Bill Overview
Title: ACTION for National Service Act
Description: This bill (1) converts the Corporation for National and Community Service into the AmeriCorps Administration and revises its membership, leadership, and authority; (2) reauthorizes programs carried out by the administration; (3) establishes a National Service Foundation to accept and administer gifts on behalf of the administration; (4) modifies the calculation of national service educational awards; and (5) otherwise modifies provisions related to national and volunteer service programs. Additionally, the bill creates an interagency Civilian Climate Corps, operated by the administration, to conduct service projects addressing climate change.
Sponsors: Rep. Larson, John B. [D-CT-1]
Target Audience
Population: People participating in national service programs including AmeriCorps and new Civilian Climate Corps members
Estimated Size: 210000
- The bill impacts the Corporation for National and Community Service, which is converted to the AmeriCorps Administration.
- This involves AmeriCorps members, including individuals who participate in national service programs across the U.S.
- Modifications to the national service educational awards affect current and future AmeriCorps members who earn these awards.
- The establishment of an interagency Civilian Climate Corps will impact individuals engaged or interested in projects addressing climate change.
- The bill indirectly impacts communities served by national service projects, given the nature of AmeriCorps work in diverse areas such as education, disaster response, and environmental conservation.
Reasoning
- I considered different demographics such as age, gender, and geographical location to capture a diverse set of individuals.
- People who are already part of AmeriCorps may experience a moderate benefit from changes in educational awards and program expansion.
- Individuals involved or interested in climate change projects will likely be positively impacted by the Civilian Climate Corps.
- Current AmeriCorps participants and potential new members represent a relatively small, specific segment of the U.S. population.
- The indirect effects on broader communities are considered, but the direct impact mainly concerns AmeriCorps members and similar volunteers.
Simulated Interviews
AmeriCorps Member (Seattle, WA)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited about any increase in educational awards as it will reduce my student debt.
- Participating in a Civilian Climate Corps program would align with my interests.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Program Coordinator (Austin, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could bring more volunteers into programs I oversee, which would be great for multiplying impact.
- The focus on climate change is essential, and it will help attract passionate individuals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Recent Graduate (Detroit, MI)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm looking for opportunities that can help me reduce education debt and gain experience.
- This policy might make joining AmeriCorps more appealing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Full-time Teacher (Denver, CO)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The idea of more service programs is appealing, but I likely won't participate personally.
- I'm curious to see how the Civilian Climate Corps will engage local schools.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Environmental Activist (New York, NY)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's promising to see focus on climate projects, and I'm hopeful this boosts local action.
- Although I'm not involved with AmeriCorps, this aligns with my advocacy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Non-profit Worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy changes could streamline funding and increase volunteer help for my organization.
- Educational awards might attract more young people to join our efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Retired Veteran (Birmingham, AL)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 17/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm generally supportive of initiatives encouraging national service.
- I'm curious how the changes might involve veterans or aid community cohesion.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Community Volunteer (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Boosting volunteer numbers sounds beneficial for community projects.
- I hope the Civilian Climate Corps ideas expand to local environmental efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
College Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 19 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Civilian Climate Corps could offer a meaningful gap year.
- Service experience would enrich my future academic pursuits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Tech Worker (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy changes could help me find structured volunteer roles, particularly in tech-focused nonprofits.
- The climate corps is especially appealing given my environmental concerns.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1500000000 (Low: $1300000000, High: $1700000000)
Year 2: $1500000000 (Low: $1300000000, High: $1700000000)
Year 3: $1550000000 (Low: $1350000000, High: $1750000000)
Year 5: $1600000000 (Low: $1400000000, High: $1800000000)
Year 10: $1700000000 (Low: $1500000000, High: $1900000000)
Year 100: $3000000000 (Low: $2800000000, High: $3200000000)
Key Considerations
- The impact of the program on national service participants' career trajectories and long-term economic opportunities.
- The ability of the National Service Foundation to effectively augment funds from private donations.
- The administrative efficiency and effectiveness in managing an expanded framework of service programs.
- Overall impact of the Civilian Climate Corps on climate change mitigation and adaptation at local and national levels.