| Overview of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act of 2009 (Serve America Act) |
 On April 21, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act at an elementary school in Washington DC (read more). The Serve America Act reauthorizes and expands national service programs administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service by amending the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (NCSA) and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (DVSA).
Serve America Act
The Serve America Act is landmark legislation that charges the Corporation for National and Community Service and our partners to dramatically expand opportunities for Americans to serve, to focus on critical national issues, to be a catalyst for social innovation, and to support the nonprofit sector. The law both expands our existing programs and creates new initiatives to increase service opportunities and strengthen our civic infrastructure.
Following passage of the Act, the Corporation embarked on lengthy public input process, receiving thousands of comments through listening sessions, conference calls, emails, and web postings. We thank all those who submitted comments, which we have reviewed as part of the implementation process. Our first priority in the implementation has been to determine which provisions can automatically go into effect on October 1, 2009, which require only additional guidance or policy, and which cannot take effect without a formal rulemaking process. These determinations have an impact on the FY 2010 application deadlines, and on the timing and content of the Notices of Federal Funding Opportunity and application instructions for our grant competitions. This web page will be updated as the Corporation takes steps to implement the Act, such as the Interim Final Rule and AmeriCorps Funding Notice listed below.
Rulemaking
On February 23, 2010, the Corporation for National and Community Service issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to implement changes to the operation of the National Service Trust under the Serve America Act. This proposed rule also provides flexibility for hardship exceptions to the 80 percent cost reimbursement requirement for Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent programs.
Funding Opportunities
The Corporation for National and Community Service provides grants to national and local nonprofits, schools, government agencies, faith-based and other community organizations and other groups committed to strengthening their communities through volunteering. The following notices of federal funding opportunity reflect programmatic changes resulting from the passage of the Serve America Act.
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act expanded the authorities of the National Service Trust, including changing the basis for the amount of the award and expanding its available uses. While the Serve America Act goes into effect on Oct. 1, 2009, not all of the changes will go into effect on that date. Many new authorities, including expanded authority for the number of terms one may serve in an approved national service position, must undergo rulemaking before they go into effect. Other authorities will become effective immediately, but the processes for implementing these provisions will require rulemaking. For example, while transferability of the educational award will be available for individuals age 55 and older who begin serving on or after October 1, 2009, the process for making a transfer is forthcoming.
Social Innovation Fund
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The Corporation is seeking feedback on a draft Notice of Funding Availability for the Social Innovation Fund. Click here to view the notice (PDF), and submit your comments by January 15 here.
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The Social Innovation Fund, a new public-private collaboration created by the 2009 Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, is designed to create new knowledge about how to solve social challenges in the areas of economic opportunity, youth development and school support, and healthy futures, and to improve our nation’s problem-solving infrastructure in low-income communities.
| Press Releases, Official Statements, and Updates |
The Serve America Act, S. 277, legislation to reauthorize and strengthen the national service laws, was introduced by Senators Kennedy and Hatch on January 16, 2009. On March 26, 2009, the Senate voted 79-19 to pass national service reauthorization legislation, naming the bill the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.
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