AmeriCorps/Service for Learning and Life

Service for Learning and Life Statewide Initiative

DPI AmeriCorps Program Description:. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has received an AmeriCorps grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service through the Wisconsin National and Community Service Board to place approximately 20 AmeriCorps members around the state to coordinate resources and expertise, tutor children, recruit tutors, and coordinate high-quality service-learning projects. Sites include school districts, individual schools, Boys and Girls Clubs, Special Olympics agencies, and other non-profit organizations. Each host site recruits its AmeriCorps member and is responsible for day-to-day supervision of its AmeriCorps member's activities. Full time members are expected to serve a total of 1700 hours and part-time members are expected to serve 900 hours during a ten-month period.

Who is Eligible to Apply? School districts, individual schools, and non-profit organizations involved with literacy and service-learning activities may act as host sites for this AmeriCorps program.

Amount of Funds Available: This program does not distribute funds directly to the host sites. Instead, the program pays for approximately 80% of a $11,100 living allowance for full-time AmeriCorps members (the living allowance is $5,876 for half-time members), and provides support for training, travel, and miscellaneous other expenses incurred by the AmeriCorps members and their host-site supervisors. The host site must pay approximately 20% of the living allowance and other member support costs--$3,100 for full-time members. (This money cannot come from other federal grants.) Each AmeriCorps member is hired by the host site. Upon successful completion of service, the full-time member will receive an education award with a value of $4,725; part-time members will receive a $2,362.50 education award. The education award can be used to pay off qualified student loans or to pay for post-secondary education. Basic single health insurance and means-tested child-care reimbursements are available for full-time members. Members are also eligible for forbearance of any qualified student loan during the term of service.

Application Due Date Potential host sites should contact the DPI by June 22, 2007. If chosen, the host site will be responsible for recruiting an AmeriCorps member by September 1, 2007. (DPI will assist with recruitment when necessary.) The program cycle begins in early September and runs through July of the following year..

Current News

Another month chock full of great weather, events, celebrations, festivals and of course July 4th! Check them all out in the July AmeriCorps newsletter. Get involved with your community and get out and enjoy Wisconsin. Be active!

June is here AmeriCorps members. The weather is ideal and festival season has kicked off in Wisconsin. Take a gander at this month’s newsletter for entertainment ideas and helpful tidbits. Enjoy Spring!

The May issue of the AmeriCorps Newsletter is now available online. It is full of helpful information on a multitude of topics.

Want more information about festivals, celebrations, grant money, essay contests and your community happenings? Take a peek at the April '07 newsletter for AmeriCorps events (sites and dates), as well as local entertainment options for the entire month. Reading this month's newsletter might even save you some money - it costs nothing to read and has many cost-efficient ideas within.

Check out the latest information on the AmeriCorps Program in the March, 2007, newsletter.

For more information contact Steve Kretzmann, 608-267-9278 or Jane Grinde, 608-266-9356.

For information about AmeriCorps programs across Wisconsin, please visit the Wisconsin National and Community Service Board's website, www.servewisconsin.org

For questions about this information, contact Stephen P. Kretzmann (608) 267-9278

Last updated on 2/25/2008 9:07:58 AM