98-5225. AmeriCorps*VISTA Supervision and Transportation Support Guidelines  

  • [Federal Register Volume 63, Number 40 (Monday, March 2, 1998)]
    [Notices]
    [Pages 10200-10202]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 98-5225]
    
    
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    CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
    
    
    AmeriCorps*VISTA Supervision and Transportation Support 
    Guidelines
    
    AGENCY: Corporation for National and Community Service.
    
    ACTION: Notice of guidelines with request for comments.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Corporation for National Service (``Corporation'') plans 
    to replace the VISTA Supervision and Transportation Support Guidelines 
    published in the Federal Register on May 5, 1987 (52 FR 16422). These 
    guidelines will enable AmeriCorps*VISTA to make a grant agreement, or 
    other arrangements with a sponsoring organization to pay for on-the-job 
    transportation and/or supervisory support for AmeriCorps*VISTA members. 
    The Corporation invites all interested parties to comment on the issues 
    discussed in this notice. Any comments received will be carefully 
    considered in the development of the final AmeriCorps*VISTA Supervision 
    and Transportation Support Guidelines.
    
    DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
    
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    address section on or before March 25, 1998.
    
    ADDRESSES: Send comments to Rosezina Dunn, AmeriCorps*VISTA Office, 
    Corporation for National Service, Room 9110, 1201 New York Avenue, 
    N.W., Washington, D.C. 20525. (See Supplementary Information section 
    for policy on electronic access.)
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry Bevan, Program and Field Support 
    Manager, AmeriCorps*VISTA, (202) 606-5000, extension 206. For 
    individuals with disabilities, information will be made available in 
    alternative formats, upon request.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Final Notice of VISTA Supervision and 
    Transportation Support Guidelines, as published in the Federal Register 
    on May 5, 1987 (52 FR 16422), will be replaced by new guidelines. This 
    notice proposes new guidelines to ensure that AmeriCorps*VISTA members 
    have the support to ensure that they may perform their assignments 
    effectively. These guidelines will apply to AmeriCorps*VISTA sponsors 
    and members serving under Title I, Part A of Pub. L. 93-113, as 
    amended. The Corporation seeks public comment for all portions of these 
    proposed guidelines. Comments submitted in response to this notice will 
    be summarized and/or included in the final guidelines; they will also 
    become a matter of public record. No electronic mail or facsimile 
    transmission comments will be accepted.
    
    AmeriCorps*VISTA Supervision and Transportation Support Guidelines 
    Implementation
    
        These Guidelines apply to all AmeriCorps*VISTA member supervision 
    and/or on-the-job transportation support grant applications/agreements 
    submitted to the Corporation for National Service on or after the 
    effective date of the final notice.
    
    1. Purpose
    
        (a) Section 105(b) of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, 
    Public Law 93-113, as amended, requires the AmeriCorps*VISTA program to 
    ensure that each member serving under Title I, Part A of the Act has 
    available such allowances and support as will enable them to carry out 
    the purpose and provisions of the Act and to perform their assignments 
    effectively. In accordance with Section 105(b) and these guidelines, 
    AmeriCorps*VISTA may make a commitment through a grant agreement, or 
    other arrangement with a sponsor, to pay for on-the-job transportation 
    and/or supervisory support of such members.
        (b) This order establishes the policy and guidelines for 
    determining:
        (1) The circumstances under which grants or other arrangements for 
    AmeriCorps*VISTA contributions to on-the-job transportation expenses of 
    AmeriCorps*VISTA members may be negotiated between AmeriCorps*VISTA and 
    the sponsor; and
        (2) The circumstances under which grants or other arrangements for 
    AmeriCorps*VISTA contributions to the cost of providing supervision for 
    AmeriCorps*VISTA members may be negotiated between AmeriCorps*VISTA and 
    the sponsor.
    
    2. Scope
    
        Provisions of this policy and guidelines apply to AmeriCorps*VISTA 
    sponsors and members serving under Title I, Part A of Pub. L. 93-113, 
    as amended.
    
    3. Background
    
        While AmeriCorps*VISTA must ensure that members have available such 
    allowances and support as will enable them to perform their project 
    assignments effectively, the provision of adequate on-the-job 
    transportation and supervision for AmeriCorps*VISTA members is 
    primarily the responsibility of the sponsoring organization.
        AmeriCorps*VISTA recognizes, however, that in some instances 
    sponsoring organizations requesting members for projects that conform 
    to AmeriCorps*VISTA's programming criteria may need assistance in 
    providing this support. Corporation State Program Directors are 
    provided with limited financial resources for the purpose of entering 
    into transportation and/or supervision arrangements with 
    AmeriCorps*VISTA project sponsors.
        When such arrangements are established with a sponsoring 
    organization, they are to provide for the direct support of 
    AmeriCorps*VISTA member transportation and supervision, as well as 
    travel needed to supervise AmeriCorps*VISTA members. They are not 
    intended to provide for other support needed to accomplish the goals of 
    the project. All other overhead expenses such as supplies, materials, 
    and equipment are the sole responsibility of the sponsoring 
    organization.
    
    4. Policy
    
        (a) AmeriCorps*VISTA will provide full or partial funding for on-
    the-job transportation of AmeriCorps*VISTA members and/or for hiring of 
    persons responsible for supervision of the members, but only in those 
    cases where such support is deemed by the Corporation State Program 
    Director to be:
        (1) Necessary for the effective functioning of the AmeriCorps*VISTA 
    members on the project, and
        (2) Within these guidelines.
        (b) Gradual assumption of transportation and/or supervision support 
    by the sponsoring organization over the life of the project is 
    encouraged.
        (c) When a supervision and/or transportation arrangement is 
    approved, the nature of the agreement between the Corporation State 
    Program Director and the sponsor will be reflected in the relevant 
    Memorandum of Agreement. Any agreement whereby AmeriCorp*VISTA provides 
    funds for these purposes will include provisions to ensure that:
        (1) Services are furnished at a reasonable rate;
        (2) The rate conforms to sponsor's hiring policies and/or local 
    prevailing salary levels;
        (3) Any expenses incurred by the sponsoring organization over the 
    agreed amount will be at its own expense.
        (d) In developing/renewing projects, the Corporation State Program 
    Director shall take into account the travel and supervisory 
    requirements of the proposed project. AmeriCorps*VISTA project support 
    funds will be provided only when needs of the project and the assigned 
    members cannot be met by the sponsor's own structure and resources.
        (e) Renewal of supervision and/or transportation grants 
    arrangements will be based on needs, availability of resources, and 
    project performance.
    
    5. Guidelines for Transportation Arrangements
    
        (a) The Corporation State Program Director will establish the 
    following facts before approving AmeriCorps*VISTA funds to support on-
    the-job transportation for AmeriCorps*VISTA members:
        (1) Necessity of transportation, including public transportation, 
    for AmeriCorps*VISTA members to achieve the goals/objectives of the 
    project as contained in the project application;
        (2) Inability of the sponsoring organization to provide adequate 
    transportation.
        (b) The Corporation will not provide on-the-job transportation 
    support for:
        (1) Travel expenses incurred by AmeriCorps*VISTA members from their 
    residence to their assigned post; and
        (2) Transportation or delivery services to the population being 
    served.
        (c) The Corporation State Program Director will consider budget
    
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    constraints, available resources, and program and geographic priorities 
    in distributing AmeriCorps*VISTA on-the-job transportation funds.
    
    6. Guidelines for Supervision Arrangements
    
        (a) The Corporation State Program Director shall establish the 
    following facts before approving AmeriCorps*VISTA funds to support on-
    the-job supervision of AmeriCorps*VISTA members:
        (1) Necessity of full- or part-time supervision for members to 
    achieve the goals/objectives of the project as outlined in the project 
    application;
        (2) Inability of the sponsoring organization to provide adequate 
    supervision;
        (3) Number of AmeriCorps*VISTA members assigned to the project 
    during the period covered by the Memorandum of Agreement;
        (4) Necessity of supervisor job-related travel based on number of 
    AmeriCorps*VISTA members assigned and the geographic dispersion of the 
    project.
        (b) The Corporation has determined that:
        (1) Projects averaging three (3) or fewer AmeriCorps*VISTA members 
    over the course of the Memorandum of Agreement will not be eligible for 
    any AmeriCorps*VISTA supervisory funding.
        (2) Projects averaging at least four (4) AmeriCorps*VISTA members 
    during the term of the Memorandum of Agreement are eligible for part-
    time supervisory funding in the same ratio as the individual would 
    spend in actual supervision, e.g., if the supervisor spends at least 
    30% time directly supervising the members, AmeriCorps*VISTA would fund 
    up to 30% of salary.
        (3) AmeriCorps*VISTA projects are eligible for funding of a full-
    time supervisory position if the project averages at least eight (8) 
    AmeriCorps*VISTA members over the course of the Memorandum of 
    Agreement.
        (c) The Corporation State Program Director will consider budget 
    constraints, available resources, and program and geographic priorities 
    in distributing AmeriCorps*VISTA supervision funds.
    
    7. Elimination or Reduction of Transportation and/or Supervision 
    Funding
    
        (a) As a general rule, the level of funding, determined by the 
    Project Manager and contained in an AmeriCorps*VISTA project support 
    grant/agreement, will be maintained throughout the term of the annual 
    Memorandum of Agreement between the Corporation for National Service 
    and the sponsoring organization. However, types of conditions that may 
    cause the reduction or elimination of project support during the term 
    of the annual Memorandum of Agreement are:
        (1) Amendment by mutual agreement between the Corporation for 
    National Service and the sponsor;
        (2) Termination by the sponsor for any reason;
        (3) Reassignment, resignation, or termination of AmeriCorps*VISTA 
    members from the project before their term of service has ended with no 
    replacements during that budget year;
        (4) Substantial changes in AmeriCorps*VISTA member assignments; or
        (5) Suspension or termination in accordance with 45 CFR Part 1206, 
    Subpart A.
        (b) All grant awards or agreements documenting supervisory or on-
    the-job transportation arrangements will contain language indicating 
    that the AmeriCorps*VISTA funding may be reduced or eliminated in 
    accordance with the provisions of this Guideline and the Memorandum of 
    Agreement.
    
        Dated: February 24, 1998.
    Kenneth L. Klothen,
    General Counsel.
    [FR Doc. 98-5225 Filed 2-27-98; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 6060-28-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
03/02/1998
Department:
Corporation for National and Community Service
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice of guidelines with request for comments.
Document Number:
98-5225
Dates:
Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the
Pages:
10200-10202 (3 pages)
PDF File:
98-5225.pdf