Program Development and Training Officer: April 2022

Major projects completed & ongoing

  • Extended Continuation planning and budget support to GPCOG and MDF.

  • ARPA Amendment support after issuance of new financial coding and return of amendment agreements from programs.

  • Participated in Indigenous Funders meeting with other funders, sponsored by Maine Philanthropy Center.

  • Assessment of Member Conference wrap up status, including certificates, invoicing, distribution of event materials, follow-up with sponsor, etc.

  • Reviewed Main Street Skowhegan’s Data Management Plan and provided feedback. Also provided individualized training/meetings on multiple topics for GPCOG, KVCAP, Van Buren & MYA, in addition to regular Technical assistance.

  • Updated Professional Development fund application criteria and other details on the VM website in consultation with E & E members.

  • Reached out to new AmeriCorps Seniors program directors to re-establish a support relationship and made initial outreach to Public Health awardees who will place members in Maine to do the same.  Received good response from AC Seniors staff and made initial connection with Epilepsy Foundation and American Heart Assoc. representatives.

  • Continued an ongoing conversation about micro-credentialling with UMaine Vice Chancellor for Innovation with the aim of developing a variety of Corps credentials for members

  • Provided initial outreach to Town of Millinocket and Alpha Legal. 

Issues to be aware of

  • At the end of April we started a discussion with the South Portland School Department related to an emergency request for support needed due to the extreme increase in needed services for the children of asylum-seekers who are being housed in South Portland hotels.  We are coordinating multiple avenues of support from all three branches of AmeriCorps service.

  • Outreach to organizations able to host climate corps programs continues – many organizations participated in the coastal corps discussions but none have been willing to apply for operating or planning funding.  Similarly, outreach to the community college system to leverage apprenticeships through AmeriCorps has failed to produce applications as has outreach to Good Shepherd for a food security model.

  • Both potential “new” operating grants this year are either current or previously funded agencies, so “New Grantee” training will be modified to enable all experienced programs to build skills.  Grants Officer is working with the Training Officer to identify key areas of focus. Schedule will utilize previously scheduled Technical Assistance dates to avoid overburdening programs staff.

  • Volunteer Reception Center Training, normally scheduled for late May/early June is uncertain due to COVID – this is a grantee requirement that was waived in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID.  SMCOAD recently hosted an online version that was similar to our pre-exercise component.  We continue to seek an better replacement for the in-person exercise component.

  • ASC’s regional National Service training will occur mid-month in Burlington Vermont. Training Officer will attend with four other VM staffers. 

Major focus of effort in the new month

  • South Portland emergency support coordination. 

  • Support MDOE with possible AC placements with agencies responding to the Governor’s call for summer Marine Ecology programs for Maine students.

  • Continue outreach to effectively develop planning and operational funding for climate corps programming.

  • Complete online course for AmeriCorps Planning and welcome new planning grantees after awards are made.

  • Orient new awardees (if any) to summer training and expectations of Commission funded programs.

  • Begin review and updates of AC TA Writeboard “Program Managers’ Manual” ahead of summer trainings.

  • Submit CIF budget revisions and complete closeout of CIF grant that ended March 30. 

Other activity

  • Facilitated E & E Task Force follow-up.

  • Ongoing AmeriCorps Assistance to existing grantees via email, teleconference & face to face.

  • Procurement system management and initial entry of financial documents in state purchasing system, including purchase orders, bids, and contracts.