KIDS Consortium's Blog

I am sure that many of you have engaged youth in service and service-learning with assistance—directly and indirectly—from public funding. I will not wade into the funding debate now (I agree that it is an important conversation, and I invite you to add your thoughts in the comments area below, but right now I have some holiday cooking to do or else I will be in trouble). This is pretty much a “just the facts” update. The Corporation for National and Community Service’s budget was cut for FY 2011, with more cuts are proposed for FY 2012.

On December 23^rd H.R. 2055 was approved. Although not all the dust has settled, the passage has implications for CNCS programs in FY 2012’s. Check out some sources that are following the process:

Save service

Voices for National Service

Points of Light

This was posted by Robert Velasco in the K-12 Service-Leaning Listserv on December 23^rd:

Today President Obama signed H.R. 2055, the Fiscal Year 2012 Final Consolidated Appropriations Act, which funds the federal government for the rest of fiscal year 2012.

In total, the legislation provides $1,048,883,856 for the Corporation for National and Community Service and its programs, including an across-the-board rescission of .189 percent.  This level is about 98 percent of our FY 2011 enacted level.

In a time of fiscal constraint, this budget will allow CNCS to continue its critical work in communities across the country.  CNCS and our network of grantees and sponsors engage millions of Americans in sustained service to solve problems, improve the lives of vulnerable citizens, strengthen America’s nonprofit sector, and create economic and educational opportunity for those who serve.

We are reviewing the legislative language, committee report, and other guidance from Congress as we develop our implementation plans for this legislation.  As we complete that analysis, we will be sharing additional information with you in the near future.

Thank you for your hard work and commitment.  Your contributions touch people’s lives in so many significant ways, and I greatly appreciate your dedication to national service.

Sincerely,

Robert Velasco, I

Acting CEO

Corporation for National and Community Service