AmeriCorps’ Equity Action Plan

Compassion Fatigue and the Road to Compassion Resilience

Thursday, Jan. 25
During this course, participants will learn of compassion fatigue and how to build compassion resilience.
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Cultural Competence: Serving with Care and Awareness

Thursday, Feb. 15
The work of service requires cultural competence in varying communities. This course will increase participants knowledge of cultural competence and how to enter diverse communities with awareness. 
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Going Beyond Reasonable Accommodation (Allyship to individuals with disabilities)

Thursday, March 21
This training will provide information on AmeriCorps’ Reasonable Accommodation (RA) program, how to process and access a reasonable accommodation, and understand ways to support accessibility needs.
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Going Beyond the Surface (Aspects of Diversity)

Thursday, April 18
This course will provide knowledge that will strengthen the ability to navigate the world and community efforts through the exploration of topics such as identity, intersectionality and encouraging an inclusive mindset through open dialogue.
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Class and Access to Opportunity: A Look at the History and Impact of Poverty

Thursday, May 16
This course examines the historical roots and societal impact of poverty and its multifaceted manifestations across different cultures over time. Attendees will be engaged in the analysis of the socio-economic forces that perpetuate poverty and critically evaluate strategies for poverty alleviation and social justice.
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Anti-Discriminatory Protections and Accommodations Under Title VI and VII

Thursday, June 20
This training will discuss Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) protections for AmeriCorps’ internal and external stakeholders. The goal is to provide a general knowledge and understanding of rights and obligations under Civil Rights and EEO laws and jurisdictions.
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Creating Systemic Change by Operating Trauma Informed Organizations

Thursday, July 18
In this course, attendees will learn what a Trauma-Informed Organization is and the importance of building systems to incorporate trauma-informed practices. This course will also share how to implement trauma-informed practices into current systems for creating sustainable change. 
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Gender and Sexual Identity

Thursday, August 15
Fundamental to the AmeriCorps mission is the obligation to honor the diversity of all stakeholders by treating everyone with respect and dignity. This course will provide a better understanding of gender and sexual identity related terms and discuss ways to introduce inclusive language to signal a welcoming and respectful environment for all.
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Managing Mental Health in the Workplace

Thursday, Sept. 19
This course provides practical strategies for promoting mental well-being in professional settings, addressing topics such as stress management, work-life balance, and destigmatizing mental health issues. Attendees will learn how to recognize signs of mental distress and ways to foster a supportive work environment. 
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From Equality to Equity (Educating the Differences)

Thursday, Oct. 17
This course explores the distinctions between equality and equity, delving into the social and economic implications of both concepts. Attendees will engage in discussions that explore ways in which these principled intersect with various aspects within society and be presented with strategies that foster fairness and justice in an inclusive environment.
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Origins of Health Disparities and their Impact on Communities

Thursday, Nov. 21
This course investigates the origin and contemporary impacts of health disparities within communities while addressing factors such as socioeconomic status, race, and access to healthcare. Attendees will gain an opportunity to discuss the complex interplay of social determinants and public health policies and explore possible strategies to mitigate disparities and promote health equity.
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Invisible Disabilities and Protections Under Title VI and VII

Thursday, Dec. 19
This course examines the legal and societal implications of unseen disabilities within the framework of Title VI and VII protections. Attendees will explore the intersections of disability rights and anti-discrimination laws while being presented material to understand the challenges and accommodations for individuals impacted by a disability in varying settings.
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Plenary Session
12 – 1:30 p.m. ET

Break
1:30 p.m. – 1:40 p.m. ET

During the two sessions below, choose from one of the three following workshops available to attend during each time block. The same three workshops are available during sessions one and two:  

1. Destination Data:  Exploring Data to Increase Equitable Outcomes 
2. Destination Accessibility: Granting Access: Dismantling Able-ism And Embracing Neurodiversity
3. Destination Strategy: Strategic Alignment for Organizational Success and Community Impact

Session One
1:40 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. ET

Break
2:45 p.m. – 2:50 p.m. ET

Session Two
2:50 – 3:55 p.m. ET

In line with Executive Order 13985, AmeriCorps established its Agency Equity Team, which represents an enterprise-wide cadre of leaders and key DEIA stakeholders. The AmeriCorps Agency Equity Team is leading the implementation of the Equity Action Plan and is serves as the agency’s accountability hub for DEIA implementation.  

AmeriCorps Agency Equity Team Members: 

• Affinity Group Advisory Council Representative
• Associate Director of Policy
• Chief Data Officer
• Chief Financial Officer
• Chief Human Capital Officer
• Chief Information Officer
• Chief of Program Operations
• Chief of Staff
• Chief Operating Officer
• Chief Risk Officer
• Deputy Chief of Program Operations
• Deputy Chief of Staff
• Director, AmeriCorps NCCC
• Director, AmeriCorps Seniors
• Director, AmeriCorps State and National
• Director, AmeriCorps VISTA
• Director, Government Relations
• Director, Office of Civil Rights
• Director, Communications and Marketing
• Director, Office of Grant Admission
• Director, Office of Procurement Services
• Director, Office of Recruitment
• Director, Regional Operations
• Director, Research & Evaluation
• Director, Workforce Relations
• General Counsel
• Project Manager, Planning and Cross Agency Initiatives
• Senior Advisor for COVID-19
• Senior Advisor for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
• Senior Advisor for Special Projects
• Senior Advisor for Strategic Partnerships
• Senior Advisor for Wounded Warrior Veteran and Military Families
• Team Lead for Employee Development, Office of Human Capital

• Created a new role of Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer slated to be filled in May 2022. 
• Included racial equity as a funding priority in the FY 2021 AmeriCorps State and National and AmeriCorps Seniors grant competitions, and AmeriCorps VISTA program guidance. 
• Created a Language Translation Services Project Manager position to support translation and interpretation services for agency programs and grant competitions.   
• Formed a Committee on Native American Affairs with a senior advisor and special assistant dedicated to these efforts.  
• Expanded the pipeline of paid summer interns through partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  
• Increased the living allowance for AmeriCorps State and National and AmeriCorps VISTA 

• AmeriCorps Strategic Plan 
• Learn more about the Administration’s Equity Agenda 
  • Advancing Equity Through the American Rescue Plan
• Learn more about government-wide equity efforts 

AmeriCorps engaged with stakeholders to conduct a DEIA assessment of three key areas of operations: fostering an equitable workplace; promoting equitable grantmaking; and recruiting and retaining a diverse corps of AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers. Stakeholder input strongly influenced the recommendations from the employee-driven DEIA initiative, the agency’s Equity Action Plan, and the FY 2021-FY 2025 AmeriCorps Strategic Plan development. AmeriCorps implemented a variety of stakeholder engagement strategies:

1. Workforce-Driven DEIA Assessment and Workforce Survey – The 2020 DEIA initiative was driven by more than 50 passionate volunteers from across the AmeriCorps workforce who spent months evaluating agency operations, assessing barriers to advancing DEIA, and supporting underserved communities.  
2. Stakeholder Engagement Panels – AmeriCorps hosted three stakeholder engagement panels which included representatives from four association partners: Americas Service Commission, Voices for National Service, Service Year Alliance, and AmeriCorps Seniors Association. Panelists also included grantees from AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors programs: VISTA, AmeriCorps State and National, and AmeriCorps NCCC. Representation from the Office of Regional Operations included current and former staff members. AmeriCorps asked panelists the following questions: 
   1. Within your own program (AmeriCorps VISTA, State & National, NCCC) what are barriers for you in applying, partnering, grant management, or other requirements that make it difficult to partner with us? What are specific immediate and longer-term changes we should consider to make our programming more accessible? 
   2. What would you identify as the top three barriers to starting service for applicants from diverse backgrounds? What would you identify as the top three barriers to continuing/completing service for members from diverse backgrounds? 
   3. What assistance would be beneficial for AmeriCorps to offer throughout the process (from proposal writing through grant management) to make our funding more accessible (planning grants, increased technical assistance, etc.)? 
   4. What should stronger outreach and recruitment to new applicants look like? Do you have recommendations for us as an agency on ways to reach out and recruit more potential applicants working in Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities? 
   5. What are specific funding priorities or performance measures would allow you to focus your work more on diverse communities (BIPOC, LGBTQ, etc.)? 
3. Tribal Consultation – In April 2021, AmeriCorps hosted a Tribal consultation with Tribal leaders to ensure that AmeriCorps is equitable, fair, and accessible to Tribal nations. This allowed the agency to learn more about what is working, what is not working, and to make sure opportunities and resources meet the needs of Tribal nations. Participants were asked to share feedback on the following: 
   1. Barriers for Tribal communities to access AmeriCorps resources, for members to serve with AmeriCorps and to achieve compliance with grants requirements. 
   2. Ways AmeriCorps can support COVID response and recovery. 
   3. Ways AmeriCorps can support veterans and military families. 
   4. How AmeriCorps can more effectively consult and strengthen communications and relationships. 
   5. Best practices from other agencies AmeriCorps should review. 
   6. Ways to use technology to solicit tribal feedback on policies and activities. 
   7. Ways to disseminate information that is most relevant. 
4. Request for Information – As part of AmeriCorps’ ARP investment, the agency pledged to create new national service opportunities; increase benefits for service members; and support nonprofit, Tribal, and community organizations that support underserved communities. To do this, AmeriCorps looked further into the barriers programs and members face. In accordance with Executive Order 13985 and as part of the agency’s commitment to DEIA, AmeriCorps launched a Request for Information (RFI), which closed on August 2, 2021, inviting public comment from any interested party, including current and former AmeriCorps program award recipients. Respondents relayed comments regarding any barriers that they, or the communities they served, faced in accessing benefits and services offered by AmeriCorps’ programs. This request gave the agency insight from members, volunteers, the broader national service community, and outside voices. AmeriCorps received over 600 comments, significant for a small agency, with the overwhelming majority focused on the value of the AmeriCorps living allowance and end of service Eli Segal Education award benefit. The comments were further analyzed by the Office of Research and Evaluation and supported a compelling case for increasing the living allowance and expanding flexibilities for the use of the Eli Segal Education End-of-Service Award.