Virginia will kick off the 2020-21 AmeriCorps program year by bringing together our nearly 400 members and staff for a fantastic event on Friday, September 25, 2020, 9am-5:15pm. Our theme this year is "Adapting to a New World." We will present our first-ever Virtual Swearing-In Ceremony at which your members will take the AmeriCorps Pledge along with their fellow members from across the state!

There will be a special session at 10:45 for Program Directors/Staff. The VSC has also booked a host of industry experts to share their knowledge with the members on a variety of topics, including:

Registration is now open and we ask that you share the registration information with each of your members to register individually. We look forward to seeing you all then!

The Virginia Department of Social Services has released in eVA an additional 2020-21 AmeriCorps State Formula Request for Applications (CVS-21-015).  You may access the link here: https://m.vendor.epro.cgipdc.com/Vendor/public/VBODetails.jsp?PageTitle=SO%20Details&DOC_CD=RFA&Details_Page=VBOSODetails.jsp&DEPT_CD=A765&BID_INTRNL_NO=161745&BID_NO=CVS-21-015&BID_VERS_NO=1

Submissions are due September 17th by 2:00PM, via email and a hard copy with additional documentation to VDSS. Full instructions on submitting your application can be found on page 14 of the RFA, Section IV.  

An optional pre-application conference call will be held on Monday, August 31, 2020 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm. Applicants must call the following conference number: 1-574-318-7927 (PIN: 159 055 632#) and connect to the presentation at https://meet.google.com/wdr-bpzp-qwt . The purpose of the conference is to give prospective applicants an opportunity to present questions and receive clarification on any section of this RFA.

All inquiries for information must be directed to: Danilo S. Vasquez, Sr. Contract Officer, danilo.vasquez@dss.virginia.gov, 804-726-7185.

2019-2020 Programs- End of Program Year & Closeout Checklist - The Commission has developed an End of Program Year & Closeout Checklist describing steps that must be taken to successfully complete your member management, performance reporting and fiscal management responsibilities for the 2019-2020 program year. The checklist also includes formal closeout instructions, if applicable to your program, and CNCS record retention requirements. The Checklist can be found on the Commission website here: http://virginiaservice.virginia.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2019-2020-End-of-Program-Year-and-Closeout-Checklist.docx

Certification of the checklist should be returned to the americorpsinfo@dss.virginia.gov email by 9/30/20.

Ensure that the service agreement is signed on or before commencement of service, but the effective date will not be before the member is enrolled in the AmeriCorps Portal.

National Service Criminal History Check Ecourse - If you have not already done so, please submit your certificate of completion for the Required Annual National Service Criminal History Check Ecourse to Christina at christina.dumas@dss.virginia.gov by September 1. As a reminder, VSC is asking that all staff who are requesting criminal history checks for your organization complete the training. The training can be found here: https://www.nationalservice.gov/reqCHCtraining

If you have any questions or concerns, or would like to walk through an exit or the reporting process with, please contact Samantha Lukasiewicz at Samantha.Lukasiewicz@dss.virginia.gov

VSC Guidance on Electronic Signatures - VSC has developed a guidance document regarding electronic signatures. The document can be found in the Resource Portal and below:

Reminder for 9/11 Day of Service - Please send the VSC information on what you are planning for the 9/11 Day of Service. This is a CNCS mandated National Day of Service so your program is required to participate! You may plan an event of your own or take part in an event already planned. Please keep your members safe and serve using the CDC and your local community's COVID-19 guidelines.

Signage Requests - VSC is working on placing an order for site identifying signage for those of you who requested them. Unfortunately, there is a back order on these signs but CNCS says that they should be back in stock within the next two weeks. Stay tuned!

Virginia Programs Step Up During COVID-19 - America's Service Commissions recently compiled a list of ways in which AmeriCorps members are stepping up to fill in the gaps and take on new responsibilities during the current health crisis to help reopen our schools. This list will be shared with legislators as we move forward so that they can continue to see the value in National Service as a solution to our most pressing problems.

Virginia Members on America's Service Commission Board - Kayla Fuqua, who serves as the Program Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Lynchburg AmeriCorps program, and Vanessa Diamond, a member of the Governor's Advisory Board on Service and Volunteerism, have been named to the America's Service Commissions Board of Directors! Congrats Kayla and Vanessa!

AmeriCorps NCCC in Virginia - Several NCCC teams are being deployed in Virginia over the next few weeks performing a variety of services. If you have programs in the area and wish to reach out to these members, contact Stephanie Chan, SChan@cns.gov, and she'll put you in touch with their team leader.