The Pennsylvania
Mountain Service Corps AmeriCorps program helps non-profit and government
organizations fulfill and expand their critical missions by funding
full or part-time AmeriCorps positions to serve in the areas of education,
environment, public safety, or human needs. For a minimal cost share,
host an individual in a year of service to benefit your group’s
efforts. Experience how an AmeriCorps commitment “gets things
done.”
Frequently
Asked Questions
How
can I get an AmeriCorps member?
Generally in March or April of each year the PMSC opens the host
site application process, and an online application is posted to
our website. Organizations are invited to submit an application
to host one or more members for the next AmeriCorps program year.
Once the application deadline has passed, the PMSC will review all
submissions and select and notify those organizations that will
become a host site.
How much does it cost?
Our AmeriCorps grant will cover much of the cost of supporting a
member; however, we are required to match our grant at a set percentage
rate. Currently, the cash match for an organization to have a full
time member is $6,700 plus in-kind support. The cash match for a
part-time member is $3,700 plus in-kind support. You would be invoiced
at the start of the program year for your cash-match amount.
What is in-kind?
In-kind is simply putting a dollar value to goods or services that
you supply to help support a member. Examples would be: office space,
computer usage, supervision. We ask you to submit an “in-kind”
report to the PMSC periodically throughout the program year. In-kind
helps to offset the cost of having a member as it is also used as
match for the AmeriCorps grant.
What kinds of things can members do?
Members are to be engaged in direct service in the areas of education,
environment, or human needs. Some examples are:
school districts and cultural centers have AmeriCorps members tutoring,
running after school programs, providing transitional services,
arranging service learning activities, and providing educational
enrichment activities. Conservation and redevelopment organizations
have AmeriCorps members doing GIS mapping, work force development,
water sampling, invasive species studies, and public land development.
Human Needs organizations have AmeriCorps members, counseling, providing
treatment plans, conducting prevention programming, and garnering
volunteer services.Members may also do a limited amount of fundraising
and grant writing.
How many members can I have?
Host site applicants can ask for as many positions as they want,
however, the PMSC may not be able to grant your full request. Any
requests that are not honored are placed on a waiting list and if
an opening occurs, the request may be filled.
Will you find a member for me?
The PMSC does not “place” a person at your
agency, but rather each agency will search out, interview, and select
their own person to fill the AmeriCorps position. The PMSC will
act as a clearinghouse for potential AmeriCorps members. Individuals
interested in serving may complete an online application and then
a database of the applicants will be made available to all organizations
awarded a position. The PMSC will help you to recruit by advertising
all open positions on our website under Service Positions, publishing
general classified newspaper ads, purchasing billboards and by using
other outreach tools. Applicants will also be encouraged to contact
agencies with open positions if they are interested and qualified,
to let you know they would like to be considered for an interview.
While we do our best to help with recruitment, the most successful
member – host matches occur from active agency recruiting.
What happens if I can’t find a qualified person for
the position?
If you have done a thorough search and have not found a suitable
candidate, the PMSC will do our best to help you find a match through
our database of applicants. If all attempts have failed, the PMSC
will place you on the waiting list and your agency will be contacted
if an opening occurs later in the program year; this often buys
a little time to help you find a match. Your agency may also opt
to relinquish the position and perhaps apply again in the future.
If the position was never filled, a full refund would be made on
any payment of cash-match.
If the
member quits, do I get a refund?
The PMSC will give an itemized refund for up to 150 days from the
member’s start date. For example, if your member quits one
month into the program, the PMSC will deduct out any stipends, healthcare
expenses, etc. and return the balance of the cash-match to you.
When does
the program start?
The host site application outlines several choices for terms of
service. For example the choices may be:
August–August, August-June, or October-August. The host site
selects the service term option that works best for the circumstances.
I missed
the application deadline; can I still get a member?
Possibly. If you miss the initial deadline the PMSC would still
accept your application to be placed on the waiting list. If an
opening occurred during the program year it is possible that your
agency could still receive a position. If no openings become available,
you would automatically be placed on the mailing list and notified
when the next application cycle was open.
Do I have
to apply every year?
Yes, you must re-apply each year. Existing host organizations will
receive an announcement signaling the opening of the next grant
application cycle.
How are PennSERVE and Appalachia IU-8 involved?
PennSERVE, the Governor's Office of Citizen Service, is the administrator
of the federal AmeriCorps funding for the state of Pennsylvania.
Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 applies for AmeriCorps funding through
PennSERVE in order to operate this local AmeriCorps program, the
Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps.
Is this a VISTA position?
No. Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps is an AmeriCorps State Program.
AmeriCorps supports a broad range of programs, including VISTA,
which engages thousands of Americans in intensive service to meet
critical community needs. For more information on AmeriCorps, click
here.
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