[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 22, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15316-15318]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-7107]


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CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE


Availability of Funds for AmeriCorps*VISTA Tribal Grants and 
Placements of AmeriCorps*VISTA Members

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 
(hereinafter ``the Corporation'') announces the availability of funds 
for fiscal year 2000 for new AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to 
America) program grants and placements focusing on meeting the needs of 
Indian tribes. The Corporation is soliciting applications from Indian 
tribes and Native American non-profit organizations to accomplish such 
grants and placements. Approximately five to seven grants/projects, 
supporting about 50 AmeriCorps*VISTA members, are expected to be 
awarded in June, 2000.

DATES: Applications must be received by 5 p.m. May 22, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Background information, including project applications, are 
available from the Corporation for National and Community Service, 
AmeriCorps*VISTA, 1201 New York Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20525; (202) 
606-5000, ext. 134; TDD (202) 565-2799, or TTY via the Federal 
Information Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. One signed original and 
two copies of the application should be submitted to the Corporation 
for National and Community Service, 1201 New York Avenue, NW, Attn: 
Cynthia Johnson, Washington, DC 20525. The Corporation will not accept 
applications that are submitted via facsimile or e-mail transmission. 
Applications submitted via overnight mail that arrive after the closing 
date will be accepted if they are postmarked at least two days prior to 
the closing date. Otherwise, late applications will not be accepted.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, contact 
Cynthia Johnson, at 202-606-5000, ext. 541.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    The Corporation is a federal government corporation that encourages 
Americans of all ages and backgrounds to engage in community-based 
service. This service addresses the nation's educational, public 
safety, environmental and other human needs to achieve direct and 
demonstrable results. In doing so, we strive to 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. We support a range of national service programs, 
including AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America, and the National Senior 
Service Corps.
    AmeriCorps*VISTA, a component of AmeriCorps, is authorized under 
the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, as amended (Pub. L. 93-
113). The statutory mandate of AmeriCorps*VISTA is ``to strengthen and 
supplement efforts to eliminate and alleviate poverty and poverty-
related problems in the United States by encouraging and enabling 
persons from all walks of life, all geographical areas, and all age 
groups * * * (to) assist in the solution of poverty and poverty-related 
problems, and * * * to generate the commitment of private sector 
resources, to encourage volunteer service at the local level, and to 
strengthen local agencies and organizations to carry out the purpose 
(of the program).'' (42 U.S.C. 4951)
    AmeriCorps*VISTA carries out its legislative mandate by assigning 
individuals 18 years and older, on a full-time, year-long basis, to 
public and private non-profit organizations whose goals are in accord 
with AmeriCorps*VISTA's legislative mission. Each AmeriCorps*VISTA 
project must focus on the mobilization of community resources, the 
transference of skills to community residents, and the expansion of the 
capacity of community-based organizations to solve local problems. 
Programming should encourage permanent, long-term solutions to problems 
confronting low-income communities rather than short-term approaches 
for handling emergency needs.
    AmeriCorps*VISTA project sponsors must actively elicit the support 
and/or participation of local public and private sector elements in 
order to enhance the chances of a project's success as well as to make 
the activities undertaken by AmeriCorps*VISTA members self-sustaining 
when the Corporation no longer provides resources.

B. Purpose of This Announcement

    The United States has a unique legal relationship with Indian 
tribal governments as set forth in the Constitution of the United 
States, treaties, statutes, Executive orders, and court decisions. In 
treaties, our Nation has guaranteed the right of Indian tribes to self-
government. As domestic dependent nations, Indian tribes exercise 
inherent sovereign powers over their members and territory. The United 
States continues to work with Indian tribes on a government-to-
government basis to address issues concerning Indian tribal self-
government, trust resources, and Indian tribal treaty and other rights.
    Under the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as amended, 
American Indian Tribes receive funding directly from the Corporation 
for National Service through a 1% set-aside of the overall funding for 
AmeriCorps programs, and a 3% set-aside in Learn and Serve America. 
There is no set-aside for Indian tribes under the Domestic Volunteer 
Service Act. Although many AmeriCorps*VISTA members serve in programs 
in Indian country, this notice provides a unique opportunity to enter 
into formal arrangements with Indian tribes as sovereign entities and 
to increase the number of Native Americans serving in AmeriCorps*VISTA.
    Proposals are sought that make appropriate use of AmeriCorps*VISTA 
members to accomplish the goals set forth in authorizing legislation.
    In particular, the following proposals are sought under this 
announcement: (a) Economic development in conjunction with tribal 
development plans, including welfare to work; (b) literacy, mentoring, 
and other assistance designed to meet the education needs of young 
Indians; and (c) efforts to bridge the technology gap among Native 
American populations.

C. Eligible Applicants

    Indian tribes and Native-run non-profit organizations are eligible 
applicants under this announcement. An Indian tribe is defined as 
follows: A federally-recognized Indian Tribe, band, nation, or other 
organized group or community, including any Native village, Regional 
corporation, or Village Corporation, as defined under the

[[Page 15317]]

Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602), that the United 
States Government determines is eligible for special programs and 
services provided under federal law to Indians because of their status 
as Indians. Indian Tribes also include any tribal organization 
controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by one of the entities described 
above. We will also consider applications from Indian tribes that are 
state-recognized, or in the process of seeking federal recognition.
    A non-profit organization, to be eligible to apply under this 
announcement, must be recognized and approved by the Indian tribe(s) 
being served as the entity with authority to carry out the project. 
Documentation of such recognition and approval must be included in the 
application.

D. Scope of Grant and Project

    It is anticipated that each grant will support between 5-15 
AmeriCorps*VISTA members on a full-time basis for one year of service 
and that each non-grant project approved for placement of members will 
support between 2-5 members. Technical assistance will be provided by 
the Corporation in order to enable those tribes selected under this 
announcement to complete project applications, including detailed 
budgets.
    Each grant will include funds for the grantee to pay: a monthly 
subsistence allowance for AmeriCorps*VISTA members that is commensurate 
with the cost-of-living of the assignment area and covers the cost of 
food, housing, utilities, and incidental expenses; an end-of-service 
cash stipend payment, accrued at the rate of $100 per month, for those 
members not selecting the AmeriCorps education award of $4,725; and 
relocation expenses for those AmeriCorps*VISTA members who must 
relocate in order to serve. The grant will also include funds for 
member in-service training, member supervision, and member/supervisor 
job-related transportation.
    Grant applicants should demonstrate their commitment to matching 
the Federal contribution toward the operation of the AmeriCorps*VISTA 
program grant by offsetting all, or part of, the costs of member 
supervision, transportation, and training, as well as the basic costs 
of the program itself (e.g., space, telephone, etc.). This support can 
be achieved through cash or in-kind contributions.
    Further, grantees are encouraged to share in the costs of the 
program, including paying for a specified number of AmeriCorps*VISTA 
positions, to include all costs except for the education award and 
health care, which will be paid by the Corporation.
    Grants will be awarded, and projects approved, on a twelve-month 
basis with a renewal option subject to need, satisfactory performance, 
and the availability of Corporation resources.
    Some projects may not be awarded a grant but may be approved for 
the placement of AmeriCorps*VISTA members. These will typically be 
projects that can benefit from only a few members.
    Publication of this announcement does not obligate the Corporation 
to award any specific number of grants or to obligate the entire amount 
of funds available, or any part thereof, for grants under the 
AmeriCorps*VISTA program, or to approve any specific number of non-
grant projects for the placement of AmeriCorps*VISTA members.

E. Responsibilities of Grantee

    Applicant organizations must have: The existing capacity and 
experience needed to monitor and support a project; demonstrated strong 
institutional commitment of personnel, resources, training and 
technical expertise; and a strong and well-coordinated project rather 
than loosely tying together several unrelated activities.
    After selection, the Corporation State Office will work with the 
local Indian tribe or non-profit organization to finalize Part A (CNS 
Form 1421A) (OMB Control Number 3045-0039) of the application, develop 
Part B (CNS Form 1421B) (OMB Control Number 3045-0038) of the project 
application, assist in recruiting tribal members to serve as 
AmeriCorps*VISTA members, and discuss various implementation issues 
including in-service training and technical assistance for the members. 
The Corporation State Office also provides training to AmeriCorps*VISTA 
supervisors through periodic site visits and meetings with supervisors. 
A Project Progress Report (CNS Form 1433) (OMB Control Number 3045-
0043) is submitted to the Corporation State Office on a quarterly 
basis.

F. Submission Requirements

    To be considered for funding, applicants must submit one signed 
original and two copies, of Part A of the AmeriCorps*VISTA application 
that contains the material requested in that application, including the 
following:
    1. A one-page narrative summary description, single-spaced, single-
sided, of the proposed AmeriCorps*VISTA project including the name, 
address, telephone number, and contact person for the applicant 
organization. The summary should include the major objectives and 
expected outcomes of the project. The summary will be used as a project 
abstract to provide reviewers with an introduction to the substantive 
parts of the application. Therefore, care should be taken to produce a 
summary that accurately and concisely reflects the proposal.
    2. A description of the project to be performed, including specific 
outcomes over the length of the project. These outcomes must be 
specified over the length of the project, as well as during the first 
year of the project.
    3. A description of the AmeriCorps*VISTA members' assignments, that 
is, what specifically members will be doing.
    4. Current resume of potential AmeriCorps*VISTA supervisor(s), if 
available, or resume of the director of the applicant organization.
    5. Organizational chart illustrating the location of the 
AmeriCorps*VISTA project within the overall applicant organization.
    6. Documentation from organizations and/or individuals that will be 
collaborating in the overall project effort.

G. Criteria for Project Selection

    All of the following elements will be used in judging the 
applications:

a. Getting Things Done

    The proposed project must:
    1. Address the needs of low-income communities and otherwise comply 
with the provisions of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, as 
amended (42 U.S.C. 4951 et seq.) applicable to AmeriCorps*VISTA and all 
applicable published regulations, guidelines, and Corporation policies.
    2. Contain clear and measurable objectives/outcomes in the project 
application for a 12-month period that address the overall objectives 
of the initiative. Proposed projects must show how the activities of 
the AmeriCorps*VISTA members contribute to specific outcomes related to 
increased opportunity for low-income people. It is expected that 
outcome objectives will reflect the evolution of the project over the 
12-month period.
    3. Indicate how the proposed project complements and/or enhances 
activities already underway in, or planned for, the community(ies) 
which will be served by the project. To the extent possible, projects 
should seek out opportunities to collaborate with other Corporation 
programs, as well as with other community partners, including the 
business sector.

[[Page 15318]]

    4. Describe how the number of AmeriCorps*VISTA members requested is 
appropriate for the project goals/objectives, and how the skills 
requested are appropriate for the assignment(s).

b. Strengthening Communities

    The proposed project must:
    1. Describe how the project will develop a sustainable capacity in 
the local community to effectively support the long-term self-
sufficiency of the community. Project services should provide 
assistance oriented towards long-term solutions.
    2. Demonstrate collaboration with organizations which provide 
supportive services to enhance project outcomes.
    3. Be designed to generate public and/or private sector resources, 
and to promote local, part-time volunteer service at the community 
level.
    4. Describe in measurable terms the anticipated self-sufficiency 
outcomes at the conclusion of the project, including outcomes related 
to the sustainability of the project activities.

c. Member Development

    The proposed project must:
    1. Clearly state how AmeriCorps*VISTA members will be trained, 
supervised, and supported to ensure the achievement of program goals 
and objectives as stated in the project work plan.
    2. Describe how AmeriCorps*VISTA assignments are designed to 
utilize the full-time AmeriCorps*VISTA members' time to the maximum 
extent.
II. Organizational Capacity
    The proposed project must:
    1. Ensure that resources needed to achieve project goals and 
objectives are available.
    2. Have the management and technical capability to implement the 
project successfully.
    3. Have a track record or experience in dealing with the issues 
addressed by the proposed project.
    4. Have systems for the evaluation and monitoring of project 
activities. Applicants must describe the methods that will be used to 
track progress toward the stated objectives, and the procedures that 
will provide the feedback needed to make adjustments and improve 
program quality.
III. Budget/Cost-Effectiveness
    The proposed project must:
    1. Include a budget that adequately supports the program design.
    2. Include a budget that adheres to budget guidance provided with 
the application.
    3. Describe how the applicant organization is committing resources 
necessary for program implementation.

H. Application Review

Proposal Evaluation
    To ensure fairness to all applicants, the Corporation reserves the 
right to take action, up to and including disqualification, in the 
event that an application fails to comply with any requirements 
specified in this Notice.
    The following weights will be used in judging the elements 
described above.
    1. Program Design (60%) in the following order of importance:
    a. Responsiveness to Strengthening Communities Criteria
    b. Responsiveness to Getting Things Done Criteria
    c. Responsiveness to Member Development Criteria
    2. Organizational Capacity (25%).
    3. Budget (15%).

I. Geographic Diversity

    After evaluating the overall quality of the proposal and its 
responsiveness to the criteria noted above, the Corporation will take 
into consideration whether funded projects are in areas of high 
concentration of low-income residents, including for example those in 
empowerment zones, and enterprise communities.

J. Technical Assistance

    An informal, technical assistance conference call will be scheduled 
on Monday, April 10, 2000, at 4 p.m. E.S.T. All applicants must pre-
register by faxing the names, organization and phone number of up to 
two members planning to participate. This information should be faxed 
to Michael Wagner at 202-565-2789. Questions may be submitted in 
advance of the meeting via fax to the above number.

K. Program Authority

    Corporation authority to make these grants and approve projects is 
authorized under Title I, Part A of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act 
of 1973, as amended (Pub. L. 93-113).

    Dated: March 17, 2000.
Gary Kowalczyk,
Coordinator of National Service Programs, Corporation for National and 
Community Service.
[FR Doc. 00-7107 Filed 3-21-00; 8:45 am]
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