ERIC Number: ED396136
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1996-May-21
Pages: 17
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
National Service Programs. AmeriCorps*USA--First-Year Experience and Recent Program Initiatives. Statement for the Record of Cornelia M. Blanchette, Associate Director, Education and Employment Issues, Health, Education, and Human Services Division. Testimony before the Committee on Labor and Human Resources, U.S. Senate.
General Accounting Office, Washington, DC. Health, Education, and Human Services Div.
AmeriCorps is the largest national and community service program since the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s. Data from meeting with officials of AmeriCorps*USA; examination of grant files for all grantees' programs; review of Corporation program policies, guidance, and plans; random sampling of programs; and site visits to seven AmeriCorps*USA programs were used to describe the program activities and projects now in process. It was found that the projects were designed to strengthen communities, develop civic responsibility, and expand educational opportunities for program participants and others. The program participants were paid a living allowance, insurance, child care costs if needed, and education benefits for completed years of service. In its first program year, AmeriCorps*USA relied heavily on public support. In future years, the corporation will be required to increase private-sector financing, especially nonfederal funds. It was recommended that programs add participants in order to increase per-person costs. Other cost-cutting measures were initiated but it was too early to determine their impact. (KC)
Descriptors: Community Programs, Educational Finance, Federal Programs, Program Costs, Program Effectiveness, Program Implementation, Public Service, Public Support, Volunteers
U.S. General Accounting Office, P.O. Box 6015, Gaithersburg, MD 20884-6015 (first copy free; additional copies $2 each; 100 or more: 25% discount).
Publication Type: Legal/Legislative/Regulatory Materials
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: General Accounting Office, Washington, DC. Health, Education, and Human Services Div.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A