Senior Companion Program
The Senior Companion Program (SCP) provides grants to qualified agencies and organizations for the dual purpose of engaging persons 55 and older, particularly those with limited incomes, in volunteer service to meet critical community needs; and to provide a high quality experience that will enrich the lives of the volunteers. Program funds are used to support Senior Companions in providing supportive, individualized services to help adults with special needs maintain their dignity and independence.
General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
94.016
Federal Agency/Office
Corporation For National and Community Service
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016 The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) awarded $713,000 in Senior Corps SCP funding to engage older adults to provide companionship and support to other adults in need of extra assistance to remain at home or in the community for as long as possible. There were 5 funding opportunities (geographic service areas) open for the 2017 SCP Replacement Sponsor Competition. Three applications were reviewed. All 3 applications were awarded for funding. In FY 2016, the entire SCP portfolio had more than 12,190 SCP volunteers serving 7 million hours across 180 federally-funded SCP projects.
Fiscal Year 2017 The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) awarded one grant for $156,000 in the 2017 SCP Replacement Sponsor Competition.
Fiscal Year 2018 No Current Data Available
Authorization
Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, as amended, Title 2, Part C, Section 213, Public Law 93-113, 42 U.S.C. 5011
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
See the program's Notice of Funding Availability/Opportunity.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Senior Companions must be: 55 years of age or older, with an income of up to 200 percent of poverty, based on the Department of Health and Human Services Poverty Guidelines; interested in serving special-needs adults, especially the frail elderly, and must be physically, mentally and emotionally capable, and willing to serve on a person-to-person basis. However, non-income eligible individuals may serve as non-stipended volunteers under certain conditions.
Credentials/Documentation
Various record and forms required for first time applicants, as well as a copy of the applicant's last audit, may be requested. First time applicants must certify financial systems. Please see the program's Notice of Funding Availability/Opportunity.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. See program's Notice of Funding Availability/Opportunity and application instructions for information on award procedures.
Award Procedure
See program's Notice of Federal Availability/Opportunity and application instructions for information on award procedures.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
More than 180 days. See the program's Notice of Funding Availability/Opportunity.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
From 120 to 180 days. See the program's Invitation to Apply.
How are proposals selected?
Proposal selection criteria are described in the program's Notice of Funding Availability/Opportunity or Invitation to Apply.
How may assistance be used?
The grants may be used for: Senior Companion stipends, transportation, physical examinations, insurance, and meals; staff salaries and fringe benefits, staff travel, equipment, space costs, etc. Assignment of Senior Companions to adults may occur in residential and non-residential facilities and in their own homes. Volunteers do not supplant hiring or displace employed workers, or impair existing contracts for service. No agency supervising volunteers shall request or receive compensation for services of the volunteers. Volunteers are not to be involved in and funds are not to be used for religious activities, labor or anti-labor organizations, lobbying, or partisan or non-partisan political activities. In addition, eligible agencies or organizations may, under a Notice of Grant Award from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), receive technical assistance and materials to aid in establishing and operating non-CNCS funded SCP projects using state, local and private funds.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: The Corporation for National and Community Service and its grant recipients are required to practice risk-based monitoring and routine field and desk-based oversight of all grant awards and expenditures.
Auditing
Corporation for National and Community Services grants are subject to audit by Corporation for National and Community Service employees, the CNCS Inspector General, the Government Accountability Office, and auditors contracted by CNCS.
Records
Grant recipients must maintain all grant financial and program records for a period of three years from the date of submission of the final Federal Financial Report for the award. This includes but is not limited to all financial records including receipts, disbursements, and vouchers for federal and non-federal costs; time cards, copies of all contracts, personnel records, and job descriptions; program execution and performance records, criminal history checks, and similar records to reflect all activities and spending performed under the award. Note that all individuals receiving a salary, living allowance, stipend, National Trust Education Award or similar compensation through a national service program funded by CNCS must first clear a National Service Criminal History Check and those check records must be maintained within grant records.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.
Matching is voluntary. 10%. The SCP sponsor is required to match funds for their projects in part through local, non-federal contributions. The required local contribution is at least 10 percent of the total project budget. The local contribution portion should be reflected in the Budget Section of the application. The non-federal share can be cash on in-kind matching funds.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Assistance is usually awarded for project periods of three of more years; funding must be obligated during the award project period and liquidated by the end of the closeout period. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Lump.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
CNCS maintains state offices in most States. Refer to the CNCS website for address and contact information: https://www.nationalservice.gov/about/contact-us/state-offices.
Headquarters Office
Courtney Sutton
Corporation for National and Community Service Senior Corps - SCP 250 E Street, SW
Washington, DC 20525 USA
csutton@cns.gov
Phone: 202-606-6773
Website Address
http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/senior-corps/senior-companions
Financial Information
Account Identification
95-2728-0-1-506
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 18$43,316,378.00; FY 19 est $44,429,366.00; FY 20 Estimate Not Available FY 17$42,277,000.00; FY 16$43,710,959.00; -
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
The range of financial assistance is from $0 to $779,169. The average of financial assistance is $228,258.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
See program's Notice of Funding Availability/Opportunity or Invitation to Apply for specific regulations and guidelines.
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.