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The Corporation is committed to investing Recovery Act dollars with transparency and accountability. This web page will be updated frequently with information about how Recovery Act funds will be spent.
| Overview of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) |
 The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) was signed into law by President Obama on February 17th, 2009. It is an unprecedented effort to jumpstart our economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act is an extraordinary response to a crisis unlike any since the Great Depression, and includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.
| Implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) |
The Recovery Act includes $201 million in funding for the Corporation for National and Community Service to support an expansion of AmeriCorps State and National and AmeriCorps VISTA programs. This investment is a strong vote of confidence in the value of national service in engaging citizens in addressing unmet needs and strengthening communities.
As we begin to carry out the Recovery Act, it’s important to remember that the entire family of national service – Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, VISTA, NCCC, and Learn and Serve America – is critical to helping communities and individuals cope in our current economic crisis. For decades, national service programs have worked in our most vulnerable communities, providing hope and help to people facing economic and social needs. Today, as the economic downturn puts millions of Americans at risk, we need national service and volunteering more than ever.
The Corporation received funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) to put approximately 13,000 additional AmeriCorps State and National and AmeriCorps VISTA members to work through national service, meeting needs of vulnerable populations and communities during the current economic recession. Funding from the Recovery Act may also be used to provide current grantees with relief from requirements to provide matching funds. The Corporation also received funding to improve its information technology systems.
Recovery Act Implementation Plans
Weekly Reports
| Learn More About Our Programs |
AmeriCorps State and National
This guidance assists AmeriCorps State and National grantees in applying for Recovery Act funds to engage AmeriCorps members and community volunteers in efforts to stimulate the economy and meet the needs of those negatively impacted by the current economic crisis. Only current AmeriCorps grantees are eligible for these funds. A current grantee is any of the following with an operational grant as of February 17, 2009: National Direct, National Professional Corps, Indian Tribes, and National EAP grantees; programs in states and territories without commissions; and State Commission sub-grantees. Planning grantees are not eligible.
Frequently Asked Questions for State Commissions and National Direct Grantees
AmeriCorps VISTA
This guidance provides an operational overview of VISTA Recovery Act implementation for existing and potential VISTA project sponsors. We recognize that the role of VISTA Sponsoring organizations has been and will always be critical for the success of the VISTA Program. And for sponsors receiving Recovery Act VISTAs, their role will be especially important.
This guidance is in question and answer format, and describes timelines, the additional responsibilities that come with the Recovery Act resources, and the necessary contact information for sponsors and potential sponsors to seek clarification or to ask questions specific to their organization.
Information for Prospective Grantees and First Tier Subgrantees
Grantees and first tier subgrantees receiving federal funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will be required to obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number and register with Central Contractor Registration (CCR). The federal government will use the information contained there when reporting on activities under the Recovery Act. If you are considering applying for Recovery Act funding and do not already have DUNS number and are not registered in the CCR, you should begin these processes immediately.
Notice on Civil Rights Obligations Applicable to the Distribution of Funds
Agencies distributing Recovery Act funds must do so in accordance with all nondiscrimination and equal opportunity statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders that apply to the distribution of funds under the Recovery Act. Agencies that grant funds also must ensure that their recipients and subrecipients comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (prohibiting race, color, and national origin discrimination including language access for limited English proficient persons), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (prohibiting disability discrimination), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (prohibiting sex discrimination in education and training programs), the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (prohibiting age discrimination in the provision of services), and a variety of program-specific statutes with nondiscrimination requirements.
Contact Information
If you have comments or questions related to the Corporation's implementation of the Recovery Act, please email recovery@cns.gov. While we won’t be able to individually reply to your email, we will take your comments into consideration as we implement the Act.
Legislation
On Friday, Feburary 13, 2009, the House of Representatives and Senate approved the conference report for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
- Conference Report on H.R. 1 (1 of 5): PDF, ASCII
- Conference Report on H.R. 1 (2 of 5): PDF, ASCII
- Conference Report on H.R. 1 (3 of 5): PDF, ASCII
- Conference Report on H.R. 1 (4 of 5): PDF, ASCII
- Conference Report on H.R. 1 (5 of 5): PDF, ASCII
Excerpts Pertaining to the Corporation for National and Community Service
- Conference Report on H.R. 1 (excerpt): PDF
- Joint Explanatory Statement of the Managers (excerpt): PDF
Communications and Contacts With Registered Lobbyists
On March 20, 2009, the President established new requirements for transparency in contacts that employees of executive agencies may have with registered lobbyists concerning particular projects, applications, or applicants for funding under the Recovery Act. The President imposed a requirement that agency officials may only consider written views of registered lobbyists concerning particular projects, applications, or applicants for funding under the Recovery Act.
| Official Statements and Press Releases |
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Office of Inspector General
For more information on the
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
please visit www.Recovery.gov
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Forms
