June 8, 2018
Program Development & Training Officer - May 2018 Report
Major projects completed –
Commission Investment Fund: MCCS met one of its major goals under the CIF funding plan, to co-host a multi-state regional training for AmeriCorps and Senior Corps staff from Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont (and other New England states). The conference was successfully executed in late May over two days in Concord New Hampshire with more than 120 program staff attendees.
Emergency management: co-presented two sessions at MEMA’s Partners in Preparedness conference. One on Volunteering 101 with an emphasis on keeping volunteers engaged during “blue skies” time and the other on how to request AmeriCorps NCCC teams.
Also, provided a Volunteer Reception Center Training to 84 Maine Conservation Corps members and staff, preparing them for their potential role in support the Commission if a major disaster event was to impact the state.
VGF & Service Enterprise: Finalized contracts with new Volunteer Generation Fund grantees and provided a day-long New Grantee Training session to their program and financial management staffs. Also, did significant outreach to agencies in Aroostook County, resulting in an Introduction to Service Enterprise training meeting in Presque Isle. It looks likely that at least four agencies will participate in a Service Enterprise cohort training in the County starting with Orientation this July and the remaining four training sessions in the fall.
Other: Completed the contracting for support with the ASC and Mott Foundation Afterschool program outreach initiative, welcoming Kristyn Brownell to the work mapping afterschool programming in the state in anticipation of outreach to programs most likely to benefit from National Service support.
Supported Commission in hosting the Young Maine Roll of Honor recognition event.
Issues to be aware of –
Last year’s Opioid Initiative outreach resulting an approved program. The applicant, Healthy Acadia submitted to the regular competitive round, was initially waitlisted, but was finally approved. A key component of this application is direct monetary support from DHHS.
The upcoming months will be dominated by training and support to new grantees, both AmeriCorps and VGF. We have a significant number of new programs and new staff in continuing programs. To this end, we have scheduled six full day training events over the summer months and are developing individualized support plans for each grantee
Major focus of effort in the new month –
Training officer will be attending a weeklong Disaster preparedness training in Mississippi hosted by CNCS to assist Commissions increase their role in the disaster services arena. MCCS already has a significant role.
As noted above, major focus will be on training design and program start-up support over the summer months. This will include re-design of both the curricular elements and the process of delivering them to newly funded programs. New staff from continuing programs will be required to attend as well.
Other activity –
Regular AmeriCorps Technical Assistance to existing grantees via email, teleconference & face to face.
Staff support for E & E task Force.
Procurement system management and initial entry of financial documents in state purchasing system, including purchase orders, bids, and contracts.