AmeriCorps’ Care Comes at Cost

Pickens County has been selected as 1 of 32 countries in Georgia to receive the AmeriCorps Grant.This grant provides an AmeriCorps Member to assist the 4H organization in its mission of, according to the agreement, “assisting youth in acquiring knowledge, developing life skills, and forming attitudes that will enable them to become self-directing, productive, and contributing members of society.” This position would begin its term September 1, 2015 assisting in in-school and after school programming, club meetings, project achievement, camps, and service projects.

Renee Dotson, University of Georgia’s Interim County Extension Coordinator for Pickens County and County Extension Coordinator for Gilmer County, appeared before the Board of Commissioners on Thursday, June 4, to present this offer to the county.

The grant does require a county contribution of $1900 a year, roughly $475 a quarter, to cover insurance for the employee. However, Ms. Dotson and her office are already talking to companies and organizations to offer donations to the grant in order to lessen the financial contribution of the county.

This grant runs a three-year funding cycle with a yearly application process. The person employed through this grant will be offered other benefits, according to Ms. Dotson, that include a modest living allowance and health insurance, as well as the potential for an education award equivalent to the Pell Grant.This award could be used to pay tuition and educational expenses or to pay back qualified student loans.

As Ms. Dotson has presented this to the board for consideration during the work session, they will continue to examine the proposal and receive updates from Ms. Dotson about other donations. We will continue to offer updates as they happen.