Both State commissions and AAEs have the same duties. This section lists the duties that apply to both State commissions and AAEs - collectively referred to as State entities. Functions described in paragraphs (e) through (j) of this section are non-policymaking and may be delegated to another State agency or nonprofit organization. The duties are as follows:
(a) Development of a three-year, comprehensive national and community service plan and establishment of State priorities. The State entity must develop and annually update a Statewide plan for national service covering a three-year period, the beginning of which may be set by the State, that is consistent with the Corporation's broad goals of meeting human, educational, environmental, and public safety needs and meets the following minimum requirements:
(1) The plan must be developed through an open and public process (such as through regional forums or hearings) that provides for the maximum participation and input from a broad cross-section of individuals and organizations, including national service programs within the State, community-based agencies, organizations with a demonstrated record of providing educational, public safety, human, or environmental services, residents of the State, including youth and other prospective participants, State Educational Agencies, traditional service organizations, labor unions, and other interested members of the public.
(2) The plan must ensure outreach to diverse, broad-based community organizations that serve underrepresented populations by creating State networks and registries or by utilizing existing ones.
(3) The plan must set forth the State's goals, priorities, and strategies for promoting national and community service and strengthening its service infrastructure, including how Corporation-funded programs fit into the plan.
(4) The plan may contain such other information as the State commission considers appropriate and must contain such other information as the Corporation may require.
(5) The plan must ensure outreach to, and coordination with, municipalities and county governments regarding the national service laws.
(6) The plan must provide for effective coordination of funding applications submitted by the State and other organizations within the State under the national service laws.
(7) The plan must include measurable goals and outcomes for national service programs funded through the State consistent with the performance levels for national service programs.
(8) The plan is subject to approval by the chief executive officer of the State.
(9) The plan must be submitted, in its entirety, in summary, or in part, to the Corporation upon request.
(b) Selection of subtitle C programs and preparation of application to the Corporation. Each State must:
(1) Prepare an application to the Corporation to receive funding or education awards for national service programs operating in and selected by the State.
(2) Administer a competitive process to select national service programs for funding. The State is not required to select programs for funding prior to submission of the application described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
(c) Preparation of Service Learning applications.
(1) The State entity is required to assist the State education agency in preparing the application for subtitle B school-based service learning programs.
(2) The State entity may apply to the Corporation to receive funding for community-based subtitle programs after coordination with the State Educational Agency.
(d) Administration of the grants program. After subtitle C and community-based subtitle B funds are awarded, States entities will be responsible for administering the grants and overseeing and monitoring the performance and progress of funded programs.
(e) Evaluation and monitoring. State entities, in concert with the Corporation, shall be responsible for implementing comprehensive, non-duplicative evaluation and monitoring systems.
(f) Technical assistance. The State entity will be responsible for providing technical assistance to local nonprofit organizations and other entities in planning programs, applying for funds, and in implementing and operating high quality programs. States should encourage proposals from underserved communities.
(g) Program development assistance and training. The State entity must assist in the development of subtitle C programs; such development might include staff training, curriculum materials, and other relevant materials and activities. A description of such proposed assistance must be included in the State comprehensive plan referred to in paragraph (a) of this section. A State may apply for additional subtitle C programs training and technical assistance funds to perform these functions. The Corporation will issue notices of availability of funds with respect to training and technical assistance.
(h) Recruitment and placement. The State entity, as well as the Corporation, will develop mechanisms for recruitment and placement of people interested in participating in national service programs.
(i) Benefits. The State entity shall assist in the provision of health and child care benefits to subtitle C program participants, as will be specified in the regulations implementing the subtitle C programs.
(j) Activity ineligible for assistance. A State commission or AAE may not directly carry out any national service program that receives financial assistance under section 121 of the NCSA or title II of the DVSA.
(k) Make recommendations to the Corporation with respect to priorities within the State for programs receiving assistance under DVSA.
(l) Coordination -
(1) Coordination with other State agencies. A State entity must coordinate its activities with the activities of other State agencies that administer Federal financial assistance programs under the Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9901 et seq.) or other appropriate Federal financial assistance programs.
(2) Coordination with volunteer service programs. In general, the State entity shall coordinate its functions (including recruitment, public awareness, and training activities) with such functions of any division of ACTION, or the Corporation, that carries out volunteer service programs in the State. Specifically, the State entity may enter into an agreement with a division of ACTION or the Corporation to carry out its functions jointly, to perform its functions itself, or to assign responsibility for its functions to ACTION or the Corporation.
(3) In carrying out the activities under paragraphs (l)(1) and (2) of this section, the parties involved must exchange information about the programs carried out in the State by the State entity, a division of ACTION or the Corporation, as well as information about opportunities to coordinate activities.
(m) Supplemental State Service Plan for Adults Age 55 or Older. To be eligible to receive a grant or allotment under subtitles B or C of title I of the National and Community Service Act (42 U.S.C. 12501 et seq.), or to receive a distribution of approved national service positions under subtitle C of title I of that Act, a State must work with appropriate State agencies and private entities to develop a comprehensive State service plan for service by adults age 55 or older. This plan must:
(1) Include the following elements:
(i) Recommendations for policies to increase service for adults age 55 or older, including how to best use such adults as sources of social capital, and how to utilize their skills and experience to address community needs;
(ii) Recommendations to the State agency on aging (as defined in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965, 42 U.S.C. 3002) on a marketing outreach plan to businesses and outreach to nonprofit organizations, the State educational agency, institutions of higher education, and other State agencies;
(iii) Recommendations for civic engagement and multigenerational activities, including early childhood education and care, family literacy, and other after school programs, respite services for adults age 55 or older and caregivers, and transitions for older adults age 55 or older to purposeful work in their post-career lives;
(2) Incorporate the current knowledge base regarding -
(i) The economic impact of the roles of workers age 55 or older in the economy;
(ii) The social impact of the roles of such workers in the community;
(iii) The health and social benefits of active engagement for adults age 55 or older; and
(3) Be made available to the public and transmitted to the Corporation.
[58 FR 60981, Nov. 18, 1993, as amended at 70 FR 39607, July 8, 2005; 73 FR 53762, Sept. 17, 2008; 74 FR 46507, Sept. 10, 2009; 74 FR 48866, Sept. 25, 2009; 75 FR 51415, Aug. 20, 2010]