Michigan Financial Opportunity Corps

AmeriCorps Program

2018-19 Host Site Application

The Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) is pleased to offer the placement of 23 AmeriCorps members for the Michigan Financial OpportunityCorps (MFOC) program.*

Organizations interested in hosting an AmeriCorps member should review the following requirements and complete and submit the attached applicationno later than 5:00 pm Friday, March 30, 2018.Required and allowable member responsibilities are listed below and should be fully examined to meet the needs of each partnering organization.Preference will be given to organizations that have had successful AmeriCorps placements in the past.

Interested applicants are encouragedto participate in an informational webinar on February 27 at 3 pm. Host site applicants that are unable to attend the webinarmay contact the Program Director to request technical assistance with the application. To register, please visitbit.ly/host-americorps.

WHAT IS AMERICORPS?

AmeriCorps functions as a network of local, state and national service programs that engages Americans in intensive service to meet our country’s critical needs in education, public safety, health, the environment and human needs. AmeriCorps members serve with nonprofits, public agencies and faith-based and community organizations. Since 1994, dedicated individuals have provided needed assistance to millions of Americans across the nation through their AmeriCorps service. Through their service and the volunteers they mobilize, AmeriCorps members address critical needs in communities throughout America.

AmeriCorps is a national service program governed by the Corporation for National and Community Service (a federal agency) and administered by the Michigan Community Service Commission (a state agency). AmeriCorps strengthens communities by involving people in service to meet local challenges.

WHAT IS THE MICHIGAN FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITY CORPS?

CEDAM is proud to host the Michigan Financial Opportunity Corps (MFOC), an AmeriCorps State program that focuses on creating financial stability within communities. MFOC members do this by increasing the capacity of financial education programming within their host sites. Members facilitate financial education classes, host events that promote free financial services, build capacity within Volunteer Free Tax Assistance sites and provide foreclosure prevention services.

The MFOC program is funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal entity that manages AmeriCorps. As such, MFOC members’ service activities may only include those that are specifically outlined in the approved Corporation for National and Community Service grant.

AMERICORPS MEMBER INFORMATION

MEMBER BENEFITS

Living allowance furnished by the Corporation for National and Community Service (see chart below).
Full-year AmeriCorps members are eligible for health insurance (for the member only) and childcare assistance;
Upon successful completion of a term of service, AmeriCorps members receive an education award that can be used toward student loan payments or for returning to higher education; and
AmeriCorps members also qualify for federal student loan forbearance during their service and may be eligible to have the interest repaid after service.

Term of Service / Living Allowance (paid twice monthly) / Education Award / Minimum Hours Served / Host Site Fee (Due June 8th)
Full year / $13,732 / $5,920 / 1,700 / $8,000
Seven-months / $6,866 / $2,960.00 / 900 / $4,250

AmeriCorps members will also receive extensive training and networking opportunities that encourage civic engagement, build leadershipand build personal and professional skills. Activities include:

Create a professional development plan with host site supervisor to build or practice skills.
Attend numerous CEDAM trainings: member orientation, webinar training, quarterly meetings and other events.
Attend Michigan’s AmeriCorps Member Celebration;
Take part in two National Days of Service sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service;
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service (January 15, 2018);
National AmeriCorps Week (March 2018); and
Take part in the 2018 Russ Mawby Regional Day of Service project (May 2018).

REQUIRED MEMBER ACTIVITIES (2)

Financial Education

Show Me the Money Day (SMTMD) Site Capacity Building

CEDAM trains MFOC members to plan and facilitate financial workshops and assist local organizations in programming, financial counseling or coaching. Members may not provide financial counseling themselves.
Specific examples of member activities:

Creating partnerships with Financial Opportunity Centers;
Outreach to financial institutions to host financial workshops; and
Facilitating financial workshops.

*Members must facilitate financial education classes / Show Me the Money Day is CEDAM’s statewide eventthat kicks off Michigan’s tax season.MFOC members may build the capacity of new or existing SMTMD sites by recruiting volunteers and vendors, soliciting donations and providing outreach.
Specific examples of member activities:

Creating and implementing an outreach plan;
Recruiting vendors from financial institutions and community resource providers; and
Soliciting donations of door or raffle prizes.

ALLOWABLE MEMBER ACTIVITIES (2)

Foreclosure Prevention

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) SiteCapacity Building

MFOC members may enable housing counseling agencies to serve at-risk homeowners more efficiently and effectively through preparing clients with paperwork crucial to successful sessions with a certified housing counselor.
Specific examples of member activities:

Completing basic client intake information; and
Working with homeowners to compile necessary documents for foreclosure counseling; and
Promoting foreclosure prevention programs; and
Referring clients to additional community services.

/ The IRS sponsors VITA sites to provide access to free income tax preparation assistance, of which many Michigan residents are eligible for but are unaware of the resource. MFOC members may build the capacity of new or existing VITA sites.
Specific examples of member activities:

Recruiting VITA volunteers;
Soliciting in-kind and cash donations to improve equipment or access (bus vouchers, tables, etc.); and
Providing community outreach and marketing for available tax credits and services.

PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES FOR AMERICORPS MEMBERS

Serving as a housing counselor or participating in housing counseling;
Any activity that is billed to HUD/MSHDA;
Receiving payment or the organization receiving payment for any activities conducted by AmeriCorps members;
Individual financial counseling;
Attempting to influence legislation;
Organizing or engaging in protests, petitions, boycotts or strikes;
Assisting, promoting or deterring union organizing;
Impairing existing contracts for services or collective bargaining agreements;
Engaging in partisan political activities designed to influence the outcome of an election to any public office;
Participating in or endorsing events or activities that are likely to include advocacy for or against political parties, political platforms, political candidates, proposed legislation or elected officials;
Engaging in religious instruction; conducting worship services; providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship; maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship or engaging in any form of religious proselytization;
Providing a direct benefit to:
A for-profit entity
A labor union
A partisan political organization
An organizational engaged in the religious activities described in the preceding subclause, unless grant funds are not used to support the religious activities; or
A nonprofit entity that fails to comply with the restrictions contained in section 501(c)(3) of U.S. Code Title 26; and
Conducting voter registration drives.

HOST SITE INFORMATION

HOST SITE BENEFITS

One full-time, trained AmeriCorps member to serve at the host agency;
Assistance in recruiting and selecting the individual who will serve as an AmeriCorps member;
Training for site supervisors and AmeriCorps members;
The opportunity to increase your organizational capacity to address local needs;
Increased visibility and credibility in communities;
Enhanced partnerships with others involved in building healthier communities; and
Recognition by local, state and national decision-makers for being part of a project that improves the lives of individuals in our communities.

REQUIREMENTS OF HOST SITE ORGANIZATION

Host sites must be a member of CEDAM for the duration of the member(s)’ term;
Host sites must be a non-profit, higher education institution, Indian tribe or state or local government;
Host sites must be a HUD- or MSHDA- certified housing counseling agency if the member is serving under the foreclosure prevention initiative;
Host sites must identify a host site supervisor for the AmeriCorps member. Host site supervisors must:
Be a full-time staff person and physically located in the same office as the AmeriCorps member;
Meet with the member weekly;
Attend the site supervisor orientation onMay 11, 2018. The person attending must be the person responsible for overseeing the AmeriCorps member and regulations at your organization. All new and returning host site supervisors must attend the training. The training will likely be held from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the CEDAM office. Specific details will come at a later date; and
Attend quarterly supervisor webinars.
Provide office space, phone access, email and computer access to the AmeriCorps member;and
Provide mileage and meal reimbursement to the member for any travel on behalf of the host site AND to four CEDAM-required trainings in Lansing (Any other CEDAM-offered trainings will be covered by CEDAM).

REQUIRED MATCH FEE

Funding for this program is allocated by the Michigan Community Service Commission. Refer to the chart above for required host site fees due no later than June 8th, 2018. If the host site fee is not paid by the deadline, CEDAM reserves the right to assign the allocated position(s) to another host site organization. CEDAM will not refund host site fees for any reason, including being unable to fill an offered member slot.

RECRUITING AMERICORPS MEMBERS

Before recruiting for an AmeriCorps member, host sites will submit and receive approval of a recruitment plan by the MFOC program director. It is recommended that host sites select a minimum of 2 to 3 candidates, of whom the top recommendation is submitted for an interview with the program director. The final selection and placement of AmeriCorps members can only be done by the program director. The program director will work collaboratively with host sites for challenges recruiting members.

Michigan Financial Opportunity Corps Program2017-18 Host Site Application Form (2 pages)

IMPORTANT DATES

February 27Optional informational webinar 3 p.m.

March 30Application deadline

April 25Host site selection & announcement

May 11Site Supervisor training (all day, Lansing)

June 8Host Site Agreement due to CEDAM

June 8Host site fee due to CEDAM

June 8Pre-recruitment paperwork due to CEDAM

June 8Recruitment begins once match fee is collected and all paperwork is approved

August10Host sites supply CEDAM their recommended candidate

September5AmeriCorps members’ service begins

*To register for the informational webinar, please visit bit.ly/host-americorps.

Application Process

Interested organizations must complete the attached application (no more than 5 pages) and submit electronically to Rachel Diskin no later than 5:00 pm on Friday, March 30, 2018. You will receive a confirmation email within one working day of successful receipt of your application. If you do not receive a confirmation, we have not received your application. Late or incomplete applications may be prioritized after on-time applications have been ranked. Please send all application materials via email to: Rachel Diskin at .*Funding and placement of AmeriCorps members is contingent upon the receipt of funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service to be determined by July2018.

Applicant Information

Organization Name and Address
Site Supervisor / Telephone
Email / Fax
Is your organization a current CEDAM member?
Will your site supervisor be present at the supervisor orientation on May 11, 2018?
Will your organization provide the required host site fee by June 8, 2018?
Will your organization provide mileage and meal reimbursement to the member(s) for service-related travel, including travel to Lansing for required trainings?
Number of 12-month MFOC members requested
Number of 7-month MFOC members requested
Under which initiative(s) do you expect your member(s) to serve?
/ Financial Education / / SMTMD Site
Capacity Building / / VITA Site
Capacity Building / / Foreclosure Prevention

If your agency answers no to any of these questions, your agency is not qualified to host an AmeriCorps member through the Michigan Financial Opportunity Corps, and your application will not be considered.

Please include in a separate document (no more than 5 pages total)

Please include data on the need for financial education services in your community. If you are requesting more than one member, please demonstrate the need for multiple AmeriCorps members.
Describe how your organization integrates financial stability work into organizational programming. Then, describe how your MFOC member(s)’s service will build on or expand upon the existing structure.
Specifically, describe how your MFOC member(s) will build expand the services your organization provides around financial education workshops. Include:

1. How your member will reach populations not currently being served and

2. A projected number of financial education workshop participants for the program year.

Describe how your MFOC member will expand your organization’s efforts around Show Me The Money Day (SMTMD). Include:
If your organization already hosts a SMTMD, how will they grow the event? Or
If your organization does not currently host a SMTMD, what kind of supports will you provide to the member in starting up an event?
If you are applying under the VITA capacity building and/or foreclosure prevention initiative(s), please describe how your member will grow the capacity of the program(s).
All sites must have one, full-time, on-site supervisor who trains and oversees the daily activities of the AmeriCorps member(s). Please describe the site supervision your member(s) will receive.
MFOC is dedicated to the personal development, professional development and civic engagement of members. Please describe how you plan to provide personal and professional development opportunities to your MFOC member.
Please draft a process for recruiting an AmeriCorps member(s) specifically including a timeline. (Note: it is the responsibility of the host agency to recruit their AmeriCorps member(s). The MFOC program director will provide additional guidance around member recruitment at supervisor orientation.)
Please provide us with a draft weekly schedule for the AmeriCorps member(s) including the weekdays and hours you anticipate them being in your office. This time must equate 1,700 hours during the program year. Ex. Member will serve Monday – Thursday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday from 9 a.m. – noon and alternating Saturdays from 9 a.m. – noon.
CEDAM plans to pilot a holistic training program for our AmeriCorps members during this program year that includes both a Community Economic Development field expertise and soft-skills training. Please list any specific areas of expertise that you or staff at your organization have and would be willing to provide training around (Examples include nonprofit fundraising, history of community development, building strategic partnerships, the role of education in community development, etc.):

If this is your first time applying to host a MFOC member:

Have you hosted a member in the past from another national service program such as Senior Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA, AmeriCorps NCCC, AmeriCorps State or another program? If yes, please provide the following details:
A description of the program.
When the member(s) served at your organization.
Did the member(s) successfully complete their term(s)? If no, why not?
If possible, provide a program contact person.

Previous MFOC host sites only:

Please share your best practices regarding member recruitment and retention. If you have struggled to recruit or retain members at any point in the past, please share either what you have done to correct the problem or what you intend to do this year, if awarded, to ensure a successful program year.