[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 32 (Thursday, February 15, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5987-5988]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-3377]



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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE


Availability of Funds for Training and Technical Assistance for 
State Commissions

AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds.

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[[Page 5988]]


SUMMARY: The Corporation for National Service (the Corporation) 
announces the availability of up to $500,000 for a cooperative 
agreement with a non-profit organization, an educational institution, 
or a for-profit organization to fund the provision of training and 
technical assistance support services to State Commissions involved in 
AmeriCorps programs, as provided by the National and Community Service 
Act of 1990, as amended.

DATES: Application materials will be available beginning on or about 
Wednesday, February 14, 1996. Applications must be received by 3:00 
p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Friday, March 11, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted to: Corporation for National 
Service, 1201 New York Avenue NW., Ninth Floor, Washington, DC 20525, 
Attention: Patricia L. Holliday. Applications may not be submitted by 
facsimile. This notice may be requested in an alternative format for 
the visually impaired.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
To obtain applications, contact the Corporation in writing or by 
facsimile at (202) 565-2786. For further information, contact Patricia 
L. Holliday, Grants and Contracts Officer, at (202) 606-5000, ext. 187 
or (202) 565-2799 TDD.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The Corporation is a federal government corporation that engages 
Americans of all ages and backgrounds in community-based service. This 
service addresses the nation's education, public safety, human, and 
environmental needs to achieve direct and demonstrable results. In 
doing so, the Corporation fosters civic responsibility, strengthens the 
ties that bind us together as a people, and provides educational 
opportunity for those who make a substantial commitment to service. 
Pursuant to the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended, 
the Corporation ``shall make technical assistance available to State * 
* * to develop national service programs.'' 42 U.S.C. See 12575(b). 
Through a cooperative agreement, the Corporation will make one award to 
provide training and technical assistance support services to State 
Commissions involved in AmeriCorps programs. the Corporation 
anticipates that in program year 1995-96, there will be up to 450 
AmeriCorps grant programs serving through over 1100 operating sites.

Period of Support

    The cooperative agreement period will be approximately 12 months, 
with implementation beginning approximately in April 1996, with the 
possibility of renewal subject to performance, continuing need, and the 
availability of funds.

Eligible Applicants

    Applicants must be a non-profit organization, an educational 
institution, or a for-profit organization. However, pursuant to the 
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, an organization described in section 
501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(4), 
which engages in lobbying activities is not eligible.

Program Elements

    The required work will include, but will not be limited to:
    1. Helping State Commissions develop appropriate methods for 
assessing the T/TA needs of subgrantees on an on-going basis;
    2. Helping State Commissions develop a technical assistance 
strategy and network of possible T/TA providers;
    3. Helping State Commissions in conceptualization and design of 
grant review processes.
    4. Providing tailor-made orientations to newly-appointed State 
Commission Chairpersons and Executive Directors;
    5. Helping State Commissions train commission staff in program 
assessment, management of T/TA, office management, cross program 
collaboration, fundraising, needs assessment, and identification of 
local, low-cost, T/TA resources;
    6. Helping State Commissions to develop effective working 
relationships with CNS State Offices;
    7. Helping State Commissions to involve national direct grantees in 
the trainings they provide;
    8. Helping State Commissions to collaborate with other State 
Commissions on the delivery of T/TA services;
    9. Helping State Commissions to broker T/TA services offered by 
national T/TA providers;
    10. Facilitating mechanisms for peer exchange between commission 
staff and commission members in other states;
    11. Helping State Commissions to design participant advisory 
vehicles through which they can engage participants in decision-making 
processes and feedback;
    12. Helping State Commissions with tailored T/TA services that 
include communication via electronic networks, policy bulletins, 
conference calls, and local gatherings of program networks;
    13. Helping State Commissions on various planning activities, 
including the development of both short term and strategic plans as 
well as assistance with State Plan updates;
    14. Helping State Commissions plan and conduct effective planning 
retreats.

Corporation Involvement

    Substantial involvement is expected between the Corporation and the 
successful applicant when carrying out the program. The applicant must 
keep relevant Corporation staff informed of its activities; work with 
Corporation staff during development, delivery and assessment of 
services provided; and attend meetings and conferences at the 
Corporation's request.

Overview of Application Requirements

    Application requirements will be set forth in detail in the 
application materials. Each applicant must submit one original and 
three copies of its application package. The requirement will include a 
completed application form, a narrative section, an implementation 
timeline, a staffing plan, a self assessment plan, budget information, 
and certifications and assurances pertaining to recipients of federal 
funding.

Application Review

    Initially all applications will be reviewed to confirm that the 
application is an eligible recipient and to ensure that the application 
complies with the application instructions and contains the information 
required. The Corporation will assess applications based on the 
criteria listed below (in descending other of importance):
    (1) Quality.
    (2) Organizational Capacity.
    (3) Coordination Plans.
    (4) Knowledge and Understanding of AmeriCorps.
    (5) Description of proposed activities.
    (6) Proposed Costs.

    Dated: February 9, 1996.
Terry Russell,
General Counsel, Corporation for National Service.
[FR Doc. 96-3377 Filed 2-14-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-28-M