AmeriCorps Basics
What phrase begins the AmeriCorps Pledge?
“I will get things done.”
Fiscal Reports are submitted in what system and how often?
Submitted in SAGE and OnCorps , quarterly
Members must complete this training on their first day, covering topics like prohibited activities, timesheets, and rules of conduct.
What is Member Orientation
What are common findings found during Program Monitoring?
Program:
Program Directors did not conduct mid-year and end-of-year evaluations (if applicable at the time of monitoring)
Did not maintain the member file
Did not comply with 8 day enrollment or 30 day exit rule.
Members must be enrolled in eGrants within this many days of their service start date.
What is 8 days?
What document verifies member service hours?
Timesheet
Food costs are unallowable unless...
If members or staff are participating in an AmeriCorps training that is six (6) hours or more that is supported by an agenda and sign-in sheet,
If the food costs are expressly included in the approved AmeriCorps/AMERICORPS budget narrative.
If a staff or AmeriCorps member is in travel status (outside of the county where they live or as defined by your organizational policy),
This is the minimum number of years member files must be retained after the member completes their term of service.
All member files and timesheets must be kept for a minimum of seven years beyond the end of the final set of program and fiscal reports submitted by the NJ State Commission since we are considered the primary grantee. All member files for members who were 55 years of age or older at the time of enrollment should have their files retained for a period of 10 years.
Name 2 Common Findings of Performance Measures Monitoring?
Performance Measures:
Data collection instruments not measuring what they are supposed to measure and not yielding consistent results
Pre-assessments are not utilized to get baseline data so that changes can be objectively assessed, rather than measuring perceptions of change retroactively
Program did not clearly identify and distinguish outputs from outcomes while maintaining logical alignment
Programs consistently do not achieve their performance measures
What document describes the duties and responsibilities of an AmeriCorps member?
Position Description
What is the percentage of member service hours that can be logged as training?
20%
Budget modifications that exceed this percentage of a line item require AmeriCorps approval through the State Commission?
10%
What is the last Calendar Date in which a FT 1700 HR. Member can be enrolled this year?
Name 2 Common Findings During the Monitoring of Member Timesheets?
Members did not provide adequate detail of service and activity
Members did not note details of time in for the day, time out for the day and any breaks taken in the narrative section
Members, Site Supervisors and Program Directors aren’t reviewing and signing the timesheets consistently
If a member serves less than this percentage of their term, they typically receive no education award.
What is 15%?
Member Weekly
Site Supervisor Bi-Weekly
Program Director Monthly
How do staff on AmeriCorps Budgets document time and effort?
Personnel: Every individual on the federal or grantee share of the AmeriCorps grant must maintain a timesheet to document personnel costs.
This federal regulation establishes the Uniform Guidance that governs financial management and grant administration for AmeriCorps Grants.
What is the 2 CFR Part 200.
Programs used incorrect repositories for NSCHC’s
Members started serving before being cleared and/or properly enrolled in eGrants
Programs did not get their NSCHC checks cleared with the New Jersey State Commission
Programs did not use Truescreen or the correct Truescreen account
Name three prohibited activities.
Examples:
Lobbying
Political campaigning
Religious instruction
Union organizing
What could happen if required documentation is missing during monitoring?
Costs may be questioned or disallowed.
Grantees will be asked to submit the following financial supporting documentation for close- out:
Residual Supplies Form
Equipment Inventory Form
Member Payroll Report
General Ledger
How many calendar days can an AmeriCorps Member have as a break in service before they are required to complete a new NSCHC for a consecutive term?
Name 2 Common Findings found in Fiscal Monitoring?
Fiscal:
the match is not met, undocumented, unreasonable, not approved in budget or uses unauthorized Federal Funds:
Cash and in-kind not supported by adequate documentation or verifiable grantee records
Other Federal funds used as match without documentation from the Federal source authorizing their agreement
Match claimed was not necessary to operate grant or outside of grant period
Program not meeting both statutory and budgetary match