News Release

March 16, 2007

Americorps applications now being accepted

Applications for individuals wishing to take part in the AmeriCorps program, often referred to as the domestic Peace Corps, are now being accepted for the 2007-08 school year, which begins in August. The first round of interviews for 31 full-time and 10 part-time members in North and South County will be held in late May.

Applications and reference forms are on the web at www.sbceo.org/~careers/ameri/.

AmeriCorps volunteers help young people read and succeed in school. Literacy tutors help low-level readers in grades K-8 at 20 schools throughout Santa Barbara County. Full-time members also help with volunteer recruitment and disaster preparedness.

Since AmeriCorps began in 1993, almost 500,000 Americans have joined together to make a difference in their communities. Members serve 1,700 hours (900 for part-timers) beginning August 2007.

Full-time members receive an annual living allowance of $13,000, an education award of $4,725 (at completion of term), and health benefits. Part-timers receive a $6,882 living allowance stipend and education award of $2,362.50.

“The Santa Barbara County Education Office AppleCorps Team has been extremely diverse over the last six years,” explained County Superintendent Bill Cirone, whose office coordinates the program.

“Some members have college degrees and use their education award for graduate programs; others enroll in teaching credential programs after their service. Still others come out of retirement to serve. What they all have in common is a passion for making a difference in the lives of our young people in schools from Carpinteria to Cuyama,” he said.

The program is administered by the California Service Corps (CSC) and sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS).

Further information is available by contacting Dana Drobny at the Santa Barbara County Education Office at 964-4710, ext. 4404 or americorps@sbceo.org.