ARC 1386C

ARC 1386C

VOLUNTEER SERVICE, IOWA COMMISSION ON[817]

Notice of Intended Action

Twenty-five interested persons, a governmental subdivision, an agency or association of 25 or more persons may demand an oral presentation hereon as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.4(1)"b."

Notice is also given to the public that the Administrative Rules Review Committee may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this proposed action under section 17A.8(6) at a regular or special meeting where the public or interested persons may be heard.

Pursuant to the authority of Iowa Code chapter 15H and section 17A.3 and Executive Order 48, the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service hereby gives Notice of Intended Action to amend Chapter 7, "Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)," Iowa Administrative Code.

The current rules establish procedures for the grant process for RSVP projects to ensure that grant application, review and administration processes are handled in a fair and orderly manner. The proposed amendments describe a new funding distribution and reporting process and bring the rules up to date.

Public comments concerning the proposed amendments will be accepted until 4:30 p.m.on April 8, 2014. Interested persons may submit written or oral comments by contacting Kristin Honz, Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service, 200 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50309; telephone (515)725 3097; or e-mail Kristin.Honz@iowa.gov.

The Commission will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, April 8, 2014, from 9 to 10 a.m.to receive comments on these amendments. The public hearing will be held in the Central First Floor Conference Room, Iowa Economic Development Authority, 200 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa.

After analysis and review of this rule making, no impact on jobs has been found.

These amendments are intended to implement Iowa Code section 15H.2(3)"i."

The following amendments are proposed.

Item 1. Amend subrule 7.1(1) as follows:

7.1(1) RSVP grant. Each RSVP project which has a current memorandum of agreement notice of grant award to operate an RSVP project from the Corporation for National and Community Service (the federal domestic volunteer agency) is to be allocated a share of state funds appropriated for distribution. Each RSVP project shall submit to the commission a budget outlining the method by which the project will expend the grant allotted to the project and other information as requested by the commission.

Item 2. Amend subrule 7.4(1) as follows:

7.4(1) The commission and or the Corporation for National and Community Service shall issue a request for proposals containing project criteria and application forms instructions based on the most recent application instructions or notice of funding opportunity for RSVP that is available from the Corporation for National and Community Service for the appropriate fiscal year.

Item 3. Amend subrule 7.5(3) as follows:

7.5(3) Reporting. All grant recipients shall submit biannual progress and financial reports to the Corporation for National and Community Service and provide these reports to the commission. Beginning in state fiscal year 2015, RSVP projects will report to the commission on the number of volunteers serving in the prior period and submit a volunteer roster with each payment request. RSVP projects will also report to the commission on the number of volunteer management training sessions conducted, the number of attendees attending the sessions and the number of attendees reporting that the training increased their organizational efficiency or organizational effectiveness.

Item 4. Amend subrule 7.5(4) as follows:

7.5(4) Distribution of funds. The base-level formula for distribution of funds will be based on the 2001 state funding levels. When applicable, any relinquished funds will be distributed based on the existing formula. New programs that are not state-developed will begin at the minimum funding level.

Beginning in state fiscal year 2016, distribution of state funds will be based on an established maximum average cost per volunteer as determined by the commission on an annual basis. For state fiscal year 2016, the maximum distribution amount will be $300 per volunteer. For subsequent years, the maximum average cost per volunteer will be set one year in advance. The average cost per volunteer calculation is based on the number of volunteers divided by the sum of awarded state plus federal funds. Any program that exceeds the maximum cost will have the program's awards reduced for the subsequent year to comply with the maximum threshold. Additional funds that are not awarded due to these reductions will be distributed to projects that are below the maximum threshold or will be used to fund expansion of other projects. The commission may grant a temporary exception to the maximum cost requirement for new projects or in the case of financial hardship.