Agencies
Services
Appendix
Online Resources
Litmos Getting Started Guide: (Login Instructions)
1. Visit this page: https://americorpsonlinecourses.litmos.com/self-signup/
2. Enter the required information.
3. In the Code field, enter*: CNCS-Litmos
4. Click “Register.”
5. You're in! You can come back at any time to explore more and take any courses that interest you by visiting the Course Library.
*If you are an AmeriCorps Seniors grantee use the following for the Code field:
• Foster Grandparent Program: SC-FGP
• Senior Companion Program: SC-SCP
• RSVP Program: SC-RSVP
Note: If you are affiliated with two different AmeriCorps Seniors programs (for example, if your sponsor has both an RSVP Program and a Foster Grandparent Program), enter only one code at first.
After you hit "Register" the first time, visit https://americorpsonlinecourses.litmos.com/selfsignup/ again, fill out the form in full, and enter the code for the second program only. Use the same email address both times to avoid duplicating your account.
AmeriCorps Seniors Litmos Orientation can be accessed here. Technical Support For technical support, to request access, or assistance accessing these pages using assistive technology email serviceresources@cns.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is Litmos? Litmos is a platform for online learning, also known as a learning management system or LMS.
How to get to Litmos? Use the following link to access Litmos: AmeriCorpsOnlineCourses.Litmos.com
Do I need an email address to create an account? Yes, an email address is required to setup an account. You’ll also need to create a user name and password.
I did not receive any instructions from my program about accessing the system. What do I do?
To request access to Litmos, email serviceresources@cns.gov.
National Service Criminal History Check Training
This link of resources from AmeriCorps provides the Federal Regulations related to background checks, a comprehensive and detailed FAQ and training materials. https://americorps.gov/grantees-sponsors/history-check
eGrants and MyAmeriCorps
This link provided by AmeriCorps provides tutorials, PowerPoint slide shows, FAQs and other resources that guides you through the functions of eGrants and MyAmeriCorps. The comprehensive array of topics include: creating and managing eGrants accounts, Member recruitment, enrollment and management, program management and user roles and management. NOTE: This link is for VISTA programs but the information is basically the same for ASN programs: Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) (americorps.gov)
Serve Illinois Website
This is the site for everything “volunteer” in Illinois. It contains comprehensive information about the Serve Illinois Commission, AmeriCorps and National Service programs in Illinois, volunteer opportunities across the state and the latest information and news on volunteering and service in Illinois.
Performance Measures Guidance-
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): https://www.ada.gov/ The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, state, and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. It also applies to the United States Congress. Section 504 of the ADA states that “no qualified individual with a disability in the United States shall be excluded from, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity that either receives Federal financial assistance or is conducted by any Executive agency or the United States Postal Service.
America’s Promise Alliance: https://www.americaspromise.org/ America’s Promise Alliance is a nationwide movement to improve the lives and futures of America’s youth. By bringing together hundreds of national nonprofits, businesses, community and civic leaders, educators, citizens, and young people, the Alliance catalyzes action on a scale that reaches millions of young people. The Alliance’s work is rooted in the belief that every young person deserves to succeed and every adult is responsible for making that happen, campaigns and initiatives align organizations behind a common vision for a better future and bold goals to reach it. Through this alignment, they spark and support collective action across organizations, communities, and individuals to overcome the barriers that stand in the way of young people’s success. These efforts have reached millions of young people.
AmeriCorps Glossary
Administrative costs -Administrative costs are costs associated with the overall administration of a program.
AmeriCorps member, corps member, member- An individual serving on a full-time or part-time basis in an AmeriCorps program who is eligible to receive an education award or alternative post- service benefit.
AmeriCorps National Service Network- The network of all AmeriCorps programs, including AmeriCorps State/National, AmeriCorps VISTA, and AmeriCorps NCCC.
AmeriCorps Promise Fellows- Promise Fellows serve in a leadership corps of approximately 500 full- time AmeriCorps members who spearhead community efforts to deliver the Five Promises of the Presidents’ Summit for America’s Future to children and youth across the nation.
AmeriCorps NCCC- AmeriCorps NCCC (pronounced ‘N triple C’) is a 10-month, full-time residential program which combines the best practices of civilian service with the best practices of military service, including leadership development and team-building.
AmeriCorps State and National- Members participate in local service programs operated by not-for- profits, local and state government entities, Indian tribes, territories, and institutions of higher education, local school and police districts, and partnerships among any of the above.
AmeriCorps VISTA- Members of AmeriCorps VISTA work and live in the communities they serve, creating or expanding programs that can continue after they complete their service.
Benefits- AmeriCorps member benefits do not include paid time off, paid holidays, or paid sick leave. Time is credited, however, for voter registration, voting, jury duty, and military reserve and guard duty (for a period of no more than the two-week annual active duty). Also included in AmeriCorps member benefits are training/education, health insurance (for full-time AmeriCorps members not otherwise covered), and child care (for eligible full-time AmeriCorps members).
Community-based agency- A private nonprofit organization (including a church or other religious entity) that is representative of a community or a significant segment of a community and is engaged in meeting human, educational, environmental, or public safety community needs.
Competitive grants- Competitive grants are awarded during a national grant competition for CNCS prime grant applicants. State commissions, tribes, and multi- state programs participate in the Competitive grant cycle.
AmeriCorps Agency for National and Community Service (CNCS), the AmeriCorps Agency- A federal AmeriCorps Agency which funds AmeriCorps State and National, AmeriCorps VISTA, and Senior Corps projects. The AmeriCorps Agency was authorized by the signing of the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993.
Corps- This word is used to describe a team of AmeriCorps members. Corps is pronounced like ‘core; the last two letters are always silent.
Education award- A benefit that AmeriCorps members may receive after successful completion of a term of service. The award is paid directly to a lending or educational institution and may be used to pay off federal student loans (Perkins, Stafford, PLUS, etc.) or to finance college, graduate school, or approved vocational training.
eGrants- The AmeriCorps Agency for National and Community Service's online grant application and management system.
End outcomes- End outcomes are the positive changes that your program ultimately hopes to achieve for beneficiaries. End outcomes address community conditions or needed changes in the condition, behavior, or attitudes of beneficiaries.
Federal Financial Report (FFR)- The FFR is the financial report submitted in eGrants that details the status of CNCS and Grantee funds within a specific timeframe.
Formula grants- Formula grants are awarded to states based on a population formula each year. Each state commission manages a Formula grant competition and conducts a state grant review process to determine the Formula grant recipients.
General Equivalency Diploma (GED)- A degree obtained by examination that may substitute for a high school diploma. An AmeriCorps member must agree to obtain a GED or high school diploma before using her or his AmeriCorps education award.
Grant Application Review Process (GARP)- GARP is the CNCS annual grant review, clarification, and award process for the funds provided under the Competitive or other special grant cycles.
Grantee Progress Report (GPR)- The GPR is a report submitted in eGrants that details progress toward achievement of approved performance targets within a specific timeframe.
Host site- This is a group or organization that acts as a project sponsor and is responsible for the actual location where a project is to be performed. This entity may provide task-specific training, technical assistance, supervision, or other services as agreed to in a contract or other formal agreement between the program and the host site.
Intermediate outcomes- Intermediate outcomes are changes or benefits experienced by your service recipients during the course of their service.
Living allowance- A living allowance is a stipend, not a wage or salary. It is provided to AmeriCorps members enrolled and active in an AmeriCorps program.
Member Portal- The Portal is the CNCS online member management system used by all grantees and AmeriCorps members.
National and Community Service Act of 1990- The Act of 1990 was passed by Congress and signed into law in 1990 to establish the Commission on National and Community Service.
National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, the Act- The Act of 1993 amended the National and Community Service Act of 1990, to establish the AmeriCorps Agency for National and Community Service by combining the Commission for National and Community Service and ACTION.
National service identity- The sense of purpose and membership in a common program that all AmeriCorps members share. National identity can be promoted and strengthened by everything from buttons and T-shirts to reflection activities, common national service projects, and civic education. AmeriCorps program and commission staff play key roles in cultivating a national service identity, training members to represent the field well, and continually promoting the program and field in local communities.
National Service Trust Fund, the Trust- The trust fund in the United States Treasury Department was established by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 to hold and to disperse AmeriCorps education awards.
Non-displacement- AmeriCorps members may not perform any services that would result in a paid employee losing a job or a failure to hire a paid employee.
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)- The NOFO (pronounced ‘No Foe’) is the document published annually by CNCS; it provides details on the appropriate use of AmeriCorps funds for a particular grant year.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)- The federal government’s Office of Management and Budget assists the President in preparing the annual federal budget and oversees its execution. OMB must approve CNCS regulations, applications, forms, and any other documents that affect the public.
Outputs- Outputs refer to the amount of work or products completed and services delivered by your program. Examples include service hours completed by members and volunteers, neighborhood cleanup projects completed, and disaster preparedness training sessions conducted.
Performance measurement- Performance measurement is the process of regularly measuring the outputs and outcomes produced by your program. Performance measurement allows you to track both the amount of work done by your program and the impact of this work on your program beneficiaries.
Prime grantee- A prime grantee is a direct recipient of an AmeriCorps grant from CNCS; prime grantees include state commissions, national/multi-state programs, and tribal programs.
Program- A coordinated group of activities linked by common elements such as recruitment, selection, and training of participants and staff, regular group activities, and assignment to projects organized for the purpose of achieving the mission and goals of national and community service.
Project- An activity or a set of activities carried out as part of a program.
Request for Proposal (RFP)- An RFP is issued by CNCS, or another agency, to solicit applications for available grant funds.
Service site- A service site is a place where service is being performed by AmeriCorps members and perhaps other people who are volunteers and/or employees. A service site is not a work or job site; it should not be referred to with that terminology.
Stakeholder- One or more people or organizations that have a high degree of interest in your organization’s vision, mission, and success.
State Service Commission- A 15 - 25 member independent, bipartisan commission appointed by a governor to implement service programs in a state. Each state commission receives funding from CNCS and is overseen by an executive director.
Subgrantee- A subgrantee in organization that receives AmeriCorps grant funds or member positions from a prime grantee of CNCS. These include state or local programs funded in the Competitive or Formula grant cycles that are subgrantees of State Service Commissions.
Term of service- A term of service is determined by each program and must contain at least 1,700 hours served within 9 to 12 months (full-time); a minimum of 900 hours served within 2 years (part-time).
Training and Technical Assistance (TTA)- The support and assistance provided to AmeriCorps programs to strengthen program operations.