Introduction

Welcome to the 2023-2024 AmeriCorps Program Director Manual!

Congratulations on being funded as an AmeriCorps State Program! The Bureau of Volunteerism and Community Service in partnership with the Serve Illinois Commission will be working with you to ensure that your AmeriCorps State program year is successful.

We are here to provide guidance, insight, and support every step of the way. Please use this manual as a guide to understand the various components of national service, your role as a program director, and the importance of understanding federal rules and regulations to remain in compliance with your program.

Bureau of Volunteerism and Community Service Staff:

• Executive Director – Andres J. Fernandez
• Associate Director, Office of Community & Positive Youth Development - Karrie Rueter
• Bureau Chief, Bureau of Volunteerism and Community Services-Cory Blissett
• Fiscal/Data Analyst-Kim Doyle
• Administration Assistant-Rachael Tuxhorn
• Volunteerism and Community Service Administrator -TBD
• Illinois AmeriCorps Program Manager- Kristen Bethke
• Illinois AmeriCorps Program Officer Downstate – Toni Terry
• Illinois AmeriCorps Program Specialist Downstate – Andrea Spellman
• Illinois AmeriCorps Program Officer Upstate – Teesha Pendleton
• Illinois AmeriCorps Program Specialist Upstate – Katrina Ellis
• Illinois AmeriCorps Program Officer Chicago – Raja Banerjee
• Illinois AmeriCorps Program Specialist Chicago - Heather Cropp
• Communications Coordinator - Allison J. Miller
• Grants Coordinator - Brittany Schwien 
• Volunteer Services Coordinator Downstate – Jacob Jenkins
• Volunteer Services Coordinator Upstate – Cecilia Maciel Martinez
• National Service Program Manager-Davida Fanniel
• National Service Program Officer-Stacie Reichensperger
• National Service Program Specialist – Brooke Pasley

Serve Illinois Commission Staff and Commissioners:

• Board of Commissioners: Commissioners

• Executive Director – Andres J. Fernandez

Purpose of This Manual

The AmeriCorps Program Director Manual has been specifically designed by the Bureau of Volunteerism and Community Service (BVCS) as a tool for those who oversee Illinois AmeriCorps programs. This manual is intended to assist program directors in implementing processes and procedures for monitoring, supporting, and evaluating their AmeriCorps programs.

Please note that the information contained in this manual does not include all legal requirements of an AmeriCorps grant. It does not constitute the AmeriCorps Agency for National and Community Service’s official interpretation of factual or legal questions. Program directors or individuals with particular questions should refer to the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42U.S.C. § 12501 et seq.), the regulations issued under the Act (45 C.F.R. § 2500.1 et seq.), the AmeriCorps Grant Provisions and Grants Policy guidance, and relevant state laws and regulations. If there is a conflict between the content of this handbook and the AmeriCorps provisions, the provisions are the controlling authority.

The AmeriCorps Program Director Manual is intended to:

• Provide a roadmap for AmeriCorps awardee/site management Lay out a typical administrator’s general workload
• Illustrate legal requirements
• Show where there is both control and flexibility to shape each AmeriCorps program

It is important that awardees become familiar with all the information contained in this manual. The AmeriCorps Program Director Manual will be updated as needed. Notice of revisions will be sent to each Illinois AmeriCorps Program Director and posted on the Illinois AmeriCorps Basecamp site.