New National Service Program/AmeriCorps
New legislation was signed into law on September 21, 1993 creating the Corporation for National and Community Service. Several existing federally sponsored volunteer programs have been incorporated into the new Corpotaration - Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA), Foster Grandparents, and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).
Several new volunteer programs have been added, such as AmeriCorps. This program is desgned to address four national priorities at the community level: education, human needs, public safety, and environmental needs. AmeriCorps offers opportunities for Americans 17 or older to serve in urban areas or rural communities for a period of two years. The volunteers recieve a living stipend which includes health care and child care. In addition to the stipend the volunteers will earn education awards of $4, 725 per year for college or vocational training. Volunteers can work in their own community or be placed through a natoinal clearing house. The AmeriCorps program will be launched on September 12, 1994, and will engage up to 20,000 AmeriCorps members by the end of the year.
State Commissions have been created to adminster the AmeriCorps activities. Individuals interested in joining AmeriCorps, VISTA, Foster Grandparents, or RSVP should contact the State Commissions beginning on page 12, or call 1-800-94-ACORPS (1-800-942-2677).
The AmeriCorps program also provides grant funds, through a competitive process, to national organizations, Indian Tribes, and U.S. Territories. Thirty grants have been awarded through this process, including one to the Head Start Bureau on behalf of the Indian and Migrant Head Start programs. (See Family- Serve article 3). The Head Start/New York State Collaboration Project received one of the 300 awards made to statewide organizations. (The project is described in article 4). Head Start grantees interested in obtaining information on these natoinal and State awards should contact ehir State's Natoinal and Community Service Commision (articles 12 and 13). Head Start grantees should explore the possibility of participating in AmeriCorps activities in their States.