Information for Potential Host Sites

Host Site Selection

Agencies interested in hosting one or more AmeriCorps members complete a proposal and submit it to the Genesee County Youth Bureau.  The proposal outlines the project and gives the agency an opportunity to list the qualifications and skills required for potential members. 

Proposals must be consistent with the goals and outcomes of the Genesee County AmeriCorps program.  Projects may include duties that fall under one or more of our focus areas: Healthy Futures fitness and nutrition education for youth, Environmental Stewardshop education for youth and Capacity Building for agencies through volunteer recruitment and enhanced use of technology.   

Submission of a proposal does not guarantee participation as a site.  The Youth Bureau will attempt to recruit members for all appropriate projects.  In the past, however, positions have gone unfilled because a member match could not be made.  Host sites are encouraged to recruit their own member.  Candidates recruited directly by host sites must still meet the qualifications of the program as well as complete the application and interview process.  The Youth Bureau reserves the right to reject a candidate proposed by a site. 

Host Site Responsibilities

Hosting an AmeriCorps member is similar to supervising an intern.  The member will rely on the site supervisor for day-to-day instruction and assignments.  AmeriCorps members are expected to provide meaningful service that benefits the host agency and the clients that it serves.  The placement should give the member practical experience in a professional setting, increased skills and offer a chance to make a positive difference in the community. 

Host sites are expected to provide members with agency specific training as well as a work area equipped to allow the member to complete required tasks.  Host site supervisors are required to verify and sign member hours records as well as complete performance evaluations.  Forms and instructions are provided by the Youth Bureau.

Agency Contribution

The majority of program costs are covered by grant funds received by the Youth Bureau from the Corporation for National and Community Service but there is a local match cost for each member.  Host sites are required to contribute $2,400 per half-time member (900 hours of service), $1,200 per quarter-time member (450 hours)  or $900 per minimum-time member (300 hours).  Agencies are invoiced for the local share according to a mutually agreed upon payment schedule. 

The agency share can be paid with state, local government or private dollars.  Federal funds can only be used as the match with permission from the funding source.

Host sites must also provide any supplies and materials that the member needs to complete his/her project.  Sites may choose to reimburse members for mileage at their discretion.

Sites are also asked to document the cost of a portion of site supervisors' time as an in-kind match.  Forms and instructions will be provided.

Restrictions

  • According to federal regulations, members cannot engage in AmeriCorps prohibited activities.  These restrictions preclude religious, political and union activities.  Examples are campaigning for political candidates, participating in a union strike and providing religious instruction.  Contact the Youth Bureau for a complete list.  Note:  These activities are prohibited only while members are earning AmeriCorps service hours.  There are no restrictions on activities conducted while not representing AmeriCorps.
  • AmeriCorps members cannot be used to displace an existing employee or position, be used to replace an employee who was recently terminated or resigned or fill in for employees out on leave.  Contact the Youth Bureau for more information regarding non-displacement regulations.
  • The majority of each member’s time should be spent providing direct services.  No more than 20% of a member’s time can be devoted to training.  Members are not intended to perform primarily clerical functions.
  • Members may raise funds directly in support of service activities.   Members may not raise funds to cover the agency’s general operating costs or to cover the local match for AmeriCorps.  Members cannot write grants requesting funding from The Corporation for National and Community Service or other federal agencies.  No more than 10% of each member’s total hours can be spent on fundraising activities.
  • In most cases, sites cannot select a current employee as an AmeriCorps member. The site must demonstrate that the duties to be performed by the employee as part of AmeriCorps are completely separate and distinct from the duties being performed as an employee of the agency.  The same restrictions apply to hiring an AmeriCorps member as an employee while he/she is still completing service hours.