Parks department reports AmeriCorps grant termination; staff working on placements and community support

Summary

Parks staff said the city lost an AmeriCorps grant that funded member positions; roughly 22 members were serving and about six were committed for summer. Staff reported an approximate $167,000 grant termination with a planned match of about $183,000 and said some members were shifted to seasonal roles while they finalize grant closeout.

Parks staff told the Davenport Crockett Recreation Advisory Board that the department’s AmeriCorps grant was terminated May 9 and described steps taken to reduce service disruption for members and programs.

A staff member reported that the department had 22 members serving at the time and six who had committed to summer service. "It was on the AmeriCorps side. It was a $167,000 approximately, and our match was about a $183,000 that we had budgeted," the staff member said, describing the funding and match figures associated with the terminated grant.

The department said it is finishing grant closeout work, moved some AmeriCorps members into seasonal positions where possible, and has received offers of support from community agencies to help affected members. Staff said they will share updates with advisory board members once they have more information about placements and any additional supports.