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CCCS Program Monitoring
The Connecticut Commission on Community Service is responsible for ensuring that its programs and affiliated host sites are in compliance with the obligations set forth in their grant agreements as well as all applicable state and federal regulations. All National Service programs face challenges as they administer their AmeriCorps programs. The Connecticut Commission is committed to assessing those challenges and working with grantees to find adequate technical assistance to meet their needs. To that end, the Commission has developed a monitoring strategy that enhances opportunities for guidance and intervention.
Components of Program Monitoring
Systems
Establishing systems — clearly defined procedures — is key to effectively managing a Program Director’s many administrative duties and ensures the sustainability of your unique AmeriCorps program operations should any staffing changes occur. To provide as detailed instruction as possible, each system should include the following five elements:
- Objective – the end goal of each system
- Frequency – how often various key duties will be performed (i.e., weekly, monthly, etc.)
- Mode – a step-by-step process for achieving that end goal
- Distribution – information on how documentation will be collected and maintained
- Persons Responsible – assignment of responsibility for system components to appropriate program staff.
CCCS requires its AmeriCorps*State programs to submit for monitoring systems for the following essential operations associated with AmeriCorps program management:
- Member Recruitment
- Member Pre-Enrollment & Enrollment
- In-Service/Post-Service Member Documentation
- Member Training & Development
- Member Support & Safety
- Member Supervision & Discipline
- Member Timesheets & Hours Monitoring
- Host Site Recruitment & Coordination
- AmeriCorps Branding & Program Promotion
- Program Budget & Financial Management
The required systems listed above must meet at minimum the standards illustrated in the Risk-Based Monitoring Tool Part 1– Systems & Deliverables, which is updated annually to reflect the most recent rules and regulations and provided to programs. Additional detail is welcome, and additional systems beyond those contained on this list may be created and maintained by programs at program discretion, but are not required for review by the CCCS Program Officer.
All program systems and associated deliverables are submitted for CCCS review no later than October 31 annually. These documents are submitted using the Service Connecticut Program Development Hub, and a secure, online portal that features and audited workflow and compliance and quality scoring mechanisms. Programs will have an opportunity to respond to Commission feedback on their submissions.
For more information, please refer to the Serve Connecticut Program Development Hub Policy.
Compliance Site Visits
Compliance Site Visits are conducted to assist with program development and implementation as well as to ensure compliance with CNCS and CCCS rules and regulations. Your CCCS Program Officer will typically visit eligible programs once per year. Components of the site visit are divided into five components: 1) systems review (see Systems section), 2) program compliance, 3) member discussion, 4) AmeriCorps program staff discussion, 5) host (service) site visit and site supervisor discussion. Programs in their first year of a grant cycle (including re-compete programs) will complete all parts of the visit. Programs in the second or third year of their grant cycle will be exempt from Parts 2-4, unless any of the following circumstances are present:
- Prior monitoring visits identify insufficient documentation and/or systems
- Program has newly hired primary staff member
- Program demonstrates a need for additional support
- Program requests additional support
- Program maintained less than 70% recruitment and/or retention
- Program has significantly increased their grant
- Program has significantly changed its performance measures
- Program fell significantly short in reaching their performance measures
- Program demonstrated findings in Part 3 (member discussion) of a previous site visit (Please note, in the event of this finding, the program will only be required to repeat Part 3 of the Compliance Site Visit.)
- Program demonstrates concerns regarding prohibited activities
- Program has repeatedly failed to comply with reporting deadlines
Compliance Site Visits will be scheduled by your CCCS Program Officer. Should the date determined present an unresolvable conflict, please contact your CCCS Program Officer well in advance to reschedule.
Preparing for a Compliance Site Visit
To prepare for a Compliance Site Visit, program staff should:
- Review both the Risk-Based Monitoring Tool Part 1 – Systems & Deliverables and the Risk-Based Monitoring Tool Part 2 – Compliance Desk Review provided by your CCCS Program Officer.
- Ensure that all systems (above) have been updated as requested prior to your scheduled site visit date.
- Prepare and submit all related documentation for components of the Risk-Based Monitoring Tool Part 2 – Compliance Review for desk review in anticipation of the scheduled visit date.
- Ensure that all required parties (members, appropriate program staff, member supervisors/ host site supervisors) will be available for the scheduled visit date.
Note: This should typically be verified with your CCCS Program Officer at least one to two weeks prior to the visit.
- Verify that member timesheets are properly completed, signed, and up-to-date.
- Ensure that there is a private meeting space available for CCCS staff to meet with program staff, host site staff, and members. A table with chairs should also be available in the space.
- Ensure that CCCS staff will have access to all necessary files.
- Provide any additional information requested by CCCS staff.
After the Compliance Site Visit
After the visit, the AmeriCorps Program Director will receive feedback in a site visit report. Your CCCS Program Officer will provide this to the AmeriCorps Program Director and the designated Executive Director of the program’s legal applicant.
Note: It is important to ensure that your program keeps all requested program/legal applicant contact information up-to-date with the Commission. Program Directors must submit contact information to the CCCS Program Officer in writing (email is acceptable).
Program Directors must respond to any findings indicated in the site visit report with a corrective action plan and provide requested documentation by the date specified in the report. If it is determined that your program has significant compliance issues or requests additional assistance, your CCCS Program Officer may schedule additional site visits.
Days of Service Tools
Although programs are encouraged to participate in and promote all national service days of service and commemorations, programs must participate in and then submit AmeriCorps Day of Service Monitoring Tools for the following required national service recognition events:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service: All AmeriCorps*Connecticut programs must implement a service project in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Programs nationwide celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr., Day as a "day on, not a day off" by engaging youth, neighbors, partners, and businesses in service projects that promote Dr. King's legacy of service and justice. Resources are provided by CNCS to assist programs in planning an effective MLK Day service project. The designed service project must include all AmeriCorps staff and members. AmeriCorps*Connecticut programs may collaborate with each other and with community partners.
AmeriCorps Week: All AmeriCorps*Connecticut programs must refer to their Grantee Agreement for specific instructions regarding any Commission-defined requirements for program participation in AmeriCorps Week, dates for which are set by CNCS to occur annually during the second full week in March from Sunday to Saturday. AmeriCorps Week is set aside to highlight the impact AmeriCorps members have all over the country each and every day; in addition to meeting any Grantee Agreement requirements, AmeriCorps*Connecticut programs are strongly encouraged to participate in promoting awareness in their communities and at large about their AmeriCorps impact via social media and participation in events and activities visible in the community.
Descriptions of all service days and commemorations are available in the AmeriCorps Events section.
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TIP: January comes quickly when you’re in the midst of building an AmeriCorps program’s momentum! Begin your Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service planning early, finding or developing creative ways for your staff and your members to mark this important day with meaningful national service activity. Don’t let January catch you by surprise!
Performance Measures
Performance measurement is the systematic, ongoing tracking of your program’s outputs and outcomes. Performance measures are used to gauge your program’s progress on addressing its defined community need. Program staff must have detailed and accurate procedures for tracking performance measures. Program Directors, key staff and, where appropriate, AmeriCorps members should be informed about the program’s performance measures and how that data is assessed and maintained. Performance Measures will be monitored by your CCCS Program Officer on a quarterly basis (see below).
The Corporation has developed a comprehensive resource center that describes all National measures, in detail, by priority area. You may review these measures by visiting the CNCS website: http://www.nationalservice.gov/resources/performance-measurement.
If you are considering adjusting your program performance measures, mid-year, please consult with your CCCS Program Officer as early as possible. All requests for Performance Measure amendments must be received by February 28th annually. (See Table 1: Program Amendment Reporting).
Program Progress Reporting
The Connecticut Commission collects Grantee Progress Reports on a biannual basis; these reports are submitted by programs electronically using the OnCorps Reporting Portal; each program will be provided with a link and login instructions to access the portal at the start of the program year.
A Grantee Program Progress Report includes:
- Demographic Information
- Recruitment and Retention Data
- Performance Measures
- Disability and Inclusion
- Member Timekeeping Reports
- Great Stories/Photos (featuring member and program success stories)
As detailed in your program grant agreement, progress reports are due biannually on April 15 and October 15.
NOTE: It is expected that all progress and financial reports due to the Commission will be received by their respective due dates. Program directors should coordinate with fiscal and other relevant program staff to ensure that all deadlines are met. Late submissions may lead to delayed or withheld reimbursements.
Program Evaluation
All AmeriCorps programs are required to conduct a program evaluation process. This process is broken into three components timed to occur over the cycle of three AmeriCorps grant periods of three years each. See
Table 3 Evaluation Timing for a description of what components of the evaluation process apply to your program based on its grantee status. Re-competing and continuation programs must submit a summary of their evaluation efforts/plans to date or a copy of their evaluation results with their annual application for funding.
Evaluations may be performed internally or independently, depending on the amount of CNCS grant funds received by your program (45 CFR§2522.700-740).
- AmeriCorps regulations require AmeriCorps*State and National grantees receiving more than $500,000 of CNCS grant funds to conduct an independent evaluation. Independent evaluations must use an external evaluator with no formal or personal relationship to the organization.
- AmeriCorps*Connecticut Formula and Competitive receiving less than $500,000 of CNCS grant funds can submit an internal evaluation (see Table 2 Evaluation Type).
The evaluation process is a helpful tool in assessing and developing improvements to your program that may enhance future funding applications. There are different types of evaluation designs that can be used, depending upon what you wish to assess about your program. For more detailed information about evaluation designs and planning, please see http://www.nationalservice.gov/resources/evaluation.
