Using ACT leaders to support a multi-site AmeriCorps program
Abstract
AmeriCorps Action for Children Today (ACT) members serving in multi-site states felt that they were isolated from one another. They wanted opportunities to work together on projects for national service days and also wanted ways to meet and network with AmeriCorps members from other programs in their state. To meet the needs of multi-site programs, ACT Leaders were placed at sites where members are scattered throughout the state either individually or in groups. Sites hosting ACT Leaders enjoyed positive program changes in several areas, including program effectiveness and member retention. This effective practice was submitted by Sara Wessling based on a workshop she co-presented at the AmeriCorps*National Direct Best Practices Conference held February 2002 in San Diego, California.Issue
Oftentimes members serving in multi-site states feel a sense of isolation from their fellow members. Geographical distance can hinder collaboration on projects for national service days and networking with AmeriCorps members from other programs in their state. Additionally, due to the program structure in these states, the supervisors dedicate a significant amount of time to coordinating the administrative management of their AmeriCorps grant, leaving them with little time to facilitate collaboration among members and with the state commission.
Action
This effective practice provides an outline on how to implement an ACT Leaders program, including criteria for selecting leaders and sites, and provides examples of successful activities for leaders to implement. This effective practice might be applicable to others wanting to develop a similar leaders network to support a multi-site program.
Implementation Process
To meet the needs of multi-site programs, ACT Leaders were placed at sites where members are scattered throughout the state either individually or in groups. The AmeriCorps ACT program gave sites the opportunity to apply to host AmeriCorps ACT Leaders. Sites submitted applications for leaders outlining proposed service activities. ACT Leaders received a living allowance of $13,000 and were provided the opportunity to participate in professional development/leadership development activities beyond those offered to other members.
Site Criteria
Each site was required to include two components in the leader's service activities:
1. Develop and maintain a relationship with the local state commission.
2. Facilitate a national service day event which includes all ACT members within the state. Based on their applications, multi-site programs in three states were selected to host ACT Leaders.
Leader Criteria
In order to have the necessary knowledge and experience to serve an ACT Leader, individuals were required to have completed a term of service as an AmeriCorps or AmeriCorps VISTA member. Members who had completed one term of service as ACT members were strongly encouraged to apply for ACT Leader positions.
Implemented Activities
* Providing regular meetings. ACT Leaders at each of the three sites facilitated opportunities for ACT members to interact through regular in-person meetings or conference calls on either a monthly or quarterly basis.
* Participating in inter-corps councils. Two ACT Leaders joined their state inter-corps councils as representatives of the ACT members in their state. Through their participation in these groups, leaders learned about state commission sponsored events such as service conferences, kick-off celebrations, graduation events, training, and grant opportunities. When leaders learned about state commission sponsored events they encouraged other ACT members to participate in these commission-sponsored events and most members were able to take advantage of some or all of the opportunities available to them.
* Promoting collaborations among members. Members reported that the ACT Leaders in their states were able to help them connect with AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps*VISTA members from other programs in their areas. Several members joined with other national service participants in their local communities for service activities, projects and events.
Context
Action for Children Today (ACT) is an AmeriCorps national direct program with operating sites in over 10 states. ACT is funded by an AmeriCorps grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service to the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA). NACCRRA recruits and trains AmeriCorps members to assist local child care resource and referral agencies in expanding the quantity and improving the quality of infant/toddler, preschool, and school-age child care while providing direct service to these age groups. Quality child care ensures that children are ready to learn, helps parents work, and promotes safe and healthy neighborhoods.
Since 1994, more than 50,000 children, 10,000 families, and 12,000 providers have been directly served by ACT members. In addition, local citizens have been mobilized to volunteer and serve their communities. Over 350 AmeriCorps ACT members have served since the program's inauguration, providing services across the country. During the 2001-2002 program year AmeriCorps ACT members are serving in Alabama, California, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.
Outcome
Sites hosting ACT Leaders enjoyed positive program changes in several areas.- The regular in-person meetings or conference calls facilitated collaborations among members for national service day events and other service activities. The meetings also gave members an opportunity to discuss service delivery strategies, accomplishments, challenges and frustrations with one another.
- In the state of Maine, the ACT Leader applied for and received a grant from the state commission to fund a Violent Toy Trade-In project for the Martin Luther King Jr. day of service. The Leader only became aware of the grant opportunity through her participation in the inter-corps council.
- Collaborations developed between AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps*VISTA members from other programs in their areas. Several members joined with other national service participants in their local communities for service activities, projects and events. For example, in Maine, ACT members invited local AmeriCorps*VISTA members to help organize and carry out the Violent Toy Trade-In project.
Evidence
When ACT Leaders were added to multi-site states, members reported feeling supported by and connected to the ACT team and other national service programs within their state.
As of April of the 2001-2002 program year, each of the sites hosting ACT Leaders enjoy a 100 percent retention rate, and for two of these sites, this represents a 40 percent increase in member retention when compared to the 2000-2001 program year.
Posted On
April 12, 2002For More Information