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Email This PagePrinciples and Reforms for a Citizen Service Act
Background
The reforms and principles proposed for a Citizen Service Act will make significant changes to the domestic service programs that are administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service.
About the Corporation for National and Community Service
The Corporation for National and Community Service is an independent Federal agency creat-ed
by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993. Two statutes authorize most of
the major federally funded volunteer and community service programs in America: the National
and Community Service Act and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act. In general, the
Corporation administers the programs authorized by these two statutes.
Legislative History
The National and Community Service Act authorizes several programs administered by the
Corporation including: AmeriCorps Grants, Learn and Serve America, the National Civilian
Community Corps, and the Points of Light Foundation. The Domestic Volunteer Service Act
authorizes the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program and the National Senior
Volunteer Corps - known as Senior Corps. Authorization of funding for both statutes expired at
the end of fiscal year 1996. Programs authorized by these statutes have continued to receive
funding through appropriations legislation.
As part of his call to service, President Bush is asking the Congress to pass a Citizen Service Act that will encompass the reforms and principles set forth in this document. None of the Corporation's programs has had the benefit of a thorough review and discussion by the Congress for nearly a decade. To make our domestic service programs stronger and more effective in providing assistance to the communities they serve, the President urges the Congress to pass these principles and reforms in a Citizen Service Act.
About the Programs
AmeriCorps: Created in 1993, the AmeriCorps grants program provides a network of community
and volunteer service opportunities for participants who are 17 years or older. By statute,
AmeriCorps programs and participants must address educational, public safety or environmental
needs through services that provide a direct benefit to their communities. Major programs
administered by AmeriCorps include State and National grants to support local nonprofit
organizations across the country; the National Civilian Community Corps, a federally-operated
10 month residential program for young people 18-24; and AmeriCorps* VISTA, a
federally-operated program that works closely with faith-based and other community-based
organizations to alleviate poverty.
Senior Corps: The National Senior Volunteer Corps program is comprised primarily of the Foster Grandparent Program, the Senior Companion Program, and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. These programs are designed to utilize the skills of senior citizens within their communities to meet priority needs.
Learn and Serve America: Learn and Serve America includes three service-learning programs that have been authorized since 1990: community based programs for school-age children, school-based programs for K-12 students, and higher education initiatives to involve college and university students in community service. Service-learning is a teaching method by which students or participants learn and develop skills and concepts through active participation in service activities that meet the needs of their communities.
