AmeriCorps VISTA Leader - Afterschool Program Sustainability Project

The Afterschool Alliance and the Statewide Afterschool networks want all children to have access to affordable high quality afterschool and summer programs. High quality afterschool programs have shown to increase student academic performance, behavioral improvements and have been a factor in supporting regular school attendance. There are two areas of improvement for afterschool programs – program sustainability and expansion of afterschool supper programs. The 21^st Century Community Learning Centers programs provide competitive funding for school community partnerships in Title 1 schools in need of improvement serving low income children. Initial funding is provided for a limited time period. To keep this resource operating for students and their families in their community, a community engagement and sustainability process is needed. Additionally, Congress recently expanded resources to include afterschool suppers for low income children. Schools, programs and community providers have an opportunity to end hunger among low income children in their communities, but program knowledge, operational barriers and other obstacles have impeded widespread expansion of these meal programs. This is an Americorps VISTA volunteer position that provides a modest living allowance and an educational award that can be applied to future educational opportunities or repayment of student loans. For more information about the VISTA program visit:
http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/benefits/index.asp. The VISTA Leader, based in Washington, DC, will oversee the work of VISTA volunteers in these two areas in several states. The VISTA Leader must have completed one year of previous service with AmeriCorps VISTA.

Duties include:

• Develop case studies, issue briefs and other materials on addressing policy barriers, operations issues and supporting afterschool programs interested in participating in the At-Risk Afterschool Meals Program or Summer Food Service Program
• Identify national organizations as resource partners for 21^st CCLC afterschool programs and other programs serving low-income communities.
• Monitor policy developments, USDA regulations and opportunities for programs to be eligible for special funding or support to offer meal programs.
• Serve as liaison with the VISTAs assigned to state networks on reporting and monitoring.
• Provide the infrastructure for the VISTA learning community.
• Identify technical assistance needs through an email list or social networking site. Identify promising and successful practices at the local level that could be shared for support of other VISTAS. Work with the national project supervisor, staff, and consultants to develop webinar materials for technical assistance.
• Support the national convening with coordination, content and logistics for the project VISTAs.

Qualifications:

This is a year-long assignment beginning September 9, 2013 and ending September 8, 2014, with the potential to begin the term of service in mid-August 2013. Applicant must be willing to commit to a one-year assignment.

• Must have very strong writing, research and analytic skills – including the ability to convey information to a variety of audiences;
• Candidates must have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well in a team setting;
• Must be detail oriented and have the ability to juggle multiple projects under deadlines;
• Should be proficient in MS Office Suite;
• Experience in community organizing or engagement is highly desired;
• Bachelor's degree or higher.

AmeriCorps VISTA Program Benefits:

• Choice of $5,550 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award or a $1,500 End of Service Stipend
• Modest living allowance
• Healthcare benefits;
• Childcare assistance, if eligible;
• Personal /Medical Leave
• For a complete description, please visit http://www.americorps.gov/about/programs/vista_benefits.asp