AmeriCorps Program Directors Monthly Update | April 24, 2020

Latest Virginia FAQs Answered - The VSC continues to work hard to answer all of your questions regarding changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

AmeriCorps NCCC - NCCC is a great program for graduating high school students who aren't sure of their next step or who want a meaningful gap year before college or employment. It is also great for any young adult, up to age 24, looking for a hands-on, adventurous way to travel and serve their country. Please share information about this program with any young adults, guidance counselors, and anyone working with youth. The NCCC member application deadline for this summer (classes starting in June or July) has been  extended to April 30 .  Anyone interested can find out more and apply at  www.nationalservice.gov/nccc .

Hardship Stories Needed - Please remember to send stories to Emily Steinberg at  esteinberg@statecommissions.org (copy the VSC at AmeriCorpsInfo@dss.virginia.gov) explaining how the COVID-19 crisis is affecting your organization and your members .

Annual Member Evaluation Survey - Please remind your members to complete VSC's member survey! The results are anonymous and provide important feedback to improve AmeriCorps service throughout the state. Please urge them to fill this out ASAP so that we can catch them before the end of their service term.

GPRs - Thank you for submitting Q2 GPRs! We are in the process of reviewing them now. If you have not submitted your GPR yet, please do so. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions!

Contact Analise Adams, analise.adams@dss.virginia.gov   if you have any questions or concerns.

COVID-10 Updates - Please note the following two documents for changes due to COVID-19:

Change Reques t Forms - ALL programs must provide their Program Officer with an updated Program Change Request form, if they have not already, for May 1st - end of their program year. 

You can either update your initial request form and send it back with updated information OR use a PRC and submit required information by MONDAY MAY 4TH. Please let your Program Officer know if you have any questions.

Contact Samantha Lukasiewicz,  samantha.lukasiewicz@dss.virginia.gov , (804) 726-7925

or Christina Dumas,   christina.dumas@dss.virginia.gov , (804) 726-7675

2020 Life After AmeriCorps Training Recordings - We had a great turnout for the virtual Life After AmeriCorps sessions over the last two weeks! We hope your members were able to take away some valuable skills to help them as they navigate the professional world going forward. If you have members who missed both of the sessions, they can still view a recording IF they are registered by 5pm, Thursday, April 30, 2020 . The recordings will also offer an interactive forum for members to complete activities and ask questions. Please make sure to remind your members to register so that they don't miss out!

New Program Boot Camp and Program Director's Annual Training - The VSC is working hard to provide you with the training and tools you need for the next program year despite the current COVID-19 crisis. Although it will be impossible for us to host a week-long, in-person training event in July this year, we are excited about the training plan we have developed for you. We will provide a virtual individualized Boot Camp for our new programs and in-depth, topical sessions for our programs already serving throughout the Commonwealth. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!

Contact Kimberly Brown, kimberly.brown@dss.virginia.gov , (804) 726-7069

2020 Virginia National Service Awards Last Call - The nomination process is ending for the 2020 Virginia National Service Awards today, April 24, 2020, at 5pm! I know many of you have some incredible stories of members who went above and beyond during this COVID-19 crisis and those members could be recognized by this award. It only takes a few minutes to complete the nomination form so nominate someone today!

Contact Gail Doyle, patricia.doyle@dss.virginia.gov , ( 804) 726-7912