[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 232 (Friday, December 3, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67883-67891]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31409]
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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
Availability of Funds for National Providers of Training and
Technical Assistance to Corporation for National and Community Service
Programs
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
(Corporation) announces the availability of funds for organizations
selected under this Notice to provide training and technical assistance
to grantees and subgrantees supported by the Corporation in fiscal
years 2000 and 2001 and up to two additional years depending upon need,
quality of service and availability of funds. The maximum period of
award is three years.
Training and technical assistance will be in the following areas:
1. National Service Program Management (up to $850,000).
2. Leadership Development (up to $425,000).
3. Training Design and Materials Development (up to $250,000).
4. Evaluation (up to $1,000,000).
5. Increasing Participation of Persons with Disabilities in
National Service (up to $500,000).
The award amounts are approximate and for the first year only and
may change depending upon the availability of appropriations and the
nature and scope of activities to be supported. An organization may
apply to provide services in more than one category. A separate
application is needed for each service category listed above.
Note: This is a notice for selection of organizations to provide
training and technical assistance. This is not a notice for program
grant proposals.
DATES: Proposals must be received by the Corporation by 3:00 p.m.
Eastern time on January 18, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Submit proposals to the Corporation for National and
Community Service, 1201 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20525,
Attention: Cathy Harrison, Room 9810.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Ekstrom or Margie Legowski at the
Corporation for National and Community Service, telephone (202) 606-
5000, ext. 414, T.D.D. (202) 565-2799. This Notice is available on the
Corporation's web site, http://www.nationalservice.org/research.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The Corporation for National and Community Service was established
in 1993 to engage Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service to
their communities. The Corporation's national and community service
programs provide opportunities for participants to serve full-time and
part-time, with or without stipend, as individuals or as part of a
team. AmeriCorps*State, National, VISTA, and National Civilian
Community Corps programs engage thousands of Americans on a full, or
part-time basis, at over 1,000 locations to help communities meet their
toughest challenges. Learn and Serve America integrates service into
the academic life or experiences of nearly one million youth from
kindergarten through higher education in all 50 states. The National
Senior Service Corps utilizes the skills, talents and experience of
over 500,000 older Americans to help make communities stronger, safer,
healthier and smarter.
AmeriCorps*State and AmeriCorps*National programs, which involve
over 40,000 Americans each year in results-driven community service,
are grant programs managed by: (1) State commissions that select and
oversee programs operated by local organizations; (2) national non-
profit organizations that act as parent organizations for operating
sites across the country; (3) Indian tribes; or (4) U.S. Territories.
Learn and Serve America grants provide service-learning opportunities
for youth through grants to state education agencies, community-based
organizations, and higher education institutions and organizations. The
National Senior Service Corps operates through grants to nearly 1,300
local organizations for the Retired and Senior Volunteer (RSVP), Foster
Grandparent (FGP) and Senior Companion (SCP) programs to provide
service to their communities. For additional information on the
national service programs supported by the Corporation, go to http://
www.nationalservice.org.
In addition, the Corporation supports the AmeriCorps*VISTA
(Volunteers in Service to America) and AmeriCorps*NCCC (National
Civilian
[[Page 67884]]
Community Corps) programs. More than 6,000 AmeriCorps*VISTA members
develop grassroots programs, mobilize resources and build capacity for
service across the nation. AmeriCorps*NCCC provides the opportunity for
approximately 1,000 individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 to
participate each year in ten-month residential programs located mainly
on inactive military bases.
See ``Glossary of Terms'' in Section VI for additional information.
II. Eligibility
Public-sector agencies, non-profit organizations, institutions of
higher education, Indian tribes, and for-profit companies are eligible
to apply. 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, is not
eligible to apply. Organizations that operate or intend to operate
Corporation-supported programs are eligible.
We will consider proposals from single applicants, applicants in
partnership and applicants proposing other approaches to meeting the
requirement we consider to be responsive to this Notice.
Organizations may apply to provide training and technical
assistance in partnership with organizations seeking other Corporation
funds. Based on previous training and technical assistance competitions
and our estimate of potential applicants, we expect fewer than ten
applications to be submitted in each area.
III. Period of Assistance and Other Conditions
A. Cooperative Agreements
Awards made under this Notice will be in the form of cooperative
agreements. Administration of cooperative agreements is controlled by
Corporation regulations, 45 CFR Part 2541 (for agreements with state
and local government agencies) and 45 CFR Part 2543 (for agreements
with institutions of higher education, non-profit organizations and
other non-governmental organizations). The awardee must comply with
reporting requirements, including submitting quarterly financial
reports and quarterly progress reports linking progress on deliverables
to expenditures.
B. Use of Materials
To ensure that materials generated for training and technical
assistance purposes are available to the public and readily accessible
to grantees and sub-grantees, the Corporation retains royalty-free,
non-exclusive, and irrevocable licenses to obtain, use, reproduce,
publish, or disseminate products, including data produced under the
agreement, and to authorize others to do so. The awardee will agree to
make products available to the national service field as identified by
the Corporation at no cost or at the cost of reproduction. All
materials developed for the Corporation will be produced consistent
with Corporation editorial and publication guidelines.
C. Time Frame
The Corporation expects that activities assisted under the
agreements awarded through this Notice will commence on or about
February 2000, following the conclusion of the selection and award
process. The Corporation will make awards covering a period not to
exceed three years. Applications must include a proposed budget and
proposed activities for the entire award period. If the Corporation
approves an application and enters into a multi-year award agreement,
at the outset it will provide funding only for the first year of the
award period as funds are made available by Congress. The Corporation
has no obligation to provide additional funding in subsequent years.
Funding for the second and third years of an award period is contingent
upon satisfactory performance, the availability of funds and any other
criteria established in the award agreement.
D. Legal Authority
Section 198 of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as
amended, 42 U.S.C. 12653, authorizes the Corporation to provide,
directly or through contracts or cooperative agreements, training and
technical assistance in support of activities under the national
service laws.
IV. Scope of Training and Technical Assistance Activities to Be
Supported
A. Tasks
Providers selected under this Notice are to provide training
services, training curriculum development and dissemination, materials
development and ongoing technical assistance to Corporation grantees
and their sub-grantees. The Corporation requires all selected providers
to integrate all of the deliverables and principles listed below into
their service delivery.
1. Training and Technical Assistance Delivery Process
a. Systems
i. Using a template developed by the Corporation, track training
and technical assistance requests, referrals and services provided.
ii. Develop a system for referring grantees to local content area
experts who can provide member and volunteer training. This system
should include the development and use of a database of content area
training specialists and peer experts by county, state and region.
b. Audience and Outreach
i. Respond to ongoing requests for training and technical
assistance from national service grantees, sub-grantees and Corporation
staff.
ii. With guidance from the Corporation's Department of Evaluation
and Effective Practices, develop and implement a plan to promote
services to grantees, sub-grantees and Corporation staff.
iii. Develop and maintain a web-site of training and technical
assistance resources and effective practices in a provider's area of
specialization with links to national service sites, as directed by the
Corporation.
iv. Work with the national service grantees and sub-grantees who
request assistance to identify and clarify their needs and determine an
appropriate service response.
c. Training Delivery
i. Prepare and deliver one and two-day customized training courses
and training-of-trainer courses for 75-100 participants within each of
the Corporation's five regions (referred to as ``clusters''). The
provider must undertake an assessment which identifies participants'
skill levels, training delivery preferences, and program stream needs
and assets before designing each course. Courses must reflect the
findings of the assessment and the broad range of content and skill
areas stated in Section IV B of this Notice. (Note: this does not apply
to the Leadership Development provider.)
ii. Submit course outlines and descriptions to the Corporation for
approval and inclusion in the Corporation's training and technical
assistance resource guide which we will distribute to all national
service grantees.
iii. Coordinate scheduling and training delivery with the
provider's training and technical assistance officer at the Corporation
first and then with area managers, and staffs of the state commissions,
the state education
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agencies, and the Corporation state offices where training events are
to be held.
iv. Deliver training that is interactive, experiential, consistent
with the principles of adult learning, and sensitive to program and
audience diversity, skill level and learning style.
v. Submit training event dates to the National Service Resource
Center for posting on its national training calendar.
vi. Ensure that all training and technical assistance is accessible
to persons with disabilities as required by law to include the
following:
--Notifying potential participants that reasonable accommodations will
be provided upon request.
--Providing reasonable accommodations when requested to do so,
including provision of sign language interpreters, special assistance,
and documents in alternate formats.
--Using only accessible locations for training events.
vii. Deliver training that enhances the capacity of grantees to
function independently and effectively, which includes, but is not
limited to, the following:
--Using transfer-of-skills methods and train-the-trainer models in
delivering services following guidelines provided by the Corporation.
--Providing structured opportunities for peer-to-peer assistance during
and after all on-request and scheduled training events.
--Developing and disseminating training event packets that include the
training agenda, script, handouts and list of training event
participants.
--Including community partners in all aspects of the training event.
--Submitting training event packets to the Corporation for National
Service (2 copies) and the National Service Resource Center (hard copy
and electronic form) within 30 days of a training event.
d. Peer Assistance
i. Develop and manage a peer-to-peer system that uses staff of
national service programs and others affiliated with national service
programs and makes use of a full range of service delivery options,
e.g., phone consultations, teleconferences, videoconferences and other
electronic communication; materials' development and shipment; and site
visits.
ii. Create and use a database of skilled content area peers by
state and cluster.
iii. Document system's operation, including peer selection
criteria, preparation process, and assignment procedure.
iv. Require that the peer prepare an after-action report outlining
the issues addressed, actions taken, results achieved and follow-up
actions required. Reports must be submitted in a timely manner with
copies provided to all interested parties, including state commission
staff and Corporation program officers.
v. Provide opportunities for peer assistance in scheduled and on-
request training events.
e. Effective Practices
i. Research, identify, document and transmit effective tools and
practices through all provider's training and technical assistance
services.
ii. Submit effective tools and practices in stipulated format to
the National Service Resource Center and, if appropriate, to the
National Service-Learning Clearinghouse and encourage grantee use of
same.
iii. Use technology as a creative and cost-effective tool for
sharing effective practices with large numbers of grantees and
subgrantees. Technology should be part of a training strategy that
includes people to people contact.
iv. Develop and implement a dissemination plan for all materials
(e.g., publications, videotapes, etc.) produced under this agreement.
2. Evaluation
a. Evaluation Plan
Develop and submit a plan for evaluating the impact of training and
technical assistance services, particularly the impact of training
events relative to each training event's objectives and the principles
and deliverables of this Notice.
b. Evaluation Records
i. Conduct an assessment after each training and technical
assistance event using an assessment instrument approved by the
Corporation.
ii. Maintain records of these evaluations and provide them to the
Corporation, or an authorized representative, upon request.
iii. Submit aggregate evaluation summaries of training-and-
technical-assistance events' evaluations as part of the required
quarterly report to the Corporation.
c. Independent Assessment
The Corporation may conduct an independent assessment of each
provider's performance.
3. Reporting Requirements
a. Quarterly Reports
Submit a quarterly report that, at minimum, provides the
information below. The provider will develop the capacity to submit
this information electronically.
i. A comparison of accomplishments with the goals and objectives
for the reporting period.
ii. An annotated version of the approved budget that compares
actual costs with budgeted costs by line item, and explains
differences. The explanation should include, as appropriate, an
analysis of cost overruns and high-cost units and a description of
service requests not anticipated in your original budget.
iii. A description of the services provided to include:
(1) number of requests received by topic area and service stream.
(2) the activity conducted to address each request (e.g., training,
on-site technical assistance, phone consultation and other electronic
communication and materials development and shipment) and mode of
delivery (e.g., staff member, consultant, peer assistant and/or other
provider).
(3) number of participants in each training and technical
assistance event.
(4) cost of each training event based on the direct costs to the
provider.
(5) average cost per delivery mode (e.g., on-site consultations,
conference calls, training events, and peer-to-peer interventions).
(6) client feedback on the services rendered (including the
aggregate evaluation of each training event).
(7) problems encountered in delivering services with
recommendations for correcting them.
(8) list of upcoming activities and events.
(9) recommended training and technical assistance focus areas as
suggested by analyses of service activity and trends.
(10) discussion of developments that hindered, or may hinder,
compliance with the cooperative agreement.
(11) list of materials that have been submitted to the National
Service Resource Center.
b. Communication With Training and Technical Assistance Staff
With training and technical assistance officer, develop a plan for
on-going communication with the Corporation regarding training and
technical assistance activities and the needs of the field.
4. Other Requirements
a. Staff and Consultant Training
Train provider staff and consultants in the background, approach,
vocabulary, assets, needs and objectives
[[Page 67886]]
of the Corporation and each of its program streams (National Senior
Service Corps, Learn and Serve America, and AmeriCorps) and sub-streams
(the Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion, and Retired and Senior
Volunteer Programs; Learn and Serve America K-12 School- and Community-
based Programs, Learn and Serve America Higher Education Programs;
AmeriCorps*State and National Direct Programs, AmeriCorps*VISTA, and
the AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community Corps).
b. Provider Meetings
Participate in the planning and implementation of national provider
meetings and training events as requested by the Corporation.
c. Collaboration With Others
i. Collaborate in materials' development and training events
organized by other providers or the Corporation, as requested.
ii. Share best practices with other providers through the training
and technical assistance listserv and other mechanisms (e.g., the
National Service-Learning Clearinghouse and the National Service
Resource Center).
d. Use of Technology
Creatively and effectively use technology as a cost-effective
strategy for reaching large numbers of grantees and subgrantees.
e. Accessible Materials
Provide training and technical assistance materials that are
accessible to persons with disabilities, by using accessible
technology, providing materials in alternate formats upon request,
captioning videos and not using solely a non-voice-over format, and
when indicating a telephone number, including a non-voice telephone
alternative such as TDD or e-mail.
B. Training and Technical Assistance Categories
The Corporation will evaluate proposals in each of the five
categories listed below. These categories were identified in 1999
through an assessment of the training and technical assistance needs of
the Corporation's grantees and subgrantees. The funding ranges listed
are approximate and reflect resource availability for the first year
only.
1. National Service Program Management (up to $850,000).
2. Leadership Development (up to $425,000).
3. Training Design and Materials Development (up to $250,000).
4. Evaluation (up to $1,000,000).
5. Increasing Participation of Persons with Disabilities in
National Service (up to $500,000).
Specific requirements for each category follow:
1. National Service Program Management (up to $850,000)
Background
National Service program directors handle a wide range of
responsibilities including, but not limited to: (1) recruiting,
training, and supervising their staff and the program's volunteers,
participants, or students; (2) selecting and monitoring subgrantees;
(3) training and managing subgrantee staff; (4) developing and
maintaining sound financial and reporting systems; (5) effectively
participating in ``cross-stream'' collaboration; (6) developing and
maintaining community partnerships; (7) assessing subgrantees' and
participants' assets and needs; and (8) measuring program impact.
Levels of skill and expertise for all of these tasks vary from
individual to individual--some program directors have been working in
national service for years and others have just recently been hired.
Resources vary from program to program and from state to state.
Services Needed
The provider in this category will deliver training and technical
assistance specifically targeted to grantees and subgrantees on the
``nuts and bolts'' of managing national service programs and
supervising national service program staff. The means for delivering
services is expected to include at a minimum, training for grantee and
subgrantee program staff, peer exchange among program staff and others
(e.g., commissioners, board members), coaching through telephone
consultation, and on-line assistance through individual e-mail,
participation in listservs and information provided by web page.
The provider will work with the field to design, pilot and deliver
basic and advanced curricula for inexperienced and experienced grantee
and subgrantee program directors. Curricula will include, at a minimum,
the following content areas: volunteer and participant recruitment,
placement, retention and management (including requirements related to
civil rights and placement); volunteer and participant development and
training; recruitment, retention, training and supervision of staff
(with particular attention to supervisory skills); program design,
implementation and management; basic grant and subgrant management
(including civil rights compliance); multi-site program management;
crew-based program management; strategies for working with community
partners to develop programs that meet community needs; impact and
outcome measurement; effective use of computers for program managers;
development of effective grantee networks; strategies for working with
other national service program streams; strategies for dealing with
staff turnover.
The provider will also provide expert consultant services in a
variety of program content areas including the environment, youth
leadership, volunteer leadership, risk management and public safety.
The Corporation expects that the provider will provide training
within the context of events sponsored by the Corporation's
headquarters and field offices, by other national providers, or by
state commissions (among other venues). When working with service-
learning programs, the provider will be expected to collaborate with
the Learn and Serve America Exchange.
Specific tasks include, but are not limited to the following:
Training
a. Design and deliver training in various settings and of various
durations and levels of expertise. Such training may be organized by
the provider in response to a request from a group of states or in the
context of events organized by a single state commission or another
provider or the Corporation.
b. At minimum, the provider must conduct or provide five regional
training sessions (one in each of the Corporation's five clusters) and
50 state-based training sessions per year.
Technical Assistance
a. Provide, arrange for, or connect a minimum of 450 programs to
information, training, and technical assistance in program management
and organizational development. Peer assistance from other Corporation-
funded programs is the preferred method of service delivery.
b. Provide technical assistance on-site, on-line and by telephone
in the form of one-time or multiple interventions as required. At
minimum, the provider must conduct 75 on-site technical assistance
visits per year. The provider will prepare an after-action report
outlining the issues addressed, actions taken, results achieved and
follow-up actions required. Reports must be submitted within 30 days of
visit with copies provided to all
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interested parties including commission staff and Corporation program
officers.
c. Organize and support a minimum of five (one per cluster)
affinity groups (i.e., groups of programs defined by their common focus
or needs).
d. Collaborate with and broker services of other training and
technical assistance providers (including the Learn and Serve America
Exchange and the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse) to meet the
needs of grantees and subgrantees.
e. Provide expert assistance in support of Corporation-funded
national service programs as requested.
f. Develop training and technical assistance materials (e.g.,
resource lists, publications, training curricula, web-based documents,
etc.) based on assessment of stream and substream needs and assets and
that reflect effective practices in this training and technical
assistance category. Prepare these materials in electronic format and
submit them in prescribed format to the National Service Resource
Center and to the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse, if
appropriate.
2. Leadership Development (up to $425,000)
Background
Leadership training for grantee and subgrantees is currently
offered by the AmeriCorps Leaders and VISTA Leaders programs and by the
National Service Leadership Institute (NSLI). NSLI and Leaders training
events take place at various sites across the country. The provider
hired under this category will work under the direction of the National
Service Leadership Institute and in coordination with the AmeriCorps
Leaders and AmeriCorps*VISTA Leaders programs in delivering the
leadership training events available to national service program staff.
Services Needed
Under the direction of the National Service Leadership Institute
and Leaders programs, the provider selected in this category will
provide curricula design assistance, training delivery, technical
consultation and support for the ongoing development of leadership
skills of participants in national service programs, including 75
AmeriCorps Leaders and 75 VISTA Leaders. The provider must have the
capability to provide logistical support for events ranging from 25-300
participants including providing materials, coordinating training
logistics, and arranging for travel and other support services.
Specific tasks include, but are not limited to, the following:
Training
a. Deliver a minimum of six scheduled leadership development events
annually. Tasks will include coordination with National Service
Leadership Institute staff around the curriculum, training materials
and training team; coordination with host agency in identifying the
training site and providing logistical support to the event; providing
trainers and faculty; and providing lodging and per diem for
participants. Each event is estimated to involve up to 35 participants.
b. Deliver customized training in topics such as strategic
leadership, change management and group facilitation or meeting
management. Events will be one-three days in duration and based on
existing National Service Leadership Institute curricula which can be
customized to meet specific needs identified by staffs of state
commissions, state offices, state education agencies or the
Corporation. Events will be scheduled in association with a host
agency. Tasks will include providing trainers, the training facility
and logistical support to the event in coordination with the requesting
organization. In FY2000, the provider is expected to deliver, at a
minimum, 15 events of one-three days in duration.
c. Deliver approximately eight leadership development workshops
within the context of other special events or conferences. Such
workshops will be on topics in the National Service Leadership
Institute curriculum, generally be of a half day or less and will be
tailored to the needs of the requesting organization.
d. Under direction of the National Service Leadership Institute and
in coordination with the directors of the various Leaders programs,
provide trainers, materials, logistical support and follow-up for a
total of three pre-service training (PST) events or in-service (IST)
events each year for AmeriCorps, VISTA and NCCC Team Leaders. Fifty
VISTA Leaders will participate for five days and 25 NCCC Leaders and 50
AmeriCorps Leaders will participate for 14 days. Curricula for these
events will be customized for each audience and will include such skill
areas as problem solving, making individual and group decisions,
resolving conflict, dealing with diversity, and facilitating small and
large group meetings.
Technical Assistance
a. Work with the National Service Leadership Institute to identify
effective leadership development practices.
b. Provide consultation and group facilitation experts for
meetings. Generally, these meetings will be of one day or less. Ten
such meetings will occur annually.
c. Develop curriculum and training for special audiences or
targeted events. The provider must be capable of obtaining and
supporting consultants with specialized skills to work on events of
high priority to grantees. These activities will require collaboration
and the ability to work with diverse groups. For example, working with
the National Service Leadership Institute, the provider will develop
and deliver a leadership track at the National Senior Service Corps
Conference scheduled for June 2000. Other activities and events may be
identified and funded throughout the term of the agreement, as the need
and resources permit.
d. Provide on-line and telephone assistance as well as written
resource materials to a minimum of 100 grantees or subgrantees.
e. Develop training and technical assistance materials (e.g.,
resource lists, publications, training curricula, web-based documents,
etc) based on assessment of stream and substream needs and that reflect
effective practices in this training and technical assistance category.
Prepare and submit these materials in prescribed, electronic format to
the National Service Resource Center and, if appropriate, to the
National Service-Learning Clearinghouse.
3. Training Design and Materials Development (up to $250,000)
Background
It is important for this provider to know that most national
service training takes place at the local and state levels and that
every national service grantee is responsible for training someone--
subgrantees, members, volunteers, participants, teachers, or students,
etc. Although some grantees are experienced in this area, many need
help developing and implementing training plans and events that
effectively meet the needs of their subgrantees or participants. In
addition, most grantees handle training as one of many competing
responsibilities and work with limited training funds.
Services Needed
The provider in this category will work with grantees in all
streams and substreams of Corporation-funded programs to develop
effective training plans and provide direct assistance in organizing
and delivering training events. Particular emphasis will be placed on
identifying and lining up
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effective local and peer trainers for members.
When working with service-learning programs, the provider will be
expected to collaborate with the Learn and Serve America Exchange.
Technical Assistance
a. Provide technical assistance to state commissions, state
education agency staff and other Corporation-funded programs in the
following areas:
(1) assessing trainees' needs and developing a systematic training
plan;
(2) designing effective training events (i.e., assessing trainee
needs and assets, setting training objectives and outcomes, identifying
trainers, managing event logistics, developing training materials,
preparing trainers prior to the event, and evaluating training events);
(3) planning and facilitating large and small group meetings; (4)
identifying local training resources (e.g., trainers, training space,
etc.); (5) using peer trainers effectively; (6) evaluating training
events. The provider should budget for at least 12 consultancies of
this type per year.
b. Provide telephone and on-line technical assistance to a minimum
of 120 grantees or subgrantees.
c. Develop and maintain a network of geographically-dispersed
expert resource people that includes staff from Corporation-funded
programs.
d. Develop technical assistance materials (e.g., resource lists,
publications, assessment tools, model curricula, web-based documents,
etc.) based on assessment of stream and substream needs and that
reflect effective practices in this training and technical assistance
category. Prepare these materials in a prescribed, electronic format
and submit to the National Service Resource Center and, if appropriate,
to the National Service-Learning Clearinghouse.
4. Evaluation (up to $1,000,000)
Background
Programs funded by the Corporation must support and participate in
program evaluation activities to meet grant requirements. The
Corporation also encourages grantees to incorporate evaluation into
program management and to view it as an effective tool to improve
services, optimize results, and demonstrate the value of national
service efforts. Although some grantees are experienced in evaluation,
others have limited skills, knowledge, or resources in this area. The
provider hired under this category will work with grantees to build
their evaluation capacities.
Services Needed
The provider will deliver outcome evaluation related training and
technical assistance to grantees and subgrantees in all streams and
substreams of service, including AmeriCorps*State and National
programs, AmeriCorps*VISTA, AmeriCorps*NCCC, Learn and Serve America K-
12 and Higher Education, and the National Senior Service Corps. The
primary means for delivering services is expected to be training for
grantee and subgrantee staff at workshops or on-site, peer exchanges,
development of materials, coaching through telephone consultation,
presentations, publication of a newsletter, and maintenance of a
resource library and web site for dissemination of training materials.
The provider will be expected to work in collaboration with the Learn
and Serve America Exchange when working with service-learning programs.
Specific tasks include, but are not limited to:
Training
a. Develop and disseminate training materials, evaluation tools,
and literature, and maintain a resource library.
b. Plan and deliver a minimum of 40 training-of-trainer workshops
on request during FY2000. The provider may organize such training
events in response to requests from grantees, subgrantees or the
Corporation. Workshops will be on evaluation topics tailored to the
needs of the requesting organization and may vary in duration and
complexity. In general, workshops will be at least one-half day or one
day in duration.
c. Plan and deliver at least five (one for each cluster) regional
workshops on basic and advanced evaluation topics addressing particular
content areas or initiatives to a cross-stream audience. Workshops may
vary between one-half and two days in duration.
Technical Assistance
a. Provide on-line or telephone assistance to a minimum of 450
grantees and subgrantees in all streams and substreams of service to
build internal evaluation capacity that includes all of the following
elements of the outcome evaluation process:
i. outcome-oriented objectives for community service and service-
learning.
ii. capacity building, service-learning, and participant
development.
iii. development and implementation of evaluation plans, including
the use of data collection tools and strategies to gather quantitative
and qualitative data.
iv. data analysis procedures.
v. methods to report progress on intermediate outcomes and the
long-term impact of service delivery that meet internal, programmatic
needs for self-assessment, continuous improvement, or strategic
planning, and satisfy the information needs of multiple stakeholders.
b. Develop the capacity of a minimum of 50 grantees and subgrantees
to conduct or participate in program evaluations that assess the long-
term impact of service on beneficiaries, participants, institutions,
and communities (allowing for varying levels of complexity). Examples
include determining impact on the following: academic performance and
literacy; social and personal development; educational attitudes or
attainment; civic responsibility; community organizations; public
safety; environmental restoration; community infrastructure (i.e.,
physical, informational, or institutional).
c. Provide on-site technical assistance to approximately 80 new or
targeted grantees and subgrantees. On-site technical assistance will be
at least two days in duration and must include a needs assessment prior
to the visit and follow-up after the visit. With all forms of technical
assistance delivered, the provider will submit after-visit or
consultation reports, outlining the issues addressed, actions taken,
results achieved, and follow-up actions required. Reports will be
submitted to the Corporation within 30 days of the event or visit.
d. Develop and implement a peer exchange strategy or strategies for
a minimum of 50 grantees and subgrantees who provide similar services,
work with special needs populations, or form part of large-scale
initiatives in order to develop, share, and utilize evaluation plans
and data collection instruments that measure outcomes for
beneficiaries, members, institutions, and communities.
e. Develop and maintain a network of geographically-dispersed
expert resource people, including staff from Corporation-funded
programs, that will assist all streams of service to sustain evaluation
capacity and efforts at and across various organizational levels (i.e.,
grantee, subgrantee, etc.).
5. Increasing Participation of Persons With Disabilities in National
Service (up to $500,000)
Background
We are committed to increasing the participation and retention of
persons with disabilities in national service.
[[Page 67889]]
It is important to note that at the time of publication of this
announcement, disability funds can only be used to provide training and
technical assistance services to competitively-selected
AmeriCorps*State and National Direct programs. Services are not
currently available to state formula or other national service
programs.
Services Needed
The provider will work with the Corporation's Equal Opportunity
Office to develop and implement strategies to increase participation of
people with disabilities in AmeriCorps state competitive and national
direct programs by providing information on: (1) compliance with
applicable federal laws, (2) reasonable accommodation, recruitment and
retention of people with disabilities, and (3) national and community
service. The provider selected in this category must have expertise
across disabilities or a strategy for developing or accessing such
expertise.
Specific tasks include, but are not limited to, the following:
Training
a. Work in close collaboration with state commissions and national
direct grantees in the implementation of at least five cluster-based
training workshops of 50-75 participants each. Workshops should enhance
disability awareness, enhance staff skills to develop and support teams
that include people with disabilities, enhance the competence of state
commissions and parent organizations of national grantees to assess and
select effective disability trainers and training.
b. Design and deliver customized training on disability issues and
strategies for at least 15 state commissions or parent organizations of
national direct programs.
c. Design and deliver ten program-specific training events or on-
site technical assistance.
d. Develop and disseminate disability-related training materials.
Technical Assistance
a. Assist the Corporation in the design and delivery of a National
Conference on Disability and National Service to be held in January
2001. This meeting will be attended by approximately 500 persons,
including commission staff, disability coordinators from national
direct grantees, representatives from disability organizations, and
representatives from all Corporation-funded programs.
b. Develop and implement a strategy for outreach to national
disability organizations in order to make such organizations aware of
opportunities that exist for people with disabilities to participate in
national service. The Corporation anticipates that as a result of such
outreach disability organizations and their constituents will become
more knowledgeable about national service and will actively consider
their service options.
c. Develop annually, in coordination with identified Corporation,
national direct parent organization, and commission executive
directors, a disability-focused training-and-technical-assistance plan
for each state commission and national direct parent organization.
d. Develop materials, including information on effective practices,
that are suitable for electronic or print publication.
V. Application Guidelines
A. Proposal Content and Submission
Applicants are requested to submit one unbound, original proposal
and two copies. Proposals may not be submitted by facsimile. Proposals
must include the following:
1. Cover Page
The cover page must include the name, address, phone number, fax
number, e-mail address and world wide web site URL (if available) of
the applicant organization and contact person; a 25-50 word summary of
proposed training and technical assistance activities; and, the total
funding amount requested for the first year.
2. Outline
A one-two page outline of all proposed training and technical
assistance activities and materials.
3. Training and Technical Assistance Delivery Plan
A bulleted narrative of no more than 20 double-spaced, single-
sided, typed pages in no smaller than 12-point font that includes:
a. Proposed Strategy
The applicant's proposed strategy and rationale for providing
training and technical assistance to a diverse multi-stream national
service audience for one year. The applicant should include the
specific deliverables and requirements outlined in Section IV of this
Notice as well as the following details (as appropriate) for each
proposed training and technical assistance activity, product, and
event: Type, learning objectives, desired learning outcomes, estimated
audience size, number, frequency, content, skill level, and proposed
needs assessment strategy.
b. Work Plan
A detailed one-year work plan and timeline for completing all
training and technical assistance activities. The work plan should
include all deliverables and the tasks leading to them.
c. Evaluation Plan
A plan for regularly evaluating performance and reporting findings
and proposed improvements to the Corporation.
4. Course Outlines and Descriptions
A 75-100 word sample course description and a course outline for
each of two courses in the provider's content area. One course should
be a basic two-day introductory level training course for 75-100
inexperienced grantees and the other should be a two-day advanced level
training course for 75-100 experienced grantees. Course outlines should
include desired learning objectives and outcomes and the activities
that will lead to them.
5. Description of Organizational Capacity
a. Organizational Chart
An organizational chart that clearly shows the place of the
training and technical assistance provider in the parent organization's
structure.
b. Narrative
A narrative of no more than three double-spaced, single-sided,
typed pages in no smaller than 12-point font which describes:
i. The organization's capacity to provide training and technical
assistance services to five clusters nationwide, including descriptions
of recent work similar to that being proposed.
ii. the organization's knowledge of and experience with each stream
of national service.
iii. references that can be contacted related to that work.
iv. staff strengths and backgrounds (lists and resumes, along with
anticipated rates of pay of proposed staff and expert consultants shall
be included in an appendix; this information is not subject to the page
limits that are otherwise applicable).
6. Budget
A detailed, line-item budget with hours and costs organized by
personnel, task and sub-task and related to the activities and
deliverables outlined in the introductory narrative and work
[[Page 67890]]
plan. Costs in proposed budgets must consist solely of costs allowable
under applicable cost principles found in OMB Circulars. Applicants
should be mindful that a demonstrated commitment to providing services
in the most cost-effective manner possible will be a major
consideration in the evaluation of proposals. (Provider match is not
required.) The budget should indicate:
a. Hours
Staff and expert-consultant hours and pay rates being proposed by
task and sub-task.
b. Direct Costs
Types and quantities of other direct costs being proposed by task
and subtask (for example, amounts of travel; volume of other task-
related resources, such as communications, postage, etc.).
7. Budget Narrative
Provide a budget narrative that is organized to parallel all items
in the line-item budget and that includes the explanation and cost
basis for all cost estimates that appear in the line-item budget. The
narrative should clearly show the following:
a. Explanation
How each cost was derived, using equations to reflect all factors
considered.
b. Unit Cost
The anticipated unit cost (with derivation) of the various
deliverables (such as training events and technical assistance
interventions).
B. Selection Criteria
To ensure fairness to all applicants, the Corporation reserves the
right to take remedial action, up to and including disqualification, in
the event a proposal fails to comply with the requirements relating to
page limits, line spacing, and font size. The Corporation will assess
applications based on the criteria listed below.
1. Quality (30%)
The Corporation will consider the quality of the proposed
activities based on:
a. Understanding of the Corporation's Programs
Evidence of the applicant's understanding of the goals of the
Corporation, effective principles of adult learning, the goals of all
of the Corporation's program streams (see Section VI. ``Glossary''),
and the Corporation's training and technical assistance requirements
and principles as outlined in this Notice.
b. Soundness of Proposed Strategy
Evidence of the educational soundness, audience appropriateness,
strategic nature (i.e., broad reaching), effectiveness and creativity
of applicant's approach.
2. Organizational and Personnel Capacity (30%)
The Corporation will consider the organizational capacity of the
applicant to deliver the proposed services based on:
a. Experience
Evidence of organizational experience in delivering research-based
high-quality training and technical assistance, particularly in the
area under consideration, in a flexible, responsive, collaborative and
creative manner; experience or knowledge of national or community
service.
b. Staff
Evidence of training or experience in the providers' content area
and in providing training and technical assistance to adults.
c. Grant Experience
Demonstrated ability to manage a federal grant or apply sound
fiscal management principles to grants and cost accounting.
d. Capacity
Demonstrated ability to provide training and technical assistance
services nationwide.
3. Evaluation (10%)
The Corporation will consider how the applicant:
a. Scope of Plan
Proposes to assess the effectiveness and need for its services and
products delivered under the award.
b. Continuous Improvement
Plans to use assessments of its services and products to modify and
improve subsequent services and products.
4. Budget (30%)
The Corporation will consider the budget based on:
a. Cost-Effectiveness
Cost of each proposed training and technical assistance activity in
relation to the scope and depth of the services proposed (i.e., the
number of states, programs and individuals the proposed activities are
intended to reach).
b. Scope
Scope of the proposed training and technical assistance activity
(e.g., the number of states, programs and individuals the proposed
activities are intended to reach).
a. Clarity
The clarity and thoroughness of the budget and budget narrative
(see specifications under ``Budget Narrative'').
VI. Glossary of Terms
Clusters
The Corporation's field offices are organized into five regions
(``clusters'') as follows:
Atlantic
Connecticut, Maine, Maryland/Delaware, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire/Vermont, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico/
Virgin Islands, Rhode Island.
North Central
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North/South
Dakota, Ohio, Wisconsin.
Pacific
Alaska, California, Hawaii/Guam/American Samoa, Idaho, Montana,
Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.
Southwest
Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New
Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas.
Southern
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia/District of Columbia, West
Virginia.
Cluster-Based Training
Training events planned in conjunction with the Corporation's
regional training and technical assistance officer and the commissions,
state offices, state education agencies or national direct and higher
education grantees in a particular region. First priority for
participation in cluster-based training events is usually given to the
grantees and subgrantees within that particular region.
Grantees
Entities funded directly by the Corporation. These include and are
not limited to: state commissions; state education agencies; Tribes and
U.S. Territories; national direct parent organizations; institutions,
consortia and organizations of higher education;
[[Page 67891]]
local governments; and non-profit organizations. Many grantees also
subgrant a significant portion of their funds to others (e.g., a state
commission conducts a competition and review process and funds
AmeriCorps programs throughout a state; a state education agency (SEA)
conducts a competition and review process and funds school systems
throughout a state). None of the 1300 Senior Corps grantees are
permitted by regulation to subgrant.
Learn and Serve America National Service-Learning Clearinghouse
The Learn and Serve America National Service-Learning Clearinghouse
is a collaborative effort among twelve national partner organizations
to collect and disseminate information on service-learning for national
service grantees and the general public engaged in service-learning.
Housed at the University of Minnesota, the Clearinghouse maintains and
operates a web site and service-learning listservs, a library of print
and media materials related to service-learning, and a toll-free
information and referral service. Providers will be required to submit
copies of service-learning related training materials and training
scripts to the Learn and Serve America National Service-Learning
Clearinghouse.
Learn and Serve America Training and Technical Assistance Exchange
The Learn and Serve America Training and Technical Assistance
Exchange, led by the National Youth Leadership Council, supports
service-learning programs in schools, institutions of higher education,
and community organizations through peer-based training and technical
assistance. The Exchange links programs with local peer mentors, refers
programs to regional trainers, and informs programs of regional
service-learning events and initiatives. When providing training and
technical assistance to Learn and Serve America grantees or
subgrantees, providers will be required to coordinate with the
Exchange.
National Service Resource Center (NSRC)
Currently managed by ETR Associates, Inc., Santa Cruz, California,
the National Service Resource Center (NSRC) serves as a repository of
information on all aspects of national service. The NSRC manages most
of the Corporation's listservs and its web site includes a calendar of
training events and links to all current providers. The NSRC also has a
lending library. Training and technical assistance publications are
posted or distributed by the NSRC. Providers will be required to submit
copies of their training materials and training scripts to the National
Service Resource Center.
Stream of Service
Refers to the Corporation's three main programs: AmeriCorps, Learn
and Serve America and National Senior Service Corps. Cross-stream
activities, therefore, refer to activities conducted or attended by
representatives from more than one program stream.
Subgrantees
Many Corporation grantees competitively award a significant portion
of their funds to other entities known as subgrantees. State
commissions, for example, subgrant to local non-profit organizations.
Senior Corps programs do not subgrant (see ``Grantees'').
Substream of Service
Refers to the categories within each of the above streams and
includes the following:
AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps*State
AmeriCorps*National
AmeriCorps*VISTA
AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community Corps
Learn and Serve America
Learn and Serve America K-12 School-Based and Community-Based Programs
Learn and Serve America Higher Education programs
National Senior Service Corps
Foster Grandparent Program
Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
Senior Companion Program
Training and Technical Assistance Listserv
Currently managed by the National Service Resource Center, the
training and technical assistance listserv is one of the ways providers
share best practices with one another. Providers also share effective
practices through the National Service Resource Center and the National
Service-Learning Clearinghouse.
(CFDA No. 94.009 Training and Technical Assistance)
Dated: November 29, 1999.
William Bentley,
Director, Department of Evaluation and Effective Practices, Corporation
for National and Community Service.
[FR Doc. 99-31409 Filed 12-2-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6050-28-U