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 25 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 70% of a $11,400 living allowance for full-time AmeriCorps members (the living allowance is $6,035 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 30% of the living allowance and other member support costs--$4,000 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, full-time members 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 July 11, 2008. If chosen, the host site will be responsible for recruiting an AmeriCorps member by September 1, 2008. (DPI will assist with recruitment when necessary.) The program cycle begins in early September and runs through July of the following year..

Current News

Stay tuned to this space for news about the AmeriCorps Service for Learning and Life program!

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 7/23/2008 11:22:52 AM