AmeriCorps Funding Application
DU~~E
~YN--~
MEMORANDUM
December 14, 2006
TO:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Application for AmeriCorps Program Funding
Housing and Community Development Department Director David Harris is
recommending submittal of an application to the Corporation for National and
Community Service for Partners in Learning AmeriCorps Program funding.
The local AmeriCorps Program has been funded since 2000 under the administrative
authority of the Dubuque County Extension Service. The program is staffed by Beverly
Berna, Extension Families Specialist, and Penny Ehlinger, Director. Because of
uncertainly regarding continuing funding for Extension programs, it has been proposed
that the City of Dubuque be the applicant and serve as the administrative agency for
renewal funding. The application would renew the grant for the program, beginning in
September 2007, for a three-year term.
The size of the program would increase from 49 to 75 positions for AmeriCorps
volunteers.
Dubuque's Partners in Learning AmeriCorps Program has served for seven years as a
model for other Iowa tutoring programs. This new collaboration between Dubuque
County Extension, the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque and the City of
Dubuque will strengthen and expand the AmeriCorps program. In particular, this
proposal has been designed to address the needs of a growing at-risk population of
underserved and disadvantaged children, youth and families.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
fiJ G~fl?Jl _
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
David Harris, Housing and Community Development Department Director
DD~~E
~<k.~
MEMORANDUM
11 December 06
To: Michael.\(~~ Milligen, City Manager
From: David ~iS, Housing and Community Development Department
Re: Application for AmeriCorps Program funding
Introduction
The purpose of this memorandum is to request the City Council's approval of an
application to the Corporation for National and Community Service for Partners in
Learning AmeriCorps Program funding.
Discussion
The local AmeriCorps Program has been funded since 2000 under the administrative
authority of the Dubuque County Extension Service. The program is staffed by Beverly
Berna, Extension Families Specialist, and Penny Ehlinger, Director. Because of
uncertainly regarding continuing funding for Extension programs, it has been proposed
that the City of Dubuque be the applicant and serve as the administrative agency for
renewal funding. The application would renew the grant for the program, beginning in
September 2007, for a three-year term.
The City, as grantee, would serve two principal functions. One is administrative over-
sight and personnel supervision; this would be assigned to the Housing and Community
Development Department. The second is accounting and fiscal management; this
would be performed under the direction of Finance Director Ken TeKippe. It is
proposed that the Housing Director and Finance Director would each commit 0.05 FTE
time to the project, as a City in-kind "match."
Penny Ehlinger will remain as Director, full-time A new "Intermediary Coordinator"
position has been created, at 0.50 FTE (half-time.) This position will provide support
services in the same capacity as Extension Service has served for the past seven years
of Americorps activities. Both Penny and the Coordinator will be paid from Corporation
grant funds.
As the size of the program will be increased, from 49 to 75 positions for Members
(volunteers) - or 27 FTE positions - it is proposed that two part-time positions be
added, to include a 0.10 FTE accounting clerk and a 0.05 FTE secretary. These will be
provided by the City, as in-kind matching contributions. In addition, a 0.14 FTE data
entry position will be paid from Corporation funds, to assist with program evaluation.
It is proposed that space in the Housing Department's new offices at the Federal
Building will be made available for program staff, as additional in-kind program match.
Dubuque County Extension will continue to provide volunteer training and educational
curriculum and resources. The Program Director provides recruitment, site monitoring,
orientation and training of site supervisors and evaluation of all volunteers.
A final key partner in this proposal is the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque,
which is committing leadership from its Executive Director at 0.05 FTE as an in-kind
contribution. In collaboration with Mississippi Valley Promise, this partnership will
provide visioning, community engagement and strategic planning to achieve the mission
of the AmeriCorps Program.
Recommendation
Dubuque's Partners in Learning AmeriCorps Program has served for seven years as a
model for other Iowa tutoring programs. This new collaboration between Dubuque
County Extension, the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque and the City of
Dubuque will strengthen and expand our AmeriCorps program. In particular, this
proposal has been designed to address the needs of a growing at-risk population of
underserved and disadvantaged children, youth and families.
Action Step
The action requested of the City Council is to approve the attached resolution,
authorizing application to the Corporation for National and Community Service for
Partners in Learning AmeriCorps Program funding.
RESOLUTION No. 610-06
A RESOLUTION APPROVING AN APPLICATION TO THE
CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR
AMERICORPS PROGRAM FUNDING
WHEREAS, the City of Dubuque has an opportunity to provide needed funding
and services for the benefit of our underserved and disadvantaged children and youth
through a partnership and collaboration with the Dubuque County Extension Services
and the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque; and
WHEREAS, an application to the Corporation for National and Community
Service for AmeriCorps Program funding has been prepared, for athree-year grant
beginning in September 2007.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. That the Mayor is authorized and directed to execute an application to
the Corporation for National and Community Service for participation in the Partners in
Learning AmeriCorps Program.
Section 2. That the City Manager is hereby authorized and directed to forward
said application and resulting standard executed contract as required by the
Corporation for National and Community Service.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 18th day of December, 2006
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest
Jeanne Schneider, CMC, City Clerk
,
DRAFT
PART I - FACE SHEET
APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE ,. TYPE OF SUBMISSION:
. Non-Construction
2a. DAlE SUBMlTlED TO CORPORAllON 3. DATE RECEIVED BY STAlE: STATE APPLICATION IDENTIFIER:
FOR NATIONAl AND COM/'vfJNITY
SERVICE (CNCS): 07-DEC-06
2b. APPLICATION 10: 4. DATE RECEIVED: GRANT NUfllBER:
07AC072363
5. APPLICATION INFORMATION
LEGAl NAfvE: City of Dubuque NAME AND CONTACT INFORMATION FOR PROJECT DIRECTOR OR OTHER
PERSON TO BE CONTACTED ON MATTERS INVOLVING THIS APPLICATION (give
DUNS NUMBER: 093105302 area codes):
NAME: Penny Ehlinger
ADDRESS (give street address, city, state and zip code):
TELEPHONE NUMBER: (563) 584-8644
City of Dubuque FAX NUfv'BER: (563) 584-8643
1805 Central
Dubuque 1A. 52001 INTERNET E-wAlL ADDRESS: Penny.Ehlinger@clarke.edu
6. EtvPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER rEIN): 7. TYPE OF APPLICANT:
426004596 7a. Local Govcrmnent - Municipal
7b. Local Governmc:nt, Ml.ID.icipal
8. TYPE OF APPLlCAllON:
~NEW D CONllNVAllON
o REVISION DD
IT Revision, enter appropriate letter(s) in box{es):
A. Increase Award B. Decrease Award C. Increase Duration
D. Decrease Duration
9. NArvE OF FEDERAL AGENCY:
Corporation for National and Community Service
10a. CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOf"vESllC ASSISTANCE NUWBER: 94.006 ". DESCRIPTIVE llTLE OF APPLICANTS PROJECT:
1Ob.llTLE: AmeriCorps*State Partners in Learning AmeriCorps Program
12. AREAS AFFECTED BY PROJECT (Ust DUes, Counties, States, etc):
City of Dubuque and Dubuque Col.ID.ty
13. PROPOSED PROJECT: START DATE: 09/01107 END DATE: 08/31/08 14. PERFORFWWCE PERIOD: START DATE: END DAlE:
15. ESllM<\TED FUNDING: 16. IS APPLICATION SUBJECTTQ REVIEW BY STAlE EXECUTlVE
8. FEDERAL ORDER 12372 PROCESS?
, 340,173.00
0 YES, THIS PREAPPLlCAllON/APPLlCAllON WAS MADE AVAILABLE
b. APPLICANT , 170,910.00 TO l'rlE STATE EXECUllVE ORDER 12372 PROCESS FOR
REVIEW ON:
c. STATE , 0.00 DAlE:
d. LOCAL , 0.00
e. OTHER , 0.00
f. PROGRAM INCOME , 0.00 17. IS THE APPLICANT DELINQUENT ON ANY FEDERAL DEBT?
9. TOTAL 0 YES if "Yes," attach an explanation. 0 NO
, 511,083.00 18. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE AND BELIEF, ALL DATA IN THIS APPLlCAllON/PREAPPLlCAllON ARE TRUE AND CORRECT, THE DOCUtvENT HAS BEEN
DULY AUTHORIZED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE APPLICANT AND lHE APPLICANT WILL CotvPL Y WITH THE ATTACHED ASSURANCES IF THE ASSISTANCE
IS AWARDED.
a. TYPED NMrE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTAllVE: I b.llTLE: c. TELEPHONE NUMBER:
Penny Ehlinger Program Director (563)584-8644
MiCha~~~en~i~Manager, City of Dubuque, Iowa d. DAi~ /7/(l(P
'tvh IA;
I /
RPT_BGT_424
, Decerrber 6, 2006 7:56 PM
City of Dubuque
Application 10: 07AC072363 Budget Dates:
Total Amt CNCS Share Grantee Share
Section I. Program Operating Costs
A. Personnel Expenses 82,700 53,865 28,835
8. Personnel Fringe Benefits 8,905 5,905 3,000
C. Travel
Staff Travel 890 890 0
Merrber Travel 1,335 0 1,335
Total $2,225 $890 $1,335
D. Equipment
E. Supplies 6,400 3,575 2,825
F. Contractual and Consultant Services
G. Training
Staff Training
fv'Iember Training 3,000 1,500 1,500
Total $3,000 $1,500 $1,500
H. Evaluation 4,500 4,500 0
l. Other Program Operating Costs 78,137 1,445 76,692
Travel to CNCS-Sponsored 1v'eetings 2,000 2,000 0
Total $80,137 $3,445 $76,692
Section I. Subtotal $187,867 $73,680 $114,187
Section I Percentage 39% 61%
Section II. Member Costs
A. Living Allowance
FuIlT"", (1700 hrs) 111,000 93,850 17,150
1-Year Half Time (gOO hours) 58,760 49,950 8,810
Reduced Half Time (675 hrs) 0 0 0
Quarter Time (450 hrs) 58,760 49,946 8,814
Mnirrum Time (300 hrs) 39,180 31,303 7,877
2- Year Half Time (2nd Year) 0 0 0
2.Year Half lime (1st Year) 0 0 0
Total $267,700 $225,049 $42,651
B. t/lerrber Support Costs
FICA for Merrbers 20,479 15,407 5,072
Worker's Co~ensation 2,143 2,143 0
Health Care 15,000 10,000 5,000
Total $37,622 $27,550 $10,072
Section II. Subtotal $305,322 $252,599 $52,723
Section II. Percentages 83% 17%
Section III. Administrativenndirect Costs
A. Corporation Rxed Percentage
Corporation Fixed Amount 17,894 13,894 4,000
Comrrission Fixed Arrount 0 0 0
Total $17,894 $13,894 $4,000
B. Federally Approved Indirect Cost Rate
Section III. Subtotal $17,894 $13,894 $4,000
Section III Percentage 78% 22%
Section I + III. Funding Percentages 43% 57%
Budget Totals $511,083 $340,173 $170,910
Budget Total Percentage 67% 33%
Required Match 0%
# of years Receiving CNCS Funds nfa
Form 424A Modified SF-424A (4/88 and 12/97)
Page 1
Decerrber 6, 2006 7:56 Pf\r1
City of Dubuque
Total MSYs
CostlMSY
Form 424A
Page 2
27.00
$12,599
RPT_BGT_ 424
Modified SF-424A (4/88 and 12/97)
Budget Narrative for 07 AC072363
Page 1 of4
Budget Narrative: for City of Dubuque
Section I. Program Operating Costs
A. Personnel Expenses
CATEGORY Total.
CNCS Share Grantee Share Total Amount
33,865 5,335 39,200
20,000 10,000 30,000
0 4,500 4,500
0 9,000 9,000
53,865 28, 82,700
PositionfTitle -Qty -Annual Salary -% Time
AmeriCorps Director: - 1 person(s) at 40000 each x 98 % usage
Intermediary Coordinator of Partnerships: . 1 person(s) at 60000 each x 50 %
usage
Vision & Community Engagement: - 1 person(s) at 90000 each x 5 % usage
Program Administration & Finance Director: - 2 person(s) at 90000 each x 5 %
usage
B. Personnel Fringe Benefits
Purpose -Calculation -Total Amount CNCS Share Grantee Share Total Amount
FICA & Medicare; IPERS, FICA & Medicare .0765 IPERS .0605 5,905 3,0 8,905
CATEGORY Total. 5,905 8,905
C. Travel
Staff Travel
Purpose -Calculation CNCS Share Grantee Share Total Amount
Travel, mileage and registrations: 2000 miles at .445 890 0 890
CATEGORY Totals 890 0 890
Member Travel
Purpose -Calculation CNCS Sh Grantee Share Total Amount
Travel- summer and county: 3000 miles at .445 0 1,335 1,335
CATEGORY Totals 0 1,335 1,335
D. Equipment
Item/Purpose -Qty -Unit Cost CNCS Sh hare Total Amount
CATEGORY Totals 0 0 0
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Budget Narrative for 07 AC072363 Page 2 of 4
, ,
E. Supplies
Item -Calculation CNCS Share Grantee Share I Total Amount I
Uniforms: 65 @ $35 and 10 @ $70 2,975 o I 2,975 I
Office Equpiment Maintance & Office Supplies: Copy Machine Maintance 600 825 II 1,425 I
$325; Postage $250; Cell Phone $350; Office Supplies $500
Curricula & Educational Resources: $2000 0 2,000 2,000
I CATEGORY Totals II 3,575 I 2,825 6,400
F. Contractual and Consultant Services
I Purpose -Calculation -Daily Rate II CNCS Share I Grantee Share Total Amount
I CATEGORY Totals II 0 I 0 0
G. Training
Staff Training
I Purpose -Calculation -Daily Rate I CNCS Share Grantee Share I Total Amount I
CATEGORY Totals 0 0 0
Member Training
Purpose -Calculation -Daily Rate CNCS Share Grantee Share Total Amount
Initial and Ongoing Training: CPR/First Aid 75@$18; Name Tags 75@ $5; 1,500 1,500 3,000
Portfolios, Member Handbooks and Other Training Supplies- Daily Rate of 50
CATEGORY Totals 1,500 1,500 3,000
H. Evaluation
Purpose -Calculation -Daily Rate CNCS Share Grantee Share Total Amount
Data Compilation & Program Outcomes: 300 hours x $15- Daily Rate of 96 4,500 0 4,500
CATEGORY Totals 4,500 I 0 II 4,500 I
I. Other Program Operating Costs
I Purpose -Calculation I CNCS Share Grantee Share Total Amount
Travel to CNCS-Sponsored Meetings: $2000 2,000 0 2,000
I I
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Budget Narrative for 07AC072363
Page 3 of4
Clarke Office Space & Utilities: Space $35 x 150 sq. ft. Computer Internet, 200 6,800 I 7,000 I
Electricity, Phone & Meeting Facilities
City Office Space & Utilities: $15 for 300 sq. ft 0 4,500 I 4,500 I
Fiscal Bookkeeping & Office Support: Account Clerk @ $16 hour for 208 0 4,992 4,992
hours; Secretarial@ $16 for 104 hours
Criminal Background Checks: 55 in state @$15; 20 out of state $41 1,245 400 1,645
Planning and Media Coverage: $60,000 0 60,000 60,000
CATEGORY Totals 3,445 76,692 80,137
SECTION Totals 114,187 187,867
I PERCENTAGE I 39% 61%
Section II. Member Costs
A. Living Allowance
Item - # Mbrs wI Allow -Allowance Rate - # Mbrs w/o Allow I CNCS Share II Grantee Share I Total Amount
Full Time (1700 hrs): 10 Member(s) at a rate of 11100 each I 93,850 I 17,150 111,000
Members W/Q allowance 0
1-Year Half Time (900 hours): 10 Member(s) at a rate of 5876 each 49,950 8,810 58,760
Members WID allowance 0
2-Year HalfTime (1st Year): Member(s) at a rate of each 0 0 0
Members WIG allowance
2-Year HalfTime (2nd Year): Member(s) at a rate of each 0 0 0
Members W/O allowance
Reduced HalfTime (675 hrs): Member(s) at a rate of each 0 I o I 0
Members W/O allowance
Quarter Time (450 hrs): 20 Member(s) at a rate of 2938 each I 49,946 ~ 8,814 58,760 I
Members W/O allowance 0
Minimum Time (300 hrs): 20 Member(s) at a rate of 1959 each I 31,303 II 7,877 39,180 I
Members W/O allowance 15
I CATEGORY Totals II 225,049 II 42,651 267,700 I
B. Member Support Costs
Purpose -Calculation
CNCS Share Grantee Share Total Amount
15,407 5,072 20,47
2,143 0 2,143
10,000 5,000 15,000
CATEGORY Totals 27,550 10,072 37,622
FICA for Members: .0765
Worker's Compensation: $2143
Health Care: $125 per month x 10
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Budget Narrative for 07 AC072363
Page 4 of 4
SECTION Totals 252,599 52,723 305,322
PERCENTAGE 83% 17%
Section III. Administrative/Indirect Costs
A. Corporation Fixed Percentage
Item -Calculation CNCS Share Grantee Share Total Amount
Corporation Fixed Amount: $340204 x .0526 13,894 4,000 17,894
Commission Fixed Amount: 0 0 0
CATEGORY Totals 13,894 4,000 17,894
B. Federally Approved Indirect Cost Rate
Calculation -Cost Basis -Cost Type - Rate Claimed -Rate CNCS Share Grantee Share Total Amount
CATEGORY Totals 0 0 0
SECTION Totals 13,894 4,000 17,894
PERCENTAGE 78% 22%
BUOGET Totals
340,173
170,910
511,083
PERCENTAGE
67%
33%
Source of Funds
Section
Description
Section 1. Prbgram Operating Costs
All grant writing functions will be funded from cash match and constitutes
2% of the Program Director's salary and in kind match from the
Intermediary-Partnership-C---oordtnator:-The-Progl dill lid;) been successful
in receiving local grant funds, i.e. Dubuque Racing Association, to
purchase program supplies and equipment. Local grant funding will be
pursued from foundations.
Section II. Member Costs
Each partner pays approximately $2 per Member hour as cash match for
placement. These sources include City of Dubuque, Museum
admissions, State of Iowa Allowable Growth Funds, Dubuque
Community and Holy Family Schools. Teachers and other professional
share their expertise through in-kind training for Member development.
Section III. Administrative/Indirect Costs
In kind contributions from intermediary partners, City of Dubuque,
Dubuque County Extension and the Community Foundation of Greater
Dubuque offer their services for training, administration, and overall
program support.
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DRAFT
Narratives
Executive Summary
Partners In Learning AmeriCorps Program was fIrst funded as an Iowa Commission program in
September 2000 and in 2004 received competitive funding from Corporation for National and
Community Service (CNCS). This proposal reflects an increase in size and a change in partners
adding the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque and the City of Dubuque, 27 Member Service
Years (MSY's), a cash budget of $511,083 ($340,173 Corporation funds and an additional $170,910 of
in-kind support). Academic tutoring will continue to be a priority; but, there is a need for the
Program to be an Intermediary Agency to address the at risk population that includes minorities,
underserved and disadvantaged children, youth and families. To "Ensure a brighter future for all of
America's youth," Dubuque will expand efforts in the downtown schools and neighborhoods where
the Multicultural Family Center is located and where 902 or 77% of students are on free or reduced
lunches. Dubuque Community School District reported during the 2004-05 school year, that 77.2% of
all 4th grade students achieved a 40% or higher profIciency in reading. This decreased by 2-4% during
2005-06. A reading inventory, during the same year, that tested students reading at or above grade
level in comprehension for 4th graders showed a 1.4% loss from fall to spring testing. Other outcomes
identifIed reported that African American 4th grade students were only 44% profIcient in reading as
compared to their classmates who scored 77.6% profIciency. Since September 2006, students new to
Dubuque from Chicago and Milwaukee include 44 elementary, 17 middle school, and 23 high school
students.
Members will provide and facilitate academic tutoring, with 70% of students receiving 1 to 3 hours of
weekly one-on-one tutoring showing an increase in math and reading relating to the fIve components
identifIed by the National Reading Panel as measured by Teacher and Member evaluation. As an
Intermediary Agency, the Program will provide before, during and after school academic
programming and supervised cultural and recreational enrichment activities. These activities will
reach 5,000 students during the academic year and 500 children in summer school and playground
Page 2
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Narratives
activities. To address behavioral and social skill needs, Members will provide and facilitate supervised
cultural and recreational activities with 70% of students showing an increase in skills as measured by
Teacher and Member evaluation of skills demonstrated and a decrease in number of disciplinary
interventions.
Early in 2006, the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, the City of Dubuque, Dubuque
County Empowerment, and Mississippi Valley Promise combined resources to conduct a Community
Youth Needs Assessment. Existing needs in Dubuque County in the areas of economics, safety,
education, housing, social, health, leisure, environment and transportation were gathered. This
assessment is now available. During the next six months a community prioritization and strategic
planning process is being spearheaded to determine areas of program concentration. The planning
process will allow the comm unity to organize in support of families and children by fulfilling the
mission of the Five Promises (Caring Adults, Safe Places, A Healthy Start, Marketable Skills and
Opportunities to Serve) of America's Promise. The AmeriCorps Partners in Learning will serve as an
intermediary agency with new partners including Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque in
conjunction with the Mississippi Valley Promise and City of Dubuque as Program Administrator. To
implement these activities and increase the capacity of community-based organizations, Members will
recruit and support 240 volunteers with a goal of 3,000 hours of service. In addition, the Partners in
Learning AmeriCorps Program will add 15 Education award only positions and increase the total
number of Members from 15.5 to 27 MSY's.
Summary of Accomplishments
During the 2005-2006 academic year, Members provided academic tutoring to a total of 4,512
students during school and 217 students after school engaging one-on-one or in small groups for 1-3
hours per week. Members at 13 sites during school and 4 after school sites enabled students to
improve or maintain in the academic areas of reading and math. Assessments were provided by both
Members and teachers. One hundred eighty-four elementary students, who received academic
Page 3
DRAFT
Narratives
tutoring from Members, were evaluated by their teachers; 99.5% maintained or improved their
reading ability. Teacher evaluation of 35 middle school students and 52 high school students showed
that 100% maintained or improved their reading skills. In math, 163 elementary students showed,
through teacher evaluation, that 98.8% maintained or improved. Teacher evaluation of 17 middle
school students and 19 high school students showed that 100% maintained or improved their math
skills.
By comparison, 225 elementary students were also evaluated by Members; 100% of those maintained
or improved their reading ability. Member evaluation of 45 middle school students and 25 high school
students showed that 100% maintained or improved in reading skills. In math, 164 of the elementary
students were evaluated by Members and 100% of those maintained or improved. Member evaluation
of 49 middle school students showed that 100% maintained or improved; evaluation of 17 high school
students reported that 94.1% maintained or improved their math skills. In comparison, the first
program year of 2000-2001, reported minimal outcomes in math and reading. Academic outcomes
in elementary, junior high, and high school were returned by teachers on a total of 419 students. 79%
of the students showed improved reading ability with 19% maintaining their present reading level.
82% of the students showed improved math skills with 15% maintaining their present math level.
These outcomes were based on limited reporting and the program did not reach its desired goal of
"90% of students improving." However, the 2001 Iowa Test of Basic Skills showed a dramatic change.
For example: Audubon 4th graders moved from a 2.9 grade level in 2000 to 4.3 grade level as 5th
graders. AmeriCorps outcomes reported from fall 2001 to spring 2002 included 68% of (143)
elementary students showed gains in reading and 71 % showed gains in math. Fifty-nine percent of
(25) junior high youth showed gains in reading and 70% had gains in math. And 66% of (27) high
school youth showed gains in reading and 32% had gains in math. Three after school elementary
program sites where Members serve, showed a steady increase in test scores for reading and math.
For a two year period from 2004-05 and 2005-06, reading scores indicated 95% of the 155 students
Page 4
DRAFT
Narratives
served improved or maintained; in math 90% of the students improved or maintained. Now is the
time to expand and increase sustainability by involving new partners and building on our past
successes.
The total number of beneficiaries served by Members in the Partners in Learning Program through
recreational, cultural and summer programming in 2005-2006 was 5083 students. AmeriCorps
Members provided 504 hours of academic tutoring through a summer Kindergarten Jumpstart
Readiness program to 183 children in 9 public schools. Pre-Post outcomes provided by teachers
indicated that students increased by 27 points (15%) their ability to speak in sentences; 34 points (19%)
in ability to socialize with peers; 27 points (15%) in ability to follow simple directions; 29 points (16%)
able to work at quiet sitting activity for 15 minutes at a time; and 35 points (19%) able to transition
from home to school.
During six years of the Partners in Learning program, reporting methods have been perfected and
refmed. Outcomes have steadily improved and Members and Teachers take a greater responsibility in
the final reporting. In addition, summer activities continue to increase and have started to involve a
larger and more diverse population. Since 2000, Members have provided supervised recreational and
cultural activities that have reached 21,166 youth (K-6) at schools and playgrounds. Activities during
the 2006 summer program sponsored 10 off site trolley trips that included Swiss Valley Nature Center,
the Arboretum, Water Carnival, Dubuque Arboretum, the Children's Petting Zoo and Dyersville Field
of Dreams.
Each year Members complete personal development goals and portfolios of their experiences and
achieve certification in CPR, First Aid, universal precautions, and child abuse reporting. Since the
inception of the program, 100% of Members showed pre- to post-test increases in knowledge as a
result of training provided. All Members receive a mid-term and exit performance evaluation. In
addition, Members are required to evaluate their site supervisors and program director. This
information is summarized and used yearly to improve and make changes in the overall program
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Narratives
design. The program has seen a steady increase of new community volunteers, business, and agency
. partnerships. The year 2005-06 saw the engagement of 153 volunteers who provided a total of 1,524
volunteer hours.
In the upcoming three years, Partners in Learning AmeriCorps Program, acting as an Intermediary
Agency, will continue to engage additional agencies and organizations to increase the program size to
27 Member Service Year (MSY). This expansion will allow for addressing the needs of more
disadvantaged youth and families and the continued engagement of new community volunteers.
Moving together with the Mississippi Valley Promise initiative and the community needs assessment
and new strategic planning and prioritization of needs the time is right to reach out to new partners
and increase sustainability by community engagement. The Partners in Learning program can build
on the past successes of the Caring Adults and Safe Places Promises as well as adding new emphasis to
A Healthy Start, Marketable Skills and Opportunities to Serve Promises.
Rationale and Approach
Compelling Community Need: Dubuque school officials are encouraged by results on the Iowa Test
of Basic Skills and Iowa Tests of Educational Development showing inlproved achievement in
mathematics, and strong performance in science and social studies. However, the district continues to
face challenges in inlproving reading performances. Across the district, teachers, principals, and
curriculum staff are examining results on a student-by-student basis to determine exactly how best to
address deficiencies in reading skills or lack of appropriate reading strategies and to determine
appropriate teaching interventions for each student. Many of these deficiencies have been identified as
directly related to the influx of minorities immigrating into the community. Dubuque Community
School district received 261 new elementary, 189 new junior high, and 137 new senior high school
students during the 2006-2007 school year. Many of these students come from housing projects that
have closed in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Madison. To address this need, the Community Foundation
of Greater Dubuque Partners in Learning AmeriCorps Program will act as an intermediary agency to
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remove barriers to learning that will lead to the development of linkages with many other community
partners. It is our intent to significantly increase our partnerships with the Comm unity Foundation of
Greater Dubuque, Presentation Lantern Center, Downtown schools, Multicultural Family Center, the
City of Dubuque Leisure Services, and Dubuque County Extension who are serving this disadvantaged
or underserved population.
In May 2006, Dubuque School Board President, Doug Horstman, extended invitations to
approximately sixty community members, parents, teachers, administrators, and students to join with
members of the Board of Education in a strategic planning session held on May 25, 2006. This was
the fourth such session held in the past five years designed to build on past plans and identify new
significant priorities. The primary focus of the strategic plan was on how best to improve the
educational achievement of all of the students. But, small group discussions identified several other
key areas: How can we strengthen partnerships within the comm unity to increase awareness and
mutual understanding of important educational issues? How can our district best reach out to diverse
segments of the community to determine issues important to them? How can we strengthen a
culture of civility and respect within our schools and community? What are the barriers to learning
that our schools and community can collaborate to address and attempt to alleviate? What additional
strategies or steps should our schools and community consider in order to ensure the safety of students
and staff? How can our schools and comm unity do a better job of promoting lifelong healthy
lifestyles?
The Dubuque County Community Health Assessment and Health Improvement Plans from February
1,2005, reported that the non-white population in Dubuque County increased from 2.9% in 2002 to
3.5% in 2003. The same report in February 2005, noted that 51% of eligible children are enrolled in
Hawk-I health insurance, which is below the state goal of 56%. The rate of child abuse and neglect in
Dubuque County is increasing: Department of Human Service notes most child abuse and neglect is
related to methamphetamine use and this is consistent with statewide fmdings; juvenile violent crime,
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and juvenile arrests in Dubuque County are higher than the state rate; and teen unmarried births
increased 68.2% from 1990-2001. Dubuque is a community whose inhabitants are overwhelmingly of
Irish and German ancestry. Many of our residents have been in the community for generations and
have had limited contact with people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds. It is only a few short
years ago when Dubuque County's ethnic population was 2%. In recent years, we have seen an
increasing population of color in our city, such that today one of every nine children in our public
school system is a child of color.
As of September 2006, the Presentation Lantern Center at 1505 Jackson Street in Dubuque has
welcomed visitors who represent 28 countries, five continents, and 18 languages. Newcomers arrive
at the Presentation Lantern Center because they have heard about it from someone or because they
have been referred. They come for tutoring in English, for survival skills in a new country, or for help
with the citizenship test. The AmeriCorps Members who volunteer at this center are "cultural brokers"
who help visitors understand American culture. In addition to tutoring, volunteers at the center assist
with some healthcare issues and a variety of literacy skills including counting U.S. money, reading
local maps and the bus schedules, ordering food from an American menu, and cooking with a non-
metric oven. They also address such things as wind chill factor, wearing seat belts, using sunscreen,
and appropriate times to call 911. The Presentation Lantern Center works specifically with women
and mothers with small children as a neighborhood resource center.
The Multicultural Family Center (MFC) was established to provide a space for low resource families to
congregate and socialize without a financial cost and to provide basic outreach services to minority
families. The center is one of the few public facilities for families in the Washington area low income
neighborhood. More specifically, the center provides assistance, opportunities, and resources for
inlmigrant and diverse populations to facilitate full community participation in their neighborhood.
In 2004, the Dubuque County Extension developed an AmeriCorpsjVISTA position to provide
capacity building in the area of diversity. The outreach efforts created over 170 personal contacts and
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included door knocking in the Washington neighborhood, an African American needs assessment and
Dialogue Circles funded by the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque.
Because of these efforts, in July of 2005, the Multicultural Family Center opened its doors to the
public. Since that time, the Multicultural Family Center has developed a two pronged approach in
providing service to the community. The fIrst avenue of current regular services include: English as
Second Language (ESL) tutoring, family events, movie nights (every Friday), free internet access (12
computers available), employment counseling, homework help for local students, student and family
mentoring, a comprehensive community informational center, and a meeting place for other groups
who do not have their own permanent space. The NAACP is using the MFC as their meeting place,
Northeast Iowa Community College is teaching ESL and Parenting classes during the mornings three
days per week. Back on Track is using the Multicultural Family Center as a base for a new program
through Juvenile Court Services that will focus on African American youth between 10 and 15 years
of age. The Center has been the meeting site for the Equity Advisory Committee for the Dubuque
Community School District, as well as the meeting place for the Dubuque Diversity Training
Committee.
The second avenue of service provided by the Multicultural Family Center is a broad program of
community education on diversity and multicultural issues, as well as concerns of how the low
income families are dealing with this. Betsy Killins, Center Director provides this information through
community presentations. Through these speaking engagements, the community has grown in their
knowledge and concepts of the Multicultural Family Center's mission and goals, including the needs of
the overall low income community, of which a high percentage of the population which is served by
the MFC.
The Multicultural Family Center has 30 to 50 new individuals coming into the center each month.
During the fIrst year of operation the MFC reached 945 different individuals - 35% Hispanic, 29%
Caucasian, 27% Black or African American, 4% PacifIc Island or Marshallese, 3% Asian, and 2% Black
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or African American and White (bi-racial). Programming needs to be expanded and a volunteer
network needs to be put into place to increase sustain ability of this effort.. To address these needs, the
Program will seek to focus on all of the Five Promises to Youth: Caring Adults, Safe Places, A Healthy
Start, Marketable Skills, and Opportunities to Service.
Members will continue to provide community service as part of Make a Difference Day, and Martin
Luther King Day as well as during special community service projects. As needed, Members respond
to immediate community needs such as sandbagging for the flood of 2001. Members have
chaperoned a youth dance, mentored at Girl Scout day camp, dressed up as characters at Arboretum
Children's Spring Party, provided games at the Chili Cook-off, and worked Special Olympics events.
Members have also provided service by picking up trash in downtown at neighborhood clean-ups,
directed parking at the Jazz Fest, and assisted with a used book drive. The Partners in Learning
AmeriCorps Program will continue to do these community service events to provide more "Corps"
opportunities to Members.
Description of Activities and Member Roles: The Partners in Learning Program continues to be multi-
faceted to address an at-risk, diverse population's and build upon the strengths of youth, families and
the community by bringing together resources from across the community as an intermediary
agency. To address poor academic performance, AmeriCorps Members will provide in-school, before
school and after-school academic tutoring and summer learning opportunities (Caring Adults). On
school playgrounds and neighborhoods where youth have few supervised options when not in school,
AmeriCorps Members will provide after-school summer cultural and recreational activities. These
activities are designed to develop social and behavioral skills as well as provide academic enrichment
(Safe Places). To increase the impact of the program and fulfill the Five Promises to Youth,
AmeriCorps Members will have an increased presence at the Community Foundation of Greater
Dubuque (Marketable Skills andA Healthy Start), the Presentation Lantern Center, the National
Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, and the Multicultural Family Center (Opportunities to Serve).
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Members can provide ESL classes, tutoring, homework help, family programming and activities as
well as volunteer opportunities and volunteer management for community service activities.
In-school and after school tutoring provided by Members may be one-on-one or small group for all
grade levels and may happen within the classroom or in a separate quiet space. Students will be
assigned to a Member by their teacher who has determined the student is in need of additional
support. Academic assistance ranges from study help with math facts and spelling words to
specialized one-on-one support to make a concept clearer or correct past errors. On average sessions
are 45 minutes, 3 times a week. The actual length of the session varies by school, setting, and student
needs/abilities/age. Members reinforce and practice what the teacher has taught using the same type
of activities with students. Academic tutor activities are conducted as part of the school district's
implementation of No Child Left Behind. Training is provided by the school district and Members,
who tutor must demonstrate adequate reading and math skills. Members complete 45 hours of
training during the year. The training focuses on the five areas the National Reading Panel has
identified as necessary for reading success. Teachers who receive assistance from Members receive
training that parallels the five components during district staff development time. Planning at the
school level occurs weekly with the Members to identify which students need help in which specific
area of reading. Specific strategies to assist the student are outlined by the teacher for the Member.
All Members in the Program have a high school diploma and the majority are college or graduate
students. Members will document all tutoring activities, including the process and progress of each
session. The outcomes oftutoring are tracked via a survey of Teachers and Mem bers regarding
reading and math academic skills, as well as behavioral skill changes. In determining needs,
aggregated standard tests scores were reviewed. Using multiple assessments the school district has
established the goal for each student to read at grade level by the end of the school year. The
assessments used include standardized test scores, diagnostic assessments, and curriculum based
assessment to measure student performance in phonemic awareness, phonics, text comprehension,
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vocabulary, and fluency. As the schools solidify these methods, AmeriCorps may have new sources of
outcome data and evaluation tools.
Students will be grouped by age and developmental level so activities can be appropriately targeted.
Activities will be developed using community agencies and school expertise and curricula, which
incorporate social and behavioral skill building. Members are paired with service providers and will be
planning and providing activities in conjunction with the site supervisor. Members focusing on
cultural enrichment activities will coordinate music, dance, drama, and art opportunities.
Recreational activities are structured to develop social skills and may have an educational component
(i.e. science projects). Members will document attendance at cultural/recreational activities with
outcomes assessed through teacher and Member reports of changes in social and behavioral skills.
AmeriCorps Members at the Multicultural Family Center will assist with education and language
skills. A computer lab is available with computers donated by City of Dubuque, Workforce
Development, and the Dubuque Community School District. This lab has Internet access, a web cam
for communicating with other countries, and Rosetta Stone computer programs for learning both
English and Spanish. In addition, an education classroom is provided through a partnership with
Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC). Three times a week staff from NICC provides English
as Second Language and Adult Basic Education classes to adults. Local college students and
AmeriCorps Members will be utilized as language instructors and continue these efforts.
The Multicultural Family Center (MFC) mission statement is to empower diverse individuals and
families by promoting personal growth and community engagement. All of the services at the MFC
are free to its users and provided by the Director, AmeriCorps Members and volunteers. Low and
moderate income families are benefiting from the free computer internet opportunities, the
educational resources, and English as Second Language programs. They are also benefiting from
being empowered of become involved in their community through the organizations located at and
through the connections to outreach and resources at the MFC. The cornerstone of the Multicultural
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Family Center is breaking new ground wifuin fue community in promoting understanding among fue
diverse population of Dubuque. On a typical day you can see adults and children from different
cultures seated at a computer side-by-side.
The Multicultural Family Center is seeking innovative ways to build cross-cultural collaboration and
civic engagement around issues of diversity. The Center has been an avenue to explore fue needs of
families of all backgrounds in our community, drawing people together and into active civic life.
Building bridges of understanding and education about cultures are necessary steps in order to create
a truly inclusive community. The Multicultural Family Center is truly on the cutting edge of social
programming in Dubuque and desperately needs to continue if long-lasting impact is to be made. We
are convinced that this new stage in Dubuque's life will truly enrich the community if approached
correctly and as soon as possible. AmeriCorps Members are needed to work vigorously involving all
facets of fue community in fuese efforts, from local businesses to the university/college systems to the
city government to the neighborhoods. It is a reality that Dubuque is diversifying. This is a reality no
one can deny, and our goal is to help make it a positive experience and help with the process of change
in whatever way possible.
The Multicultural Family Center will serve as a space for a permanent location for the Back on Track
program, which mentors African American youfu who are involved in the Juvenile Court System.
Testing and ofuer healfu services will be provided by fue Visiting Nurse Association through an
outreach partnership. The Multicultural Family Center will be a referral location for the Immigrants
Rights Network, The Presentation Lantern Center, and a permanent location for the local branch of
fue NAACP. In addition, families and youth programming includes cultural education, game and
movie nights, field trips, community service projects, concert in park. The Multicultural Family
Center will host efunic and cultural celebrations such as Kwanzaa, Juneteenth, and Lunar New Year.
All of these initiatives will utilize community volunteers and AmeriCorps Members will assist as we
develop a core of volunteers for these services.
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Measurable Outputs and Outcomes: For grades K-12th Members will provide academic tutoring
during school and after school. There will be in-school academic tutorjmentoring for 4,000 students
at 9 public elementary schools, 3 Middle Schools, and 3 High Schools. There will be after-school
academic tutoring which includes homework help with 300 students at Audubon, Prescott, Marshall,
Fulton, Irving, and Lincoln Elementary Schools, and Washington, Roosevelt, and Jefferson Middle
Schools. There will be academic tutoring for 100 students during summer Jumpstart to enable
students to receive advance knowledge before beginning the fall semester of Kindergarten. Summer
activities will be provided to K-6th students. Activities will be designed to develop social and
behavioral skills and academic development during the school year and the summer enrichment
programs.
Seventy percent of children who participate and receive services, and for whom we have data from
comparative progress reports will demonstrate positive changes in their social skills, and demonstrated
a decrease in the number of disciplinary interventions. Ninety percent of students, for whom data is
collected, will improve or maintain in their performance of reading and math based on the criteria of
"no improvement, maintained, improved slightly or significant improvement." Fifteen education
award only positions will increase sustainability as partners will be paying for living allowance
stipends. In addition next year, Members will recruit and support 240 volunteers with a goal of
3,000 hours of service.
Plan for Self-Assessment and Improvement: Attendance Logs are documented and submitted
biweekly by Members and at Academic Year End. Outcome Evaluation Logs by Members and
Teachers will track tutoring achievements and results. The Program Director makes site visits at mid
term for Member evaluations and requires an end of placement evaluation to determine progress
towards goals and completion of program requirements. During the mid-term interview with the
Member and site supervisor, the Director conducts an evaluation and opens the discussion to address
any other issues or concerns. Members are also asked to complete a confidential evaluation of their
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site supervisor. Beyond these formal contacts there is ongoing support available to site supervisors
and Members through the AmeriCorps Director and proposed Intermediary Partnership Coordinator.
The Director has regular contact with site supervisors through site visits and through the completion
ofbi-monthly reports.
To increase citizenship knowledge and ensure AmeriCorps Members have the skills to perform their
duties, Member development, training and community service activities are provided by the Program
Director, the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service, and at placement sites. A Member handbook,
which documents requirements, prohibited activities and expectations, is provided and reviewed
during training for each Member. On a state level, Members and the Program Director participate
yearly in the Iowa Volunteer Conference and the Iowa Leadership Conference. In addition, the
Director participates in Mississippi Valley Promise, the Martin Luther King Diversity Committee, is a
past Commissioner on the Dubuque Human Rights Commission, and the Iowa Commission on
Volunteer Service. Community Involvement: America's Promise vision states "we believe every child
deserves a chance to succeed, even when it is against all odds." We know that it will take all of us
working together to make that possible. The Mississippi Valley Promise and Partners in Learning
AmeriCorps partnership will allow for commitment to mobilizing all sections and every interested
individual in Dubuque County to ensure that every child has, at a minimum, five fundamental
resources (the Five Promises). Over the next three years, our goal is to carry out the following
objectives, with measurable results that have been identified by America's Promise communities and
provide impact that is greater than individual organizations could achieve: 1. Secure commitments
from partners (current and new) -- Examples of current partners that will expand is Presentation
Lantern and Multicultural Family Center which will increase community education on diversity and
support to newcomers. An example of a new partner will be the Great Midwestern Educational
Theatre Company whose mission is to promote learning and engage the creative spirit in children of
all ages by presenting relevant, thought-and-emotion provoking experiences in the theatre arts. Many
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of our disadvantaged and under served individuals desperately need these resources and experiences.
2. Encourage meaningful collaboration across sectors (business, government, city, human service and
education) -- The changes and expansion being proposed will bring about a more meaningful
collaboration. Dubuque County Extension will continue to provide educational resources and
Member training. Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque will increase our business connection
and community engagement through the visioning and prioritization process of strategic planning. A
new program administrator through the City of Dubuque will add increased accounting, fiscal
reporting, and involve local elected officials. These new partners will strengthen the Partners in
Learning AmeriCorps Program. 3. Raise awareness of the status of children in Dubuque County and
the power of the Five Promises to make a difference - The Teen Leadership Council (TLC) now called
the Y APPER's is an advisory board of the Comm unity Foundation established to teach young people
about their duty to give back to the community in which they live. This advisory youth board consists
of 16 students from area high schools who work to assess the needs of youth in the Dubuque Area.
These needs are then addressed through various service projects and strategic grant making that
benefits local nonprofit organizations working to support in-need youth. The Empty Bowls Project is
an example of one of the youth board's service and grant-making projects. The goal of Empty Bowls
is to create awareness of child hunger while generating money that is granted to nonprofit
organizations working towards combating local child hunger. The Y APPER's meets twice a month to
engage in leadership and team-building activities to explore the many forms and ideas of
philanthropy, to conduct research about the needs within Dubuque land's youth, to participate in the
full grant-making process, and to have some fun. This group has been a joint effort of the
Community Foundation and AmeriCorps that can provides a voice for youth in our community.
Relationship to other National and Community Service Programs: The Partners in Learning
AmeriCorps Program has been at the table with other partners since the vision of Mississippi Promise
(MVP) was first initiated. The Program Director serves on a sub committee of MVP and the
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Intermediary Partnership Coordinator serves on the MVP steering committee. A VISTA Member,
through the Program, procured grant funding through the City of Dubuque for the birth and startup
funding of the Multicultural Family Center. The Program Director is a past member of the local
RSVP Advisory Board collaborating together to recruit community mentors/tutors for local school
programs. The Program and Members work closely with the Promise Fellow who is placed at the
Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. The Program Director offers support and training and
sometimes recruitment to Members placed with the Governor's After School initiative at Holy Trinity
Lutheran Church, Legal Aid Service, and National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) with the
Dubuque National Mississippi River Museum.
Potential for Replication: Partners in Learning AmeriCorps Program has served for seven years as a
model for other Iowa tutoring programs. It is our goal during the next three years to undertake a few,
focused, powerful initiatives that create "flywheel momentum". America's Promise defines "flywheel
momentum" as attracting believers, building strength, and creating vision that will in turn attract
more believers. The new collaboration between Dubuque County Extension, Community Foundation
of Greater Dubuque, and City of Dubuque will strengthen the Partners in Learning AmeriCorps
Program. These three partners will deliver superior performance, have a distinctive impact, and
ensure a program that can be sustained. The tie to Mississippi Valley Promise will increase replication
strategies as we will be learning about the success that other communities have had in delivering the
Five Promises to youth. Upon the completion of the three years of the Program, we will be able to
help other communities from the lessons learned in Dubuque County.
Member Outputs and Outcomes
As an Intermediary Agency, Partners in Learning will require and depend on those partners to help in
the recruitment as well as the training of new Members. Other sources of Member recruitment will
include the on-line recruitment process, cooperation with other Iowa state AmeriCorps program,
contacts provided by current and past Members, family members of students served by AmeriCorps,
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and contacts with the Dubuque Human Rights Commission and targeted minority populations.
Members are recruited locally through Clarke College, Loras College, Northeast Iowa Community
College, University of Dubuque (and seminary), Emmaus Bible College, and Wartburg Seminary.
Colleges have offered credit to students, and free housing during summer and holiday breaks.
Summer recruitment efforts include an e-mail message to all Iowa State University students and
current Member contacts. An annual news article assists in reaching a wide audience of age groups
and backgrounds, as do speaking engagements at local service clubs and contacts made by current
staff, committee and Members. All recruitment and marketing materials have inclusive statements
such as 'Minorities and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply." Accommodations are
made to assure access and support to all applicants and Members. Since inception, the Program has
had a minimum of three Members each year with disabilities. Once Members are placed, reasonable
accommodations are made to retain Members who disclose disability needs. Evaluation of the
accessibility of all sites has been completed and recommendations have been made in accordance with
compliance. All interviews, training, and required group activities are held at accessible sites.
A mix of Members from all religious, ethnic, age, and gender groups results in an enriched experience
for youth and families. Beyond recruiting within the community, partnerships with the colleges
provide us access to this level of diversity. We seek more diversity in our program than there is in the
primarily white Dubuque population. Recruitment focuses on selecting Members with skills that
match our focus areas: Academic teaching skills especially reading and math, ability to work with
volunteers, able to creatively present learning activities, able to develop activities and work from a
curriculum, sensitivity to developmental needs of children, and a strong appreciation for diversity and
multiculturalism. Tutors must meet the standards set by the school district per Iowa and Corporation
for National and Community Service rules. Cultural and recreational activities require Members who
have the ability to lead groups of youth, to tailor activities to differing skill/ability levels, to work from
a curriculum and work with staff to develop activities. Members with specific skills in dance, music,
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drama, art, and recreation are channeled to those areas. Additionally, it is expected that Members are
responsible individuals who successfully complete a state and local background check, are interested in
service to others, have strong interest in working with the targeted students, are committed to building
upon their personal strengths as well as the strengths of others, and possess a desire to work toward
self-development. Since Members will be role models, selection criteria include professionalism,
punctuality, flexibility, and willingness to follow direction from the site supervisor and Director.
All potential Members submit an application and complete an interview with the Director. Upon
demonstrating sincere interest in providing academic tutoring or providing cultural and recreational
enrichment activities to the target population, a commitment to the goals of being an AmeriCorps
Member, the willingness to complete training and the flexibility to provide direct service and complete
community service projects, the Member is invited to a placement fair. At the fair, similar to a job
fair, Members can meet and interview with a number of site supervisors. This also allows sites to see
the array of skilled Members and increases the likelihood that strong placements are made. Site
supervisors in conjunction with the Director make offers of placements. The Director is key in
developing plans to share Members between sites, linking Member talents to specific projects and
finalizing all placements.
Member Development, Training, and Supervision: The Director meets with site supervisors,
principals/executive directors, and attends staff meetings to introduce the AmeriCorps program.
During this meeting the role of the Member and the role of the site supervisor are discussed. Data
collection procedures are reviewed and training is provided for teachers who will be providing
outcome data and to site supervisors who oversee the documentation of Member activities and time
logs. Prior to beginning service at their placement site, Members complete a week of training that
includes understanding what it means to be an AmeriCorps Member, CPR and First Aid, Universal
Precautions, mandatory child abuse reporting, conflict management, appropriate discipline with
students, team work, working with volunteers, and motivating self and others. Thrivant presents the
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Search Institute's Developmental Assets and provides Mem bers with a strengths-based understanding
for working the target populations. Members complete a self-knowledge assessment, develop and set
personal and skill-related goals with the Director, and begin their portfolio. Members are trained in all
the reporting tools and a number of curricula. They are required to demonstrate at least one full
lesson to the group. During this training Members become close as a group and develop a relationship
with the Director. Each Member receives a basic level ofleadership and team building training at the
beginning of their term. Members interested in further leadership responsibilities may do so as
approved by the Director. For example: Members develop activities, direct, and manage volunteers
for the annual Martin Luther King Day celebration. In the last six years, two thousand students
participated in these activities.
Upon reaching their placement site, Members receive orientation and training that is specific to that
site. For example: City of Dubuque Leisure Services orients Members on playground equipment and
checkout procedures. Beyond the initial training, additional training is provided during the school
year and summer. Those who will be tutor/mentors receive additional training from the school
district providing curriculum support skills specific to the five components identified by the National
Reading Panel as discussed earlier. Members providing cultural and recreational enrichment receive
additional training in developmentally appropriate and positive discipline, specific curriculum
instruction (e.g., Science Fun, Growing in the Garden), creative arts playground ideas, and facilitation
of family nights and parents. Team development and volunteer recruitment and management skills
are strengthened during monthly training sessions and community service projects.
Members receive disability awareness training that communicates the Program's sensitivity and
willingness to make reasonable accommodations. The Program Director provides a comfortable
environment with open, clear, consistent communication so issues are addressed. The Program seeks
to make reasonable accommodations through community resources, supplies affordable within the
budget and funding requested from the Iowa Commission. Each supervisor receives training from the
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Director about the experience of having a Member and providing tutor support to assist Member
development.
Ethic of Service and Civic Responsibility: Through the use of "By the People", Members study our
nation's social and political history. Training focuses on critical thinking and deliberating with others
to make a just society. Reflections and team discussions on these issues are based on the premise that
one needs to know "why" citizenship is important and how to recognize those elements. Members are
introduced to skills that are necessary to monitor and influence civic life, such as the ability to work
with others and express ideas. Members provide an action plan based on their new skills and
knowledge of engagement. This training engages returning and past Members as co-trainers.
Members come to an understanding of civic responsibility first-hand through community service. All
Members participate annually in three mandatory community service projects. As needed, Members
respond to immediate community needs such as sandbagging for the flood of 2001. Members have
chaperoned a youth dance, mentored at Girl Scout day camp, dressed up as characters at Arboretum
Children's Spring Party, provided games at the Chili Cook-off, and worked Special Olympics events.
Members have also provided service by picking up trash in downtown at neighborhood clean-ups,
directed parking at the Jazz Fest, and assisted with a used book drive. The Program has noted during
Member exit interviews, that Members usually comment on their positive experience of volunteer
service u and the fact that they plan to participate in service as a continuing part of their life.
Measurable Outputs and Outcomes: All Members participate in initial mandatory training that
includes strength based programming, how to tutor in math and reading, behavioraljinstructional
management, and conflict resolution skills. In addition Members are required to attend citizenship
training totaling approximately 4 hours, provided by program staff during their term of service.
Seventy-five percent have a positive increase of civic engagement knowledge, attitude, and skills.
Members also recruit, train, and coordinate with private and public service partners to complete three
special one day community service projects that include October Make a Difference Day, Martin
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Luther King Day, and National Volunteer Service Day.
Enrollment and Retention: Goal setting directs the development activities of the Member completed
through contacts with the site supervisor and attending training offered through the program or
accessed through other sources (including placement site). Members attend monthly large group
meetings that allow time to check in on their personal and professional development goals. Members
document their progress and the impact of their work in a portfolio of their accomplishments. This
portfolio includes pictures, work products, success stories, and journals of personal insights. At the
end of their term, portfolios are posted to the program web-site
(http://www.extension.iastate.edu/dubuque).This documents that Members leave the program with
a deeper self-awareness, a sense of their strengths and knowledge of their growth during the term of
service. Members have made career decisions based on their experiences and some have developed
such a strong link that they have changed their plans to leave this community. Retention rate for
2004-2005 was 98% with recruitment at 94%; 2005-2006 retention was 94% and recruitment was
100%, so Member satisfaction is noted and seen as a high priority.
Community Outputs and Outcomes
With this grant, Partners in Learning is doubling its MSY's and proposing to act as an intermediary
agency to further collaborate with partners and stakeholders in the Dubuque community. The
Program has been networking with Mississippi Valley Promise since inception to provide a broader
base of services for children in the community through the incorporation of the Five Promises for
Youth. A further partnership and administration through the Community Foundation of Greater
Dubuque will result in a bigger pool of stakeholders and the formulation of youth philanthropy and
the resultant benefits. Each year, the Program has increased the number of community volunteers
and hours of service. This has proved to be a struggle but ongoing volunteer recruitment remains a
priority so as to enable sustain ability of the services now provided. As the net of partners and
collaboration with area organizations grows wider, the likelihood of increasing non-AmeriCorps
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volunteers becomes higher.
Sustainability: The Partners in Learning program has established a diversity of funding and revenue
sources, which includes other public and private funding streams. These streams come to the
program indirectly through its partners. Each partner hosting an AmeriCorps Member provides
funding and a site supervisor. Funds from the City of Dubuque's Leisure Services, public library, and
neighborhood budgets support Member positions. A neighborhood association in a low-income census
tract writes for 4 separate city grants annually to access $8,000 to support Member activities at 3
schools and 2 playgrounds. Schools have used a complex mix of grants, categorical funding streams
and PTA raised funds to support their Members. The Dubuque Community Y charges fees for their
after-school and non-school day programming to fund their Members, but also offers a number of
scholarships. The Arboretum (community-based non-profit) provides 25 summer garden spaces and
funds their Members. The Trolley (family owned business) provides rides to the Arboretum, library,
fishing experiences, and field trips at a greatly reduced rate. Thrivent provides Search Institute Asset
training, the Solid Waste Agency provides funds for program supplies, private businesses provide
reduced rates for outreach and field trips and the Department of Natural Resources provides poles for
fishing and funds for bait. Additionally partnerships provide other in-kind resources to the program.
The four colleges and community college have become a strong source of Member recruitment by
offering college credit and allowing the term of service to be considered an internship or practicum
experience. School counselors, teachers and administrators, American Red Cross, Extension, and local
college staff provide elements of training.
To increase long term sustainability, efforts are being made to collaborate with the area college work
study programs and other non-profit community agencies reaching vulnerable youth. Our ability to
offer education awards provides superior incentives to Members. Through our partnering with
institutions of higher learning, it will be possible to offer work study incentive and an education award
that would continue to entice Members. We continue to increase our efficiencies and expand the
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number of volunteers involved, allowing the program to grow in its capacities to provide services.
Dollar match from sites has been increased from 15 to 20% and each year we are increasing the
private financial support from businesses and additional partners.
The Partners in Learning program and other community partners are collaborating to write
supporting grants to further expand and maintain services. To provide for a community engagement
piece for strategic planning, Mississippi Valley Promise has received $30,000 from the Dubuque
Racing Association and Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque and will explore the possibility of
another $30,000 from another business partner. What is being proposed is a collaboration of youth
serving organizations, working together to conduct a research based community needs assessment for
children ages 0-20, followed by an inclusive visioning process that results in a strategic comm unity
plan with goals and priorities that will be used as a roadrnap for the future. Other areas that will be
explored for local funding include Carver, McElroy, John Deere, Alliant Energy, Prudential, and the
Wahlert Foundations.
Volunteer Recruitment and Support: Volunteers can playa vital role in making a difference. One
volunteer during January through March 2006 at the Multicultural Family Center aided Spanish
speaking families and new immigrants in the long and confusing process of filing tax returns with
state and federal tax agencies. This was an incredible service to the community which has not had
this type of help offered to them previously. One hundred twenty-two new individuals came to the
Multicultural Family Center for this service. As workers in our comm unity, they are entitled to tax
refunds when having paid out of their weekly wages. However, they are often times taken advantage
of because of the language barrier and not knowing the laws and how they pertain to them. The
accomplishment of this tax assistance is simple to understand and has made a difference in many
families from this community. Additional volunteers are needed to help individuals to learn Spanish
as well as English for those who it is not their primary language. Dubuque County is a great place to
live because of the contributions of many volunteers. However, many times it is difficult to match the
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time and talents of a volunteer to a specific organization or event. Our plan is have interested
community agencies, team with Woodward Internet Services (WINS) to provide a Dubuque County
Volunteer Web site to address this issue. Each organization or group offering volunteer opportunities
would be able to post their volunteer position description on the Web site for all volunteers to browse.
The benefits to this idea are endless. A potential volunteer will be able to access the internet site and
browse by interest category or submit a volunteer resume for organizations to view. The Web site will
provide new volunteers for organizations or groups and new opportunities for volunteers. This web
site would offer 24 hour volunteer recruitment and the Partners in Learning program and its partner
organizations and groups would be portrayed as a community that values its volunteers and
understands the importance of providing service to others.One hundred fifty-three community
volunteers were recruited and trained to serve during 2005-2006 program year providing 1,524 hours
of service. Recruitment is facilitated by Members in the form of public service announcements,
postings at area colleges and engagement of the faith/church communities. Some volunteers are
recruited to do service hours at one of the three community service events (October Make A
Difference Day, Martin Luther King Day, Volunteer Service Day); others will be recruited to serve as
tutors/mentors in the Dubuque Community Schools, Multicultural Family Center, Presentation
Lantern Center, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque (Y APPERS), and St. Mark Community
Center. Members will not only recruit community volunteers but train, monitor, and serve as role
models in their perspective sites.
The goal is to provide more offerings in these areas as the volunteer pool increases. Volunteers can
assist with language skills, student's homework, cultural or ethnic events as well as neighborhood
projects. To implement these activities and increase the capacity of community-based organizations
and groups, AmeriCorps members in 2007-2008 will have the goal to recruit and support 240
volunteers with the goal of 3,000 hours of service.
Capacity Building: The addition of AmeriCorps to the Dubuque Community School's before, during
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and after school programming has increased the quality by providing Members trained ill a number of
learning enrichment curricula. This has increased the attendance which has stabilized the funding.
In a similar way, Members have increased the quantity, quality, and attendance at summer
playground programs offered by Leisure Services. Members provide a safe place during the summer
for 50+ children on Audubon playground from 9 a.m. to noon and 6 to 9 p.m. every Monday through
Friday. In addition day workshops are provided weekly covering academic enrichment areas such as
Growing in the Garden, Space and Flight, Food Safety, Spanish, Sign Language, and Multicultural
studies.
Members built upon the current capacity at St. Mark Community Center and as a result of Member
volunteer recruitment efforts (35 volunteers) tutoring at St. Mark was expanded from twice a week to
four days per week. Currently the program has expanded through a 21st Century Grant to three
locations, where Members are placed, reaching additional students and volunteers with five days of
programming. The Center also expanded to include the addition of an eight week summer camp.
This was made possible because of Member placements. Members have increased the capacity of St.
Mark in a number of other areas, beyond the expanded tutoring program. In 2000, St. Mark had
only a director on staff. As a result of AmeriCorps, St. Mark has experienced an increase in donations
and has a non-Member staff of 3 full-time and 20 part- time. Members have initiated, coordinated,
and offered activities in the after school program, weekend teen activities, Saturday art and music
classes, and monthly family activities that have increased visibility and provided startup for new
initiatives.
An AmeriCorps VISTA with the Program worked in capacity building to secure funding for the startup
of the Multicultural Family Center (MFC) which opened its doors in July 2005. Members serve as
staff to do homework help, programming, and to recruit and engage volunteers. This MFC continues
to grow in the number of people who seek services. The City of Dubuque, Workforce Development,
Visiting Nurse Association, Northeast Iowa Community College, and others are working
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collaboratively to meet the needs to this growing population in the Dubuque community.
The addition of AmeriCorps at the Dubuque Community Y enabled that agency to build a teen center
available after school and evenings to middle school students. Members provide programming,
educational curricula, homework help and mentoring to this previously underserved population in the
community.
The Community College and University of Dubuque are now able to provide scholarships to special
needs children in their college for kids program, with AmeriCorps Members' assistance to support
individual children and prevent class interruptions. AmeriCorps has enabled Martin Luther King Day
activities to be provided to 2,000 youth over the past five years in conjunction with schools, the
Carnegie Stout Public Library and 60 volunteers. AmeriCorps Members are an invaluable community
resource available for community service.
Organizational Capability
The City of Dubuque is located on the Mississippi River in northeast Iowa. Dubuque was founded by
Julien Dubuque in 1785 and is the oldest City in Iowa. The City of Dubuque has unique combination
of old and new, ranging from cable cars, Victorian architecture, and a Civil War shot tower, to an
enclosed shopping mall, riverboat casino, and a pari-mutuel dog track with a slot machine casino.
The City of Dubuque currently has a land area of 29-46 square miles, including the 700 acres recently
annexed, and a 2000 census population of 57,686. The City of Dubuque is a municipal corporation
governed by an elected mayor and a six-member council. Dubuque's governing council is responsible
for, among other things, passing ordinances, adopting the budget, appointing committees, and hiring
the City Manager, Corporation Council, and City Clerk. The City Manager is responsible for
overseeing the day-to-day operations of the government, making recommendations to the City
Council on the budget and other matters, appointing the heads of the government's departments, and
for hiring employees. The council is elected on a non-partisan basis. Council members are elected to
four-year staggered terms with three council members elected every two years. The mayor is elected
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to a four-year term. Four council members are elected with their respective wards; the mayor and the
two remaining council members are elected at large. The City of Dubuque has a number of federal
grant awards and in Fiscal Year 2005 successfully managed 11.7 million dollars.
The City of Dubuque was named one of America's "Dozen Distinctive Destinations for 2005 by the
National Trust for Historic Preservation. The America's River Project has transformed a former
industrial area into a recreational and educational hut featuring the National Mississippi River
Museum and Aquarium, Grand Harbor Resort and Water Park, Alliant Energy Amphitheater,
Mississippi River Walk, and the Grand River Center. Most recently the Iowa Department of Cultural
Affairs named Dubuque as one of Iowa's Great Places.
The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque was formed on October 26, 2001. The initial
Directors of the Community Foundation were: William R. Klauer, Jim Theisen, Ken Townsend, Tim
Conlon and John C. O'Connor. Since the inception of the incorporation, the initial five Directors have
been working to establish a community-based board and raising enough seed money to insure that an
Executive Director could be hired for at least 5 years. By September 2002, both of these goals were
reached. The Directors had raised more than $950,000 in cash and pledges and added eight
additional Directors to the Community Foundation board. The doors of the Comm unity Foundation
opened on February 1, 2003. Today, the operation of tlle foundation is supported by the gifts of four
main supporters: The Diamond Jo Casino, American Trust & Savings Bank, Dubuque Bank & Trust
and Medical Associates Clinic & Health Plans, along with a number of gifts from private donors who
believe in the mission. By the end of FY2006, assets stood at $7.6 million and nearly 151 funds have
been established to meet community needs. In FY2005, donors contributed more that $1.5 million in
gifts to the various endowment, donor-advised, designated and scholarship funds. Furthermore, the
Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque distributed 144 grants in the total of $588,033 from
those funds to sustain nonprofit and innovative visions in the Dubuque community. The Community
Foundation also had an active year partnering with other organizations and community leaders.
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Most notably, 26 nonprofits have set up Agency Endowment Funds at the Community Foundation,
making for stronger individual organizations and a safety net for the community and the people
served. Perhaps the number that is most telling is the nearly 159 families, businesses, foundations and
individuals who have contributed to the various Community Foundation funds during the year.
Board of Directors, Administrators, and Staff: The City of Dubuque elected officials include Roy Boul,
Mayor; Ann Michalski and Ric Jones Council Members -- At Large; Kevin Lynch - Council Member
1st Ward; Karla Braig - Council Member 2nd Ward; Joyce Connors - Council Member 3rd Ward; and
Patricia Cline - Council Member 4th Ward. Council appointed officials and department managers
who will be involved in the organizational management of the AmeriCorps Partners in Learning
Program are: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager; Randall Peck, Personnel Manager; David Harris,
Community Development Manager; and Kenneth TeKippe, Finance Director. David Harris, Housing
and Community Development Manager will provide program leadership and personnel supervision.
David Harris will be the primary contact and has extensive skills in facilitating grants and contracts.
National Community Development Association recognized David Harris and the City of Dubuque
with the Audrey Nelson Community Development Achievement Award for Dubuque Housing
Education and Rehabilitation Training (HEART) Partnership. This award was presented for
exemplary use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds that address the needs of low-
income families and neighborhoods.
Kenneth TeKippe will oversee accounting and fiscal management. In 2005 the Government Finance
Officers Association of the United States and Canada presented the Distinguished Budget Presentation
Award to the City of Dubuque and City staff for meeting the highest principles of governance and
budgeting.
The Board of Directors of the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque is comprised of
ou tstanding leaders from all sectors of the comm unity who focus on improving the quality of life in
the Dubuque area. The current Directors are: Chair John C. O'Connor, O'Connor & Thomas, P.C.;
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Vice-Chair Jim Theisen, Theisen's Home -- Farm -- Auto; Secretary Tim Conlon, Conlon
Construction; Treasurer Ken Townsend, Retired;
Executive Committee Members Donnelle Fuerste, Metrix Company and Leo A. McCarthy, Retired.
Other board members are: Phil Ruppel, President of Parco, Limited;
Dick Friedman, Friedman Group, Inc.; Ken Furst, McGladrey and Pullen, LLP;
Charlie Glab, Morrison Brothers Company; Stephen J. Juergens, Fuerste, Carew, Coyle, Juergens
and Sudmeier, P.C.; W.R. Klauer, Jr., Klauer Manufacturing; Walt Pregler, Retired; Dave Wm.
Rusk, Julien's Journal; Linda Southwood, Premier Linen and Dry cleaning, Inc.; and Nancy Van
Milligen, President and CEO
The Comm unity Foundation's most recent community visioning process was Envision 2010. The
Foundation partnered with the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce to lead and facilitate the
Envision 2010. It was an open, all-inclusive discussion to develop a variety of ideas for the future of
greater Dubuque. Informal groups of citizens met, brainstormed and submitted their 10 best ideas for
making Dubuque a better place to live, work, and play. More than 2,300 ideas were generated and
the community and the selection committee were asked to narrow that list down to the top 10. The
top 10 ideas: America's River Phase II; Bilingual Education Curriculum; Community Health Center;
Community-Wide Wireless; Indoor and Outdoor Performing Arts Center; Integrated Walking, Biking,
and Hiking Trail System; Library Services Expansion; Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services;
Passenger Train Service and Warehouse District Revitalization.
Nancy Van Milligen has compiled an impressive record of community, state and national leadership
experience in a variety of settings. Her education, work experience and volunteer activities have
afforded her a unique perspective that drives her passion for community building and making a
difference in the lives of others. Among her leadership experiences is service as Vice President for
Institutional Advancement at Clarke College, Area Administrator for the Iowa Citizens Foster Care
Review Board, Chair of the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service, and Chair of the State of Iowa
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Empowerment Board. She is now the President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater
Dubuque and has agreed to offer her leadership abilities to do a Youth Vision for Dubuque.
Dubuque County Extension will continue to provide the Member training and educational curriculum
and resources. Dubuque county Extension staff has a long history of collaboration and administering
programs in partnership with other organizations while addressing the issues of children, youth and
families at risk. The Dubuque County Extension has a nine-member Council including Esther
Farnum, Joe Featherston, Elizabeth Heying, William Watters, Barb Thole, Mary Sue Green, Richard
Bradley, Cathy Kenneally and Carol Coates.
Since inception, the Partners in Learning AmeriCorps staff has been Beverly Berna, Extension
Families Specialist and Penny Ehlinger, Partners in Learning AmeriCorps Director. Both of these
positions will be focused on making a successful transition to a stronger, more sustainable structure
that is tied to Mississippi Valley Promise initiatives in partnership with the City of Dubuque and the
Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque. Ms. Berna has 36 years of experience in a variety of
Extension education and administration positions and has managed numerous grants and contracts.
Beverly will continue to engage new partners especially in the diversity and underserved or
disadvantaged populations. Ms. Ehlinger brings linkages to the colleges, experience working with
college students of all ages, experience as a returning adult student and connections in the art and
service community. Penny will continue to conduct recruitment, provide training, support Members
and supervisors, oversee Member time and attendance, coordinate service projects and monitor sites.
Drawing on the expertise of each of the partners listed above will provide a dynamic leadership team
that will be future oriented and will give sound AmeriCorps program leadership.
Plan for Self-Assessment or Improvement and Effective Technical Assistance: The Partners in
Learning AmeriCorps Program completes a number of self-evaluations and continuous improvement
processes. In addition to regularly scheduled on-site conferences and monitoring activities noted
previously, Ms. Ehlinger surveys Members and site supervisors for feedback. Feedback is also received
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through sites administrating surveys and through interactions with family members, e.g. family
nights noted earlier. The program has tracked outcomes and process data since inception per the tools
and processes noted earlier. Ms. Ehlinger and Ms. Berna have attended ongoing trainings through the
Corporation for National and Community Service and Iowa Commission. In collaboration with
Project Star, the Program continues to refme and strengthen the program objectives, outcome
measures and data collections tools. In developing this proposal research staff from the Institute for
Social and Economic Development was contacted. The academic mentoring component is the best
candidate for a scientific study. When the school determines the testing mechanisms they will be
using, we can work more closely with ISED to develop an evaluation study. The fact that children
receive a number of interventions (some children more than others) and that a control group is
difficult to establish are factors that make studies difficult.
As an Intermediary Agency, the Partners in Learning AmeriCorps Program will draw from its many
partners and collaborate for technical and financial assistance through many avenues. The Program
has been successful in obtaining a local grant from the Dubuque Racing Association with the average
award of $10,000 each year for the last three years. This grant has helped to purchase educational
resources, healthy snacks, playground supplies and office equipment such as a copy machine, fax and
laser printer. Other grants have been received from the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
and Neighborhood Grants. Former and current Members are engaged to provide technical computer
assistance and graphic design expertise.
The Program Director provides yearly orientation training to supervisors and sites at a two hour
meeting that includes distribution and discussion of a Site Supervisor Manual. The Director also is
available each fall to attend teacher in service days in order to answer any questions and give
feedback. Ongoing support is provided throughout the year in areas such as Member scheduling,
training, mediation and conflict management.
With the new Program design, sites and site supervisors will be required to assist in the recruitment
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process and increased training of Members. Intermediary partners and staff will provide initial and
ongoing Member training. Staff and curricula resources will be utilized from the Dubuque County
Extension, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque and City of Dubuque. Volunteers are sought
through various avenues and drawn from a pool of high school and college students, retirees, business
partners and local convents and church agencies. Bilingual community volunteers will be recruited to
better serve a more diverse population at the Multicultural Family Center and Presentation Lantern
Center.
Cost Effectiveness and Budget Adequacy
All grant writing functions will be funded from cash match and constitutes 2 % of the Program
Director's Salary and in-kind match from the Intermediary Partnership Coordinator. Partners in
Learning Program staff have been successful in receiving local funds. For example, the Dubuque
Racing Association grant has purchased program supplies and equipment. Other areas that will be
explored for local funding include Carver, McElroy, John Deere, Alliant Energy, Prudential, and
Wahlert Foundations.
Each partner pays approximately $2 per Member hour as cash match for Member placement. These
sources include City of Dubuque, Museum admissions, State of Iowa Allowable Growth Funds,
Dubuque Community and Holy Family Schools. Teachers and other professionals share their expertise
through in-kind training for Member development. In addition all administrative costs received from
Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) are put back into the personnel and
Member support costs.
The program partnerships will increase resulting in additional in-kind support for the project valued at
$170,910 annually. The Partners in Learning AmeriCorps Program and other community partners
are collaborating to write supporting grants to further expand and maintain services. To provide for a
community engagement piece for strategic planning, Mississippi Valley Promise has received $30,000
from the Dubuque Racing Association and Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque and will
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explore another $30,000 from a business partner. These funds will be utilized to do an inclusive
visioning process that results in a strategic youth plan with goals and priorities that will be used as a
roadmap for the future.
The Partners in Learning AmeriCorps Program has and will continue to build community support as
part of its community strengthening efforts. In collaboration with Mississippi Valley Promise and
through the program administration with the City of Dubuque and the visioning and comm unity
engagement leadership from the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, the program can
strategically allow for community engagement as we define and address identified needs of children,
youth and families. Program cost per member service year (MSY) is $12,599. The Partners in
Learning program currently meets its non-federal support match requirement through funds provided
by our partners - schools, city, community and will expand the Youth Area Philanthropists
(Y APPERS), Multicultural Family Center, Presentation Lantern Center. All the funds noted in the
budget as available to this program are secured. Outreach speaking engagements and a successful
track record have increased visibility of the program and AmeriCorps is a well-respected entity in the
Dubuque community.
Evaluation Summary or Plan
NA
Amendment Justification
NA
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