Iowa Admin. Code r. 817-7.5

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 13, December 25, 2024

Rule 817-7.5 - Administration of grants

The commission shall prepare contractual agreements for the grants.

(1)Execution of contract. The contract shall be executed by the executive director of the commission and the duly authorized official of the local RSVP project.

(2)Contract requirements. The contract shall include due dates and the process for the submission of project reports and financial reports.

(3)Reporting. All grant recipients shall submit biannual progress and financial reports to the Corporation for National and Community Service and provide these reports to the commission. Beginning in state fiscal year 2015, RSVP projects will report to the commission, with each payment request, the number of active volunteers serving in the prior period. RSVP projects will also report to the commission the number of persons provided with volunteer management resources, such as training, best practices, and materials, and the number of persons who report that the training increased their knowledge of effective volunteer management practices.

(4)Distribution of funds. The base-level formula for distribution of funds for established programs will be based on the prior fiscal year's state funding levels. When applicable, any relinquished funds will be distributed based on the current fiscal year's distribution formula. New programs that are not state-developed will begin at the base funding level for RSVP grants established by the commission. Beginning in state fiscal year 2016, distribution of state funds will include an established maximum average cost per volunteer as determined by the commission on an annual basis. The maximum cost per volunteer will be set one year in advance. If the commission does not establish a new rate, the prior rate remains in effect. The average cost per volunteer calculation is based on the number of volunteers divided by the sum of awarded state plus federal funds. Any program that exceeds the maximum cost at the time of the January biannual progress report may have subsequent grant awards reduced to comply with this threshold. Additional funds that are not awarded due to these reductions will be retained by the commission for up to two years to be used to support RSVP training designed to increase volunteer recruitment and retention. If, after two years, the project from which the funds have been retained has not met the maximum cost per volunteer threshold, the funds will be distributed to projects that are below the maximum volunteer cost threshold with the understanding that the funds are provided on a one-year basis. The commission may grant a temporary exception to the maximum cost requirement for new projects or in the case of financial or other hardship.

(5)Training. Up to 1.5 percent of funds designated for RSVP grants may be retained by the commission for training and technical assistance for RSVP project directors and members.

(6)Administrative funds. The commission or any other state agency may not retain RSVP grant funds for administration or any other purpose not designated pursuant to this chapter.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 817-7.5

Amended by IAB February 18, 2015/Volume XXXVII, Number 17, effective 7/1/2015