Bill Overview
Title: A Chance To Serve Act
Description: This bill provides various benefits for Peace Corps and AmeriCorps volunteers and increases the number of AmeriCorps volunteer positions to at least 500,000 (currently there are approximately 250,000 positions). Among other provisions, the bill (1) provides eligible former Peace Corps and AmeriCorps volunteers with three years of non-compete eligibility for federal employment whereas currently, former volunteers generally get one year of eligibility with extensions available in certain situations; (2) provides eligible former volunteers with health care benefits for one year; and (3) exempts from taxation certain payments and allowances paid to volunteers.
Sponsors: Rep. Kim, Andy [D-NJ-3]
Target Audience
Population: Peace Corps and AmeriCorps volunteers
Estimated Size: 500000
- Peace Corps and AmeriCorps volunteers are individuals who volunteer in various positions to contribute to projects such as education, health, environment, economic development, and many more.
- The bill specifically mentions increasing AmeriCorps volunteer positions to at least 500,000, which implicates a direct impact on these volunteers—primarily in their professional development and financial well-being.
- The non-compete eligibility provision for federal employment expands career opportunities for former Peace Corps and AmeriCorps volunteers, improving job prospects.
- Providing health care benefits directly affects the former volunteers' wellbeing, ensuring they have medical coverage after their service.
- Tax exemption on certain payments and allowances improves the economic situation of the volunteers by increasing their net income.
- The total global impact also considers enhancing the appeal and accessibility of these programs, potentially increasing volunteer participation.
Reasoning
- The budget serves as a cap for providing benefits, ensuring sustainability. However, the primary costs related to health care and tax exemptions need to be distributed efficiently among the total target population.
- The commonness of perspectives in the population is informed by sociodemographic factors including typical participant profiles for Peace Corps and AmeriCorps, such as young adults often fresh out of college, people in low to medium-income brackets, and those interested in social justice or community development.
- The self-reported wellbeing will be influenced positively by increased job prospects and security, health care support, and better financial conditions through tax exemptions.
- Not every individual will feel the impact equally. Many may not benefit directly if they aren't looking toward federal employment or concerned with immediate healthcare coverage post-service.
Simulated Interviews
Recent College Graduate (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy opens new doors for employment, which is crucial for recent graduates like me.
- Having healthcare covered for the first year post-service is a relief, given the uncertainties after college.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
High School Teacher (Austin, TX)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Extensions in federal employment eligibility are beneficial, but not my main concern.
- I'm not greatly impacted unless I decide to shift careers, but the policy seems solid for others.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Corporate Job Specialist (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The tax exemption is a significant benefit as finances were tight during service.
- Additional job eligibility timeframe is very appealing given my career transition.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Environmental Scientist (Denver, CO)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Health benefits are crucial for volunteers in physically demanding roles.
- The sector doesn't guarantee job placement, so improved federal opportunities are appreciated.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Community Health Worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy might offer the career jump-start I need for federal roles.
- Healthcare is a big cost post-service. These benefits make a real difference.
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 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Stay-at-Home Parent (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Focused more on family now, but the spirit of the policy is heartening.
- I hope it leads more people to volunteer work like I did.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Part-time Consultant (Portland, OR)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Great policy for young service members. At my stage, direct impact is limited.
- Encouraging younger generations to contribute is important.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Non-Profit Executive (Nashville, TN)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Boosting volunteer numbers helps us reach more communities.
- Policy potentially increases our capacity but doesn't change my direct experience.
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 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Freelance Writer (Miami, FL)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy's health benefits are necessary, especially for freelance work.
- Job eligibility expansion might help if I decide to shift back to traditional employment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Community Organizer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Overall, policies like this strengthen community efforts.
- I see indirect benefits rather than changes to my wellbeing.
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 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $13750000000 (Low: $12000000000, High: $15000000000)
Year 2: $13750000000 (Low: $12000000000, High: $15000000000)
Year 3: $13750000000 (Low: $12000000000, High: $15000000000)
Year 5: $13750000000 (Low: $12000000000, High: $15000000000)
Year 10: $13750000000 (Low: $12000000000, High: $15000000000)
Year 100: $13750000000 (Low: $12000000000, High: $15000000000)
Key Considerations
- The significant increase in the number of AmeriCorps volunteers will require substantial initial investment and ongoing operational management.
- The real impact on federal employment from the extended non-compete eligibility is uncertain and may vary by federal agency.
- Monitoring and evaluation will be crucial to assess the benefits and cost-effectiveness of the expanded programs.
- Consideration for inflation and fluctuations in healthcare costs over the duration of the benefits provided will be necessary.
- Implementation will require careful coordination with existing national service frameworks and potentially increased federal oversight.