AmeriCorps Program Directors Monthly Update | March 2020
CNCS/National Service/VSC News and Updates
Meet VSC New Team Member Leanne Costantinidis! - VCS is excited to announce that Leanne Constantinidis has joined the team to strengthen our training curriculum for our programs! Here's a few words of introduction from Leanne: " Humanitarianism is one of my core tents. I believe volunteering in our own backyard is critical humanitarian work and a way for any of us to make a difference. Being raised in this culture from an early age translated to serve others in the work that I do as well. I have a background in Volunteer Management with nonprofits including an Area Agency on Aging. In that position I have been a Director for an RSVP program and a Program Manager with AmeriCorps VISTA. I have also enjoyed creating and administering trainings and managing events. I am excited to be able to be a contributing member of the AmeriCorps State team as the Data Review and Quality Assurance Coordinator. When not at work I enjoy cooking, gardening, scuba diving and spending time with my Great Dane pup."

Anoth er Important Reminder Regarding Upcoming Census - CNCS has directed all state service commissions to make certain our programs understand the official policy regarding the upcoming census and members. Here is the official statement: As it did in 2010, CNCS has determined as a matter of policy NOT to allow members and volunteers to engage in census activities during service hours. Being a census taker during service hours is categorically prohibited. Census-related activities (e.g., promotion of the Census, education about the importance of the Census) do not align with NCCC, ASN, VISTA and Senior Corps objectives. What members and volunteers do on their own time is up to them, consistent with program policies about outside employment and activities. 
Grants Information
Formula Grant Application Update - The 2020-21 AmeriCorps Formula Grants application process is moving along. All applications have been reviewed and have been submitted for formal funding recommendation to the Virginia Department of Social Services procurement manager. The procurement office performs their due diligence to document that the process followed state procurement requirements.Once that is approved, VSC will communicate with applicants on needed application clarifications/revisions. Stay tuned!

Contact Shannon Girouard,  shannon.girouard@dss.virginia.gov , (804) 726-7072
Program Accountability and Compliance
Mid-Year Timesheet Reviews - Please check your inbox for a mid-year timesheet review. As we have reached or passed the mid-year mark, please take a moment to formulate a member management plan for any members who may be behind with their service hours. Member management plans are due by March 23. 

Contact Samantha Lukasiewicz,  samantha.lukasiewicz@dss.virginia.gov , (804) 726-7925
or Christina Dumas,  christina.dumas@dss.virginia.gov , (804) 726-7675
Training and Technical Assistance
2020 AmeriCorps Training Calendar - Make sure to mark your calendars for upcoming VSC training events! Download the most up-to-date training calendar.

Share Your Knowledge with your AmeriCorps Peers! - We know that you have developed a wealth of expertise and best practices as program directors over the years. There will be several opportunities over the coming months where you can share your skills with other program directors as we launch the new program year. Please let us know if you would be interested in participating in training opportunities this year by completing this survey. Thanks for sharing your expertise and making our Virginia AmeriCorps team stronger!


2020 AmeriCorps Training Assessments - Just a reminder to encourage you and your members to complete the short surveys VSC has created regarding training needs for 2020. The feedback we receive will shape training sessions for 2020.


Contact Kimberly Brown, kimberly.brown@dss.virginia.gov , (804) 726-7069
Communications and Special Events
VSC Email Lists - We want to make sure that everyone in your program who needs to receive information is getting that information. Please relay your most up-to-date program contact information -- including any additional staff from your program you wish to receive updates from VSC. Remember, AmeriCorps State programs are required to use the Program Change Request form to update us. However, you may email patricia.doyle@dss.virginia.gov right now and, in the future, for email updates please use the Program Change Request form and send to AmeriCorpsInfo@dss.virginia.gov and copy your program officer,

AmeriCorps/CNCS Major Branding Overhaul - CNCS has hired a very well-known marketing firm to thoroughly evaluate the current state of AmeriCorps and CNCS brand recognition and then provide a strat egy for how both should be branded in the future. Service Commission and program staff have been taking part in Think Tank sessions to provide input. VSC will keep you posted as we learn what decisions have been made which we know will have an impact on your individual programs.


2020 Virginia National Service Awards - The nomination process has been extended for the 2020 Virginia National Service Awards! Remember to nominate an outstanding AmeriCorps member, Senior Corps member, or alum by the new deadline -- Friday, March 20, 2020.


AmeriCorps Week 2020 - As you celebrate AmeriCorps Week this week, remember to take lots of great photos and share your stories with us -- both on social media and directly to me at patricia.doyle@dss.virginia.gov.

National Service Recognition Day 2020 - We are excited to hear what is planned for this year's National Service Recognition Day. Here are some tools as you make your plans:


Contact Gail Doyle, patricia.doyle@dss.virginia.gov , (804) 726-7912
Member Matters
Tips on Disposing of AmeriCorps Trademarked Gear - As the service year comes to a close for many AmeriCorps members and staff, many of you may be wondering what to do with the wardrobe of AmeriCorps gear you have accumulated. If your member's gear is in great shape, they may want to check with you to see if you would like to have those items to offer to incoming members. Your members may also want to hang on to a few items to wear to AmeriCorps Alum events in the future. Remember, however, to tell your members to NEVER participate in Prohibited Activities while wearing these items -- even if they are out of service. Please DO NOT donate used AmeriCorps gear to a local charity or to Goodwill. When gear is donated, we have no way of know how items may be used. Civilians could possibly wear these items performing activities designated as prohibited and be photographed or filmed and an audience will not know that these individuals are not members. Make sure to share this information with your members!
Program News From Your Peers
Aspire! Afterschool Learning New Staff!!
Jesella Zambrano is the Assistant Director at Aspire! Afterschool Learning in Arlington. Jesella is passionate about utilizing education to increase long-term economic opportunities for underserved populations. After working with an education nonprofit in southern Brazil, and supporting the implementation of an English language program at the Federal University of São Carlos, Jesella decided to return to the United States and support students in the domestic K-12 system. She later went on to receive an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in International Education Policy, interested in gaining a better understanding of the similarities and differences between education systems and policies around the world. Welcome Jesella!
Virginia Service and Conservation Corps New Staff!!
The Virginia Service and Conservation Corps (DCR) has a new program director! Kellie Mattingly comes to DCR after spending eight years with CNCS. Her most recent role with CNCS was as a Program Officer with the Virginia State Office. In this role she managed AmeriCorps VISTA and Senior Corps grants throughout Virginia. Kellie has worked in county, state, and national parks seasonally and is an alum of the Student Conservation Association. She received a degree in Park and Recreation Management from Indiana University. Kellie is active in the Richmond community as she serves on the Associate Board of the Children's Museum of Richmond, the Junior Board of Historic Richmond, is the previous President of Friends of Barker Field, and does dog fostering. When she has free time she enjoys spending time outdoors with her dogs, watching Indiana Basketball, and Iowa Football. Welcome Kellie!
Tonishia Short has joined DCR as AmeriCorps Program Manager for the West Region. Although she was born in Frederick, MD; Tonishia has called Virginia her home since the age of one! She grew up in Amherst County and graduated from Radford University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education—becoming a first generation college graduate. She served as a fourth grade teacher for four years before earning her graduate degree in Curriculum & Instruction with a concentration in Gifted Education from the University of Richmond. Tonishia became an Elementary Gifted Resource Teacher, serving for both Richmond City Public Schools and Fort Campbell Schools in Fort Campbell, KY. After serving in public education for nearly a decade, Tonishia has decided to pursue a position that allows her to merge her innate gift to serve with her love for the outdoors. She enjoys adventure-seeking with her partner, Courtney, and also enjoys photography, hiking, live music, volunteering with the Atlantic Outreach Group, attending festivals, interior design, curling up in her hammock with a good book, and hanging out with her two pups! Welcome Tonishia!
Heather Sanford has joined DCR as AmeriCorps Program Manager East Region. Heather grew up on the Georgia/Tennessee line just outside the beautiful city of Chattanooga, TN. She completed an Associate of Arts in Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Science and Communication & Information Technology: New Media at Middle Georgia State University. Heather attended graduate school at Valdosta State University and graduated with a Master of Library and Information Science. For the past four years she has served as a professional librarian providing community programming for all ages in both the Carolinas. Heather has also developed and lead staff training in the use of online databases, and before working in libraries, she worked for more than three years managing marketing for multiple businesses. She has experience in graphic design, event planning, and social media management. Heather lives in downtown Richmond with her fiancé, Mike, and their adorable bulldog, Hoagie, and is excited to explore her new city and Virginia. She enjoys art, cooking and has a passion for travel.