Program Development & Training Officer

September 1, 2017

 

Program Development & Training Officer

 

Major projects completed –

  • AmeriCorps new grantee training was modified this year to give more focused support of new grantees while presenting in a manner that reduced overwhelming them with information.  Instead of a single 3-day intensive session, I visited each grantee individually to provide individualized support and then convened four separate training days.  Training days were help July 24th, August 3rd, 8th and 17th covering financial requirements, program and member management as well as use of the Commission’s grants management software tools.
  • Clarification of application and subsequent finalization of Commission Investment Fund award (‘CIF’ is for program outreach and technical assistance).  Award is from 8-1-17 to 12-31-18.  In late August, CNCS issued a NOFA for Program Priority CIF Augmentation. This additional $75,000 provided resources to fill the funding shortfall in the original CIF award.  Funds are to be used to provide support for development of applications for CNCS Targeted priorities.  Our application targets child abuse, support for youth aging out of foster care and infrastructure projects.
  • During this period I continued to use email and face to face meetings to promote National Service opportunities and to encourage applicants for the upcoming AmeriCorps application opportunities.

Issues to be aware of –

  • VGF funding will mean additional support for media outreach regarding volunteerism; support for 6 to 10 small grants supporting increased volunteerism in agencies providing service in one of three areas: transportation, food security and aging in place; and grantees will participate as a Service Enterprise Cohort.
  • Targeted priority funding will, again, support a consultancy model with subject area experts supporting the development of applications in three target areas.  Initial work will be in identifying key players in each field, finding appropriate consultants, and then convening a planning group to identify the most appropriate strategies for one or more AmeriCorps programs.
  • Opioid Initiative: I met with the intended legal applicant in Augusta and they are moving ahead with plans to submit an application focused on a Recovery Coaching collaborative in Hancock, Washington and Southern Aroostook Counties.
  • Other Service Enterprise:  Midcoast cohort completed training.  New southern Maine cohort is planned for fall.

Major focus of effort in the new month –

  • AmeriCorps Symposium
  • Support of new grantees
  • Outreach to potential applicants for upcoming competitive competition VGF, and as well as establishing Targeted Priority work groups
  • Direct support of known applicants – logic model and performance measure development and assistance with any technical clarifications.

 

Other activity –

Regular AmeriCorps Technical Assistance to existing grantees via email, teleconference & face to face.

Staff support for E & E task Force.

Providing back-up for procurement system and state purchasing system.