2009 NSIP Grant Summaries

May 26, 2009

Vermont-University of Vermont Center on Disability and Community Inclusion :

Summary:

The partners in this project will include the University of Vermont-Center on Disability and Community Inclusion and the Vermont Commission on National andCommunity Service along with the membership organizations of Green Mountain Self-Advocates and Vermont APSE-The Network on Employment. These four entities will work together to increase awareness of disability issues among the CNCS programs, and also increase awareness of the CNCS programs among the disability community. This collaboration has a collective mission of including people with disabilities into the fabric of community life. The goals of the NSIP grant will be accomplished through training seminars and technical assistance, outreach and collaboration with disability-related programs, and development/dissemination of recruitment materials.

Maine-University of Maine Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies:

PI: Janet May

Summary:

Project Ready to ServeMaine enrollment, and retention of Maine service members/volunteers with disabilities. Many Maine citizens with disabilities would appreciate the opportunity to participate in a National Service program, but cite limited awareness of available programs and understanding of ways to access service and volunteer opportunities as barriers to participation. Project Ready to ServeMaine will improve outcomes for people with disabilities by forging strong partnerships between Alpha One, Maine's Center for Independent Living; Speaking Up for Us (SUFU), Maine's Self-Advocacy Network; the Maine Commission for Community Service (MCCS); and the AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Vista programs in Maine. Our approach includes provision of a series of three two-hour workshops co-hosted by Alpha One and SUFU (the two consumer organizations). Each workshop will be conducted in four sites around the state, and will be available by video for those not able to attend workshop sessions. The workshops will introduce participants to National Service ("What is National Service?"); feature current AmeriCorps members discussing their placements and the scope of their positions ("A Day in My Life - What do AmeriCorps Members Do?"); and provide the opportunity for assistance with the process of applying for member positions ("Getting Involved - How to become an AmeriCorps Member"). Additional resources about national service and volunteering will be posted online, and Project staff will provide technical assistance to each group as needed.

For more information about the National Service Inclusion Project, contact Paula Sotnik at the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI) in Boston (617-287-4343), and/or Anne Riordan at AUCD (301-588-8252).