FYI funding information for national and communtity service. Please excuse
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National Service Gets FY99 Budget Boost
Increases Targeted to America Reads Initiative
WASHINGTON D.C. -- President Clinton today proposed significant increases in
AmeriCorps and other national service programs in his fiscal 1999 budget
proposal. The proposal builds on last year's bipartisan support of the
America Reads initiative to help all children learn to read well by fourth
grade.
The Administration proposes a total of $781 million for the Corporation for
National Service and its three programs AmeriCorps, Learn and Serve America
and the National Senior Service Corps, a 14% increase over last year.
Created in 1993, the Corporation for National Service administers programs
that involve more than 1.2 million citizens of all ages in results-driven
service.
"National service has a strong track record of getting things done for
America's communities, and this budget will give thousands more Americans the
chance to serve and help meet our most pressing social needs," said Harris
Wofford, CEO of the Corporation for National Service. "I hope Congress will
continue its bipartisan support by passing this budget and the President's
proposal to reauthorize national service programs."
Under the budget, AmeriCorps grants to Governor-appointed state commissions
and national nonprofits would increase to $257 million, enough to support
more than 45,000 AmeriCorps members in more than 720 programs. When combined
with AmeriCorps*VISTA and the AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community Corps,
total membership in all AmeriCorps programs should rise to more than 55,000
full-time and part-time members in FY99. Included in these figures are
15,000 education award only members, putting the Administration ahead of
schedule on its commitment made at the Presidents' Summit to provide 50,000
new AmeriCorps Challenge Scholarships over five years.
The budget earmarks $152 million for the America Reads initiative. Last
fall, Congress gave national service a $64 million increase to help recruit
and organize volunteers for local literacy programs to tutor the estimated
40% of children who are falling behind in their reading skills.
"AmeriCorps members and student and senior volunteers are invaluable
resources to parents and teachers in helping children learn to read," said
Harris Wofford. "I hope Congress once again will recognize national service
as an effective way to help solve a major national problem."
Other budget highlights include:
* $174 million for the National Senior Service Corps programs, a $10 million
increase to support an estimated 470,000 Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
volunteers, 28,600 Foster Grandparents serving 100,000 children and youth
with special needs, and 14,000 Senior Companions providing support to almost
40,000 adults who have difficulty with daily living tasks.
* $73 million for to fund 6,850 AmeriCorps*VISTA members and $21 million to
support 1,100 AmeriCorps*National Civilian Community Corps members at 5
campuses;
* $50 million for Learn and Serve America, the nation's student service
initiative which assists service-learning activities for more than 750,000
students in schools and colleges across America;
* $6 million for the Points of Light Foundation.
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