FACES Toolkit for AmeriCorps Applicants
Implementing the Faith-Based and Community Initiative
for the AmeriCorps Service Programs
Historically, community organizations, both secular and faith-based, have played an integral part in providing much needed social services to those most in need. Providing equal access to national programs is the focus of the President's Faith-based and Community Initiative. In January 2001, the President issued two executive orders that set in place the administration's Faith-based and Community Initiative. The first order established the White House Office for Faith-based and Community Initiatives; the second order created five centers at the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, and Labor to address the barriers that create an "Unlevel Playing Field" for community organizations (secular and faith-based).
To support this initiative, the 2003 AmeriCorps Guidance from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), AmeriCorps*State and National, requires applicants to demonstrate partnerships with community organizations (secular and faith-based). To help implement this priority, the Faith and Communities Engaged in Service (FACES) Initiative has designed this toolkit to help all AmeriCorps applicants, both new and continuing, comply with this requirement. This toolkit contains the following:
NOTE: These materials are intended to help orient you to the kind of thinking you will have to do to complete the AmeriCorps application. They are intended to be background information and anyone who states that he/she has relied on these materials in writing their application is not guaranteed an award.
- Overview of the Requirements and Background Information
- Step-by-Step Process for Making This Initiative a Priority
- Examples of How This Priority Could Work with Your Program Design
- Reference and Resource Directory
For more assistance, contact the FACES Help Desk at 1-866-78FACES or faces@ncpc.org.
