[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 27 (Wednesday, February 9, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-2993]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 9, 1994]



TN09FE94.000


[FR Doc. 94-2993 Filed 2-8-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-BA-C
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Part VI





Corporation for National and Community Service





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Community Service--Summer of Safety Learn and Serve America Program; 
Notice
CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

 
Community Service--Summer of Safety Learn and Serve America 
Program

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds.

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SUMMARY: The Corporation for National and Community Service announces 
the availability of up to $400,000 for grants to support innovative 
summer service-learning initiatives that address public needs. These 
funds will provide service opportunities for more than 1,000 youth to 
serve their communities. Operating grants will be awarded on a 
competitive basis to qualified public or private nonprofit 
organizations for the purpose of implementing exceptionally innovative, 
high-quality community-based service-learning programs.

DATES: The deadline for the submission of proposals is Monday, March 
21, 1994.

ADDRESSES: All proposals should be submitted to the Corporation for 
National and Community Service, 1100 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, 
DC., 20525.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ruby Anderson, senior program officer, at the Corporation for National 
and Community Service, (202) 606-5000.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On September 21, 1993 the President signed into law the National 
and Community Service Trust Act (the Act), which created the 
Corporation for National and Community Service (the Corporation). The 
Corporation's mission is to engage Americans of all ages and 
backgrounds in service that addresses the nation's educational, public 
safety, health, and environmental needs to achieve direct and 
demonstrable results. In doing so, the Corporation will foster civic 
responsibility, strengthen the ties that bind us together as a people, 
and provide educational opportunity for those who make a substantial 
commitment to service.
    The Corporation is a new federal agency that encompasses the work 
and staff of two existing independent agencies, the Commission on 
National and Community Service and ACTION. The Corporation will fund a 
new national service initiative called AmeriCorps, service-learning 
initiatives for elementary and secondary schools and institutions of 
higher education called Learn and Serve America, and the new National 
Civilian Community Corps. The Corporation will also engage in efforts 
to improve the quality of service programs and continue to support the 
Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program and the senior 
volunteer programs previously sponsored by ACTION.
    The Act authorizes the Corporation to support summer service 
programs directly (such as the Summer of Safety) and indirectly, in 
conjunction with the States. Programs that operate during the summer 
offer an excellent opportunity to experiment with new approaches to 
solving community problems and to bring new resources and participants 
into community service efforts.

Objectives of the Summer of Safety Program

    ``Summer of Safety,'' the Corporation's 1994 summer service 
program, is being launched in response to growing concern and 
frustration over the levels of crime and violence across the country. 
The 1994 Summer of Safety program will demonstrate the potential of 
service as a means of addressing these community problems by tapping 
the talents and energies of Americans of all ages and backgrounds.
    The Learn and Serve America component of Summer of Safety will 
support community-based initiatives that provide youth with 
opportunities to learn and develop their own capabilities through 
service-learning. Service-learning is an educational method which 
engages young people in service to their communities as a means of 
enriching their academic learning, promoting personal growth, and 
helping them to develop the skills needed for productive citizenship. 
Summer of Safety will promote youth development and address the public 
safety needs of communities by achieving the following objectives:

--Supporting community-based organizations to create, develop, and 
offer public safety-related service-learning opportunities for youth 
between the ages of five and 17 inclusive;
--Building new partnerships and collaborations for safety that 
capitalize on a broad range of community resources;
--Demonstrating that young people can play a role in making communities 
safer; and
--Stimulating public interest in national service as a means to respond 
to America's problems.

Program Overview

    The Learn and Serve America Summer of Safety Program is designed to 
engage young people in meeting the public safety needs of their 
communities. In doing so, these projects can build positive community 
relationships, with young people involved; provide hands-on education 
in crime prevention that will be shared with parents, siblings and 
other youth; increase crime reporting by youth; help prevent crimes 
against and by youth; and help young people play a role in making their 
neighborhoods safer.
    The Corporation will fund up to eight exceptionally innovative 
summer programs that will operate for eight to ten weeks during the 
summer months. Selected programs will be officially launched on June 
21, and should end by August 24. Grants will be made to programs 
recruiting a minimum of 100 participants between the ages of five and 
17 inclusive and will range from approximately $50,000 to $75,000.
    Eligible applicants must be public or private nonprofit 
organizations experienced in working with school-age youth. In 
addition, a nonprofit must have been in existence for at least one 
year. Summer of Safety programs should be carried out by community-
based organizations, including law enforcement, in partnership with one 
or more local education agencies or other organizations. Programs must 
be based on the creative and innovative application of service-learning 
opportunities that address community public safety needs. In addition, 
the Corporation encourages programs that encompass multiple sites.
    Summer of Safety will support community-based programs that engage 
youth of different ages, races, genders, ethnic groups, disabilities, 
or economic backgrounds in a variety of service-learning activities. 
These service-learning activities must promote personal growth and, at 
the same time, address the community's public safety needs. Possible 
program activities could include:

--Training youth in conflict resolution strategies to function as peer 
mediators to reduce violent conflicts among other youth. Participants 
would gain self-esteem, develop problem-solving, communication and 
critical thinking skills, and a better understanding of how to resolve 
differences effectively without violence.
--Youth researching public safety issues in their community through 
contacts with local law enforcement officials, residents and crime 
prevention organizations in order to develop service projects that 
address specific needs like a neighborhood playground cleanup with a 
recycling component and then a public awareness campaign aimed at 
keeping playgrounds clean, safe and hazard-free.
--Older youth leading younger children in creating posters and 
brochures that cover first aid, crime prevention, reporting crime, 
substance abuse prevention or other topics. Development of the 
materials might involve youths working with representatives of law 
enforcement, crime prevention and substance abuse prevention 
organizations, local emergency health care employees, local residents 
or other youth. Participants might also present their material and 
ideas to local officials and residents at community meetings.
--Middle school and high school age youth teaching young children about 
violence prevention, substance abuse prevention, vandalism prevention, 
self-esteem, and peer pressure. The older youth research issues and 
design the presentations developing their research, organizational and 
public speaking skills.
--Young people of all ages designing and coordinating a crime 
prevention or public safety fair with exhibit booths and workshops. 
Youth participants can use art and vocational skills and improve their 
organizational and communication skills through presentations. They 
will build self-confidence and awareness of the community's resources 
through soliciting community groups and businesses for their input and 
support.
--Plays, skits and puppet shows with crime, violence, drug prevention, 
or self-protection themes that are written and organized by teens and 
presented to younger children. This project requires participants to 
utilize writing skills and creativity and increases their knowledge of 
substantive public safety issues.
--Young people tackling the issue of substance abuse in their community 
by conducting a survey of their peers, analyzing the responses, and 
developing strategies for combating the identified problems. This 
project will incorporate peer counseling and peer involvement leading 
to improved interpersonal skills.
--Participants creating a peer court system where youth are trained by 
local justice experts to be the judges, lawyers, jurors, bailiffs, and 
court clerks. They hear and try cases involving peers, make real 
judgments and pass actual sentences. Young people would learn how the 
legal system works and gain excellent analytical and communications 
skills.

Funding Guidelines

    The Corporation expects to make grants ranging from $50,000 to 
$75,000. There are four basic requirements concerning program funding 
for Learn and Serve America Summer of Safety grants:

--The Corporation share of the total cost to carry out a funded project 
may not exceed 90 percent.
--A qualified organization must spend no more than five percent of the 
grant funds on administrative costs for any fiscal year.
--A qualified organization may spend between 10 and 15 percent of the 
grant to build capacity through training, technical assistance, 
curriculum development, and coordination activities.
--Stipends, allowances, or other financial support may not be paid to 
any program participant except as reimbursement for transportation, 
meals, and other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses directly related to 
program participation.

Restrictions Governing the Use of Corporation Assistance

    Corporation assistance may not be used:

--To provide religious instruction, conduct worship services or engage 
in any form of proselytization;
--To assist, promote, or deter union organizing;
--To finance, directly or indirectly, any activity designed to 
influence the outcome of an election to any public office;
--To impair existing contracts for services or collective bargaining 
agreements; or
--To make up for any budget cuts in State or local public funds in this 
or the preceding fiscal year.

Selection Criteria

    Applications for Learn and Serve America Summer of Safety programs 
will be evaluated based on the following criteria which are listed in 
order of importance with maximum points for each item listed:
    (1) Quality (70)
    (a) Concept and Design (40)

--The plan meets community needs and involves individuals from diverse 
backgrounds (including economically disadvantaged youth and disabled 
individuals) who will serve together and explore the underlying causes 
of public safety problems.
--The goals and objectives of the plan are appropriate for promoting 
community-based service-learning.
--The plan provides for productive, meaningful, educational experiences 
that incorporate service-learning methods.
--The extent to which service projects will be carried out in areas 
that are economically or environmentally distressed (such as 
empowerment zones, redevelopment areas, or other areas with high 
concentrations of low-income people).
--The extent to which the program will recruit participants from among 
residents of the communities in which service projects would be 
conducted.
--The extent to which the program will involve participants and 
community residents in the design, leadership, and operation of the 
program.
--The extent and quality of the program's partnership, including the 
ongoing involvement of partners and the applicant's plan for 
partnership maintenance.

    (b) Organizational Capacity (30)

--The plan describes a sound process for training, technical 
assistance, supervision, quality control, evaluation, administration, 
and other key activities.
--The principal leaders who will implement the plan are well qualified 
for their responsibilities.
--The plan describes the experience in operating public safety and/or 
community service initiatives.
--The plan describes the track record demonstrating capacity to 
organize and facilitate partnership of participating agencies and 
organizations.
--The plan describes ability to conduct fiscal affairs of program.

    (2) Innovation and Replicability (15)

--The plan is unique and innovative in its approach to applying 
service-learning strategies to promote public safety.
--The applicant demonstrates the ability to assist others in 
replicating the program concept.
--The plan advances knowledge about how to do effective and innovative 
community service-learning aimed at addressing public safety needs.

    (3) Sustainability (15)

--The plan fosters collaborative efforts among community-based 
organizations, local educational agencies, and local government 
agencies, and/or businesses.
--The plan has strong, broad-based partnerships and has community 
support.
--The program shows evidence of a cost-effective approach in using 
Corporation and other Federal funds and non-Federal resources (cash or 
in-kind).
--There is evidence that financial resources will be available to 
continue the Learn and Serve America effort after the expiration of the 
grant.

Proposal Guidelines

    The application consists of, among other things, the submission of 
a proposal that describes how the qualified organization will promote, 
manage, and evaluate a community-based service-learning project which 
addresses public safety needs.
    The application must contain the following components in this 
order:
    (1) Title page
    (2) Abstract
    (3) Program narrative
    (4) Institutional and personnel information
    (5) Budget information
    (6) Assurances signature form
    (7( Certification signature form
    (8) Appendices
    The following information describes requirements for each component 
listed above.

I. Title Page

    Please complete the attached form.

II. Abstract

    Attach a one-page, double-spaced summary following the title page. 
It should describe the proposal's.

--goals and objectives;
--proposed activities; and
--expected outcomes.

III. Program Narrative

    This portion of the proposal, not to exceed 20 typed, double-spaced 
pages, should cover a period of eight to ten weeks. The program 
narrative must include the following items (the questions under each 
section are not prescriptive but illustrative).
(A) Needs
--What specific unmet public safety need(s) will the applicant seek to 
address through service-learning strategies?
--What process will be, or has been, used to determine the need(s)?
--Who will be, or has been, involved in making the determination?
--How will youth participants be involved?
(B) Demographics
--How will the applicant ensure broad-based community involvement in 
identifying service-learning projects and diverse participant mix 
(different ages, grade levels, races, genders, ethnic groups, 
disabilities, or economic backgrounds)?
--How will community input be encouraged?
--What will be the geographic breakdown (rural, suburban, urban, etc.)?
--What will be the socio-economic and ethnic breakdown of the 
participants?
(C) Goals and Objectives
    Describe the goals and objectives of the proposal.

--What are the desired, time-phased, and demonstrable outcomes?
--How will the program be innovative?
--How many youth will be involved in the program?
--How will service-learning be integrated into community-based program 
curricula?
--Who are potential local partners?
--What is your expected participant impact? For example, what 
knowledge, skills, and attitudes will participants achieve as a result 
of service-learning?
--What is the expected community impact? For example, how many local 
organizations will benefit, how many people will be served, how many 
hours of service will be provided, and what improvements will result 
from student service-learning?
--How will your goals and objectives build on the existing service-
learning activities in the local community? For example, what current 
service-learning programs exist, and what will be their relationship to 
the program?
(D) Design and Activities
    (1) Participant Recruitment

--How will the applicant recruit the minimum of 100 program 
participants between the ages of five and 17 inclusive?
--Will the program focus on a particular age group?
--What will be the criteria for participant selection?
--How will the applicant ensure diversity among participants?

    (2) Training and Building Capacity for Service-Learning

--What training will be provided?
--Who will provide the training?
--Who will receive the training, (e.g. teachers, staff, participants 
organizations and agencies, community members, and other adults)?
--What technical assistance will be provided to other communities who 
would like to implement successfully-tested local models?
--What partnerships will be developed?
--What outreach to other community-based organizations, local education 
agencies, or local government agencies will be conducted?

    (3) Types of Service Activities Offered

--How will you ensure age-appropriate public safety-related service-
learning activities?
--Who will determine what service activities are offered?
--How will participants be oriented or prepared for their service-
learning experiences?
--What opportunities will be provided to participants to reflect on 
their service-learning experiences?
--How will professionals in the service-learning field be involved?
--Who will be responsible for coordinating this effort?
--How will student input be obtained?
--How will service opportunities for economically and educationally 
disadvantaged youth and individuals with disabilities be assured?

    (4) Coordination

--What are the roles and responsibilities of program partners?
--If the program involves multiple sites, how will they be coordinated? 
What will be the common elements?
--How will information be disseminated and outreach efforts be 
conducted to ensure the involvement of a wide range of organizations?
--Will service-learning activities be coordinated with federally and 
non-federally assisted education and training programs?
--How will the plan promote public awareness of service-learning and 
recognize exemplary service?
(E) Quality Control and Evaluation
--How will the applicant conduct program management?
--How will the achievement of goals and objectives and timely 
implementation be monitored?
--How will the qualified organization provide on-going self-evaluation 
(e.g. data collection, measuring outcomes, and assessing the process to 
make improvement as needed)?
--At the end of the summer, what difference will the program have made?
(F) Sustainability of the Program
--How will the applicant replicate or sustain its efforts after the 
Corporation funding is completed?
--Will potential funding sources be identified?
--Is there a commitment to support service-learning activities after 
Summer of Safety funding expires?
--Will the program be linked to other State, Federal or local 
initiatives?
(G) Institutional and Personnel Information
    This portion addresses the applicant's, its staff's, and its 
partners' capability to manage a local service-learning program. The 
applicant should describe its:

--Experience in administering service-learning programming;
--Capacity to operate service-learning programs, including information 
on experience of key staff members or plans to recruit for that 
expertise;
--Capacity to evaluate service-learning programming, including 
information on the staff person responsible for this component or plans 
to recruit for that expertise.
(H) Budget Information
    Complete the budget form provided on page xx. Applicants may 
request between $50,000 and $75,000. Also provide a budget narrative 
that explains both federal and non-federal resources which include:

--The basis used to estimate the total cost for each line item; and
--How each line item relates to the proposed program.

    The budget should be sufficient to perform the task described in 
the proposal narrative. It should not contain unexplained amounts for 
miscellaneous or contingency costs or unallowable line items such as 
stipends.
(I) Assurances Signature Form
    Programs that are funded will be required to sign a form certifying 
that they will agree to perform all actions and support all intentions 
stated in the assurances.
(J) Certification Signature Form
    Because grants from the Corporation are federal grants, potential 
grantees will be required to execute federal certifications, including 
drug-free workplace, buy America, prohibition on lobbying activities, 
and debarment, suspension and other responsibility matters.
(K) Appendices
    This portion of the proposal is limited to five pages. Items could 
include:

--Partnership information;
--Letters of support with details on cooperation;
--Brochures, pamphlets, and publicity items.

    Video and cassette tapes should not be submitted.
Term of Grants
    Programs should consider June 21 as the official date to launch 
their efforts, and programs should end by August 24.

Review Process

    The Corporation will review these applications in a multi-stage 
assessment process, including a peer review and staff review and 
approval. Additionally, the Corporation may conduct discussions and/or 
site visits with some or all applicants. Applicants should be prepared 
to participate if requested.

Submission Procedure

    Applicants must mail or hand-deliver an unbound original and seven 
unbound copies of the complete application to the address listed at the 
beginning of this notice.

Appendix: Definitions

    Administrative costs. Administrative costs are costs associated 
with the overall administration of a Corporation program. Such costs 
include the following: (1) Indirect costs (e.g., costs identified 
with two or more cost objectives but not identified with a 
particular cost objective) as described in applicable provisions of 
Office of Management and Budget Circulars that relate to indirect 
costs; (2) costs for financial, accounting, or contracting 
functions; (3) costs for insurance that protects the entity that 
operates the program; and (4) costs for salaries and benefits of the 
director and any other administrative staff of the program. 
Administrative costs do not include allowable costs directly related 
to program operations, such as the following: (1) Costs for living 
allowances and training of participants; (2) costs for staff 
training; (3) costs for travel; (4) costs related to the evaluation 
of the program; (5) costs for salaries and benefits of staff who 
recruit, train, place, or supervise participants. Particular costs 
such as those associated with staff who perform both administrative 
and program functions may be prorated between administrative costs 
and costs directly related to program operations.
    Community-based agency. A community-based agency is a private 
nonprofit organization (including a church or religious entity) that 
is representative of a community or a significant segment of a 
community, and is engaged in meeting human, educational, 
environmental, or public safety community needs.
    Grantmaking entity. A grantmaking entity for school-based 
programs is a public or private nonprofit organization experienced 
in service-learning that submits an application to make grants for 
school-based service-learning programs and was in existence at least 
one year before the date on which the organization submitted the 
application.
    Local Educational Agency (LEA). Local Educational Agency has the 
same meaning given such term in section 1471(12) of the Elementary 
and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 2891(12)).
    Partnership. A partnership is an organization comprised of two 
or more entities that entered into a written agreement specifying 
the responsibilities of each partner with respect to a service-
learning program.
    Qualified organization. A qualified organization is a public or 
private nonprofit organization, other than a grantmaking entity, 
that has experience in working with school-age youth, and that was 
in existence at least one year before the date on which the 
organization submitted an application for a service-learning 
program.
    School-age youth. School-age youth are individuals between the 
ages of 5 and 17, inclusive; and children with disabilities as 
defined in section 602(a)(1)) of the Individuals with Disabilities 
Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1401(a)(1)), who receive services under 
part B of such Act.
    Service-learning. Service-learning is a method whereby 
participants or participants learn and develop through active 
participation in thoughtfully-organized service that is conducted in 
and meets the needs of a community; is coordinated with an 
elementary school, secondary school, institution of higher 
education, or community service program, and with the community; 
helps foster civic responsibility; is integrated into and enhances 
the academic curriculum of the participants, or the educational 
components of the community service program in which the 
participants are enrolled; and provides structured time for the 
participants or participants to reflect on the service experience.

    Dated: February 4, 1994.
Catherine Milton,
Vice President and Director of National and Community Service Programs.
BILLING CODE 6820-BA-M