AMERICORPS OFFICIALS SEEK TO JUSTIFY PROGRAM

When it comes to justifying programs that rely on federal, state and local money, talk is cheap.

And, the time has come to produce hard evidence to prove the worth of AmeriCorps program, a kind of domestic Peace Corps organization.

The program is making an impact in Cape Girardeau, Stoddard, Pemiscot, Mississippi, Dunklin, Bollinger and Scott counties.

Dr. Dorothy Hardy discussed the need for the data at Wednesday's AmeriCorps partners meeting.

"We've heard a lot of subjective testimony, but what about some statistics, some numbers that show how valuable this program really is," Hardy, of the Cape Area Vo-Tech School, said. "I'm playing devil's advocate, but hard evidence is what the feds are going to want to see if we want them to come up with more money."

There will be plenty of sources for data. Among the agencies, schools and organizations that were represented Wednesday were the 32nd Circuit Juvenile Office, Caring Communities, the Cape Civic Center, Cape Area Vo-Tech School, Scott County Health Department, SEMO Regional Planning, Southeast Missouri State, Bootheel Education Center in Malden and Hayti High School.

AmeriCorps, formed under the Community Service Trust Act in 1993, can't assume federal money originally designated for the program will be there after 1996. The act expires Sept. 30, 1996.

The House and Senate have scheduled hearings for this summer on funding the national service. One amendment considered would cut more than $200 million from the $416 million appropriated for the national service program, like AmeriCorps.

A $390,000 grant awarded to the Southeast Missouri Partners for Community Service must be renewed by September. In addition to the $390,000 state award, county health departments in the area provide matching funds of $14,000 for the AmeriCorps program.

AmeriCorps Director Dr. Johnny McGaha said work is under way to produce data to reauthorize the program.

"The United Way office in St. Louis is helping us put that data together," McGaha said. "It takes a lot of work from many people, but we'll be able to get it to keep this going."

McGaha said the threat of Senate appropriations cuts to national service programs means AmeriCorps is assured of only being alive for another year.

"After that we really don't know," he said. "The matching money we received last year from Southeast Missouri State University is not going to be there next year, so we're going to have to find $30,000 on our own."

McGaha later said that with the help of Cape County health departments and other organizations, all but $10,000 is accounted for.

"We think we'll be able to raise the money by the time we present the next proposal for the national service grant."

McGaha will submit his proposal for the next grant April 13.

Under the AmeriCorps program, 19 full-time participants receive a minimum living allowance of $7,662 a year. Full-time participants must complete 1,700 hours of community service work within a year.

Part-time workers, who receive no annual stipend, must complete 900 hours of community service within two to three years to receive an award to defray the cost of tuition.

After completing a year of service, each full-time worker can receive an award of $4,725 to attend a college or postsecondary vocational school. A part-time recipient can receive an award of $2,363.

People 17 and older interested in doing community service projects in education, public safety, human needs and environmental needs while furthering their education can apply.