned to the local districts. They
would then live and work in the communities for which they are providing the
assistance.
To support these Corps members, there already exists an information data base at the
National Agriculture Library called the National Rural Information Center. This
information center maintains a data base of organizations which provide financial
support to communities on a national, regional, and local basis. This data base is
available to the Corps members for assisting the community in developing its own
action plan and applying for funding. Curriculum for teaching leadership and volunteer
development and program management would be necessary along with basic life skills
and understanding of basic business principles.
DRAFT
11
Participants and Clientele:
Participants of this program would hold either bachelor's degrees or graduate degrees
and use the benefits to pay back student loans. Unfortunately, only two graduate
schools in the country now specifically teach rural development; perhaps we could
form partnerships with others to do so. Participants could also be trained in public
administration, civil engineering, or agricultural science.
The communities themselves would be clients. As active participants in the
revitalization of their community, they will have an increased commitment to
maintaining the new economic path they have chosen. There will be considerable
economic incentives for them to participate.
Potential Pilot Locations:
Thirty-two states currently have economic development councils or rural development
councils so early pilot programs would be easy. Pilot programs could quickly be
established in five areas of our country:
Oregon and Washington
Four Corners: Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona
Tennessee and Kentucky
East Texas and Louisiana
North Carolina, Texas, Missouri
The Mississippi Delta
These areas already have an existing multi-agency coordination group functioning well
and communities that are in dire need of assistance.
Anticipated results:
There would be multiple outcomes and benefits derived from this program. The
outcomes would be local and national at the same time. First, there would be the
learning while earning of the Corps members themselves and those with whom they
work. While the objectives of that learning have been chronicled elsewhere, it is
necessary here to again emphasize its critical importance to our country and to the
communities that will come to benefit from these skilled citizens.
DRAFT
12
The increased economic viability of our rural communities and small towns would be
another major benefit. With the assistance of the Corps, communities will be better
able to develop a sound economic base that will take them into the next century.
Results such as increased agricultural production, a viable pollution-free light industry,
increased local tourism, and many other benefits are possible through planning and
implementation of long range strategies as well as developing a community leadership
core for the future.
Through a mentoring program with current community leaders new leaders would be
developed. These practical skills would assist in passing on not only the usual skills,
but allow for the passing on of the vital local cultural nuances as community spirit.
The older leadership in the community would feel a greater sense of pride in being
able to pass on its legacy to a new generation.
Potential Partners:
Monday Management Group (17 federal agencies involved in rural development)
National Association of Counties
National Association of Development Organizations
National Governors Organization
National Association of Towns and Townships
National League of Cities
State Rural Development Councils
State Economic Development Councils or Agencies
Local Planning and Development entities both private and public
National Association of State Foresters
Department of Defense Agencies such as Corps of Engineers, Air Force. etc/
1890's Institutions
DRAFT
13
Issues to be Resolved for All Three Proposals:
1. How are Corps applicants selected, matched with suitable assignments, and
trained? Will there be any age range set for the participants?
2. Would applicants be assigned anywhere they are needed, or only within their
communities of origin? The former requires a higher degree of national organization;
the latter would reduce re-location costs and might enhance cultural acceptance of the
applicant.
3. Who supervises the Corps member? There will be a need to judge performance,
initiate additional training when needed, and even perhaps to terminate or initiate re-
assignment when necessary. Would workers be evaluated by NEC on quality as well
as quantity (for quantity, productivity as well as hours contributed)?
4. What is a suitable assignment? Should local or county government agencies or
community organizations have free rein in assigning Corps members wherever they
wish, or should the assignments be limited to augmenting the functional
capability of the agency - for example, providing tutoring services where none existed
before. Would assignment as a file clerk, for example, be acceptable on the grounds
that it frees up a staff member who can provide higher-level services to recipients, or
would that assignment be viewed as supplanting efforts already underway and of no
particular value to the Corps member?
5. How would this initiative relate to existing volunteer organizations?
6. What kind of structure will the initiative have? How will it interact with state and local
governments?
7. How many USDA personnel will be required to manage the program?
8. How much will the program cost in total and per server?
9. What states, localities, non-profit organizations, and corporations can help fund this
program?
10. How will locations be selected and the sizes of the pilot program be determined?
11. How many participants can we place in workable pilot programs? What will be
the ultimate capacity of these programs?
14
Timeline for Suggested Action:
I recommend that the Secretary approve the following steps:
By June 10, 1993: Brief the Deputy Secretary, the Under Secretaries, the Assistant
Secretaries, and Agency Administrators on the National Service plan and enlist their
full cooperation in helping us develop the Empowerment Corps, the Environmental
Corps, and the Rural Development Corps.
By July 1, 1993: Detail from appropriate agencies staff to serve on a USDA working
group to hammer out specific details of each proposal.
By August 1, 1993: Identify possible pilot project locations and partnerships.
By September 1, 1993: Sign a memorandum of understanding with Interior, EPA, and
other agencies with whom we will jointly makes proposals.
By October 1, 1993: Complete preliminary proposal for submission to Corporation for
National Service.
By March 1994: Finalize start-up plans for projects approved by the Corporation for
National Service.
By July 1994: Interview and place project personnel.
By September 1, 1994: Begin pilot project.
I sincerely thank you for your continuing commitment to making national service a
reality. Please let me know how you would like me to proceed.
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.
May
Divider Title:
To: Secretary Espy
From: Joel Berg
Date: May 26, 1993
Re: USDA's Long-Term Role in the Clinton National Service Plan
Whether or not USDA helps funds youth service programs for this Summer, the
Department will likely play a large role into the long-term initiative which will hopefully
pass Congress in the next few months and place the first participants in the filed in
the Fall of 1994.
I have convened a working group with USDA employees
Under the legilsation proposed the by Administration, most of the service
participants will be managed by state and local governments and by local non-profit
organizations.
At your earlier direction, I I have convened a USDA
Common Characteristics of All USDA Service Programs:
Model for how the federal government can run programs.
Diverse group of young people providing service (While those served will not be
diverse)
Focus will be on providing valuable service to the community, not making the
participants fell good about themselves.
Leveraging funds from states, localities, non-profit organizations, and corporations.
Entrepreneurial and non-burecratic.
Staff will be out of existing resources.
NATIONAL EMPOWERMENT CORPS
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION: Corps members would work in urban and rural areas to
help families and individuals to help poor families move towards slef-suuficeicney.:
apply for food stamps, WIC and the school breakfast porogram; overhaul their diets
(as taught by the EFNEP program); learn to prevent foodborne illnesses; obtain the
expanded Earned Income Tax Credit, microenterprise loans, and help from community
development bankse Tax Credit, and community development banks. Somewhat
similar to the EFNEP program described above, this corps could be run by the
Cooperative Extension system and the two USDA agencies that deal directly with
food stamps and nutrition programs.
NAME OF PROGRAM: Food Stamp Program
BRIEF DESCRIPTION: The Food Stamp Program is designed to aid low-
income families by increasing their food purchasing power in order to
obtain more nutritious diets. Households - those people who regularly
prepare and eat food together - may receive food coupons for exchange
at authorized grocery stores. The amount of coupons received depends
primarily upon household income, assets, composition and size. Benefits
are 100% federally-financed, but the Program is administered by state
employees in county or local welfare offices. These "front-line"
employees determine who is eligible for benefits and how much in
benefits an applicant household may receive. They attempt to "police"
the program so that incorrect benefits are not issued and so that fraud
does not occur. They administer the Program's work provisions and may
refer applicants to other sources of government or local community
assistance. They operate under regulations issued by the federal Food
and Nutrition Service and with guidance provided by the State welfare
agency.
POTENTIAL PARAPROFESSIONAL TASKS/JOBS/RESPONSIBILITIES The
following are possible assignments for members of the National
Empowerment Corps. Many more suggestions might be obtained from
State and local officials who are intimately familiar with the particular
needs of localities and States. Further refinement and augmentation of
these suggestions would be worthwhile.
ASSIGNMENT
DESCRIPTION
POTENTIAL
BARRIERS
Greeter/facilitator Meets applicants as Possible union
they enter the welfare opposition in
office; determines their some locations.
needs and guides them
through the appropriate
processes, including
reference to other Fed-
eral, State, or local
community resources.
Outreach worker
Operates from county/
Potential danger
local welfare office and liability in
or community-based
high-crime areas.
organization. Seeks Acceptance may
out potential food
dependent in part
stamp recipients by
upon ethnicity,
door-to-door canvas
language skills,
or through being stat-
or cultural simi-
ioned in a local
larity.
community building,
office, church, or other
facility frequented by
the target group. Ex-
plains Program benefits
and aids potential re-
cipients in the appli-
cation process.
Tutor
Assists food stamp re-
Must be accepted
cipients in developing
by recipient
skills such as reading
and may need
and math which will en-
ability to mo-
able the recipient to
tivate
the
get a G.E.D. or suc-
learner.
cessfully compete for a
job. May operate from
a community-based organ-
ization or from the
welfare office.
Trainer
Operates specific
Substantive
training programs for knowledge and
recipients designed to training/motiva-
increase their employ- tion skills are
ment prospects. May
imperative for
function as a staff
success. Must
person for the food
be accepted by
stamp employment and
trainees. Pos-
training program or
sible union
may be a part of a
problems.
local organization
providing services to
low-income persons.
May train recipients
in such basics as work
attitudes, job search,
and ways to keep a
job and earn promotion.
May provide training
in such areas as nutri-
tion education, food
purchasing on a low
budget, money manage-
ment, and use of
community resources.
Translator
Works in a variety of
Extensive
settings with non-
knowledge of
English-speaking
food stamp
applicants or recip-
procedures and
ients to facilitate
rules required
application for food
in addition to
stamp benefits, parti-
foreign language
cipation in employment proficiency.
and training efforts,
Possible union
and referral to other
problems.
government and commun-
ity resources. Serves
as a primary contact
for such persons with
the food stamp agency,
facilitating solution
of their problems.
Deals with the inter-
pretation needs of such
groups as Native Ameri-
cans or Hispanics.
ISSUES TO BE RESOLVED:
1. How are National Empowerment Corps applicants selected,
matched with suitable assignments, and trained?
2. Would applicants be assigned anywhere they are needed in
the Nation, or only within their State of origin? The
former requires a higher degree of national organization;
the latter would reduce re-location costs and might enhance
cultural acceptance of the applicant.
3. Who supervises the Corps member? There will be a need to
judge performance, initiate additional training when
needed, and even perhaps to initiate re-assignment when
necessary.
4. Who pays the Corps member? Are re-location costs compen-
sated? Are basic protections such as medical care insur-
ance provided? Liability insurance?
5. What is a suitable assignment? Should local or county
welfare agencies or community organizations have free rein
in assigning Corps members wherever they wish, or should
the
assignments be limited to augmenting the functional
capability of
the agency - for example, providing tutoring
services where none existed before. Would assignment as a
file clerk, for example, be acceptable on the grounds that
it frees up a staff member who can provide higher-level
services to recipients, or would that assignment be viewed
as supplanting efforts already underway and of no
particular value to the Corps member?
6. For what period of time will the Corps member be committed
to serving with a cooperating agency? Two years? One
year? Six months? Questions of value to the cooperating
agency as well as to the Corps member are involved here.
NATIONAL EMPOWERMENT CORPS
APPLICATIONS APPROPRIATE FOR THE SPECIAL NUTRITION
PROGRAMS
Program Descriptions:
The Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and
Children (WIC) provides supplemental foods, health care referrals and
nutrition education at no cost to low-income pregnant and postpartum
women, and to infants and children up to 5 years of age, who are at
nutritional risk.
The Commodity Supplemental Food Program provides commodity
foods to supplement the diets of low-income infants; children up to
age 6; pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women; and persons
60 years of age and over.
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides balanced, low-
cost or free lunches to about 25 million children each school day.
The School Breakfast Program (SBP) provides cash assistance to States
to initiate, maintain or expand non-profit breakfast programs in eligible
schools and residential child care institutions.
The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) provides Federal
funds and USDA-donated foods to non-residential child care and adult
day care facilities to serve nutritious meals and snacks.
The Nutrition Program for the Elderly (NPE), adminstered by the
Department of Health and Human Services, receives USDA commdity
foods and /or cash to provide meals for people age 60 or older and
their spouses, regardless of age.
The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) provides
monthly food packages to Indians living on or near a reservation.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) gives needy
Americans, including low-income and unemployed persons, USDA-
donated foods for household use. The foods are free, but recipients
must meet eligibility criteria.
The Food Distribution Program for Charitable Institutions helps provide
meals to needy people in eligible institutions such as community
kitchens for homeless people, orphanages, homes for the elderly,
meals-on-wheels programs, soup kitchens, correctional institutions
offering rehabilitative activities, group homes for the mentally retarded,
and hospitals that offer general and long-term health care.
If carried out in accordance with Congressional intent, these programs
mitigate the effects of poverty and thus contribute to the NEC goal of
moving people toward self-sufficiency and from poverty to middle
class. Therefore, we are suggesting NEC jobs that would help fulfill
current program goals rather than those
that would provide new benefits/services. In addition, by providing
NEC participants themselves with opportunities to earn or pay off
college costs with community service, the programs can help prepare
this generation for a poverty-free future.
POTENTIAL JOBS
NEC workers could help our programs more fully achieve their goals in
two ways:
providing outreach/access services (educating eligible people
about program availability and helping make benefits accessible),
and
bolstering the infrastructure (providing the human capital
necessary to deliver the programs according to congressional
intent).
Outreach/Access Jobs
o
Outreach
Workers
Inform target populations about
program availability (all programs)
o
Drivers
Help eligible people apply for
and receive program benefits (WIC,
CACFP, TEFAP, NPE, CSFP)
o
Delivery
Aides
Deliver program benefits to
homebound elderly, physically
disadvantaged, and homeless people
(TEFAP, CSFP, FDPIR)
0
Bilingual
Aides
Provide program information, help
with applications, etc. to eligible non-
English-speaking people (all programs)
o
Service
Facilitators
Conduct telephone followup with
people who don't keep appointments,
direct people to related health and
welfare services (WIC, CSFP)
Infrastructure
o
Food
Handlers
Stock, warehouse, manage, distribute
food products (TEFAP, Charitable
Institutions, NPE, CSFP, school
programs, FDPIR)
o
Day Care
Workers
Provide child/adult care services to
allow eligible people to apply for and
receive program benefits (WIC,
TEFAP, FDPIR)
0
Bilingual
Case Assistants
Assist case manager with non-English-
speaking clients (WIC)
0
Kitchen/Cafeteria
Aides
Help with meal preparation and
serving, maintenance, monitoring
lunchrooms, and sanitation (school
food, CACFP, and commodity
programs)
o
Nutrition
Assistants
Help with nutrition education, cooking
demonstrations (WIC, school food
programs)
o
CACFC
Assistant
Improve supervision ratio of provider
to partcipants in child care/meal
preparation functions (CACFP)
BARRIERS/PROBLEMS
--
Program managers who have been making do with limited
resources may have developed tunnel vision for what is possible.
May need to raise managers' consciousness of possibilites to
create a demand for NEC servcies.
Additional responsibilities: training and supervising new workers,
monitoring and evaluating their work, new reporting/accounting
requirements. In addition to staff time required for these
functions, who pays?
--
Possible Federal/program liability: licensing requirements, health
care concerns (i.e., are shots necessary for workers; if so, who
pays?), insurance.
Availability of space/facilities for additional workers.
--
Union concerns: would NEC workers take jobs from others?
UNRESOLVED ISSUES
-- Need to research existing program use of volunteers. Also, how
would this initiative relate to existing volunteer organizations?
-- How would NEC match volunteers and work? Would the work
have to be related to workers' interests or educational goals?
-- Would workers be evaluated by NEC on quality as well as
quantity (for quantity, productivity as well as hours
contributed?)?
-- Will workers receive credit toward Social Security quarters? (This
would contribute toward self sufficiency down the road.)
--
How much of a commitment will be expected of workers? Will
this service be in addition to or in lieu of a job? If in lieu, will
workers receive a stipend for living expenses? Can workers
perform this service while they attend school (rather than earning
a loan in advance or paying it off afterward)?
-- What kind of structure will NEC have? Federal/state/local?
Establishment of a bureaucracy means cost.
-- We assume NEC will match workers/agencies in same
geographical area to avoid relocation expenses. True?
USDA NATIONAL SERVICE PROGRAM
PROJECT PROPOSAL
I. TITLE: National Environmental Youth Corps
II.
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION:
The Department of Agriculture would establish an Environmental Youth
Corps with urban and rural components. The Urban Environmental
Youth Corps would be non-residential and members would work on
conservation projects on public and private lands in cities of various
sizes. The Rural Environmental Youth Corps would be residential and
conservation-related work projects would be on private and public
lands in rural America. The programs would be separate but linked,
with Corps members having the option of transferring between the
rural and urban settings. For example, a Corps member could work in
a rural environment for six months and then in an urban environment
for another six months.
III. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES:
There are currently an estimated 8 million tree planting sites in
communities across America with the current replacement rate being
one tree planted for every four removed. Thousands of water quality
projects nationwide are awaiting manpower in our communities and our
rural areas, as are riparian area restoration, erosion control, stream
improvement, road bank stabilization, and wildlife habitat projects.
The Corps would provide opportunities for America's youth to "earn
and learn." While acquiring valuable skills, members would earn
wages for the work performed and a stipend towards future education.
The objectives of the program would be:
o
to accomplish needed conservation work on public and private
lands;
o
to teach youth self discipline-skills on coping with the world as
adults;
to teach numerous physical skills applicable to conservation
work;
to teach the environmental/biological/ecological and
educational skills necessary to accomplish the conservation
work;
to teach skills in working with the various branches of local
government which participants would encounter in performing
their tasks;
o
to teach skills in career planning and create awareness of other
post-secondary education opportunities;
IV.
APPROACH:
Urban/non-residential: More than 80 percent of the American
population now lives in cities of varying size. Currently, the Forest
Service, with 620 Ranger Districts across the country, and the Soil
Conservation Service, with more than 2,000 offices nationwide, have
existing local partnerships and delivery systems in many urban areas.
The program would take the Corps to where the people are, operating
in any urban community with an existing network of Forest
Service/Soil Conservation Service programs in partnerships with local
governments or non-profit organizations.
The non-residential program would focus on urban conservation
projects in the areas of water quality, waste disposal, erosion control,
road bank and stream bank stabilization, the creation of urban buffers,
rehabilitation and maintenance of deteriorating community
infrastructure, urban forestry, and the recycling and reuse of resources.
Corps members would live in the community or already be a
community member.
While the Forest Service has authority over public lands or lands
owned by non-profit organizations, the Soil Conservation Service has
authority to perform work on private lands as well, allowing for a broad
range of work projects.
Rural/residential: Corps members would live in a residential setting in a
rural area. The program would provide full-time logistical support for
Corps members. As in the urban program, the Corps members would
be expected to pay for living expenses from their wages.
Work projects could be in erosion control, fire prevention, fire
suppression, restoration of infrastructure such as buildings and bridges,
watershed protection, and other similar conservation projects. The
land base of the National Forests would be available for projects as
well as the privately held land in partnerships with the Soil
Conservation Service.
V.
AUDIENCE AND CLIENTELE:
The target population would be post-secondary education youth. They
could perform the work either before, after, or during their career
development education.
A secondary targeted population could be those in the process of
changing careers due to military and industrial cutbacks because of the
changing economy. The Corps would provide for the acquisition of
new skills and new career planning.
The Corps could provide an opportunity for non-paid service for
volunteers from the senior citizen community, non-profit conservation
organizations, and the public in general.
VI.
POTENTIAL PILOT LOCATIONS:
Currently the Forest Service, in partnership with the National Forest
Foundation, is operating three residential summer camps in Virginia,
Oregon, and Washington. Through grants, Forest Service and National
Forest Foundation also are sponsoring urban programs in the southern
California area. These could serve as initial sites.
VII. ANTICIPATED RESULTS:
The Corps would provide much needed manpower for nationwide
conservation projects. The work of the Corps could reduce the
backlog of conservation-related work across the country.
With the shift from a rural population to an urban one, the experiential
learning about our natural resources that occurred in the past for the
majority of the population has been lost. We currently have a relatively
uneducated and uninformed citizenry with regard to natural resources
and conservation issues. The Corps would provide an opportunity to
learn about America's natural resources, their uses, and the need to
protect them. The end result would be a citizenry better informed on
national conservation issues.
Besides developing new skills, Corps members would have the
opportunity to be exposed to a variety of career options in the
conservation field through hands-on experience. The Corps would
provide a broad span of time to explore options and plan for the future
while also providing for food and shelter.
VIII. SCHEDULE OF MAJOR TASKS AND COMPLETION DATES:
July 1, 1993 - Agencies identify possible pilot project locations
and partnerships;
September 1, 1993 - Preliminary proposal completed for
submission to Corporation for National Service;
October 15, 1993 - Startup plans for projects completed for
submission;
December 30, 1993 - Begin final startup phase of projects;
April 1, 1994 - Begin USDA Conservation Corps pilot projects
selected by the Corporation for National Service;
IX.
POTENTIAL PARTNERS
Association of Conservation Districts
Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service
Department of Interior National Park Service
Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management
Department of Interior Bureau of Reclamation
Department of Defense, including such agencies as the Army
Corps of Engineers, Air Force, etc.
National Recreation Coalition
National Association of State Foresters
National Parks Foundation
National Trust for Historic Preservation
National Tree Trust
Telephone Pioneers of America
X.
POTENTIAL CAPACITY
URBAN/NONRESIDENTIAL
Pilot year
1,000 enrollees (500 each FS & SCS)
Peak capacity
10,000 enrollees (5,000 each FS & SCS)
RURAL/RESIDENTIAL
Pilot year
1,000 enrollees (500 each FS & SCS)
Peak capacity
10,000 enrollees (5,000 each FS & SCS)
Assumes 3 to 5 years to reach peak capacity
XI.
PROJECT LIAISON
During the start up phase, the project liaison with the Forest Service
would be through the Deputy for Administration, Lamar Beasley.
Current staff specialist is Brian McGuire.
During the startup phase, the project liaison with the Soil Conservation
Service would be through the Community Assistance staff. Current
staff specialists are Jim Fuller and Lloyd Wright.
USDA NATIONAL SERVICE PROGRAM
PROJECT PROPOSAL
I.
TITLE: Community Self Development Assistance
Corps
II.
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION:
The Department of Agriculture would establish a corps of
"professional" and "paraprofessional" members who could
assist communities to identify needs and resources
necessary for economic well being. This group of
individuals would be able to assist communities of all sizes
facing economic recovery and local leadership development
issues to plan and prioritize efforts combining formal and
non formal education to work locally. The corps will then
assist the community to locate financial resources, prepare
proposals, design educational programs, and implement
strategies necessary for revitalization. The entire focus
would be on the community generating their own vision for
the future and the USDA corps assisting them in creating
and attaining that vision.
I.PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES:
The purpose of the program would be to provide
opportunities for America's youth to "earn and learn."
Corps members would work with early and preadolescents
in identifying areas for enrepreneurial efforts in
conjenuction with laocl governments an learn valuable
interpersonal skills.
The objectives of the program would be:
accomplish much needed community planning
activities necessary to assure the economic
vitality and productivity of our rural and midsized
communities
teach corpsmembers self discipline-skills on
coping with the world as adults
teach specific skills in community building,
coalition building, strategic planning and
visioning, and leadership development
teach numerous skills in working with the "3rd
Sector" the private nonprofit sector of the
volunteer
develop skills in working with units of local
government which they encounter in their
everyday living
1
develop community specific cultural
leadership skills
o
develop skills in career planning and other
post-secondary education possibilities
IV. APPROACH:
Most states have local Planning and Development Districts
which provide for the overall strategic and project planning
efforts for a multijurisdictional area. Some of these cover
several counties, and some cover multiple communities
within a county or township. They are staffed by local
citizens and all have one thing in common. They are
understaffed.
This corps would provide trained people with community
involvement skills to begin to go into the communities and
build from the bottom up the kind of plans that will be able
to assure local support for the needed economic changes
to occur through development of local leadership,
especially among older youth, and the multiplier effect
where teams work with preadolescents. These youth
would explore with local governments possible avenues to
serve as entrepreneurs within local government. The
participants would need to spend a period of training
before being assigned to the local districts. They would
then live and work in the communities for which they are
providing the assistance.
To support these corps members there already exists an
information data base at the National Agriculture Library
called the National Agriculture Library called the National
Rural Information Center. This information center
maintains a data base of organizations who provide
financial support to communities on a national, regional,
and local basis. This data base is available to the Corps
members for assisting the community in developing its
1
own action plant and apply for funding. Curriculum for
teaching leadership and volunteer development and
program management would be necessary along with basic
life skills and understanding of basic business principles.
V. AUDIENCE AND CLIENTELE:
Target audiences for these programs would be secondary
and post-secondary education youth. Because of the skill
level needed for some of these activities many of the corps
members would be already graduated students seeking to
pay back their student loans or those seeking to strengthen
their communities. Others could perform the work either
before, after, or during their career development education.
A second target group would be the currently unemployed.
The corps would allow for new career planning and skill
building to occur as well as for the participants to get back
into the world of work. This would allow the utilization of
people already residing in the affected community and
would provide a level of realism and continuity to the
program.
The communities themselves are also a client. As active
participants in the revitalization of their community they
will have an increased commitment to maintaining the new
economic path they have chosen. There will be
considerable economic incentives for them to participate.
(A NOTE FROM STEVE MULLEN ABOUT THIS
PARAGRAPH: I disagree that this is a key audience right
from the beginning. We are taking "rural flight" here!)
Finally, as the program expands it could move to include
high school youth. This is the age to begin to develop
community leadership skills, good work habits, improve
self image, and self discipline. This age group could be
1
developed to do the follow-up activities and studies needed
to document the success of the efforts. This is also a key
target group for working with early adolescent and pre-
adolescent groups. There could also be a summer program
where they are mentored by current community leaders or
participate in studies on a short term basis.
VI. POTENTIAL PILOT LOCATIONS:
Thirty-two states currently have economic development
councils or rural development councils so early pilot
programs would be easy. Pilot programs could quickly be
established in four areas of our country:
Oregon and Washington
Four Corners: Utah, Colorado, New Miexico, and
Arizona
Tennessee and Kentucky
East Texas and Louisiana
North Carolina, Texas, Missouri
These areas already have an existing multiagency
coordination group functioning well and communities that
are in dire need of assistance.
VII. ANTICIPATED RESULTS:
There would be multiple outcomes and benefits derived
from this program. The outcomes would be local and
national at the same time. First there would be the
learning while earning of the corps persons themselves and
those with whom they work. While the objectives of that
learning have been chronicled elsewhere it is necessary
here to again emphasize its critical importance to our
country and to the communities that will come to benefit
from these skilled citizens.
1
The opportunity to develop skills, to learn about a variety
of career paths, and the opportunity to approach career
options at a pace not currently available would be other
outcomes of the program. With the current economic
conditions in our country, it is difficult for youth or people
needing to change careers to have the time to do that in a
planned and organized way. They feel the pressure to
quickly make career choices and begin to earn income.
The corps would provide that space to explore options
while also providing for food and shelter, as well as focus
energies on the most pressing community issues.
(ANOTHER NOTE FROM STEVE MULLEN: He wants to
emphasize the multiplier effect about Corps helping adults
who in turn help adolescents and each other.)
The increased economic viability of our rural communities
and small towns is the next major outcome expected.
With the assistance of the corps communities will be
better able to develop a sound economic base that will
take them into the next century. Results such as increased
agricultural production, a viable pollution free light
industry, increased local tourism, and many other
outcomes are possible through planning and
implementation of long range strategies as well as
developing a community leadership core for the future.
Through a mentoring program with current community
leaders new leaders would be developed. These practical
skills would assist in passing on not only the usual skills,
but allow for the passing on of the vital local cultural
nuances as as community spirit. It would allow the older
leadership to feel a greater sense of relief to be able to
pass on their legacy to a new generation.
VIII. SCHEDULE OF MAJOR TASKS AND COMPLETION
1
DATES:
July 1, 1993, agencies identify possible pilot
project locations and partnerships
September 1, 1993, have preliminary proposal
ready for Corporation for National Service.
October 15, 1993, complete startup planning for
projects submitted
December 30, 1993, begin final startup phase of
projects, begin development of skills training
curriculum, begin development of financial
opportunity data base nationally and for pilot
states.
April 1, 1994, begin first training of corps
members with assignment to communities at
completion of training.
IX. POTENTIAL PARTNERS
Monday Management Group (17 federal agencies
involved in rural economic development)
National Association of Counties
National Association of Development
Organizations
National Governors Organization
National Association of Towns and Townships
National League of Cities
State Rural Development Councils
State Economic Development Councils or
Agencies
Local Planning and Development entities both
private and public
National Association of State Foresters
Department of Defense Agencies such as Corps
1
of Engineers, Air Force. etc/
X. POTENTIAL CAPACITY
At least 100 corps members could be utilized in each state
at the peak of the program. During the pilot phase, a
cadre of at least 50 would be necessary to provide an
adequate network of both professional and
paraprofessional skills necessary to reach a significant
number of communities.
XI. PROJECT LIAISON
During the start up phase, the project liaison with the
Forest Service would be through the Economic
Development Staff of Cooperative Forestry. Staff
specialist is Steve Yadoff.
During the startup phase, the project liaison with the Rural
Development Administration would be through Norman
Reid.
During the startup phase, the project liaison with Extension
Service would be through Randy Williams and 4-H
Development staff.
During the startup phase, the project liaison with the Soil
Conservation Srvice would be provided by Ed Reichart.
1
To: Secretary Espy
DRAFT
From: Joel Berg
Date: May 26, 1993
Re: USDA's Long-Term Role in the Clinton National Service Plan
Background
Whether or not USDA helps funds youth service programs for this Summer, the
Department will likely play a large role in the President's long-term initiative. The
Administration's bill, which should pass Congress in the next few months, would place the
participants in the field starting in the Fall of 1994.
Under the proposed legislation, most of the service participants will be managed
by state and local governments and by local non-profit organizations. Through Extension
Service and other USDA agencies, we can play a vital role in providing technical
assistance to organizations and institutions that want to apply for national service
grants from the new Corporation for National Service. For instance, we could work very
closely with the Council of 1890's Presidents/Chancellors to help them develop its
proposed "Rural Community Service Program."
The legislation will also give USDA and other government agencies additional
funds to allow us to design and manage our own youth service programs. In recent
testimony on the Hill, Secretary Babbitt pledged that his Department would submit a
service proposal the day after the President signs the bill. I have convened a working
group with USDA employees from Extension Service, SCS, Forest Service, RDA, and FNS
to develop specific proposals for corps we can run. At your direction, I have worked with
the task force to develop two very specific proposals:
1) Anti-Hunger and Empowerment Corps
2) Environmental Corps
The working group also developed another idea, which I have discussed with Bob
Nash:
3) Rural Development Corps
USDA is currently ahead of the other Cabinet agencies in planning how to
incorporate into the President's national service plan. By forging ahead quickly to
further develop these proposals, we would reinforce your reputation as the Cabinet
Secretary most willing to reinvent government.
DRAFT
2
Common Characteristics of All the Proposed USDA Service Programs
All the USDA national service programs should:
*
Reinvent government by promoting opportunity, responsibility, and community.
*
Reunite the interests of the middle class and the poor by allowing young people from
all types of families to earn their way through college.
*
Provide models for how the federal government can run national service programs.
*
Expand dramatically as the President phases-in a full-scale national program.
*
Recruit groups of participants that are socio-economically diverse.
*
Provide valuable service to the community by systematically filling unmet social needs.
Our programs will be very different than Bush's Points of Light, which supported diffuse
and untargeted volunteer efforts that served mostly to make volunteers feel good about
themselves.
*
Allow young people to perform service either before or after attending post-secondary
education.
* Forge links to youth apprenticeship programs run by USDA and other Cabinet agencies.
*
Give the participants at least a minimum wage living expense, as well as adequate
supervision and training.
*
Limit the work performed to tasks that fulfill significant missions of USDA and are
supported by our major constituency groups (farming, consumer, commodity,
environmental, etc.).
*
Encourage the leveraging funds from states, localities, non-profit organizations, and
corporations.
*
Build a new form of entrepreneurial and non-bureaucratic government.
* Create its staff out of existing USDA personnel.
* Be managed across traditional USDA agency lines.
DRAFT
3
Proposal for National Empowerment Corps
I. SUMMARY:
Corps members would work in urban and rural areas to help-low income families and
individuals move towards self-sufficiency. The main focus of the Corps would be fighting
domestic hunger; it would be similar to EFNEP but would have a greatly expanded
mission. Corps members would help individuals apply for food stamps, WIC, and the
school breakfast program; overhaul their diets; learn to prevent foodborne illnesses;
obtain the expanded Earned Income Tax Credits, microenterprise loans, and help from
community development banks. In short, this Corps would help put into effect the entire
empowerment agenda promoted by you and President Clinton. A full-scale program
could eventually provide a big boost to your efforts to eradicate domestic hunger.
II. USDA EMPLOYEES CONSULTED ON THE PROPOSAL:
John Webster of FNS; Katherine Gibney of FSIS; Alma Hobbs, Jon Irby and Edith Thomas
of Extension Service
III. HOW PROGRAM WOULD WORK:
Participants would provide outreach and access services, build the anti-hunger and
anti-poverty infrastructures, and run innovative new empowerment programs:
A) Provide outreach/access services (educating eligible people about program
availability and helping make benefits accessible)
o
Outreach
Workers
Inform target populations about program
availability (all programs)
o
Drivers
Help eligible people apply for
and receive program benefits (WIC, CACFP,
TEFAP, NPE, CSFP)
DRAFT
4
O
Delivery
Aides
Deliver program benefits to homebound elderly,
physically disadvantaged, and homeless people
(TEFAP, CSFP, FDPIR)
o
Bilingual
Aides
Provide program information, help with applications,
etc. to eligible non-English-speaking people (all
programs)
o
Service
Facilitator
Conduct telephone follow-up with people who don't
keep appointments, direct people to related health and
welfare services (WIC, CSFP)
B) Bolster the infrastructure (providing the human capital necessary to deliver
the programs according to congressional intent):
o
Food
Handlers
Stock, warehouse, manage, distribute food
products (TEFAP, Charitable Institutions, NPE,
CSFP, school programs, FDPIR)
o
Day Care
Workers
Provide child/adult care services to allow eligible
people to apply for and receive program
benefits (WIC, TEFAP, FDPIR)
O
Bilingual
Case Assistants
Assist case manager with non-English-speaking
clients (WIC)
DRAFT
5
Kitchen/Cafeteria
Aides
Help with meal preparation and serving, maintenance,
monitoring lunchrooms, and sanitation (school food,
CACFP, and commodity programs)
O
Nutrition
Assistants
Help with nutrition education, cooking demonstrations
(WIC, school food programs)
CACFC Assistant
Improve supervision ratio of provider to participants in
child care/meal preparation functions (CACFP)
C) Boost innovative new empowerment programs
O
EITC
Help families obtain the newly expanded
Earned Income Tax Credit
Microenterprise
Teach people how to start small businesses
Community Develop.
Inform families on how to apply for loans
Banks
from community development banks
Assets Building
Work with families to develop savings plans
Tenant management
Help public housing tenants to develop
organizations for self-management
Apprenticeship
Work with local schools and businesses to develop
new school-to-work transition programs
Proposal for a National Environmental Youth Corps
I. SUMMARY:
The Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with Interior and EPA, would establish
an Environmental Youth Corps with urban and rural components. The urban
component would be mostly non-residential and members would work on
conservation projects on public and private lands in cities of various sizes. The rural
component would be both residential and non-residential and would perform
conservation-related work projects on private and public lands in rural America. The
programs would linked, with Corps members having the option of transferring between
the rural and urban settings. For example, a Corps member could work in a rural
environment for six months and then in an urban environment for another six months.
II. USDA EMPLOYEES CONSULTED:
Brian McGuire and Katherine Allen of the Forest Service; Jim Fuller of SCS; Andy
Fisher of the National Forest Foundation
III. HOW THE PROGRAM WILL WORK:
There are currently an estimated 8 million tree-planting sites in communities across
America with the current replacement rate being one tree planted for every four
removed. Thousands of water quality projects nationwide are awaiting manpower in
our communities and our rural areas, as are riparian area restoration, erosion control,
stream improvement, road bank stabilization, and wildlife habitat projects.
The objectives of the program would be:
to accomplish needed conservation work on public and private lands;
to give youth sense of community and self-discipline
to teach the environmental/biological/ecological and educational skills
necessary to accomplish the conservation work;
Approach:
Urban: More than 80 percent of the American population now lives in cities of varying
size. Currently, the Forest Service, with 620 Ranger Districts across the country, and
the Soil Conservation Service, with more than 2,000 offices nationwide, have existing
local partnerships and delivery systems in many urban areas.
DRAFT
7
The program would take the Corps to where the people are, operating in any urban
community with an existing network of Forest Service/Soil Conservation Service
programs in partnerships with local governments or non-profit organizations.
The non-residential program would focus on urban conservation projects in the areas
of water quality, waste disposal, erosion control, road bank and stream bank
stabilization, the creation of urban buffers, rehabilitation and maintenance of
deteriorating community infrastructure, urban forestry, and the recycling and reuse of
resources. Corps members would live in the community or already be a community
member.
While the Forest Service has authority over public lands or lands owned by non-profit
organizations, the Soil Conservation Service has authority to perform work on private
lands as well, allowing for a broad range of work projects.
Rural: Corps members would live in a residential setting in a rural area. The program
would provide full-time logistical support for Corps members. As in the urban
program, the Corps members would be expected to pay for living expenses from their
wages.
Work projects could be in erosion control, fire prevention, fire suppression, building or
improving recreation areas, restoration of infrastructure such as buildings and bridges,
watershed protection, and other similar conservation projects. The land base of the
National Forests would be available for projects as well as the privately held land in
partnerships with the Soil Conservation Service.
Corps members could also focus on teaching sustainable agriculture, helping
small farmers stay on the land, building rural housing, and engaging in rural
development projects.
Participants and Clientele:
The participants would be post-secondary education youth. They could perform the
work either before, after, or during their career development education.
The Corps could provide an opportunity for non-paid service for volunteers from the
senior citizen community, non-profit conservation organizations, and the public in
general.
DRAFT
8
Potential Pilot Locations:
Currently the Forest Service, in partnership with the National Forest Foundation, is
operating three residential summer camps in Virginia, Oregon, and Washington.
Through grants, Forest Service and National Forest Foundation also are sponsoring
urban programs in the southern California area. These could serve as initial sites.
Anticipated Results:
The Corps would provide much needed manpower for nationwide conservation
projects. The work of the Corps could reduce the backlog of conservation-related
work across the country.
With the shift from a rural population to an urban one, Americans are losing the ability
to learn first hand about natural resources. We currently have a relatively uneducated
and uninformed citizenry with regard to natural resources and conservation issues.
The Corps would provide an opportunity to learn about America's natural resources,
their uses, and the need to protect them. The end result would be a citizenry better
informed on national conservation issues.
Besides developing new skills, Corps members would have the opportunity to be
exposed to a variety of career options in the conservation field through hands-on
experience. The Corps would provide a broad span of time to explore options and
plan for the future while also providing for food and shelter.
Potential Partners:
I am meeting next week with representatives from Interior and EPA to discuss how
we can plan together.
Association of Conservation Districts
Department of Defense, including such agencies as the Army Corps of Engineers
Land Grant universities
National Recreation Coalition
National Association of State Foresters
National Parks Foundation
National Trust for Historic Preservation
National Tree Trust
Telephone Pioneers of America
DRAFT
9
Proposal for Rural Community Self Development Corps
I. SUMMARY:
The Department of Agriculture would establish a Corps of "professional" and
"paraprofessional" members who could assist communities in identifying needs and
resources necessary for economic well being. This group of individuals would be able
to assist communities of all sizes facing economic recovery and local leadership
development issues to plan and prioritize efforts combining formal and non formal
education to work locally. The Corps will then assist the community to locate financial
resources, prepare proposals, design educational programs, and implement strategies
necessary for revitalization. The entire focus would be on the community generating
its own vision for the future and the USDA corps assisting the community in creating
and attaining that vision. This Corps, consisting of participants older and more
highly educated than the other two Corps, could be funded by a special section
of the Administration's proposed bill that would fund special professional corps
such as "Teachers Corps" or "Police Corps."
II. USDA EMPLOYEES CONSULTED:
Bob Nash; Ruth McWilliams and Brian McGuire of the Forest Service; Norm Reed of
RDA; Carl Bouchard of SCS; Steve Mullen and Randy Williams of Extension Service;
and Joe Binder of REA
III. HOW THE PROGRAM WILL WORK:
This program could give a significant boost to our overall rural development efforts.
The objectives of the program would be:
accomplish much needed community planning activities necessary to assure
the economic vitality and productivity of our rural and mid-sized communities
teach specific skills in community building, coalition building, strategic
planning and visioning, and leadership development
develop skills in working with units of local government encountered by
community members in everyday living
DRAFT
10
Approach:
Most states have local Planning and Development Districts which provide for the
overall strategic and project planning efforts for a multi-jurisdictional area. Some of
these cover several counties, and some cover multiple communities within a county or
township. They are staffed by local citizens and all have one thing in common. They
are understaffed.
Bob Nash has suggested strongly that our Corps participants be physically
located within the offices of local districts, so that they work with the districts
and do not pose the threat of competition over turf.
Many rural communities now pay high-priced consultants to advise them on
development; right now the Forest Service even gives grants to some communities to
hire such consultants. With proper training, our Corps members could take the place
of these consultants and help communities develop their tourism, high-tech industries,
recreation sites, etc. The Corps members would work with each community to create
an economic development action plan that makes sense for that particular community.
This Corps would also provide trained people with community involvement skills to
begin to go into the communities and build from the bottom up the kind of plans that
will be able to assure local support for the needed economic changes to occur
through development of local leadership, especially among older youth, and the
multiplier effect where teams work with preadolescent. These youth would explore
with local governments possible avenues to serve as entrepreneurs within local
government.
The participants would training before being assigned to the local districts. They
would then live and work in the communities for which they are providing the
assistance.
To support these Corps members, there already exists an information data base at the
National Agriculture Library called the National Rural Information Center. This
information center maintains a data base of organizations which provide financial
support to communities on a national, regional, and local basis. This data base is
available to the Corps members for assisting the community in developing its own
action plan and applying for funding. Curriculum for teaching leadership and volunteer
development and program management would be necessary along with basic life skills
and understanding of basic business principles.
DRAFT
11
Participants and Clientele:
Participants of this program would hold either bachelor's degrees or graduate degrees
and use the benefits to pay back student loans. Unfortunately, only two graduate
schools in the country now specifically teach rural development; perhaps we could
form partnerships with others to do so. Participants could also be trained in public
administration, civil engineering, or agricultural science.
The communities themselves would be clients. As active participants in the
revitalization of their community, they will have an increased commitment to
maintaining the new economic path they have chosen. There will be considerable
economic incentives for them to participate.
Potential Pilot Locations:
Thirty-two states currently have economic development councils or rural development
councils so early pilot programs would be easy. Pilot programs could quickly be
established in five areas of our country:
Oregon and Washington
Four Corners: Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona
Tennessee and Kentucky
East Texas and Louisiana
North Carolina, Texas, Missouri
The Mississippi Delta
These areas already have an existing multi-agency coordination group functioning well
and communities that are in dire need of assistance.
Anticipated results:
There would be multiple outcomes and benefits derived from this program. The
outcomes would be local and national at the same time. First, there would be the
learning while earning of the Corps members themselves and those with whom they
work. While the objectives of that learning have been chronicled elsewhere, it is
necessary here to again emphasize its critical importance to our country and to the
communities that will come to benefit from these skilled citizens.
DRAFT
12
The increased economic viability of our rural communities and small towns would be
another major benefit. With the assistance of the Corps, communities will be better
able to develop a sound economic base that will take them into the next century.
Results such as increased agricultural production, a viable pollution-free light industry,
increased local tourism, and many other benefits are possible through planning and
implementation of long range strategies as well as developing a community leadership
core for the future.
Through a mentoring program with current community leaders new leaders would be
developed. These practical skills would assist in passing on not only the usual skills,
but allow for the passing on of the vital local cultural nuances as community spirit.
The older leadership in the community would feel a greater sense of pride in being
able to pass on its legacy to a new generation.
Potential Partners:
Monday Management Group (17 federal agencies involved in rural development)
National Association of Counties
National Association of Development Organizations
National Governors Organization
National Association of Towns and Townships
National League of Cities
State Rural Development Councils
State Economic Development Councils or Agencies
Local Planning and Development entities both private and public
National Association of State Foresters
Department of Defense Agencies such as Corps of Engineers, Air Force. etc/
1890's Institutions
DRAFT
13
Issues to be Resolved for All Three Proposals:
1. How are Corps applicants selected, matched with suitable assignments, and
trained? Will there be any age range set for the participants?
2. Would applicants be assigned anywhere they are needed, or only within their
communities of origin? The former requires a higher degree of national organization;
the latter would reduce re-location costs and might enhance cultural acceptance of the
applicant.
3. Who supervises the Corps member? There will be a need to judge performance,
initiate additional training when needed, and even perhaps to terminate or initiate re-
assignment when necessary. Would workers be evaluated by NEC on quality as well
as quantity (for quantity, productivity as well as hours contributed)?
4. What is a suitable assignment? Should local or county government agencies or
community organizations have free rein in assigning Corps members wherever they
wish, or should the assignments be limited to augmenting the functional
capability of the agency - for example, providing tutoring services where none existed
before. Would assignment as a file clerk, for example, be acceptable on the grounds
that it frees up a staff member who can provide higher-level services to recipients, or
would that assignment be viewed as supplanting efforts already underway and of no
particular value to the Corps member?
5. How would this initiative relate to existing volunteer organizations?
6. What kind of structure will the initiative have? How will it interact with state and local
governments?
7. How many USDA personnel will be required to manage the program?
8. How much will the program cost in total and per server?
9. What states, localities, non-profit organizations, and corporations can help fund this
program?
10. How will locations be selected and the sizes of the pilot program be determined?
11. How many participants can we place in workable pilot programs? What will be
the ultimate capacity of these programs?
DRAFT
14
Timeline for Suggested Action:
I recommend you approve the following steps:
By June 10, 1993: Notify the Deputy Secretary, the Undersecretaries, the Assistant
Secretaries, and the Agencies heads -- both in writing and orally at regularly scheduled
meetings -- that national service is a priority to you and you expect their agencies full
cooperation in helping us develop the Empowerment Corps, the Environmental Corps,
and the Rural Development Corps.
By June 17, 1993: Include in the agenda for our Hunger Summit a very brief
discussion of how national service can be used to help alleviate hunger.
By July 1, 1993: Detail from appropriate agencies staff to serve on a USDA working
group to hammer out specific details of each proposal.
By August 1, 1993: Identify possible pilot project locations and partnerships.
By September 1, 1993: Sign a memorandum of understanding with Interior, EPA, and
other agencies with whom we will jointly makes proposals.
By October 1, 1993: Complete preliminary proposal for submission to Corporation for
National Service.
By March 1994: Finalize start-up plans for projects approved by the Corporation for
National Service.
By July 1994: Interview and place project personnel.
By September 1, 1994: Begin pilot project.
I sincerely thank you for your continuing commitment to making national service a
reality. Please let me know how you would like me to proceed.
CONFIDENTIAL
DETERMINED TO BE AN
ADMINISTRATIVE MARKING
To: Secretary Espy, Ron Blackley
INITIALS: JML DATE: 4/26/2023
From: Joel Berg
2013-0661-F Segment 3
Date: May 21, 1993
Re: Proposal to Fund Youth Service Programs
Unfortunately, none of the 33 USDA-related applicants received Summer of Service
grants for this Summer from the Commission on National and Community Service.
It is disappointing that the Commission did not respond favorably to our work in helping
solicit the proposals and to your strong letter of support. However, their job was extremely
difficult given that they could only make awards to 17 of the over 400 applicants.
Yet we can still help run some of these programs this summer if we can find a way
to fund them with USDA money. I, along with Katherine Gibney, a former Peace Corps
volunteer whom I have detailed from FSIS, carefully reviewed all the USDA-affiliated Summer
of Service proposals.
Following are descriptions of six proposals from around the country for you to
consider funding. Each program I am recommending would provide excellent services to
the surrounding community and benefit at-risk youth. Whether these programs can operate
this Summer will depend upon two variables: our ability to provide money and their ability and
willingness to start the programs on such an abbreviated timetable.
These suggested programs in Iowa, Mississippi, Alaska, South Carolina, West
Virginia, and Texas would provide a good geographical balance for our first major service
initiative. (I selected three different proposals from Mississippi from which you can choose
one.) Part of the Texas program would be in Chairman De La Garza's district. The West
Virginia project might interest Senator Byrd, as well as with Senator Rockefeller, who is a
fervent supporter of national service.
It would cost USDA about $8 million to fully fund all six of these projects. You could
chose to fund all six or only some of them. The cheapest one is the $554,000 program proposed
by Iowa State University.
Jane McNeil informs me that money for these projects might now be available in the
Extension Service, the Forest Service, or in FNS. If you decide to attempt to fund any or
all of these projects, you would need to immediately order all relevant agencies to provide
funding options from their current budgets.
2
The six suggested projects:
SPONSOR: UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
WHAT THE PROJECT WILL DO: A total of 3,700 at-risk youth in villages that are 75-85
percent Eskimo or Native American will receive immunizations and health care, some will
receive public safety training, and/or nutrition and health education, or will participate in
educational programs in fish camps or summer programs and/or be involved in leadership
training in existing community councils during the eight weeks of the program. Also, 20
playgrounds will be improved and recreational programs provided.
WHERE LOCATED: in three boroughs (counties) of Alaska
TARGETED POPULATION: at-risk Native American and Eskimo youth
COST: $826,393
NUMBER OF PAID PARTICIPANTS: 100 (17-25 years of age)
OTHER NON-PAID VOLUNTEERS: 100 other community volunteers
PARTNERSHIPS: University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension, six Native American
Associations/School Districts/and a Health Corporation
OTHER COMMENTS: Participants would receive a $1,000 post-service benefit to be used
for education and training purposes only.
SPONSOR: WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE
WHAT THE PROJECT WILL DO: Participants will work in the areas of literacy
(individualized reading instruction to 30 children at nutrition day camps and free summer lunch
feeding sites), home fire prevention (door-to-door surveys of high-risk homes following training
from the Fire Extension Service), health care (work in area clinics and join county health
outreach workers to educate families about immunizations and regular health care), and
recreation (renovate playgrounds, build two new parks, improve recreational facilities at state
parks).
WHERE LOCATED: southern West Virginia in three counties
TARGETED POPULATION: at-risk children and families
3
COST: $924,506 (Recipients will receive a post-service benefit of $1,000 that must be used
within a year of service for educational purposes only.)
NUMBER OF PAID PARTICIPANTS: 130 (17-25 years of age)
OTHER NON-PAID VOLUNTEERS: 200
PARTNERSHIPS: West Virginia Extension Service, Department of Health, and Citizens'
Conservation Corps
OTHER COMMENTS: The program would identify five participants for an entrepreneurial
award to continue with year-round projects.
SPONSOR: CLEMSON UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
WHAT THE PROJECT WILL DO: Participants will provide services in the areas of health
(home visitations with 6-12-year-olds to deal with health issues), environmental and academic
enrichment (instruct 10 middle school student in non-formal educational setting through program
developed by Clemson) to at-risk youth. Participants will also take part in the South Carolina
Gleaning Project and learn harvesting techniques to salvage food that would otherwise be wasted,
and then will distribute the food surplus to families in need.
WHERE LOCATED: Charleston Metropolitan Statistical Area (3 counties) and Jasper County
(rural)
TARGETED POPULATION: at-risk youth
COST: $2,549,443
NUMBER OF PAID PARTICIPANTS: 250 (17-25 years of age)
OTHER NON-PAID VOLUNTEERS: 750
PARTNERSHIPS: Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, county government,
local human services agencies and civic groups, selected school systems in targeted areas.
OTHER COMMENTS: Participants will be encouraged to submit year-round community
service proposals and five will be chosen in hopes of receiving funding to continue community
service on a permanent basis.
4
SPONSOR: IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE
WHAT THE PROJECT WILL DO: Improve basic literacy skills (reading, math, and
writing), improve health-related behaviors in areas of nutrition, physical fitness, human
sexuality, tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, and safety, and enhance self-concept,
communication, and decision-making skills.
WHERE LOCATED: Des Moines, Iowa
TARGETED POPULATION: 600 at-risk youth (6-12 years of age)
COST: $554,232 (Post-service benefit of $1,000 for each participant for educational use.)
NUMBER OF PAID PARTICIPANTS: 84
OTHER NON-PAID VOLUNTEERS: 24 youth volunteers, 30 adult volunteers
PARTNERSHIPS: Des Moines Community Schools, Iowa Department of Economic
Development, three schools of nursing, three community centers, the Bureau of Refugee
Services, Iowa Comprehensive Human Services, First Lutheran Church, and The Communicator,
an intercultural newspaper.
SPONSOR: TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE
WHAT THE PROJECT WILL DO: Participants will assist in teaching English as a Second
Language to Hispanic children and parents, help with an educational media campaign on the
prevention of teenage pregnancy, work with an urban reforestation project and plant trees in city
parks, and assist elderly with home repairs (intergenerational interaction).
WHERE LOCATED: 4 project sites, one on U.S. Mexican border, others in Laredo, San
Antonio, and Bryan, Texas.
TARGETED POPULATION: at-risk youth
COST: $1,466,266
NUMBER OF PAID PARTICIPANTS: 205
OTHER NON-PAID VOLUNTEERS: 187
PARTNERSHIPS: (None listed. This was a one-page abstract of the proposal.)
5
SPONSOR: MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
WHAT THE PROJECT WILL DO: Train participants to conduct educational programs for
the existing summer feeding programs established for low-income, at-risk children. Education
programs would include activities and hands-on experience in health and environmental education
during the morning hours between breakfast and lunch and serve as mentors and coordinators
of community projects in the afternoon.
WHERE LOCATED: in five, 3-county clusters which represent a cross section of the state of
Mississippi
TARGETED POPULATION: at-risk children
COST: (No figures given but available if needed)
NUMBER OF PAID PARTICIPANTS: 160 (17-25 years of age)
OTHER NON-PAID VOLUNTEERS: (Not listed)
PARTNERSHIPS: (Not listed)
OTHER COMMENTS: This proposal was a one-page very brief abstract listing the name of
someone who could be contacted for additional information.
OR
SPONSOR: JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE
WHAT THE PROJECT WILL DO: Provide service learning activities in the areas of public
health and education.
WHERE LOCATED: Jackson, Mississippi (work will be in 3 counties)
TARGETED POPULATION: at-risk youth
COST: $1,237,364.19 + in-kind contributions $311,685.45
NUMBER OF PAID PARTICIPANTS: 250 + 3 project leaders + 20 supervisors
OTHER NON-PAID VOLUNTEERS: 500 other community volunteers
PARTNERSHIPS: Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center, Jackson State University, and
the National Coalition of Community Researchers, Inc.
6
OR
SPONSOR: WEST JACKSON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
WHAT THE PROJECT WILL DO: Over a nine-and-one-half week period, 60 young people
(17-25 years of age) will rehab two houses in an area with a focus on neighborhood
revitalization and housing rehabilitation. Participants will form four teams of 15 persons each.
The first two weeks will consist of classroom training at Jackson State University in blueprint
reading, carpentry skills, basic construction skills, pre-employment training, working with young
children, and remedial math and reading, if necessary. While rehabilitating the two houses, the
participants will receive conflict mediation training, and learn how to teach crime prevention,
fire safety, early childhood health prevention to younger children, and how to be role models.
The final week, participants will sponsor a crime prevention block party for children in the
neighborhood. Closing summit in Washington, D.C.
WHERE LOCATED: western section of the city of Jackson, Mississippi
TARGETED POPULATION: 2,700 at-risk youth (6-12 years of age)
COST: No figures given. (Each participant will receive $1,000 for educational use.)
NUMBER OF PAID PARTICIPANTS: 60
OTHER NON-PAID VOLUNTEERS: (No numbers given but obviously would involve many
volunteers)
PARTNERSHIPS: Jackson State University, University Medical Center's Children's Hospital,
Jackson Police Department.
NOTE: THIS IS THE PROJECT YOU VISITED IN JACKSON THE
DAY YOU SPOKE TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE ABOUT THE
CLINTON ECONOMIC PLAN.
Joel,
F41
TO: ALI WEBB
kes
100
FROM: KATHERINE GIBNEY
720-7033
DATE: MAY 20, 1993
RE: POSSIBILITY OF ESPY TESTIFYING AT SENATE NATIONAL SERVICE
HEARING ON TUESDAY, JUNE 8
The third and final congressional hearing on National Service is scheduled for June 8. I
spoke Tuesday with the Forest Service legislative person who is concerned that USDA has
had no representation at these hearings. (Bruce Babbitt is the White House-appointed
representative and has testified at the first two hearings.) Joel and I discussed the possibility
of Secretary Espy testifying on June 8. Would he be interested and would he be available?
Other considerations:
In researching the procedure, I spoke with Robin Rorapaugh who said the Secretary testifies
at full committee hearings only. I understand from a friend who works for Ted Kennedy
that it is unclear at this point if it will be the full Committee on Labor and Human
Resources (Kennedy, chair) or the Subcommittee on Children, Family, Drugs, and
Alcoholism. My friend said he thought if we indicated Espy was interested, there would be
a decision in favor of the full committee. Of course, this may not be accurate but if the
Secretary is interested and available, do you think we should begin the process of getting
him invited to testify if we can get some clarification that it will be full committee?
Also, if Espy is not interested or available, who would be a good alternative? My
suggestions: Bob Nash, Richard Rominger, Jim Lyons, or Joel.
Incidentally, I attended the May 19 House Education and Labor hearing on National Service
and my personal observation is that it would be a good idea for USDA to testify on the bill.
To: Secretary Espy
From: Joel Berg
Date: May 17, 1993
Re: Proposal to Fund Youth Service Programs
Unfortunately, none of the 33 USDA-related applicants received Summer of Service
grants for this Summer from the Commission on National and Community Service.
It is disappointing that the Commission did not respond favorably to our work in
helping solicit the proposals and to your strong letter of support. However, their job was
extremely difficult given that they could only make awards to 17 of the over 400 applicants.
Yet we can still help run some of these programs this summer if we can find a way
to fund them with USDA money. I, along with Katherine Gibney, a former Peace Corps
volunteer whom I have detailed from FSIS, carefully reviewed all the USDA-affiliated
Summer of service Proposals.
I have selected six proposals from around the country for you to consider funding.
Each program I am recommending would provide excellent services to the surrounding
community and benefit at-risk youth.
These suggested programs -- in Iowa, Mississippi, Alaska, South Carolina, West
Virginia, and Texas would provide a good geographical balance for our first major service
initiative. (The political benefits of funding all or some of these projects could be
significant. Part of the Texas program would be in Chairman De La Garza's district. The
West Virginia project could help us with Senator Byrd, as well as with Senator Rockefeller,
who is a fervent supporter of national service.)
It would cost USDA about $8 million to fully fund all six of these projects.
The six suggested projects:
SPONSOR: UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
WHAT THE PROJECT WILL DO: A total of 3,700 at-risk youth in villages that are 75-85
percent Eskimo or Native American will receive immunizations and health care, some will
receive public safety training, and/or nutrition and health education, or will participate in
educational programs in fish camps or summer programs and/or be involved in leadership
training in existing community councils during the eight weeks of the program. Also, 20
playgrounds will be improved and recreational programs provided.
2
WHERE LOCATED: in three boroughs (counties) of Alaska
TARGETED POPULATION: at-risk Native American and Eskimo youth
COST: $826,393
NUMBER OF PAID PARTICIPANTS: 100 (17-25 years of age)
OTHER NON-PAID VOLUNTEERS: 100 other community volunteers
PARTNERSHIPS: University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension, six Native
American Associations/School Districts/and a Health Corporation
OTHER COMMENTS: Participants would receive a $1,000 post-service benefit to be used
for education and training purposes only.
SPONSOR: WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE
WHAT THE PROJECT WILL DO: Participants will work in the areas of literacy
(individualized reading instruction to 30 children at nutrition day camps and free summer
lunch feeding sites), home fire prevention (door-to-door surveys of high-risk homes following
training from the Fire Extension Service), health care (work in area clinics and join county
health outreach workers to educate families about immunizations and regular health care),
and recreation (renovate playgrounds, build two new parks, improve recreational facilities
at state parks).
WHERE LOCATED: southern West Virginia in three counties
TARGETED POPULATION: at-risk children and families
COST: $924,506 (Recipients will receive a post-service benefit of $1,000 that must be used
within a year of service for educational purposes only.)
NUMBER OF PAID PARTICIPANTS: 130 (17-25 years of age)
OTHER NON-PAID VOLUNTEERS: 200
PARTNERSHIPS: West Virginia Extension Service, Department of Health, and Citizens'
Conservation Corps
OTHER COMMENTS: The program would identify five participants for an entrepreneurial
award to continue with year-round projects.
3
SPONSOR: CLEMSON UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
WHAT THE PROJECT WILL DO: Participants will provide services in the areas of health
(home visitations with 6-12-year-olds to deal with health issues), environmental and
academic enrichment (instruct 10 middle school student in nonformal educational setting
through program developed by Clemson) to at-risk youth. Participants will also take part in
the South Carolina Gleaning Project and learn harvesting techniques to salvage food that
would otherwise be wasted, and then will distribute the food surplus to families in need.
WHERE LOCATED: Charleston Metropolitan Statistical Area (3 counties) and Jasper
County (rural)
TARGETED POPULATION: at-risk youth
COST: $2,549,443
NUMBER OF PAID PARTICIPANTS: 250 (17-25 years of age)
OTHER NON-PAID VOLUNTEERS: 750
PARTNERSHIPS: Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, county government,
local human services agencies and civic groups, selected school systems in targeted areas.
OTHER COMMENTS: Participants will be encouraged to submit year-round community
service proposals and five will be chosen in hopes of receiving funding to continue
community service on a permanent basis.
SPONSOR: IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE
WHAT THE PROJECT WILL DO: Improve basic literacy skills (reading, math, and
writing), improve health-related behaviors in areas of nutrition, physical fitness, human
sexuality, tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, and safety, and enhance self-concept,
communication, and decision-making skills.
WHERE LOCATED: Des Moines, Iowa
TARGETED POPULATION: 600 at-risk youth (6-12 years of age)
COST: $554,232 (Post-service benefit of $1,000 for each participant for educational use.)
NUMBER OF PAID PARTICIPANTS: 84
4
OTHER NON-PAID VOLUNTEERS: 24 youth volunteers, 30 adult volunteers
PARTNERSHIPS: Des Moines Community Schools, Iowa Department of Economic
Development, three schools of nursing, three community centers, the Bureau of Refugee
Services, Iowa Comprehensive Human Services, First Lutheran Church, and The
Communicator, an intercultural newspaper.
SPONSOR: TEXAS A & M UNIVERSITY AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE
WHAT THE PROJECT WILL DO: Participants will assist in teaching English as a Second
Language to Hispanic children and parents, help with an educational media campaign on
the prevention of teenage pregnancy, work with an urban reforestation project and plant
trees in city parks, and assist elderly with home repairs (intergenerational interaction).
WHERE LOCATED: 4 project sites, one on U.S. Mexican border, others in Laredo, San
Antonio, and Bryan, Texas.
TARGETED POPULATION: at-risk youth
COST: $1,466,266
NUMBER OF PAID PARTICIPANTS: 205
OTHER NON-PAID VOLUNTEERS: 187
PARTNERSHIPS: (None listed. This was a one-page abstract of the proposal.)
SPONSORS: MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
WHAT THE PROJECT WILL DO: Train participants to conduct educational programs for
the existing summer feeding programs established for low-income, at-risk children.
Education programs would include activities and hands-on experience in health and
environmental education during the morning hours between breakfast and lunch and serve
as mentors and coordinators of community projects in the afternoon.
WHERE LOCATED: in five, 3-county clusters which represent a cross section of the state
of Mississippi
TARGETED POPULATION: at-risk children
5
COST: (No figures given but available if needed)
NUMBER OF PAID PARTICIPANTS: 160 (17-25 years of age)
OTHER NON-PAID VOLUNTEERS: (Not listed)
PARTNERSHIPS: (Not listed)
OTHER COMMENTS: This proposal was a one-page very brief abstract listing the name
of someone who could be contacted for additional information.
SPONSORS: JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE
WHAT THE PROJECT WILL DO: Provide service learning activities in the areas of public
health and education.
WHERE LOCATED: Jackson, Mississippi (work will be in 3 counties)
TARGETED POPULATION: at-risk youth
COST: $1,237,364.19 + in-kind contributions $311,685.45
NUMBER OF PAID PARTICIPANTS: 250 + 3 project leaders + 20 supervisors
OTHER NON-PAID VOLUNTEERS: 500 other community volunteers
PARTNERSHIPS: Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center, Jackson State University,
and the National Coalition of Community Researchers, Inc.
To: Will Marshall
From: Joel Berg
Date: May 11, 1993
Re: Saving The Message Of National Service
As we discussed on the phone, national service is in serious trouble. The President's
bill will have great difficulty passing Congress without amendments that disfigure it so
much we can't even recognize it. Even if a fairly acceptable bill does become law, the
message of reciprocal obligation will likely be lost.
You, Al, and the entire DLC have made the rightful argument for close to a decade
that a real program of national service could re-define our entire party and make us a
majority again. The White House hopes that national service will kick off the "second 100
days" in which we finally get back on message.
Unfortunately, national service is now alternatively explained as either a
traditional jobs program, a slightly augmented "points of light" volunteer program,
or as simply a student aid program. Far from saving our party, this program could
ironically negate all our years of work by reinforcing the negative message of
traditional tax-and-spend-liberalism that gives something for nothing.
The problem is not in the policy. Galston and Reed have done an excellent job
incorporating the original DLC proposal, as well as other reinventing government principles,
into the bill. I am particularly excited by the provisions that will allow government agencies
(such as the Department of Agriculture) to make competitive proposals to run our own
programs. The only real policy mistake is making the benefit level so low that middle class
young people will have less of an incentive to participate.
The White House's major national service problems are not of policy, but of politics
and communications. Some examples:
Key Congressional Sponsors Will Not Sell Our Message
Per your request, I am sending you a copy of Ted Kennedy's floor statement
announcing the national service bill. Cathy O'Brien of Nunn's office brought it to my
attention because the statement focuses almost entirely on volunteerism and service-
learning. Kennedy's statement hardly even touches on the real national service program
which is the centerpiece of the bill.
2
Said Kennedy, "School-based and community based learning programs are the heart
of any service program." Describing national service almost as if it were the latest new age
fad, Kennedy says the bill would "Empower citizens to look within themselves." The
statement only briefly touches upon stipended service as one of "five vital streams of
service." In fact, only two of the twenty-four the paragraphs in his statement refer
specifically to full-time national service.
If the bill's lead Senate sponsor won't sell our message, who will?
On the House side, our prospects are even worse, especially given the Clinton team's
decision to give almost full control of the bill to William Ford, a bitter opponent of national
service. You may recall that Ford wrote a vitriolic diatribe against national service in the
Chronicle of Higher Education that literally called the Nunn-McCurdy Bill "Stalinist."
Do President Clinton and Eli Segal know that the lead House sponsor has publicly
compared national service to programs advocated by a mass-murdering Communist dictator?
Critical Allies Have Been Alienated
In the last few weeks, McCurdy met privately on different occasions with Clinton,
McLarty, Paster, and Segal. In each of those meetings, he requested that he be one of the
lead sponsors of the bill. Each of the people -- including Clinton -- said that they were
working on his concerns. McCurdy and his staff then worked their tails off to line up
Republican and moderate Democratic co-sponsors for the bill. Segal reportedly promised
certain moderate Republicans that McCurdy would be highly involved.
Yet the bill was sent up to the House with Ford as the sponsor -- the White House
never even made a courtesy call to McCurdy to inform him. McCurdy found out about the
decision when Alden obtained a copy of the bill. Understandably, McCurdy was livid with
anger. I doubt President Clinton would be pleased if he understood how shabbily one of
his strongest allies was treated.
I also understand that Nunn's office is not exactly thrilled with the way the issue has
been handled.
The Veterans Issue Was Bungled
In memos to Galston that I wrote during the Transition, I clearly warned of possible
opposition from veterans groups. A smoothly running political operation would have handled
this issue long before it came time for Clinton to announce the bill.
3
The Summer Of Service Programs Will Reinforce The Wrong Message
All the Summer of Service proposals are targeted at serving at-risk youth, and many
will have participants who are mostly low-income and minority. Very few of the 17 projects
will actually test national service.
Some of the projects will repeat the political mistakes that led to the demise of
VISTA. The Harlem Freedom School, for instance, will allow "Experienced African
American and Latino Americans" organizers to teach "advocacy and organizing skills."
The National Service Office Is Not Coordinating Well With Cabinet Departments
When the White House Office of National Service wants something from Espy or
from USDA, a few different staffers will contact me -- often without the knowledge that
someone else has already made the request. They continually send us contradictory
information about exactly how and when they want us to promote national service.
Clinton's Plans Have Received Limited Press Coverage
The DLC New Orleans hit was ok, but there was very little follow-up. The activities
for both "National Volunteer Week" and the subsequent "National Youth Service Week"
were almost invisible. William Ford didn't even hold a press conference to announce that
he had introduced the bill in the House. Much of the coverage we have received has
focused on diversionary controversies such as the $1,500 retreat on the benefits.
The National Service Office Has Basically Rejected Serious Help from the DNC
A number of weeks ago, with the full support of David Wilhelm, a friend of mine
Tom Lindenfeld, Deputy Political Director of the DNC, proposed to Eli Segal that the DNC
set-up a technically independent organization to focus solely on promoting President
Clinton's vision of national service.
Lindenfeld spent a few weeks sitting in on key meetings at Eli's office before Eli
basically said that the Administration did not really need its own organization to promote
the issue. Eli then suggested to Lindenfeld that the DNC work jointly with People for the
American Way and Youth Service America, two groups that opposed the Nunn-McCurdy
Bill and now clearly have independent agendas. Lindenfeld rejected that suggestion.
4
How Can We Save Our Message?
Some suggestions:
1) Immediately hold a strategy session with key DLC national service supporters. Cathy
O'Brien told me she would advise Nunn to host such a meeting with McCurdy, Moskos,
Robb, Galston, Reed, Al, and you. Out of this meeting you can devise a coordinated
strategy for focusing the message back on reciprocal responsibility.
2) Broker a deal with Eli Segal to give moderate Democrats on the Hill a more prominent
role in shepherding this legislation through Congress.
3) Author an op-ed explaining why national service is the best proof that Clinton is indeed
a "New Democrat." Market the article nationally and also try to get interviewed in the
electronic and print media.
4) Work with the DNC to develop a joint program to sell national service.
5) Immediately convince Eli Segal and/or President Clinton that they need more help from
the DNC, the DLC, and other groups loyal to Bill Clinton.
6) If the bill does pass, make sure that DLC supporters are appointed to the new governing
board of the Corporation for National Service.
cc: Al From
05-10-93
01:52PM
FROM
SENATOR
SAM
NUNN
TO 97205043
P002/003
May 6, 1993
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE
35585
(6) A list of the salaries and other com
passage of this bill. From my staff,
Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I thank the
pensation (including the present value of
Linda Gustitus and Peter Levine have
Chair. I thank the majority leader:
stock options) and benefits Daid to the offi-
cers and board members of the GSE.
been incredibly involved, and we could
(The remarks of Mr. BOND perte
(7) A list of all GSE employees who have
not have moved the bill this far with-
to the introduction of S. 917 a.
been employed by either the Congress or the
out them. Senator COHEN'S staff and
cated in today's RECORD under to
Federal Government to the 5 years preceding
the Governmental Affairs members, In-
ments on Introduced Bills and oint
the report and such employees' salary prior
cluding the chairman. Senator GLENN,
Resolutions.")
to being hired by the GSE and their current
and Senator ROTH and others have all
Mr. FORD. Mr. Freeident, I uggest
salary.
played a very important role.
the absence of a quorum.
(b) DEPINITION 08 GOVERNMENT-SPONGORED
If we could get this bill enacted, it
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The
ENTERPRISE-For the purposes of this 800-
would put to rest one of Washington's
clerk will call the roll.
tion. the term "government-sponsored enter-
Drise" means-
oldest problems and that 18 the patch-
The assistant legtslative clerk Dro-
(1) the Federal National Mortgage Associa-
work of loopholes and exceptions that
ceeded to call the roll.
tion the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Cor-
currently pass for lobbying laws. There
Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I ask
poration, the Student Loan Marketing ASSO-
are going to be some bumps on this
unanimous consent that the order for
clation and
road to passage. We have to get & bill
the quorum call be rescinded.
(2) . guaranty agency. as defined in section
passed in the House and probably to
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
435(1) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
conference. But I am optimistic, be-
objection. it 18 BO ordered.
U.S.C. 1085(1)).
cause the country demands reform in
The Senator from Masschusetts la
SEC. If LIMITS ON ACCEPTANCE OF CIFTH,
MEALS AND TRAVEL
the way we operate here in Washing-
recognized.
It LE the sense of the Senste that as soon
toB. that we have at least of fighting
as possible during this year's session. the
chance to get & bill passed finally after
Senate should limit the acceptance of gifts.
four failed attempts since 1048
NATIONAL SERVICE TRUST FUND
meals and travel by Members and scals in a
Again, my thanks to my colleague,
ACT OF 1983 AND THE STUDENT
manner substantially similar w the restric-
Senstor COHEN. the majority leader.
LOAN REFORM ACT OF 1993
tions applicable to executive branch om
and others who worked hard so we
Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President. It La a
clais
could get to this point.
SEC. n DISCLOSURE OF FOREIGN CONTRIBU.
privilege to introduce two bills with bt-
TIONS
Mr. COMEN. Mr. President. Tet me
partisan support that represent a new
IC is the sense 05 the Senate that the con-
take must & moment to offer my con-
approach to community service and
forees OD this Act should seek to draft and
gratulations to the Senator from
educational opportunity in this coun-
add 3 this ACE a constitutionally acceptable
Michigan. Without his prodigious and.
try: The National Service Trust Fund
provision requiring additional disclosure of
I must say, persistent effort this bill
Act of 1993 and the Student Loan Re-
the contributions of foreign oncicies to the
would not have received passage today.
form Act of 1993. These measures, Dro-
lobbying activities of registrants. as defined
While are labored several days, without
posed by President Clinton. combine
10 chis AOC
his intelligent and guiding hand. ably
SEC 23. EFFECTIVE DATES
two types of Federal support to tap the
assisted by the majority leader's big
(a) N GENERAL-Except as otherwise Dro-
energy and the Ideals of our greatest
vided to this section. the provisions of usis
stick. I might say that we would still
resource. the young men and women of
Act shall take offect I year after the date or
be here tonight and possibly comorrow,
America.
the enactment of this Act
or well into next week.
Under the direct lending bill. student
(b) ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE-The provs
This measure 18 & major step on the
loans for education will be cheaper and
siens of sections 6 and 17. shall take effect on
road to reform. I am not persuaded
simpler to obtain. and easior to repay.
the data or the or this ACE
that this bill in Itself la going to re-
Because students will be able to repay
(c) REPEALS AND AMENDMENTS-The re-
store the Dublic's confidence in and the
loans as 8. percentage of their income.
Deals and amendments made under sections
integrity of the political process. but st
it will be possible for many of them to
12. 13. and 14 of this Act shall take effect as
will be one small READ toward that end.
provided under subsection (a), except that
pursue caseers and to take lower pay-
I. too. wish to commend Linda
such repeals amendments-
ing jobs they prefer. including careers
(1) shall not affect any proceeding or suit
Gustitus and Peter Levine of Senator
in public service and community serv-
commenced before the effective date under
LEVIN'S staff and Kim Corthell of my
Ice.
subsection cal and in all ruch proceedings or
staff for all the work they have Due
Under the national service bill, Indi-
suies. proceedings shall be had appeals
into this effort.
viduals will be encouraged to direct
taken. and judgments rendered in the same
Mr. MITCHELL Mr. President. I
their energy. ideals. and talents into
manner and with the same effect as If this
offer my congratulations to Senators
their communities
Act had not been anacted: and'
LEVIN and COHEN for & very successful.
(2) shall not affect the requirements of
I am particularly pleased that service
difficult. and vigorous effort on this
Federal agencies to compile. pablich and re-
learning 18 & key element of the na-
tain information filed or received before the
important legislation.
tional service bill. Service learning 18 a
effective date of such repeals and amood
They have worked at this for a num-
genuine innovation in K-12 education.
menta.
ber of years. It is significant reform. It
It enables teachers to take the class
(d) REGULATIONS.-PrODOSed regulations 10-
would not have occurred but for their
room into the community. IE makes
quired to Implement this ACC shall be pub-
combined thoughtful and bipartisan
their projects a laboratory for both
lished for public comment no later than 270
leadership. And I thank them both ID
learning and service.
days after the date of the enactment of chis
behalf or all Members of the Senate for
The National Service Trust Act of
Act. No later than I year after the date of
the enactment of this ACC final regulations
the effective way in which they man-
1993 builds on the fabric of national and
shall be published.
aged the bill.
community service programs that at
(a) PHASE-IN PERIOD.No panalty shall be
ready exist and provides & range of
by the Director for any noncompli-
service opportunities for young and old
ance with this Act which occurs during the
MORNING BUSINESS
alike.
first seculannual reporting period after the
Mr. MITCHELL Mr. President I DOW
The fashion today 18 for woo many
affective date or this ACE
ask. unanimous consent that there De a
Americans to blame the problems of
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President. I move to
period for morning business to extend
their communities on others. We must
reconsider the voce.
uneil the hour of 5:30 am. with Sen-
empower citizens to look within them
Mr. COHEN. T move to Pay that mo-
store permitted to speak therein for up
selven, and develop their individual and
tion on the table
to 10 minutes each
collective capacity to solve vexing
The motion to lay on the table was
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without
local Issues. Participation and involve-
agreed to.
objections, st 18 so ordered.
ment of citizens are the touchstonee of
Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President. first I
Mr. BOND addressed the Chair.
democracy. and this legislation 18 de-
wish to thank Senator COHEN. the may
The PRESIDING OFFICER The Sen-
signed to develop innovative ways to
jority leader, the Republican leader.
stor from Missouri [Mr. BOND) 10 recog-
encourage such service and transform
and all those who made possible the
nized.
the life of the community.
05-10-93
01:52PM FROM SENATOR SAM NUNN
TO 97205043
P003/003
S5586
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE
May 6, 1993
The National Service Trust Act of
Massachusetts and the California Con-
strong supporters, as well as Senator
1993 supports five vital streams of serv-
servation Corps.
BRADLEY. The direct loan program has
ice:
The component for senior citizens
been a bipartisan effort. We are enor-
School-based and community-based
will build on the success of the Retired
mously grateful for their efforts in the
service learning programs will give
Senior Volunteer Program. which re-
past, including when we were debating
students in grades K-12 educational ex-
imburses senior citizens for out-of-
the higher education bill last year.
periences while performing community
pocket costs when they volunteer their
I also want to commend the other
service.
talents and experience to their commu-
original cosponsore of the direct lend-
College-based programs will enable
nities. The Foster Grandparents Pro-
ing program: Senator RIEGLE, Senator
students to bring the concept of service
gram encourages low-income persons
WELLSTONE and Senator LIEBERMAN.
into their academic courses and extra-
over 60 to care for children at risk. The
In the National Service Trust Act
curricular projects.
Senior Companion Program involves
there are a number of Republicans:
Full-time and part-time stipends will
senior citizens in helping one another.
Senator DURENBERGER, Senator JEF-
be available to individuals for service
The act builds in strict guidelines to
FORDS. Senator SPECTER, and Senator
in their communities.
increase quality. Programs will com-
CHAFEE
Older American Volunteer programs
pete to be creative in employing the
We have an excellent, broad-based
will involve senior citizens in full-time
talents and time of participating. Re-
group of Members on our side. as well
and part-time community service.
quirements of matching local and
Innovative programs will test new
as on the Republican side, and we have
State resources will stretch Federal
approaches to such service.
made and will continue to make every
dollars further.
School-based and community-based
effort to ensure that the concept and
The second major bill. the Student
service learning programs are the heart
idea of service. which 18 BO ingrained in
Loan Reform Act of 1993, will revise
of any service program. They make
the American value system. will be re-
the current college student loan Dro-
service & part of people's daily lives,
flected in this legislation. through the
gram. Its goal 18 to achieve a full direct
and stimulate new dimensions of learn-
informed wisdom of Republicans and
student loan program by 1998. The shift
ing. Students who monitor the pollu-
Democrate alike. That 18 certainly our
from the present system will take
tion of a streambed are motivated to
intention
place slowly and cautiously. A small
learn more about science. Fourth grad-
We are off to a good start, and I hope
number of schools will participate in
ers reading to senior citizens or writing
the early years. to ensure that the new
we will be able to build further support
down their stories acquire new skills in
as the legislation proceeds in the com-
program is a NUCCARR.
speaking. writing. and communication.
mittee and then on the Noor.
Under direct lending. schools will be
Service learning experiments are also
permitted to originate their own loans
Before concluding. I see my friend
part of school reform. They draw
and colleague, Senator HARRIS
or use an alternative source. Schools
schools closor to their communities
themselves will not service the loans.
WOFFORD. who has been a key figure in
and tap the energy of residents to revi-
Instead. the loans will be serviced
providing leadership in the service pro-
calize their neighborhoods. They raise
largely by the existing entities on a
gram. Testified as a Pennsylvania
students' educational achievement.
competitive basis.
State official before our Human Re-
High schools undertaking service
The result will be to lower the inter-
source Committee when we were look-
learning programs in Pennsylvania. for
est rate charged to students by ap-
Ing at the community service program
example, report fewer dropouts and
proximately half of 1 percent. saving
some 2 years ago. His testimony was
more college applicants.
students hundreds or even thousands of
indispensable in developing many of
Funding for the first year of the pro-
dollars over the life of a loan.
the features of the National and Com-
gram will enable over half a million
Government subsidies to banks and
munity Service Act of 1990. He has had
young Americans ages 5-17 to engage
other private entities will be elimi-
wide experience in this area. dating
to participate in service programs. Dy
nated. saving taxpayers billions of dol-
back to the original development of
the fourth year, several million young
lars.
the Peace Corps. I think all of us in
persons will have opportunities to
EXCEL accounts will allow borrow-
this body understand what an enor-
serve.
ers to repay their loans as & percentage
mously important contribution he had
Higher education-based programs are
of their income, permitting them to
made and continues to make in pro-
an equally essential part of the bill.
pursue lower paying careers' in public
moting national and community serv-
Service-based classes can test aca-
service or other areas.
ice. I welcome, and I think all of us
demic ideas in the surrounding commu-
A range of other repayment options
welcome, his comments on these meas-
nity. Extra-curricular service projects
will be available, including lower fixed
ures this afternoon.
can add a new dimension to college ex-
payments and graduated repayment
Mr. President, before yielding the
perience. and make students more em-
plans.
floor to Senator WOFFORD. I ask unani-
ployable when they graduate. The Na-
The act will also streamline the sys-
mous consent that the text of the bill
tional Service Trust Act will enable
tem. and make It easier to audit and
and additional material be printed in
100,000 college students to have service
the RECORD
monitor. One stop student loans will
experiences in the first year.
enable students to receive all their n-
There being no objection. the mate-
The third major component of the
nancial aid through the existing aid of-
ríal was ordered to be printed in the
bill 18 the full-time and part-time pro-
fices. Schools will have only one form
RECORD. as follows:
gram to establish a domestic Peace
to use and one entity to deal with. Col-
S. 919
Corps. It will offer an opportunity to
leges, altornativo loan originators,
Be 1t enacted by the Senate and House of Rep-
25,000 Americans in the first year and
loan servicers. and the Department of
resentatives of the United States of America in
up to 150,000 in the fourth year to help
Education will share data and develop
Congress assembled.
pay for college or job training. Partici-
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE TABLE OF CONTENTE
a well-coordinated data system.
pants will help communities deal with
The Congressional Budget Office esti-
(a) SHORT TITLE.-This Act may be cited as
the "National Service Trust Act of 1983".
unmet needs in areas such as the envi-
mates that the shift to direct loans
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.-The table of son-
ronment. public safety, and providing
will save the Government $4 billion in
tents 18 as follows:
social services. Safeguards are included
the next 5 years. The current system is
Sec. 1. Short title: table of contents.
to prevent displacing or duplicating
& wasteful and inefficient method of
Sec. 2. Findings and purpose.
the functions of existing workers.
providing college aid. and it 18 long
TTTLE I-PROGRAMS AND RELATED
This component of the bill will In-
past time for it to be replaced.
PROVISIONS
clude proven Federal programs such as
Mr. President, I want to commend
Subtitle A-Programs
VISTA. newer experiments such as the
the efforts of our colleagues and
Sec. 101. Federal investment in support of
revival of the CCC. and 8 wide range of
friends. the Senator from Illinois, Sen-
national service.
worthwhile State and local initiatives.
ator SIMON. Senator DURENBERGER
Sec. 102. National Service Trust and Drovi-
such as Youthbuild and City Year in
sion of national service edu-
from Minnesota, both who have been
cational awards.
To: Members of the National Service Working Group
From: Joel Berg
Date: May 2, 1993
Re: BACKGROUND FOR NATIONAL SERVICE RETREAT
What President Clinton Announced Friday
Last Friday in New Orleans, President Clinton announced details of the National
service Trust Act of 1993, which he will send to Congress this week. The Act will promote
many forms of service -- from our youngest elementary school students to our oldest citizens
-- including opportunities ranging from part-time volunteer activities to a full-time service
jobs.
The centerpiece of the initiative is a new program to offer educational awards, to
Americans who make a substantial commitment to service -- a kind of domestic Peace
Corps. The full-time servers will receive a small living allowance and then receive $6,500
worth of college benefits for each year of service they perform. The participants will work
in activities that directly benefit their own communities and address unmet educational,
environmental, human, or public safety needs.
The plan will also phase-in student direct loans, thereby cutting Sallied Mae and
private banks out of the student aid system.
How National Service Demonstrates Reinventing Government Principles
The plan is based on three reinventing government principles: community,
opportunity, and responsibility. By bringing together Americans from all socio-economic
backgrounds to perform service together, the plan promotes community. By allowing young
people to perform difficult service to earn generous college scholarships or training benefits,
the plan promotes opportunity. By asking Americans to give something concrete back to
their country in return for government benefits, the plan promotes responsibility.
Than plan is based on the concept of reciprocal responsibility of the original G.I. bill
-- one of the most successful government programs in U.S. history.
Than plan is as different from the traditional liberal "get everything for free
approach" as it is from the traditional conservative "let the free market do everything"
approach.
The Clinton plan will not create a large federal bureaucracy. Instead, it will make
government a catalyst to spur activities by non-profit agencies, states, corporations, and
localities. The plan will not be paid for just by American taxpayers; it requires significant
matching funds from other sources.
Lastly, the plan shows that Clinton take on special interests in order to fight for the
forgotten middle class. Last year, while millions of American parents struggled mightily just
to be able to send their kids to state universities, the President of Sallie Mae -- the quasi-
public corporation that grants student loans-- raked in $1.7 million in personal income.
President Clinton is taking on the bankers to make sure that student aid dollars go to
families that really need them.
Why National Service is Good for America
National service will make college more affordable for middle class and poor families. By
performing two years of service, any American would be able to afford to attend just about
any public university in the nation.
National service will boost America's economic competitiveness by proving young people
with critical work skills and allowing more young people to obtain post-secondary
educations.
National service will bring together Americans of all races, religions, and incomes to work
together for a common purpose, thereby helping heal many of the wounds that now divide
America.
National service will provide America's young people with an exciting, productive alternative
to using drugs or joining gangs.
National service will help America start filling its huge backlog of unmet social needs.
National service will utilize innovative methods to fight poverty in both cities and rural
areas.
National service spark will spark a new ethic of citizenship in which all Americans
understand that they should perform valuable service for our country.
National service will provide a living, breathing example about how we can reinvent
government through public-private partnerships.
3
How USDA Will be Part of the Program
USDA will be a critical part of the program in at least three ways:
USDA's Extension Service, as well as other USDA agencies, will help rural non-profit
agencies and governments learn about and apply for grants from the new Corporation for
National Service. USDA agencies will also provide technical assistance to national service
projects throughout the country.
USDA will explore creating a new Civilian Conservation Corps, based on the idealism of
the 1930's but aimed at solving the problems of the 1990's. Possibly run with the held of
the Forrest Service and the Soil Conservation Service, this corps could be aimed at
protecting or drinking water supplies, teaching environmentally sound practices to farmers,
and conserving our national forests.
USDA will also explore creating a national Nutrition and Anti-Hunger Corps. Possibly run
jointly by the Food and Nutrition Service, the Extension Service, and the Human Nutrition
Service. Corps members could work in urban and rural areas to help families and individuals
apply for food stamps and WIC, overhaul their diets, and prevent food poisoning; corps
members could also help teach families about some of the new anti-poverty measures
advocated by President Clinton such as microenterprise loans, the expanded Earned Income
Tax Credit, and community development banks.
Our retreat is intended to explore these three options, as well as other
ideas for how USDA can be part of this new program.
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.
April
Divider Title:
To: Dr. Alma Hobbs
From: Joel Berg
Date: April 12, 1993
3 pages, including this cover
Please give me any comments, corrections, or
additions for this letter ASAP. I want to fax it to the
White House and the National Service Commission
today.
Thanks.
DRAFT
April 12, 1993
Mr. Eli Siegal, Director
White House Office of National Service
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Ms. Catherine Milton, Executive Director
Commission on National and Community Service
National Press Building, Suite 452
529 14th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20045
Dear Eli/Catherine:
I am writing to encourage you to give full consideration to
the over 30 Summer of Service applications submitted by
Cooperative Extension programs throughout the nation.
It gives me great pride to know that programs run in
partnership with the Department of Agriculture have shown such
great interest in participating in President Clinton's national
service program.
While I am aware that your office received close to 500
applications for the 11 Summer of Service grants you can actually
make, I would like to point out that the Cooperative Extension
applications share certain common advantages:
*
A salaried staff of professionals and paraprofessionals highly
experienced in coordinating 3.8 million adult and youth
volunteers in every county of the United States.
*
Demonstrated success in rapidly and effectively delivering
services to at-risk youth.
*
A technologically advanced federal, state, and county
partnership linked via the Internet computer network and by
satellite.
* Strong support from the vast resources of the entire United
States Department of Agriculture. Dr. Alma Hobbs of the
Extension Service, as well as Joel Berg and Oleta Garret
Fitzgerald of my office, will have my full backing in offering
support and guidance to any Cooperative Extension Projects that
receive Summer or Service grants.
The grant proposals made by the Extension offices provide an
exciting array of innovate ways to serve at-risk youth. They
include a peer educators program in rural Southeast Colorado, a
child care project in Hartford, Connecticut, a nutrition program
state-wide in Mississippi, and a drug awareness project in Kansas
City.
DRAFT
Cooperative Extension provides one highly useful vehicle to
help get President Clinton's national program off the ground
quickly and efficiently, without creating a large Washington
bureaucracy. If you have any further questions about the
Extension grant proposals, please contact our department's
national service coordinator, Joel Berg, at 720-4623.
Thank you for your kind attention.
Sincerely,
Mike Espy
To: White House Office of National Service
From: Joel Berg, Department of Agriculture
Date: April 11, 1993
RE: USDA Departmental Service Initiatives Report (Summary Memo)
A. Agency Sponsored Programs -- Highlights
While USDA runs many excellent youth service and adult volunteer programs, I
have summarized four particularly outstanding ones below:
* The Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP). Managed by the
Cooperative Extensive system, EFNEP operates in all fifty states and Puerto Rico.
EFNEP volunteers assist low-income families in acquiring the knowledge, skills,
attitudes, and changed behavior to dramatically improve their diets and nutritional well-
being. In 1991, 54,163 EFNEP volunteers worked a total of 466,018 hours, providing
an estimated $2.3 million worth of service.
* Earth Team. A conservation program run by the Soil Conservation Service, the
Earth Team engaged 10,000 volunteers in 500,000 hours of service at 1,800 sites
throughout the nation. The volunteers helped staff Soil Conservation Service offices,
planted trees, surveyed land, designed and constructed grass waterways, developed
environmental education materials, and created computer databases of local soils.
* American Indian Youth Practicum. This program engages 25-50 youths for a
week each summer in service and learning in national forests in Montana and the
Dakotas. It brings together youths from still warring tribes and teaches community
cooperation, environmental conservation principles, and the need for youths to stay in
school. This program was created by a Girard, a ranger on the Custer Forrest in
Montana. The program is paid for entirely out of normal Custer Forrest operating
funds and is managed by Girard primarily on his personal time.
* Youth Forest Camps. Run by the non-profit National Forest Foundation which has
been chartered by Congress, the camps program will begin this summer at two sites
in Washington State and one in Virginia. The camps will each operate an eight week
and ten week session this summer for about 200 people. The participants will be paid
the minimum wage and perform conservation work in national forests.
To: Secretary Espy, Ron Blackley
From: Joel Berg
Date: April 1, 1993
Re: Engaging the Peace Corps in Agricultural Reform in the Former Soviet Union
I met yesterday with Arlene Mitchell, Director of the Development Resources
Division of OICD. Arlene is currently detailed to the Peace Corps, where she holds large
responsibility for starting our new Peace Corps operations in the former Soviet Republics.
According to Arlene, we now have about 200 Peace Corps volunteers in the former
Soviet Republics --- about 100 of whom are in Russia itself -- but none of them are focusing
on agriculture. All of them are either advising businesses or teaching English as a Second
Language.
It costs our government about $15,000 per year to place a Peace Corps volunteer in
the former Soviet Union. Thus for $1.5 million we could add 100 Peace Corps volunteers
and for $3 million we could double the amount of Peace Corps volunteers in the former
Soviet Union.
My proposal is simple: We find a way to transfer either $1.5 million or $3 million
from USDA to the Peace Corps with the understanding the Peace Corps will send "x"
number of new volunteers to Russia or the former Soviet Union to specifically give advice
and assistance on implementing free market reforms in their agriculture systems. Arlene
Mitchell thought this could be a very good idea.
You could potentially propose this to President Clinton for him to discuss with
Yeltsin at the Summit. This idea could boost the struggling Russian democracy, help open
up markets for American agricultural products, and promote national service.
Do you want me to pursue developing this idea with FAS and OICD?