2008-09 NSIP Grant Summaries
January 14, 2008
January 14, 2008 - January 13, 2009
Primary Initiative
The National Service Inclusion Project awarded three $20,000 grants. The primary objective for this Service Inclusion Project funding opportunity will be generating and implementing strategies that will result in measurable increases in the application, enrollment, and retention of service members and/or volunteers with disabilities by the UCEDD in partnership with their respective State Commissions or CNCS State Offices and a local National Service program(s). Partnering with a national service program and the State Commission/State Office should allow for impact on local, regional, and/or state-wide programs.
List of Participants: (Select a State for the Grant Summary)
Grant Summaries:
Idaho - Center on Disabilities and Human Development at the University of Idaho: Julie Magelky, (208) 885-3559, [email protected]
The UCEDD and Serve Idaho will enhance the current disability plan created by Serve Idaho by developing strategies to increase the likelihood that individuals with disabilities will volunteer for National Service. Strategies will focus on in supported employment, volunteerism, and secondary/post secondary education. The project will develop training materials based on the proposed strategies and present the information through the Train-the-Trainer model which include the participation of National Service program directors. In addition, a Service Inclusion Project website will be created and housed on the UCEDD's main site and will provide links to the Serve Idaho website. The site will contain developed curriculum and other information specific to inclusion within National Service organizations in Idaho. The UCEDD eill continue to maintain the site and provide information and technical assistance to CNCS staff, disability groups, and organizations on disability and inclusion issues beyond the grant period.
Iowa - Center for Disabilities and Development at the University of Iowa: Mike Hoenig, 319-353-6448, [email protected]
AmeriCorps Volunteer Inclusion Partnership (A VIP) is a collaborative project of the Center for Disabilities and Development and the Iowa Commission on Volunteer service. The project will Generate and implement strategies which lead to increases in application, enrollment and retention of individuals with disabilities in national service. A Disability Team comprised of representatives of the disability, national service, and education communities will guide the project. A VIP trainings and materials will equip AmeriCorps project staff to accommodate and supervise individuals with disabilities, while teaching individuals with disabilities employment-related communication skills and exposing them to national service opportunities. Measurable increases in AmeriCorps staff awareness of the needs of applicants with disabilities and number of applicants with disabilities applying for AmeriCorps membership in the targeted sites will position this model to expand statewide.
New York - Westchester Institute for Human Development at the New York Medical College: KimLori Devine, (914) 493-8204, [email protected]
The project's goal is to develop a collaborative working relationship with the NYS Disability Coordinator and three local National Service programs to generate and implement strategies to increase active participation of persons with disabilities as service members and/ or volunteers. The following activities include: utilize an interest inventory with potential volunteers to identify strengths and interests; hold information sessions to facilitate links to disability organizations, consumer advocacy groups and service providers; provide information, training and education to AmeriCorps members, staff and volunteers and disability organizations on topics related to enrolling and supporting individuals with disabilities; plan and implement targeted recruitment event; explore and develop opportunities for inclusive community service projects.
Outcomes:
- Opportunities to actively participate in local National Service programs will be identified.
- Local AmeriCorps programs will include recruiting and supporting members and/ or volunteers with disabilities. An increase of 10% members and/ or volunteers with disabilities will result.
- Public awareness of the opportunities provided by local AmeriCorp programs will increase.
- Local National Service Partners will begin to increase their organization's awareness of and identify possible future contributions of individuals with disabilities.
- Individuals with disabilities will perform service that makes a meaningful difference in their local communities while building skills to prepare them for possible future employment.
