Major projects completed -- October 2022
- Supported summer planning grant awardees with corrections, budget adjustments, and final changes prior to federal submission
- Participated in the Inspiring Engagement Conference with New jersey VOAD
- Re-wrote AmeriCorps competive RFP tas an RFA with updates for the current year's priorities and re-designed the Bidders' Conference format for the Competitive RFA (which was delivered via zoom November 1st).
- Worked with programs to develop better member exit monitoring tools in order to decrease compliance errors and provide multiple checklist format templates (for both programs and for members themselves).
- Continued bi-monthly meetings with funded planning grantees intended to develop their capacity to develop and successfully apply for a future AmeriCorps grant final Planning Grant closeout process.
- Worked with other VM staff to develop a proposal for grant funding to support the development of an introductory volunteer management credential in the UMaine system in collaboration with a Cooperative Extension staff person. The application is due in early November
- Submitted Training and Technical Assistance grant (CIF) application for calendar year 2023. Also surveyed program staff on the effectiveness of monitoring feedback and training in their work.
Issues to be aware of --
- GPCOG has decided to apply for a competitive AmeriCorps grant, having completed a 3-yr formula cycle. The application design has been informed by coordinated planning with Climate Corps staff. GPCOG has been hesitant to commit to moving towards competitive funding.
- Received feedback on the federal compliance visit and the need for a corrective action plan related to the state Office of Procurement's lack of a procedure, required under 2 CFR, to proactively notify women and minority owned business of availability of federal funding.In the absence of this, VM will need to create an interim internal policy to meet the requirement.
- VM staff members have started participating in the group organized to collaboratively examine the implications of the Biden administration's Justice 40 Initiative, which requires that agencies providing federal funding create systems to ensure that 40% of the federal funding stream go to, or be provided in support of, traditionally marginalized populations. The ramifications of this connect with the work the Commission has to accomplish in response to the procurement system finding and corrective action plan following the site review this summer and fall.
- The AmeriCorps agency released a NOFO for ARPA funded planning grants (due Nov. 17th). All applicants are directed to apply to the federal agency, including programs operating within single states. The Agency does to intend to transition single state applicants to the Commission for Administration. We anticipate at least one possible application that would be a single state app from Maine. We are working with ASC and the federal agency to see what options for collaboration and info sharing exist.
- AmeriCorps: The Commission has an open RFPs for Competitive funding. Commissioners should be aware that any questions regarding the competitions or the RFPs should be directed to the staff member identified in the RFP documents.
Major focus of effort in the new month --
- Organize and plan for separate day-long scoping sessions with both planning grantees, Alpha Legal and Maine DOE to assist them in building a supporting coalition, clarifying their service activities and helping them determine the scale of their potential projects.
- Host AC Competitive Bidders Conference.
- Provide support to AmeriCorps grantees with open positions and those going into recruitment for January starts.
Other activity --
- Staffed Excellence & Expertise Task Force
- Regular AmeriCorps Technical Assistance to new and existing grantees via email, teleconference & face to face.
- Completed the annual FFATA reporting that was identified in the compliance audit as being out of date for some awards
- Procurement system management and initial entry of financial documents in state purchasing system, including purchase orders, bids, and contracts