The Corporation for National and Community Service to Address Program and Policy Issues - March 22, 2004 Vol. 5, No. 6

March 22, 2004 Vol. 5, No. 6:

Published: 03/22/2004

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The Corporation for National and Community Service to Address Program and Policy Issues

Both Congress and the President have asked the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to undertake formal rulemaking to address significant program and policy issues.

President Bush has instructed CNCS to improve accountability and efficiency in administrating its programs. In an Executive Order, the president asks that the Corporation adhere to four “fundamental principles” when making these changes. The four include expanding opportunities for faith-based and community organizations and raising more money from the private sector and state and local governments.

Meanwhile, through H.R.2673, Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2004, Congress is also requiring CNCS to adopt policy changes to the extent feasible. For example, Congress wants the Corporation to have a peer review panel oversee fund distribution to ensure that priority is given to programs demonstrating quality, innovation, reliability, and sustainability. Like the president, Congress has directed CNCS to significantly increase the level of matching funds and in-kind contributions provided by the private sector, and reduce the total federal costs per participant in all programs.

In addition to exploring the many issues laid out by the president and Congress, CNCS may also suggest setting time limits on how long an organization can qualify for AmeriCorps funding. In order to implement these directives CNCS will conduct a formal rulemaking, the process by which CNCS will establish new regulations that will define (possibly for the next decade) what is expected of AmeriCorps grantees.

Fortunately, CNCS is providing the community with many opportunities to submit comments, suggestions and concerns. CNCS is taking an extra step in the rulemaking process by soliciting comments before it drafts the proposed rule, which again will have an open public comment period. CNCS is holding five regional meetings and four conference calls. The times and dates of the regional meetings and conference calls are on CNCS’s website, at http://www.americorps.org/rulemaking/rulemaking_heard.htm.

Save AmeriCorps, a coalition made up of CNCS grantees, has posted their own recommendations for the CNCS to adopt when going through regulatory and policy changes. You can view their recommendations on SaveAmericorps.org.