AmeriCorps Partners in Learning Grant Application 2019-2020 Copyrighted
May 6, 2019
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 11.
ITEM TITLE: AmeriCorps Partners in Learning GrantApplication 2019-
2020
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending approval of the 2019-2020
AmeriCorps Partners in Learning Healthy Futures Grant
application to the I owa Commission on Volunteer Service,
and now submitted to the Corporation for National and
Community Service.
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION: Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Approve
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
2019-20 AmeriCorps Partners in Learning Healthy City Manager Memo
Future GrantApplication-MVM Memo
Staff Memo Staff Memo
2019-20 AmeriCorps Healthy Future GrantApplication Supporting Documentation
THE CITY OF Dubuque
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7A13 2017
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: 2019-20 AmeriCorps Partners in Learning Healthy Futures Grant
Application Submission Approval
DATE: April 28, 2019
Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware recommends City Council approval of the
2019-20 AmeriCorps Partners in Learning Healthy Futures Grant application to the lowa
Commission on Volunteer Service and now submitted to the Corporation for National
and Community Service.
The grant request is in the amount of$75,453, which will be matched with local in-kind
and cash funds of$43,454, totaling $118,907. The in-kind and cash match is paid for
by AmeriCorps sites and in-kind match for administration, supervision and training. This
grant would run from September 1 , 2019 through August 31 , 2020. This application, if
funded, would be applied for on a yearly basis.
The grant focuses on ensuring that teenaged youth have access to free after-school
activities and mentorship opportunities with positive role models. Parts of the program
have been awarded in the past through a Summer-Only grant. This grant will expand
opportunities for teenaged youth into the school year.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
��JV'vr�"\ �Gtn�r //���{/L�t�
Mic ael C. Van Milligen �� �
MCVM:jh
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Teri Goodmann, Assistant City Manager
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Marie L. Ware, Leisure Services Manager
THE CTTY OF Dubuque
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uFnoenneiry
DUB E '�I,I��'
Masterpiece on the Mississippi Z°°' Z°'Z
2�13 201�
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Marie L. Ware, Leisure Services Manager
SUBJECT: 2019-20 AmeriCorps Partners in Learning Healthy Futures Grant
Application Submission Approval
DATE: April 25, 2019
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is request approval of the 2019-20 AmeriCorps Grant
application recently submitted via e-grants to the lowa Commission on Volunteer
Service and now submitted to the Corporation for National and Community Service
(CNCS).
BACKGROUND
AmeriCorps Partners in Learning Program has been extremely successful in its 19
years of operation, twelve of which have been under the leadership of the City of
Dubuque. The program's success is apparent in the 700 plus AmeriCorps Alumni
giving over 450,000 hours of service in our community. These members and alumni
have performed invaluable service.
AmeriCorps members are paid living allowance stipend for their service and receive an
education award. The stipends and awards are a part of the grant. These funds are
often directly invested in our community in the form of groceries, rent or tuition to local
colleges and universities as well as other direct living expenses. Some of the
AmeriCorps members are grandparents and earn education awards they are passing
along to their grandchildren.
DISCUSSION
The grant focuses on ensuring that teenaged youth have access to free after-school
activities and mentorship opportunities with positive role models. Parts of the program
have been awarded in the past through a Summer-Only grant. This grant will expand
opportunities for teenaged youth into the school year. The grant was submitted to the
lowa Commission on Volunteer Service to be considered for funding.
The City of Dubuque proposes to have 14 AmeriCorps members who will develop and
implement teen programming in Dubuque, IA. At the end of the first program year, the
AmeriCorps members will be responsible for a change in teenaged youths' attitude
towards making healthier choices. In addition, the AmeriCorps members will leverage
200 volunteers who will be engaged in mentoring teens and supporting teen
programming.
Our program utilizes a two-pronged approach to our Community's problem of teens in
crisis. The first prong revolves around creating a positive connection between teens and
adults through-out the year, while the second prong focuses on fostering resiliency and
curbing risk-taking behaviors by giving teens safe and positive programming options
during afterschool time and summer months.
The first prong of our program is focused on developing positive connections between
teenaged youth and positive adult role models to support teens through crisis. Our
program believes that utilizing AmeriCorps members to develop and increase
opportunities for community connection, as well as fostering direct connections with
youth will create and foster resiliency among these youth.
During the year, seven AmeriCorps members will serve with community-centered
programs to develop positive relationships between teenaged youth and adult role
models. Two of these members, one Full-Time position and one Half- Time position, will
serve with Hillcrest Family Services- Mentor Dubuque program, fostering positive
community-based mentoring relationships between youth and adults. These
AmeriCorps members will identify at-risk youth who would benefit from mentoring and
the safe, positive adult role model that the youth will be paired with, creating 30 new
mentoring relationships. The AmeriCorps members will follow the relationship, checking
in on all aspects of the relationship while providing opportunities for new experiences
within the community.
Five of these AmeriCorps members will serve with the Multicultural Family Center to
provide small group mentoring to a total of 40 teens during the summer. During 2
separate sessions, 20 teens will receive mentoring 4 times per week for 4 weeks. These
teens experience workforce engagement, service projects, and post-secondary
education experiences in a safe, controlled environment. These teens will develop skills
and gain resources that will help them seek future employment, giving them access to
opportunities that they would not have previously had, as well as adult mentors who will
be able to guide them.
The second prong of our program utilizes 7 AmeriCorps members to engage teens
during out-of-school time and during the summer through teen night programs. The
other two year-long members, 2 Three-Quarter Time positions, will serve with the
Multicultural Family Center and the Carnegie- Stout Public Library to develop and
enhance connections with the teenaged youth populations of Dubuque. These
AmeriCorps members will interact directly with over 25 community youth to build
relationships and increase attendance within teen-related after-school and summer
programming. The Out-of-School teen programming is tailored to provide experiences
with positive adults that are interested in furthering teen futures.
2
The other five AmeriCorps members will serve with the City of Dubuque's Leisure
Services Department providing small group enrichment to 25 teens during the evenings
with community teens. These members expand teen night programming to multiple
times a week to ensure that youth are engaged productively and are not engaging in
unlawful behavior. These AmeriCorps Members will partner with the Multicultural Family
Center, Carnegie-Stout Public Library and other community organizations to provide
active and engaging teen programs to increase community connections. The majority of
the summer teen programming will be held at one of our city parks or with park staff
along corridors where teens are shown to be arrested and charged with crimes.
This work on engaging teenaged youth in mentoring relationships and out-of-school
time opportunities to help increase teenaged youth's attitudes towards healthy choices
and towards their connection to the community. Teenaged youth are a significantly
underserved and underappreciated group in the Dubuque community. This grant aims
to change this.
The grant is being reviewed by ICVS and awards will be announced later this year. If
awarded, ICVS will issue a grant agreement for Council approval.
BUDGETIMPACT
The proposed grant request from CNCS is $75,453 which will be matched with local in-
kind and cash funds of$43,454, totaling to $118,907. The in-kind and cash match is
paid for by AmeriCorps sites and in-kind match for administration, supervision and
training. This match is 37°k of the total grant. This grant would run from September 1 ,
2019 through August 31 , 2020. This grant application is a formula grant. This
application, if funded, would be applied for on a yearly basis.
RECOMMENDATION
I fully recommend submission and approval of the 2019-20 AmeriCorps Partners in
Learning Healthy Futures Grant.
attachment: 2019-2020 Healthy Futures Grant Application
copy: Heather Satterly, AmeriCorps Program Director
Jenny Larson, Director of Budget and Finance
3
D RAFT
PART I - FACE SHEET
APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE � T�'PEOFSUBMISSION:
Modified Standard Form424(Rev.02/07 to confirmto the Corporation's eGrants System) Flppliwtion O NomConstmction
2a.DATESUBMITTED TO CORPORATION 3.DATE RECENm BY STATE: STATEAPPLICATION IDBJTIFIER:
FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY
SERVICE(CNCS):
26.APPLICATION ID: 4.DATE RECENm BY FEDERAL AGQJCY: FEDERAL IDQJTIFIER:
19AC214142
5.APPLICATION INFORMATION
LEGAL NAME: City of Dubuque f�lAMEAND CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PROJECT DIRECTOR OR OTHER
PERSON TO BECONTACTED ON MATTERS INVOLVING THVS APPLICATION(grve
DUNS NUMBER: 093105302 area codes):
f�lAME: Heather M.SatterN
ADDRESS(grve street address,city,state,zip code and county):
2200 Bunker Hill Rd TELEPFIONE NUMBER (563)584-8644
Oubuque W 52001-3010 FAX NUMBER:
Counry:Dubuque NTERNET EMAIL ADDRESS: hsatterl@cityofdubuque.org
6.Bv1PLOYER IDQJTIFICATION NUMBER(EN): 7.TYPEOFAPPLICANT:
426004596 7a. Local Government-Municipal
76. Lowl Government,Municipal
8.TY PE OF A PPLICATION(Check appropriate box).
X� N� ❑ NEW/PREVIOUSGR4NTEE
O CONTNUATION O AMQJDMQJT
IF Amendment,enter appropriate letter(s)in box(es): ��
A. AUGMQJTATION B.BUDGEf REVISION
Q NO COST IXTQJSION D.OTHER(specAy bebw):
9.f�lAME OF FEDER4 L AGQJCY:
Corporation for National and Community Service
10a.CATALOG OF FEDQt4L DOMESTIC ASSVSTANCE NUMBER: 94.006 11.a.DESCRIPTNE TITLE OF APPLICANT'S PROJECT:
106.TITLE: AmeriCorps State AmeriCorps Partners in Learning:Heakhy Futures
12.ARFAS AFFECTED BY PROJECT(List Cdies,Counties,States,etc): 11.6.CNCS PROGRAM NITWTNE QFANI'):
Dubuque, W
13.PROPOSED PROJECT: START DATE 09/01/19 QJD DATE: OB/31/20 14.CONGRESSIOf�lAL DISTRICT OF: a.Applicant W 01 b.R'ogram W 01
15.ESTINWTED FUNDING: Year#: 1� i6.IS APPLICATION SUBJECT TO REVI2JV BY STATE IXECUTNE
ORDER12372 PROCESS?
a.FEDERAL $ 75,453.00
0 YES.THISPRFAPPLICATION/APPLICATIONWASMADEAVAILABLE
b.APPLICANT $ 43,454.00 TO THESTATE IXECUTNEORDQ212372 PROCESS FOR
REVIEW ON:
c.STATE $ 0.00 DATE:
d.LOCAL $ 0.00 ❑X NO.PROGR4M IS NOT COVQ2ED BY E.O.12372
e.OTHER $ 0.00
f.PROGRAMINCOME $ 0.00 17.ISTHEAPPLICANTDELNQUQJTONANYFEDERALDEBT?
0 YES if"Yes,"attach an explanation. � NO
g.TOTAL $ 11Q907.00
18.TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGEAND BELIEF,ALL DATA IN THVS APPLICATION/PRFAPPLICATION ARE TRUEAND CORRECT,THE DOCUMQJT HAS BEQJ
WLY AUTHORQED BY THEGOVERNING BODY OF THEAPPLICANT AND THEAPPLICANT WILL COMPLY WITH THEATTACHEDASSUR4NCES IF THEASSISTANCE
VS AWARDED.
a.TYPEDNAMEOFAUTHORIZEDREPRESQJTATNE: b.TRLE: c.TELEPHONENUMBER:
d.SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZ ED REPRESQJTATN E: e.DATE SIGNED:
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Executive Summary
The City of Dubuque proposes to have i4 AmeriCorps members who will develop and implement teen
programming in Dubuque, IA. At the end of the first program year,the AmeriCorps members will be
responsible for a change in teenaged youths'attitude towards making healthier choices. I n addition,
the AmeriCorps members will leverage 20o volunteers who will be engaged in mentoring teens and
supporting teen programming.
This program will focus on the CNCS focus area of Healthy Futures. The CNCS investrnent of$'75�453
will be matched with $43�454� $32�054 in public funding and$ii,400 in private funding.
Rationale and Approach/Program Design
Theory of Change
Teenaged youth in Dubuque are in crisis. According to the 2018 I owa Youth Survey, only 84% of
Iowa teens felt that they have someone they can talk to within their homes, and less than 83% of
students felt that the adults in the community care about students. Only 6i% of students feel that
adults in the community let students know that they are proud of them. Since 2oi4,the percentage of
all students taking the I owa Youth Survey who agreed that adults in their community let them know
they are proud of them when they do something well decreased by io.9%. Overall,from 2oi2 to 2oi8,
the percentage of students who reported having a plan to kill themselves within the past year
increased by 53.0%. One in ten students taking the Iowa Youth Survey in 2oi8 reported they had a
plan to kill themselves in the past twelve months. From 2012 to 2018,the percent of 6th grade
students who reported having a plan to kill themselves within the past year increased by '7i.i%.
Dubuque teens are also struggling with risk-taking behaviors and criminal activity. Data received
from Dubuque Police for the timeframe of January 2oi6 through November 2oi8 show i,932
criminal charges were reported from youth aged 9-i'7. Of the i,932 charges reported, some of these
charges belong to the same individuals, with a total of i,524 arrests during this time span.A
breakdown of ages of individuals charged shows that the older a student is, the more likely they are to
engage in risk taking and law-breaking behaviors. The top five charges were disorderly conduct,
assault, theft, criminal mischief, and interference with official acts. i95 charges were drug-related,
including drug possession, unlawful possession of prescription drugs and possession of drug
paraphernalia. i33 charges were alcohol-related, including consumption, OWI, possession and public
intoxication. Youth were more likely to be engaged in risk-taking and unlawful behavior during after-
school and evening hours,with '76'7 arrests occurring between 2:3opm c iopm. From 2oi2 to 2oi8,
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according to the Iowa Youth Survey,the percentage of students reporting most of their school peers
feel it would be wrong or very wrong for them to use any illegal drug other than alcohol, cigarettes, or
marijuana decreased from 86.3% to 82.2%. Our program utilizes a two-pronged approach to our
communitycs problem of teens in crisis. The first prong revolves around creating a positive connection
between teens and adults through-out the year, while the second prong focuses on fostering resiliency
and curbing risk-taking behaviors by giving teens safe and positive programming options during after-
school time and summer months. The first prong of our program is focused on developing positive
connections between teenaged youth and positive adult role models to support teens through crisis.
Our program believes that utilizing AmeriCorps members to develop and increase opportunities for
community connection, as well as fostering direct connections with youth will create and foster
resiliency among these youth. In contexts of risk, relationships are crucial to mitigating the negative
impact of toxic environments. Resilience, the capacity to overcome adversity,is facilitated by those
who engage with the child(Masten, 2ooi; Rutter, 2oi2). During the year, seven AmeriCorps
members will serve with community-centered programs to develop positive relationships between
teenaged youth and adult role models. 'I�vo of these members, one Full-Time position and one Half-
Time position, will serve with Hillcrest Family Servicesc Mentor Dubuque program, fostering positive
community-based mentoring relationships between youth and adults. These AmeriCorps members
will identify at-risk youth who would benefit from mentoring and the safe, positive adult role model
that the youth will be paired with, creating 3o new mentoring relationships. The AmeriCorps
members will follow the relationship, checking in on all aspects of the relationship while providing
opportunities for new experiences within the community. Five of these AmeriCorps members will
serve with the Multicultural Family Center to provide small group mentoring to a total of 4o teens
during the summer. During 2 separate sessions, 2o teens will receive mentoring 4 times per week for 4
weeks. These teens experience workforce engagement, service projects, and post-secondary education
experiences in a safe, contr�olled environment. These teens will develop skills and gain resources that
will help them seek future employment, giving them access to opportunities that they would not have
previously had, as well as adult mentors who will be able to guide them. Evidence is clear that social
connections are important determinants of healthy adolescent development(Ewell Foster, Cynthia, et
al). The second prong of our program utilizes '7 AmeriCorps members to engage teens during out-of-
school time and during the summer through teen night programs. The other two year-long members,
2 Three-Quarter Time positions, will serve with the Multicultural Family Center and the Carnegie-
Stout Public Library to develop and enhance connections with the teenaged youth populations of
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Dubuque. These AmeriCorps members will interact directly with over 25 community youth to build
relationships and increase attendance within teen-related after-school and summer programming.
Youth with a positive adult connection had significantly higher odds of good school performance, and
lower odds of alcohol use, violence involvement and violence witriessing (Culyba,Alison J., et al). The
Out-of-School teen programming is tailored to provide experiences with positive adults that are
interested in furthering teen futures. The other five AmeriCorps members will serve with the City of
Dubuquecs Leisure Services Department providing small group enrichment to 25 teens during the
evenings with community teens. These members expand teen night programming to multiple times a
week to ensure that youth are engaged productively and are not engaging in unlawful behavior. These
AmeriCorps Members will partner with the Multicultural Family Center, Carnegie-Stout Public
Library and other community organizations to provide active and engaging teen programs to increase
community connections. The majority of the summer teen programming will be held at one of our
city parks or with park staff along corridors where teens are shown to be arrested and charged with
crimes. Providing thoughtful programming that engages the three pillars of the National Park and
Recreation Association, conservation, health and wellness, and social equity, is the best practice for
teens to feel connected to their city parks and provide positive outlets. 'I�vo-thirds of survey
respondents agree that offering a safe space to play is a top benefit of their park and recreation
agenciesc OST (Out-of-School Time) programs. Similarly, 46 percent of park and recreation
professionals report that another benefit of OST programs is providing a free or affordable space that
encourages healthy, physically active lifestyles through play, swimming, exercise, and sports
(National Parks and Recreation Association, 2018).
Evidence Base
Our program falls into the Pre-preliminary evidence tier as a newly proposed evidence-informed
program. While our program has previously been implemented in a past program year as an
education-based program,we have determined that our program would be better suited to address the
community needs of teen mental health. Our program previously saw the success of the Multicultural
Family Centeres Summer Teen Empowerment Program(STEP, previously known as YEEP), which
saw 35 out of 4o at-risk teens complete a summer mentoring and workforce development program.
The success of the STEP program, the lack of other teen opportunities in Dubuque, and the increasing
number of teens experiencing crisis helped our program determine that utilizing AmeriCorps can help
meet these community needs.
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Recently, the 2oi8 I owa Youth Survey results were published by the Iowa Department of Public
Health showing that teenaged youth are str�uggling with mental health, suicide, and risk-taking
behaviors. Additionally, our program was able to review detailed arrest records from the Dubuque
Police Department of youth ages 9 c i'7, which showed us that teens are engaging in unlawful and
risk-taking behavior.
Teenaged youth are an inherently underserved population that is typically difficult to serve. Our
program was unable to find a community-based program that served teenaged youth that our
partners (a mentoring organization, a city recreation department and a community library) would be
able to replicate with fidelity. This led our program to research best practices in teen programming
from across the country and in I owa. Many I owa communities of Dubuquecs size do not have the
capacity to serve teens through free, community-based programming, which lead us to look at best
practices from the National Parks and Recreation Association to focus on out-of-school time
programming in an effort to reduce unlawful and risk taking behaviors in teens by giving them
options during their out-of-school time. Additionally, our program wanted to help support teens in
crisis by fostering resiliency. Research has shown that resiliency increases when youth are connected
with positive adult role models, leading our program to aim to create mentoring relationships with
teenaged youth. There is very little data on Dubuque teens, so our program will collect data on the
attitudes of the teens who participate in these community-based teen programs in an effort to gauge
their attitude towards their community and their healthy choices. From there, our program will move
to increase these attitudes and work to measure changes in teenaged behavior.
Website: Iowa Youth Survey (Iowa Department of Public Health)
http://www.iowayouthsurvey.iowa.gov/im ages/2018_State/I Y S%2o 2018%2oState%2oReport.pdf
Citation: cIowa Youth Survey 2o18.c Iowa Youth Survey, 2019,
www.iowayouthsurvey.iowa.gov/im ages/2018_State/IY S%2o 2018%2oState%2oReport.pdf.
Journal: Children andYouth Services Review
Title: Connectedness to family, school, peers, and community in socially vulnerable adolescents
https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/Soi9o'74o9i'73oii'72?token=A9Bi982BD2'7FD8iEFooF'FEA
o9CB24D5B9E4875D2A4D6oBE6�oDE2E6�AE32o�3B2569oE8CAB2F799538E�FE�2335EoiCE
Citation: Ewell Foster, Cynthia, et al. cConnectedness to Family, School, Peers, and Community in
Socially Vulnerable Adolescents.c Children andYouth Services Review, Pergamon, 10 Aug. 201'7,
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reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/So 190'74091'73 011'72?token=A9B 1982BD2'7FD81EFooFFEAo9CB 2
4D5B9E4875D2A4D6oBE6�oDE2E6�AE32o�3B2569oE8CAB2F�99538E�FE�2335EoiCE.
Report: Out-of-School Time Report
https://www.nrpa.org/contentassets/c'76ea3c�5bcee4595ai'7aac298a5f2b'7a/out-of-school-tim e-
survey-results-report-2018.pdf
Citation: c2o18 Out-of-School Time Report.c National Parks and Recreation Association, 2108,
www.nrpa.org/contentassets/c'76ea3c�5bcee4595a i'7aac298a5f2b'7a/out-of-school-tim e-survey-
results-report-2018.pdf.
Report: NPRA Engagement Report
Title: 2018 Americansc Engagement with Parks Report
https://www.nrpa.org/globalassets/engagem ent-survey-report-2018.pdf
Citation: c2o18 Americas'Engagement with Parks Report.c National Parks and Recreation
Association, 2018, www.nrpa.org/publications-research/research-papers/Engagement/.
Journal: Journal of Adolescent Health
Title: Protective Effects of Adolescent-Adult Connection on Male Youth in Urban Environments
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4724385/P�/nihms'735978•P�
Citation: Culyba,Alison J., et al. cProtective Effects of Adolescent-Adult Connection on Male Youth
in Urban Environments.c National Centerfor Biotechnology Information, 2oi6,
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pm c/articles/PMC4724385/P�/nihm s'735978•P�•
Notice Priority
The program fits with several of our State of Iowa priorities based on the Volunteer Iowa State Service
Plan: i) comprehensive community strategy 2) engage underrepresented populations and those that
provide a high return on investment and 3) actively participate in the I owa Disaster Cadre.
Additionally, one of the programcs host sites meets the Volunteer Iowa State Service Plan priority of
Certification through the Iowa Mentoring Partnership. The program also fits within two CNCS
Funding Priorities: 1) Economic Opportunity and 2) Safer Communities.
Member Experience
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Members with AmeriCorps Partners in Learning have an incredible member experience for which the
Program Director, as an AmeriCorps alum, takes seriously. The development of inembers begins with
the recruitrnent process where the Program Director strategically recruits, interviews and places
members from our community to the site which is the best fit for each member. The Program
Director sits on the City of Dubuquecs Leisure Services Equity Team, which focuses on recruiting and
hiring diverse community members into the department, as a whole, including the AmeriCorps
program. During the recruitrnent process, the Program Director learns each members'goals for their
term. This is crucial to retaining members. During their year of service, members are challenged to
develop personally and professionally. This begins with their day-to-day service where members are
supported and developed at their host site in partnership with their site supervisors. Members also
develop through the leadership of the Program Director. The Program Director takes a personal, i-i
approach with members to challenge them in different ways. This can include leading sections of
monthly tr�ainings,presenting in the community with the Program Director, mentoring other
AmeriCorps members at their host site, building a resume for future employment, applying for
graduate school or leading Days of Service projects. Our programs believes that each AmeriCorps
member brings unique talents to our community, and works to foster the growth of that member and
utilization of their talents. Finally, all members develop and present a reflection project during our
End of Service Reflection Ceremony.AmeriCorps members also gain important experiences through
our Days of Service and service opportunities, which are conducted in partnership with Dubuque's
National Service Partnership (DNSP). This partnership is a collaboration of area national service
members and programs. Members participate in service opportunities that are approved by the
Program Director to ensure no prohibited activities take place. Through National Days of Service and
DSNP, our members learn about their community, network with other national service members, and
participate in additional service opportunities. The DNSP also expands to recognition events. For
example, national service members are invited to the City Council meeting for a City's Proclamation
of national service. The Mayor also attends the National Service Recognition Day Ceremony where all
members are recognized. Iastly,AmeriCorps members are recognized in several ways during their
service. The Program Director sends out weekly updates via email and gives a written "Shout Out"to
members. During monthly tr�ainings, members receive a verbal "Shout OuY'. Members are also
recognized and thanked by the Program Director and site supervisor during AmeriCorps Week in ways
that are individual to each member, highlighting their strengths and the impacts they are having on
our programs and community.
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Organizational Capability
Organizational Background and Staffing
AmeriCorps Partners in Learning has been sponsored by the City of Dubuque since 200'7. The City of
Dubuque is a Municipal Corporation governed by an elected mayor and sis-member council. The City
relies on its expert personnel to plan and implement the grant and provides in-kind administr�ation,
personnel and fiscal support. The City Council reviews the grant and budget documents each year.
The Program Director, Heather Satterly, a 3-term AmeriCorps alum from a State/National Program,
has worked in AmeriCorps State/National Grant Management for 3 years in I owa. IGm Stickney, also
an AmeriCorps alum, has been the Program Assistant for'7 years. She organizes and maintains key
program paperwork including but not limited to National Service Criminal History Background
Checks and Data Collection Submissions. Marie Ware, Leisure Services Manager, oversees the
activities of the AmeriCorps Program Director and members. She manages a department with 33 full-
time, i59 part-time/seasonal employees and a variety of volunteers. Marie has been directly and
indirectly involved with grant award management for over twenty-five years for three cities and a
non-profit agency.Arielle Swift,Accountant, has overseen the fiscal responsibilities of the program
since 2015.
AmeriCorps Partners in Learning is housed in the City of Dubuquecs Leisure Services Department.
The Leisure Services Department,through the Park Division and Recreation Division, provides quality
services to the entire community with diverse recreational programs for all ages and an integrated,
efficient, and safe system of parks, tr�ails, and recreational facilities. The department also plans,
develops, and maintains the formal public landscaping and natural areas in and around the City,
demonstr�ating an appreciation for the environment. The AmeriCorps Program Director, Heather
Satterly, served as an AmeriCorps Member for 3 half-time terms in a Parks and Recreation
Department. Her duties as an AmeriCorps member focused heavily on health and wellness
programming for adults and youth with disabilities, after-school youth, racial-minority populations
and the LGBTQ+ community. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Parks, Recreation and
Tourism Administration with a focus on Recreation Therapy from Western Illinois University. She
worked as a Recreation and Exercise Therapist, working directly with adults with disabilities on health
and wellness programming. Leisure Services Manager Marie Ware joined the City of Dubuque staff in
May 2oia ln her position, Ware is responsible for leading a department that encompasses many of
the quality of life aspects of Dubuque. Those include city parks, tr�ails and recreation,the Five Flags
Civic Center, the Grand River Center(conference and education center), Port of Dubuque Marina,
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AmeriCorps Partners in Learning, and Multicultural Family Center. Marie Ware has over 3o years of
professional experience in parks and recreation and nonprofit management in places across I owa. She
served as I nterim Executive Director of the Mahaska County YMCA in Oskaloosa. She was the
Owner/Facilitator of Future Endeavors, which provided customized services for non-profits, churches,
government, and businesses. Ware served as the Executive Director of the Mahaska Community
Recreation Foundation in Oskaloosa. She spent nine years with the City of Coralville Parks and
Recreation Department as Recreation Director and Parks and Recreation Director. She has a masteres
degree in public administr�ation and bachelores degree in leisure studies from I owa State University
and is a certified park and recreation professional (CPRP) by the National Recreation and Park
Association (NRPA). Ware is an active member of the NRPA and has held leadership positions,
including president, with the Iowa Parks and Recreation Association (I PRA) and the Iowa
Foundation for Parks and Recreation. She received the NRPA American Park and Recreation
Societycs Young Professional Award and the IPRAcs Richard J. Slattery Award and Young
Professional Award.
Compliance andAccountability
AmeriCorps Partners in Learning str�ongly believes in compliance and accountability. The program
prides itself in having a reputation as a high functioning,low risk program. The Program Director has
a complete plan for compliance and accountability. The Program Director ensures site supervisors and
partner organizations fully understand the prohibited activities, non-duplication and non-
displacement guidelines, and all other important rules and regulations through service agreements
and the site supervisor training,which is face to face and i-i at each site, every year. The Program
Director also conducts at least two site visits a year, as well as a mid-term review to ensure rules and
regulations are being followed. The Program Director keeps lines of communications open between
members and site supervisors to ensure compliance and accountability. The Program Director
monitors the activities being performed through ongoing communication with members and site
supervisors. The Program Director can visit any site, at any time without prior appointrnent. Should a
compliance issue be suspected or arise, the Program Director holds a meeting with all parties involved
to review guidelines and design a corrective action plan. If compliance issues continue to be a concern
the AmeriCorps members are removed from their assigned placement until the site can ensure all
activities fall within the AmeriCorps guidelines. If compliance issues are not corrected, or re-appear,
the Program Director will no longer place AmeriCorps members at the host site. Lastly, the program
manages and implements its program with limited compliance issues. Our staff takes CNCS' Criminal
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History Record Check very seriously as well as the following program management policies: time
sheets, in kind documentation, position descriptions, Member Service Agreements, Site Service
Agreements, mandatory training requirements, corrective action forms, midterm and end of year
evaluations, grievance, termination of service, drug free workplace, sexual harassment, prohibited
activities and unallowable activities. Our systems follow this cyclical pattern: follow, monitor, review
and updates to detect instances of risk or noncompliance. The AmeriCorps Program Director runs all
background checks on AmeriCorps members. As these checks are completed, the Program Director
completes Volunteer I owacs NSCHC Document Checklist and attaches it to copies of all Background
checks. Additionally, copies of all checks are kept in the memberes electronic file, as well as in a hard
copy format. The AmeriCorps Program Assistant reviews all background checks after they are run to
ensure that they are within compliance. To ensure compliance, the Program Director and Program
Assistant conduct member and staff file audits twice a year and works closely with its expert fiscal
staff to ensure compliance.
Culture that Values Learning
AmeriCorps Partners in Learning, as part of the City of Dubuque, believes in creating an equitable
community of choice by being a data-driven & outcome focused high performance government built
on four pillars: Equity, Resiliency, Sustainability and Compassion. The City of Dubuquecs City Council
develops and sets goals, policy agenda top priorities and high priorities, as well as management agenda
top priorities and high priorities based on the Citycs mission and vision statements. These goals and
priorities set the tone and expectations of the City governmentcs plan for the next 2 years. The City of
Dubuque is guided by the City Manageres Management Philosophy- Step i: Plan your work and work
your plan- The plan needs to be driven by engagement (employee, resident, customer) and data that
focuses on outcomes; Step 2: Input oriented- Team members should take advantage of the valuable
input that can be provided by residents and employees for department decision-making; Step 3:
Problem Solvers- Team membersc approach to issues should be to focus on what can be done to solve
the problem; Step 4: Develop Partnerships- Team members can be more effective by developing
partnerships with other departments and outside organizations; Step 5: Act with a sense of Urgency.
This management philosophy drives each department and division within the organization to collect
data, measure performance, and continually strive to create meaningful impact for itcs community
members.All departments have performance measures that connect to the Citycs goals and priorities.
These performance measures are collected on a regular basis and are reported on annually to the City
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Council and the community in the Citycs annual budget review process. During this budget review
process, all departments present the last yeares performance measures and impacts to the City Council
for a decision on the next yeares budget and goals.
Member Supervision
AmeriCorps Partners in Learning believes that member supervision is a vital aspect of the member
experience. All our AmeriCorps members receive two layers of supervision: i) Site Supervisor; and 2)
Program Director. First, every site designates a specific site supervisor. Each site supervisor provides
daily supervision to their members and is expected to spend a minimum of 4 hours per week
supervising and directly supporting their AmeriCorps Members. Site supervisors also provide on-site
tr�aining for the memberes specific role within the host site agency and observations by the site
supervisor to ensure accurate interventions. Each year, site supervisors are tr�ained by the Program
Director in a i-i,in person tr�aining. The site supervisor training consists of an overview of the CNCS
and I CVS, education award and living allowance, host site responsibilities, in-kind match
documentation, time sheets, data collection, site agreements, Drug Free Workplace Act, grievance,
suspension and termination processes, sexual harassment, discrimination, prohibited activities and
unallowable activities including non-duplication and non-displacement. The Program Director and
the site supervisors have a str�ong, professional relationship where they contact the Program Director if
problems arise. Second, the Program Director serves as a second level of supervision for all members.
Members receive feedback and guidance at monthly team meetings. The Program Director has an
open-door policy and members may contact via in-person meeting, email, phone, or text at any time
for any reason. The Program Director also offers open office hours at least once a week. Additionally,
midterm reviews are conducted on each members that include an evaluation of the program required
AmeriCorps guidelines and expectations, on-site member duties, site supervisor progress and the
program directores progress. This review is conducted with the member, Site Supervisor and Program
Director. Members also receive an end of service evaluation by the Program Director and site
supervisor.
Cost Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy
See Budget.
Evaluation Summary or Plan
The program model continues to operate based on past performance measurement data and a Process
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Evaluation where an outside evaluator collected systematic and accurate data on the program's logic
model activities and services delivered(outputs), participation in the intervention by the target
population (outputs) and participant outcomes, including performance measurement data.
The program implements str�ong data collection systems and processes. First, member training on
data collection is very thorough. Members are trained on data collection processes during orientation
and by their host-site at their on-site trainings. Data collection is revisited at monthly meetings to
ensure questions are being answered and accuracy is reinforced. The program's dosage and duration
are revisited to reinforce accurate data collection is occurring appropriately for each site. Second, the
program uses str�ong data collection tools to collect information performance measures. Each year-
long member will be given an I Pad to organize participant names, attendance of program
participants, and pre and post assessments. AmeriCorps members will use these IPads to have new
program participants complete pre-assessments via SharePoint forms,where the data will
automatically be electronically sent to the Program Director. Each AmeriCorps member sends their
data to the Program Director on a bi-weekly basis, concurrent with their bi-weekly timesheets. From
there, the Program Director analyzes the data, ensures accuracy, and organizes the data by host site
and member. The Program Director sends the collected data back to the AmeriCorps member and site
supervisor monthly to review and analyze for accuracy and progress to targeted outputs and
outcomes. This will also serve as notification of when participants should be completing their post-
assessments based on their participation attendance. Third,we have an agreement with each host site
to get data on the participants we serve in a timely manner. Data is stored on both the Program
Director's and the Program AssistanYs secured computer and backed up monthly.
The program conducted a process evaluation from March 2016 to November 2016. The two main
research questions were: 1) I s the AmeriCorps Partners in Learning program being implemented
consistently with the program's logic model and theory of change and 2) Are program beneficiaries
generally satisfied with the program?The program utilized an outside evaluator to conduct and
analyze focus groups, surveys and data files. Site supervisors and members were encouraged to
participate in one focus group and one survey. 28 (15 QT and 13 HT) members and 12 site supervisors
completed the survey with each elementary school represented.
Based on the surveys, the responses indicated a positive impact on students. Surveys completed by the
site supervisors showed i00% of the respondents agreed the interventions implemented by AmeriCorps
members have helped children make progress in grade level reading; i00% agreedAmeriCorps is
positively contributing to K-3rd grade reading proficiency; 100% agreed they were satisfied with the
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program overall; and 92% agreed the students tutored by AmeriCorps members have more positive
connections to school because of AmeriCorps members. There were also very high responses to
members'training, attitude andprofessionalism.
Surveys completed by the AmeriCorps members showed i00% of the respondents agreedAmeriCorps
is positively contributing to K-3rd grade-level reading proficiency; 100% agreed they were satisfied
with the program overall; and i00% stated the Program Director supported them. There were also
very high responses to feeling connected and respected by their host site.
Based on the evaluator's analysis of the data files,there is one area of the program that needs
improvement- the program's completion rate. The average completion rate of all i2 schools was 4i%.
The highest school completion rate was '74% and the lowest school completion rate was 25%. The
program is currently following up with site supervisors from schools with the lowest completion rates
to learn what might have led to these low rates. I n addition, the program explored other variables
contributing to a low completion rate. Some variables may be: not defining start; tr�ansiency; site
management; and scheduling conflicts. The program is implementing different str�ategies to ensure a
higher completion rate. Some str�ategies are educating about the importance of completing the
program, setting a completion goal and being tr�ansparent with data so members and site supervisors
ensure student completion. In addition, the program will no longer support schools who do not meet,
at the minimum, a completion rate of 50%.
Amendment Justification
NA
Clarification Summary
NA
Continuation Changes
NA
Grant Characteristics
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DI
Performance Measures
�isr.ovFo��u a,e� msr.o. oqa�m�
• •
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Primery Ntevantion: O�Fer
Samndsry Foms Hree:
Samndsry Ntevantion:
foromneiu:ory
DRAFT
Performance Measure: Teen Mental Health through Community Connection
Focus Ob ective: Other Healihy Fulures No of 5.10 No of 14
Healthy Futures J MSY's Members:
Area:
Problem Statement:
As an underserved population in Dubuque, Teenaged youth are experiencing mental healih crisis and are
more likely to participate in risk—taking behaviors, make unhealihy choices, and commitsuicide
Selected Interventions:
1-1 Mentoring
Small group Mentoring
Describe Interventions:
The AmeriCorps Pariners in Leaming Healihy Fulures Program will have 1 FT and 1 HT AmeriCorps
members supporting one on one mentoring for atrisk teenaged youth in the Hillcrest Family Services
Mentor Dubuque program. AmeriCorps members will recruitand supportpositive mentoring relationships
with teenaged youth and adultmentors who will meetfor atleast 1 hour a week for 50 weeks.
The AmeriCorps Pariners in Leaming Healihy Fulures Program will have 5 MT AmeriCorps members leading
one on one or small group mentoring for atriskteenaged youth in ihe Multicullural Family Center's Fulure
Talk program. Members will mentor sludents at least 5 times a week for 4 weeks for 2 sessions.
The AmeriCorps Pariners in Leaming Healihy Fulures Program will have 2 3QT year long and 5 MT summer
AmeriCorps members supporting teen programming for at risk teenaged youth. AmeriCorps members will
recruitand supportteen participation on Teen Nightprogramming to increase healthy choices and
communily connection for 2 hours a week for 50 weeks during a Tull year or for 10 hours a week for 8 weeks
during ihe summer.
OUTPT59697 Output:
Number ofteens who participate in an AmeriCorps supported teen program
Target: 120 individuals
Measured By. Other
Described Instrument: AmeriCorps Members will record names ofteenaged youth who participate in
Teen Night programs, the MultiCultural Family Center's STEP program, and ihe
Hillcrest Family Services Mentor Dubuque program.
Teens will take a pre—assessmentto measure iheir currentattilude towards
healihy choices and iheir currentconnection to iheir communily.
OUTCM59698 Outcome:
Numbers ofteens who increase in iheir attilude towards healthy choices
Target: 96 individuals
Measured By. Other
Described Instrument: Names ofteenaged youth who participated in 80% ofthe Teen Nightprograms,
or have completed ihe MultiCullural Family Center's STEP program or Hillcrest
Family Services Mentor Dubuque program will be recorded.
Upon completion ofihe STEP and Mentor Dubuque programs, or atihe 80%
completion ofihe teen nightprograms, Teens will take a post—assessmentto
measure iheir currentattilude towards healihy choices and iheir current
connection to iheir communily. The Pre and Postassessments for each teen
will be compared to determine a change in attilude towards healihy choices
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DRAFT
Performance Measure: Teen Mental Health through Community Connection
Problem Statement:
S@lekt&d rIt�Ven<Jenti on s:
Small group Mentoring
Described Instrument: and communily connection.
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Program Information
General Information
*My organization has previously received an AmeriCorps State and National Yes
Grant. Organizations ihathave been a hostsite for AmeriCorps members but
never had a directgrantrelationship with either a State Commission or CNCS
should answer No.
*The organization has sufficiently engaged communily members and pariner Yes
organizations in planning and implementing its intervention.
*My organization certifies ihat itwill comply with definitions and requirements Yes
outlined in ihe Performance Measures Instructions.
AmeriCorps Funding Priorities
*Check any priorily area(s) ihatapply to ihe proposed program. In order to Safer Communities
receive priorily consideration, applicants mustdemonstrate ihatihe priorily
area is a significantpartofihe program focus, high qualily program design,
and outcomes.
Grant Characteristics
*Check any grant characteristic(s) ihat apply to ihe proposed program. None of ihe above grant
characteristics
AmeriCorps Identity/Co-branding
*AmeriCorps members will wear ihe AmeriCorps logo every day. Yes
*AmeriCorps members will create and deliver elevator speeches. Yes
*The AmeriCorps logo will be prominently displayed on the front page ofihe No
organization's website.
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Demographics
Other Revenue Funds 0
Number ofvolunteers generated by AmeriCorps members 200
Percentage of MSY who are opportunily youth, if any 0
If Education NOFO Priorily, which Education Priorily number intervention is your program model 0
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Required Documents
Document Name Status
Evaluation Not Applicable
Federally Approved Indirect Cost Agreement Not Applicable
Labor Union Concurrence Not Applicable
Other pocuments Not Applicable
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Page 19
Logic Model
Problem Inputs Adivities Outputs Short-Term Mid-Term Long-Term
Outcomes Outcomes Outcomes
The communily Resources ihat The core activities Directproducts Changes in Changes in Changes in
problem ihatthe are necessary to ihat define ihe from program knowledge, skills, behavior or action. condition or stalus
program activities deliver the intervention or activities. attiludes and Depending on in life. Depending
(interventions) are program activities program model opinions. These program design, on program
designed to (interventions), ihatmembers will outcomes, if ihese outcomes design, ihese
address. including ihe implementor applicable to ihe may or may notbe outcomes may or
number of deliver, including program design, measurable during may not be
locations/sites duration, dosage will almostalways ihe grantyear. measurable during
and number/lype and target be measurable ihe grantyear.
ofAmeriCorps population. during ihe grant Some programs,
members. year. such as
environmental or
capacily—bu ilding
programs, may
measure changes
in condition over a
period as short as
one year.
Dubuque Year—long 1 on 1 mentoring at 30 atriskyouth will 24 atriskyouth will Youth are Youth will become
Communily program leastonce a week startihe Mentor complete ihe connected to more resilient in
Teenaged Youth (September — for 50 weeks Dubuque program Mentor Dubuque caring, adult iheir mental healih.
are experiencing August) program mentors for a year.
mental—healih 1 on 1 or small
related crisis. 1 FT and 1 HT at group mentoring at 40 atriskyouth will 32 atriskyouth will
Hillcrest Family least5 times a startihe complete ihe
Services— Mentor week for 4 weeks Multicultural Family Multicultural Family
Dubuque program during ihe Summer Center�s STEP Center�s STEP
monihs. program program
Summer program
(June —August)
5 MT AmeriCorps
members at
MultiCullural Family
Center's STEP
program
Dubuque Year—long program Small group 25 atriskyouth 20 atriskyouth Youth are engaged Youth will engage
Communily Middle (September — mentoring atleast startihe Teen startihe Teen in social—emotional in less risk—taking
& High Schools August) once a week for 50 Nightprogram Nightprogram enrichment in ihe behavior.
sludents do not weeks school year and
have access to 1 3QT at 25 atriskyouth 20 atriskyouth summer months. Youth will become
out—of�chool time Multicultural Family Small group startihe Summer startihe Summer more connected to
Page 20
Logic Model
Problem Inputs Adivities Outputs Short-Term Mid-Term Long-Term
Outcomes Outcomes Outcomes
opporlunities. Center Teen mentoring atleast Teen Night Teen Night iheir communily.
Programs 5 times a week for program program
8weeks.
1 3QT atCamegie
Strout Public
Library Teen
Programs
Summer Program
(June -August)
5 MT at Leisure
Services Teen
Night Programs
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