Intent to Apply for City of Dubuque AmeriCorps ProgramCity of Dubuque
City Council
CONSENT ITEMS # 15.
Copyrighted
December 1, 2025
ITEM TITLE: Intent to Apply for City of Dubuque AmeriCorps Program
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council approval to submit
the City of Dubuque's AmeriCorps grant application by the
State of Iowa's deadline of December 8.
SUGGUESTED Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. MVM Memo
2. Staff Memo
Page 427 of 1214
THE CITY OF
DUBE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Intent to apply for City of Dubuque AmeriCorps Program
DATE: November 25, 2025
Dubuque
AI WIN av
2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
Community Impact Director Antonio Mouzon is recommending City Council approval to
submit the City of Dubuque's AmeriCorps grant application by the State of Iowa's
deadline of December 8.
Details of the Grant:
• Total Grant Amount: $407,076
• Anticipated Federal Request: $240,483
• Match Required: Yes
• Total Match: $166,593
• Application Due Date: 12/8/25
• Anticipated Notification Date: 5/2026
• Anticipated Receipt of Money: 9/1/2026
• Match Sources:
• City of Dubuque (proposed)— $96,593
• Dubuque Community School District (proposed)— $45,000
• Centrally Rooted (proposed) - $8,000
• Youth Mental Health Corps (proposed) - $12,000
• Bluff Strokes (proposed) - $5,000
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
k�4
Mic ael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Antonio Mouzon, Community Impact Director
Page 428 of 1214
THE CF
D�Uj__B E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Antonio Mouzon, Community Impact Director
SUBJECT: Intent to apply for City of Dubuque AmeriCorps Program
DATE: 11 /25/25
Dubuque
AU Awn My
111111
2007.2012.2013
2017*2019
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to request City Council authorization to submit the
City of Dubuque's AmeriCorps grant application to the Iowa Commission on Volunteer
Service and the federal AmeriCorps Agency. This application continues a long-standing
and impactful program supporting Dubuque youth, local partners, and community well-
being.
DISCUSSION
For more than 26 years, 18 of which have been operated under the City of Dubuque,
the AmeriCorps Partners in Learning program has delivered strong, measurable
outcomes for the Dubuque community. Over 1,000 AmeriCorps members have
contributed more than 500,000 hours of service, supporting academic success, social -
emotional development, mentoring, and community engagement.
AmeriCorps members receive a modest living allowance and an education award
funded through the grant. These dollars circulate back into the local economy through
housing, groceries, tuition, childcare, and other essential expenses. Members of varying
ages and backgrounds, including retirees, college students, and grandparents,
participate each year, with some transferring their earned education awards to eligible
dependents or grandchildren.
Program Focus and Community Need
This year's application enhances the previous competitive focus on social and
emotional competencies, while addressing workforce skill development. This combined
effort allows the program to better address the significant and growing economic and
social -emotional needs of Dubuque youth. Community partners and schools report
continued increases in:
• Behavioral and crisis intervention needs
• Attendance challenges
• Graduation rate concerns
• Mental health and social -emotional health concerns
• Risk -taking and law -breaking behaviors
• Disproportionate impacts on community members.
Since COVID-19, schools and out -of -school partners have documented a heightened
need for structured social -emotional interventions. Because local organizations face
Page 429 of 1214
limited staffing and budget constraints, the AmeriCorps program fills a critical gap in
services. The program uses a two -pronged approach:
1. School -Based SEL Support:
AmeriCorps members provide one-on-one social -emotional interventions using
the evidence -based Check -In, Check -Out (CICO) model. This support helps
stabilize students, build resilience, strengthen coping skills, and enhance
academic readiness.
2. Out -of -School Mentoring & Enrichment:
Members design and implement after -school and summer programming that
fosters community connection, mentorship, enrichment, and positive peer
relationships. These programs promote social -emotional growth and reduce
disengagement.
Long-standing program partners include:
• Dubuque Community School District
• Multicultural Family Center
• City Departments (Carnegie -Stout Public Library and Parks and Rec)
New program partners include:
• Centrally Rooted
• Bluff Strokes Art Center
Alignment with Federal and State Priorities
The proposed program strongly aligns with AmeriCorps Agency funding priorities,
including:
• Service in communities experiencing concentrated poverty
• Program provides job readiness skills and development opportunities
• Programs providing data -driven, evidence -based interventions
• Initiatives offering meaningful benefits and development opportunities for
members
It also aligns with the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service (ICVS) State Service Plan
priorities, including:
1. Developing New Service Opportunities
2. Improving Existing Services and Program
3. Building a Culture and Climate of Service
4. Expanding Iowa's Volunteer Base
5. Building Iowa's Volunteer Infrastructure
6. Governor's priority areas —including Future Ready Iowa, supporting Iowa's
energy plan, childcare and enrichment, digital literacy and education
7. Participation in the AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team (A-DRT)
8. State Service Plan priorities including Summer Youth Corps through the
Multicultural Family Center STEP Program and engagement in the Iowa National
Service Corps and maintain strong performance in percentage of program
performance measure met.
Page 430 of 1214
GRANT DETAIL
• Total Grant Amount: $407,076
• Anticipated Federal Request: $240,483
• Match Required: Yes
• Total Match: $166,593
• Application Due Date: 12/8/25
• Anticipated Notification Date: 5/2026
• Anticipated Receipt of Money: 9/1 /2026
• Match Sources:
o City of Dubuque (proposed)— $96,593
■ The City currently has $90,450 allocated within the budget for this
initiative. The department is actively securing the remaining $6,143
required to meet the proposed match requirement.
o Dubuque Community School District (proposed)— $45,000
o Centrally Rooted (proposed) - $8,000
o Youth Mental Health Corps (proposed) - $12,000
o Bluff Strokes (proposed) - $5,000
Program Objective:
Deploy 27 AmeriCorps members who will deliver social -emotional learning (SEL)
interventions for K-12 students in both school -day and out -of -school settings. Impact
will be measured using the Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA).
Members will also recruit and support 100 community volunteers engaged in mentoring
and youth programming.
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Comprehensive Plan
• Economic Prosperity
o Supports workforce readiness and long-term economic resilience
• Social & Cultural Vibrancy
o Promotes healthy youth development and community well-being
Council Goal
• Diverse Arts, Culture, Parks & Recreation
o Expands access to enrichment and community -building activities
• Financially Responsible, High -Performance City Organization
o External funds to expand service capacity
o Supports development of a diverse, skills -oriented local workforce
• Robust Local Economy
o Prepares the future workforce through SEL, mentoring, and skill
development
o Supports upward mobility and empowerment
• Vibrant Community: Healthy & Safe
o Ensures improved access to supportive services
o Enhances youth well-being and community safety
Page 431 of 1214
Future Funding:
Pending performance and federal funding availability, the City will have the opportunity
to reapply for continued AmeriCorps funding.
ACTION REQUESTED
I respectfully request City Council approval to submit the City of Dubuque's AmeriCorps
grant application by the State of Iowa's deadline of December 8.
Page 432 of 1214