AmeriCorps is Exciting Head Start Opportunity
by Gail Collins, Special Assistant to the Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families
On September 21, 1993, President Clinton signed into law the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993. The legislation brings together a wide array of volunteer and community service programs, including VISTA and others formerly housed in ACTION, into a new Corporation for National and Community Service. The Act also launches an important new national service program - AmeriCorps.
AmeriCorps will provide meaningful opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their country through organized efforts addressing the nation's critical human, public safety, and environmental needs. Individuals who are 17 years of age or older, a U. S. citizen or legal resident alien, and who have completed high school or agree to achieve a GED, will be eligible to apply to AmeriCorps. Participants will receive a stipend, health insurance, and, if needed, child care assistance while serving in the program. They will also earn education awards after completing their term of service. These awards may be used either to pay for college or other post-secondary education tuition, or to pay back educational loans.
Each State will participate in AmeriCorps by establishing a bipartisan commission on national and community service to administer the program. These commissions, to be appointed by the Governor of each State, will include educators, representatives of service programs, business and labor representatives, State government officials, and youth currently involved in service programs. Two-thirds of the funding for AmeriCorps will be distributed by the State commissions to local agencies administering community service initiatives. The remaining funds will be distributed by the Corporation for National and Community Service for multi-state initiatives sponsored by national nonprofit organizations, multi-State programs, or Federal agencies.
AmeriCorps presents several exciting opportunities for Head Start grantees. The first is the opportunity to attract new volunteers to serve in Head Start programs. The second is for Head Start parents to become AmeriCorps participants. Parents would be able to continue to be actively involved in their children's education while earning a stipend and an award to apply toward their own education. A Head Start grantee could apply to the State Commission to receive a grant to sponsor AmeriCorps participants or could serve as a placement site for other agencies placing AmeriCorps participants in the community. Finally, Head Start representatives may have the opportunity to serve as members of State commissions.
Head Start grantees are encouraged to learn about how AmeriCorps is being implemented in their State. The Governor's office in each State should be able to provide a point of contact for further information, or contact the Corporation at 202/606-5000.