AmeriCorps Program Directors Monthly Update | July 28, 2020
Reminder: Next Virginia AmeriCorps Program Director
Zoom Meeting is Monday, August 10, 2020, 10-11am,
See you then!
2020-21 Virginia AmeriCorps 101 & 201 Training Wrap-Up
On behalf of the entire team at the Virginia Service Commission, we'd like to thank everyone who participated in the AmeriCorps 101 and 201 virtual training events over the past two weeks. You helped make this challenging task run so much more smoothly with your energy and engagement. We wanted to take this chance to provide you with a few important resources from these events.



  • Training Evaluations - If you haven't already, please remember to complete the overall training evaluation:


  • Signage Requests - If your program needs additional signs, decals, or brochures, please complete the VSC Material Request Form.

Again, thank you for coming together to help us successfully complete this event. We look forward to an incredible service year!
Financial Management
Invoices - In the last two weeks, your program should have received two invoices from the Commission: an invoice for worker's compensation fees on behalf of 2019-2020 members and one invoice for the 1% Commission Support Fee for the 2019-2020 program year. Payment due dates are indicated on the invoices. If you have any questions, please contact Shannon Girouard, Fiscal Officer, shannon.girouard@dss.virginia.gov .
Program Compliance
NSCHC eCourse Certificates - Certificates for the  Required Annual National Service Criminal History Check eCourse are due by September 1. The course can be found here:  https://www.nationalservice.gov/reqCHCtraining Contact Christina Dumas, christina.dumas@dss.virginia.gov with any questions.
Outreach Update
AmeriCorps Upcoming Funding Opportunities & Outreach - The VSC team recently hosted an informational webinar regarding upcoming funding opportunities, including planning grants. Information on this webinar, including the recording and FAQ's can be found on the Virginia Service AmeriCorps Funding Webpage .
Member Recruitment & Onboarding
Sample Language for Recruitment - As a follow-up to the Member Enrollment training session during the AC 101 training, the following is sample language that can be used as a failsafe for recruiting while your award is pending, while also identifying the grantor and pass-through entity:

Proposed activities will be supported, in part, with federal funds from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) AmeriCorps State program subgranted through the Commonwealth of Virginia, Virginia Department of Social Services. Activities are contingent upon funding availability and award from CNCS.

Member Recruitment Video - CNCS has created a new video and graphics you can use in your recruitment efforts. You may share social media posts or upload the video and graphics to your own social media channels.  Check it out.

Onboarding During COVID Video - Service Year Alliance has released a video training on the topic of "Onboarding Duiing a Crisis" which has some helpful tips as you move forward with your orientation process.
Training and Technical Assistance
SAVE THE DATE - AmeriCorps Opening Day and Member Training - The VSC is currently in the planning stages for the 2020-21 AmeriCorps Opening Day event on Friday, September 25, 2020. This day-long virtual event will not only feature the annual swearing in ceremony for our members, but also a multitude of training sessions. These sessions have been designed to help your members as they navigate their service year and beyond. Please make sure that we have your correct CURRENT mailing address for the shipment of AmeriCorps swag items for this event.

AmeriCorps Key Terms and Definitions - VSC has just updated a comprehensive list of key terms and definitions to serve as a reference for our new program staff. Check it out on the Resource Portal here .

Upcoming OnCorps Training -
  • Getting Started in OnCorps: Program Set Up - User Permissions & Records (Wed, Aug. 5, 2020 12:00pm) Register Here
  • Getting Started in OnCorps: Time Tracking (Wed, Aug. 19, 2020 12:00 pm) Register Here
  • Communication Tools & Member Service Reports (Wed, Sept. 2, 2020 12:00pm) Register Here
Notes From the Field
Dan River Year AmeriCorps - AmeriCorps members Kathy Terrell and Janet Gwynn got a chance to share their service recently in a recent interview. The Danville Register and Bee highlighted their work assisting with the program's Pop-Up Summer Camps.

City of Richmond Healthy Futures Project and CARITAS - Both programs were highlighted recently in the CNC S report "A Promising Response to the Opioid Crisis: CNCS-Supported Recovery Coach Programs." This study profiles 16 AmeriCorps grantees that received funding in 2017 and 2018 to address the opioid epidemic.

The Literacy Lab - Impact 100 RVA recently awarded The Literacy Lab $100,000 in grant funding! Congrats!
Look forward to reading more stories from your fellow AmeriCorps programs around the state in the next edition! Stay safe and healthy!
VSC Team
Roxanne Saunders
Program Manager
(804) 726-7931
Analise
Adams
Program Officer
(804) 726-7653
Kimberly
Brown
Program Officer
(804) 726-7069
Jae-Young
Choe
Executive Assistant
(804) 726-7065
Leanne Costantinidis
Data Reviewer & Quality Assurance Coordinator
(804) 726-7675
Gail
Doyle
Communications Specialist
(804) 726-7912
Christina
Dumas
Monitoring and Compliance Specialist
(804) 726-7675
Shannon Girouard
Fiscal Officer
(804) 726-7072
Vickie
Johnson-Scott
Disaster Readiness & Response Coordinator
(804) 726-7675
Samantha Lukasiewicz
Program Officer
(804) 726-7925