The Director, on the receipt of applications by public or nonprofit private organizations to receive volunteers under this part, may assign volunteers selected under subsection (b) to work in appropriate projects and programs sponsored by such organizations, including work-
The Director shall provide each low-income community volunteer with an individual plan for job advancement or for transition to a situation leading to gainful employment. Whenever feasible, such efforts shall be coordinated with an appropriate local workforce development board established under section 3122 of title 29.
The Director may provide or arrange for educational and vocational counseling of volunteers and recent former volunteers under this part to (1) encourage them to use, in the national interest, the skills and experience which they have derived from their training and service, particularly working in combating poverty as members of the helping professions, and (2) promote the development of appropriate opportunities for the use of such skills and experience, and the placement therein of such volunteers.
Except as provided in subsection (e), the assignment of volunteers under this section shall be on such terms and conditions (including restrictions on political activities that appropriately recognize the special status of volunteers living among the persons or groups served by programs to which they have been assigned) as the Director may determine, including work assignments in their own or nearby communities.
Volunteers under this part shall not be assigned to work in a program or project in any community unless the application for such program or project contains evidence of local support and has been submitted to the Governor or other chief executive officer of the State concerned. In the event of a timely request in writing, supported by a statement of reasons, by the Governor or other chief executive officer of the State concerned, the Director shall terminate a program or project or the assignment of a volunteer to a program or project not later than 30 days after the date such request is received by the Director, or at such later date as is agreed upon by the Director and such Governor or other chief executive officer.
The Director is encouraged to enter into agreements with other Federal agencies to use VISTA volunteers in furtherance of program objectives that are consistent with the purposes described in section 4951 of this title.
The Director may enter into agreements under which public and private nonprofit organizations, with sufficient financial capacity and size, pay for all or a portion of the costs of supporting the service of volunteers under this part.
1So in original. Probably should be paragraph "(5)".
2So in original. Probably should be "the Corporation)".
42 U.S.C. § 4953
EDITORIAL NOTES
REFERENCES IN TEXTThis chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(6), was in the original "this Act", meaning Pub. L. 93-113, Oct. 1, 1973, 87 Stat. 394, known as the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 4950 of this title and Tables.The Community Service Block Grant Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(6), probably means the Community Services Block Grant Act, which is subtitle B (§671 et seq.) of title VI of Pub. L. 97-35, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 511, which is classified generally to chapter 106 (§9901 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 9901 of this title and Tables.The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, referred to in subsec. (a)(6), is Pub. L. 88-452, Aug. 20, 1964, 78 Stat. 508. Titles VIII and X of the Act are classified generally to subchapters VIII (§2991 et seq.) and X (§2996 et seq.), respectively, of chapter 34 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.The Head Start Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(6), is subchapter B (§§635-657) of chapter 8 of subtitle A of title VI of Pub. L. 97-35, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 499, which is classified generally to subchapter II (§9831 et seq.) of chapter 105 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 9801 of this title and Tables. The Community Economic Development Act of 1981, referred to in subsec. (a)(6), is subchapter A (§§611-633) of chapter 8 of subtitle A of title VI of Pub. L. 97-35, Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 489, which is classified generally to subchapter I (§9801 et seq.) of chapter 105 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 9801 of this title and Tables.The National and Community Service Act of 1990, referred to in subsecs. (b)(2)(A) and (c)(1)(F), is Pub. L. 101-610, 104 Stat. 3127, which is classified principally to chapter 129 (§12501 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 12501 of this title and Tables.The Higher Education Act of 1965, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(E), is Pub. L. 89-329, Nov. 8, 1965, 79 Stat. 1219. Parts B and E of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 are classified to parts B (§1071 et seq.) and E (§1087aa et seq.), respectively, of subchapter IV of chapter 28 of Title 20, Education. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1001 of Title 20 and Tables.
AMENDMENTS2014-Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 113-128 substituted "employment. Whenever feasible, such efforts shall be coordinated with an appropriate local workforce development board established under section 3122 of title 29." for "employment. Whenever feasible, such efforts shall be coordinated with an appropriate local workforce investment board established under section 2832 of title 29.".2009-Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 111-13, §2102(1)(A), inserted "the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands," after "American Samoa,".Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 111-13, §2102(1)(B), substituted "individuals with disabilities, especially individuals with severe disabilities;" for "handicapped individuals, especially those with severe handicaps;". Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 111-13, §2102(1)(C), substituted "unemployed individuals," for "the jobless, the hungry,". Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 111-13, §2102(1)(D), substituted "through prevention, education, rehabilitation, treatment," for "prevention, education,".Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 111-13, §2102(1)(E), substituted "mental illness, chronic and life-threatening illnesses," for "chronic and life-threatening illnesses". Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 111-13, §2102(1)(F)(i), which directed substitution of "Head Start Act" for "Headstart act", was executed by making the substitution for "Headstart Act" to reflect the probable intent of Congress.Subsec. (a)(8) to (13). Pub. L. 111-13, §2102(1)(F)(ii)-(H), added pars. (8) to (13).Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 111-13, §2102(2)(A), substituted "placement procedures that involve sponsoring organizations and" for "recruitment and placement procedures".Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 111-13, §2102(2)(B)(i), substituted "Community Service Act of 1990." for "Community Service Trust Act of 1993. Upon the transfer of the functions of the ACTION Agency to the Corporation for National and Community Service, the office established under this subparagraph shall be merged with the recruitment office of such Corporation. At no time after such transfer of functions shall more than one office responsible primarily for recruitment exist within the Corporation."Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 111-13, §2102(2)(B)(ii), substituted "database that provides" for "central information system that shall, on request, promptly provide" in introductory provisions.Subsec. (b)(2)(C). Pub. L. 111-13, §2102(2)(B)(iii), inserted "and management" after "the recruitment" in second sentence.Subsec. (b)(5)(B). Pub. L. 111-13, §2102(2)(C), substituted "database" for "information system". Subsec. (c)(1)(A). Pub. L. 111-13, §2102(3)(A)(i), inserted "the Internet and related technologies," before "radio,".Subsec. (c)(1)(B). Pub. L. 111-13, §2102(3)(A)(ii), inserted "Internet and related technologies," before "print media,".Subsec. (c)(1)(C). Pub. L. 111-13, §2102(3)(A)(iii), inserted "State or local offices of economic development, State employment security agencies, employment offices," before "and other institutions".Subsec. (c)(1)(F). Pub. L. 111-13, §2102(3)(A)(iv), substituted "Community Service Act of 1990" for "Community Service Trust Act of 1993".Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 111-13, §2102(3)(B), struck out par. (4) which read as follows: "Beginning in fiscal year 1991 and for each fiscal year thereafter, for the purpose of carrying out this subsection, the Director shall obligate not less than 1.5 percent of the amounts appropriated for each fiscal year under section 5081(a) of this title."Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 111-13, §2102(4), struck out "private industry council established under the Job Training Partnership Act or" after "coordinated with an appropriate". See 1998 Amendment note below.Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 111-13, §2102(5), struck out ",and such Governor or other chief executive officer has not, within 45 days of the date of such submission, notified the Director in writing, supported by a statement of reasons, that such Governor or other chief executive officer disapproves such program or project" before period at end of first sentence.Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 111-13, §2102(6), added subsec. (i).1998-Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105-277, §101(f) [title VIII, §405(f)(28)(A)], which directed amendment of the second sentence to read "private industry council established under the Job Training Partnership Act or", was not executed, to reflect the probable intent of Congress and subsequent amendment by Pub. L. 111-13, §2102(4). Pub. L. 105-277, §101(f) [title VIII, §405(d)(36)(A)], substituted "Whenever feasible, such efforts shall be coordinated with an appropriate private industry council established under the Job Training Partnership Act or local workforce investment board established under section 2832 of title 29." for "Whenever feasible, such efforts shall be coordinated with an appropriate private industry council under the Job Training Partnership Act." 1994-Subsec. (b)(5), (6). Pub. L. 103-304, §3(b)(7), redesignated par. (6) as (5).Subsec. (c)(1)(F). Pub. L. 103-304, §3(b)(8), realigned margin. 1993-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103-82, §323(a)(1), substituted "public" for "a public" in introductory provisions.Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 103-82, §323(a)(2), directed amendment of par. (2) by striking "and" at end. See 1984 Amendment note below.Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 103-82, §323(a)(3), struck out "illiterate or functionally illiterate youth and other individuals," after "the hungry,".Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 103-82, §323(a)(4), struck out "and" at end. Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 103-82, §323(a)(5), struck out "or" before "the Community Economic", inserted "or other similar Acts," before "in furtherance of", and substituted ";and" for period at end. Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 103-82, §323(a)(6), added par. (7). Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 103-82, §405(a)(2), substituted "the Corporation (or any" for "the ACTION Agency (or any". Pub. L. 103-82, §323(b)(1)(A), amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (A) read as follows: "The Director shall establish and maintain within the national headquarters of the ACTION Agency a volunteer placement office. The office shall be headed by an individual designated by the Director to be the national Administrator of Recruitment and Placement, who shall be responsible for carrying out the functions described in this subsection and subsection (c) and all other functions delegated by the Director relating to the recruitment and placement of volunteers under this part." Subsec. (b)(2)(C), (D). Pub. L. 103-82, §323(b)(1)(B), (C), redesignated subpar. (D) as (C) and struck out former subpar. (C) which read as follows: "The Director shall, at a minimum, designate one employee of the ACTION Agency in each region of the United States whose primary duties and responsibilities shall be to assist the Administrator in carrying out the functions described in this subsection and subsection (c)." Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 103-82, §405(a)(3), substituted "the Corporation" for "the ACTION Agency" in two places. Pub. L. 103-82, §323(b)(2), (3), redesignated par. (5) as (4) and struck out former par. (4) which read as follows: "Each application for service as a volunteer under this part shall-"(A) indicate the period of time during which the applicant is available to serve as a volunteer under this part;"(B) describe the previous education, training, military and work experience, and any other relevant skills or interests of the applicant;"(C) specify the State or geographic region in which the applicant prefers to be assigned; and"(D) specify-"(i) the type of project or program to which the applicant prefers to be assigned; or"(ii) the particular project or program to which the applicant prefers to be assigned." Subsec. (b)(5) to (7). Pub. L. 103-82, §323(b)(2), (3), redesignated pars. (5) and (7) as (4) and (6), respectively, and struck out former par. (6) which read as follows: "Completed applications received by the ACTION Agency shall be forwarded to the regional ACTION office representing the State in which such applicant resides. The regional or State employees designated in subparagraphs (C) and (D) of paragraph (2) shall assist in evaluating such applications and, to the extent feasible and appropriate, interviewing applicants."Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 103-82, §323(c)(1)(A), (B), in introductory provisions, substituted "personnel described in subsection (b)(2)(C)" for "regional or State employees designated in subparagraphs (C) and (D) of subsection (b)(2)" and "Such activities may include" for "Such activities shall include".Subsec. (c)(1)(D). Pub. L. 103-82, §405(a)(4), substituted "the Corporation" for "the ACTION Agency". Subsec. (c)(1)(F) to (H). Pub. L. 103-82, §323(c)(1)(C), (D), added subpar. (F) and redesignated former subpars. (F) and (G) as (G) and (H), respectively.Subsec. (c)(4) to (6). Pub. L. 103-82, §323(c)(2), (3), redesignated par. (6) as (4) and struck out former par. (4) which required Director to develop annual plan for recruitment of volunteers under this part and former par. (5) which required that at least 20 percent of volunteers under this part be between ages 18 and 27 and that at least 20 percent be 55 or older. Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 103-82, §323(d), added subsec. (h).1989- Pub. L. 101-204, §101(d)(2)(A), substituted "Selection and assignment" for "Assignment" in section catchline.Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101-204, §101(d)(2)(B), inserted introductory provisions and struck out former introductory provisions which read as follows: "The Director, upon request of Federal, State, or local agencies, or private nonprofit organizations, may assign such volunteers to work in the several States in the local communities in which the volunteers were recruited in appropriate projects and programs, including work-".Subsec. (a)(5), (6). Pub. L. 101-204, §701, added par. (5) and redesignated former par. (5) as (6). Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101-204, §101(a), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment subsec. (b) read as follows: "The Director shall establish, at a cost not to exceed $250,000, procedures to recruit and place individuals from all walks of life, age groups, economic levels, and geographic areas to serve as VISTA volunteers. The procedures shall include an information system to ensure that potential applicants are made aware of the broad range of VISTA volunteer opportunities and a system to identify and place qualified volunteers where their skills are most needed. The Director shall also establish procedures for national and local recruitment, media and public awareness efforts, and specialized campaigns designed to recruit recent college graduates, special skilled volunteers, and individuals 55 years of age and older. The Director, wherever feasible and appropriate, shall assign low-income community volunteers to serve in their home communities in teams with nationally recruited specialist volunteers. The Director shall make efforts to assign volunteers to serve in their home or nearby communities and shall make national efforts to attract other volunteers to serve in the VISTA program. The Director shall also, in the assignment of volunteers, recognize that the community identified needs which cannot be met in the local area, and the individual desires of VISTA volunteers in regard to placement in various geographic areas of the Nation, should be taken into consideration." Subsecs. (c) to (e). Pub. L. 101-204, §101(b), added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsecs. (c) and (d) as (d) and (e), respectively.Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 101-204, §101(b)(1), (d) (2)(C), redesignated subsec. (e) as (f) and substituted reference to subsec. (e) of this section for reference to subsec. (d) of this section. Former subsec. (f) redesignated (g).Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 101-204, §101(b)(1), redesignated former subsec. (f) as (g). 1986-Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99-551 amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) read as follows: "The Director, wherever feasible and appropriate, shall assign low-income community volunteers to serve in their home communities in teams with nationally recruited specialist volunteers. The Director shall make efforts to assign volunteers to serve in their home communities or in nearby communities and shall make national efforts to attract other volunteers to serve in the VISTA program."1984-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 98-288, §4(a)(1), inserted "in the local communities in which the volunteers were recruited" and inserted ",including work" in provisions before par. (1).Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 98-288, §4(a)(2), which directed substitution of a semicolon for ",under the supervision of nonprofit institutions or facilities, and", was executed by making the substitution for ",under the supervision of nonprofit institutions or facilities; and" to reflect the probable intent of Congress. Subsec. (a)(3), (4). Pub. L. 98-288, §4(a)(4), added pars. (3) and (4). Former par. (3) redesignated (5).Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 98-288, §4(a)(3), (4), redesignated par. (3) as (5), and substituted "the Community Service Block Grant Act, titles VIII and X of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, the Headstart Act, or the Community Economic Development Act of 1981," for "the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, as amended".Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98-288, §4(b), substituted "The Director shall make efforts to assign volunteers to serve in their home communities or in nearby communities and shall make national efforts to attract other volunteers to serve in the VISTA program" for "Not later than 30 days after the assignment of any such community volunteer, the Director shall insure that each such volunteer is provided an individual plan designed to provide an opportunity for job advancement or for transition to a situation leading to gainful employment. One hundred and twenty days prior to the completion of such community volunteer's term of service, the Director shall insure that such plan is updated and reviewed with the volunteer. The Director shall offer to provide each volunteer enrolled for a period of full-time service of not less than one year under this subchapter, and, upon the request of such volunteer, provide such volunteer with an individual and updated plan as described in the preceding two sentences".Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 98-288, §4(c)(1)(B), added subsecs. (c) and (d). Former subsecs. (c) and (d) redesignated subsecs. (e) and (f), respectively. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 98-288, §4(c)(1)(A), redesignated subsec. (c) as (e).Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 98-288, §4(c)(1)(A), (d), redesignated subsec. (d) as (f), and substituted "work in a program or project in any community unless the application for such program or project contains evidence of local support and" for "duties or work in a program or project in any State unless such program or project". 1979-Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 96-143, §2(a), substituted "Not later than 30 days after" for "Prior to" and inserted provisions that the Director offer to provide each volunteer enrolled for a period of full-time service of not less than one year under this subchapter, and, upon the request of such volunteer, provide such volunteer with an individual and updated plan as described in the preceding two sentences.Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 96-143, §2(b), inserted "in a program or project" after "work" and "or project" after "program" and inserted provisions requiring notification by a Governor or other chief executive officer to the Director that such Governor or other chief executive officer has disapproved a program or project under this section and requiring the Director to terminate a program or project under this section in the event of a timely request by the Governor or other chief executive officer not later than 30 days after the date such request is received or at such date agreed upon by the Director and such Governor or other chief executive officer.
STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2014 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 113-128 effective on the first day of the first full program year after July 22, 2014 (July 1, 2015), see section 506 of Pub. L. 113-128 set out as an Effective Date note under section 3101 of Title 29, Labor.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2009 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 111-13 effective Oct. 1, 2009, see section 6101(a) of Pub. L. 111-13 set out as a note under section 4950 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT Amendment by section 101(f) [title VIII, §405(d)(36)(A)] of Pub. L. 105-277 effective Oct. 21, 1998, and amendment by section 101(f) [title VIII, §405(f)(28)(A)] of Pub. L. 105-277 effective July 1, 2000, see section 101(f) [title VIII, §405(g)(1), (2)(B)] of Pub. L. 105-277 set out as a note under section 3502 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1994 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 103-304, §3(b)(10), Aug. 23, 1994, 108 Stat. 1568, provided that:"(A) IN GENERAL.-Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the amendments made by this subsection [amending this section and sections 5024, 12591, 12602, 12615, 12619, 12622, 12651d, 12653, and 12655n of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 23, 1994]."(B) RETROACTIVE EFFECTIVE DATE.-The amendments made by paragraphs (1) and (2) [amending sections 12651d and 12655n of this title] shall take effect as of October 1, 1993."
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1993 AMENDMENT Amendment by section 323 of Pub. L. 103-82 effective Oct. 1, 1993, see section 392 of Pub. L. 103-82 set out as a note under section 4951 of this title.Amendment by section 405(a)(2) to (4) of Pub. L. 103-82 effective Apr. 4, 1994, see section 406(b) of Pub. L. 103-82 set out as a note under section 8332 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1986 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 99-551 effective Oct. 1, 1986, except as otherwise provided, see section 11 of Pub. L. 99-551 set out as an Effective Date note under section 4950 of this title.
- Administrator
- The term "Administrator" means the Administrator of General Services.
- project
- The terms "federally assisted housing" and "project" mean-(A) a public housing project (as such term is defined in section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)] );(B) housing for which project-based assistance is provided under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437f] ;(C) housing that is assisted under section 1701q of title 12;(D) housing that is assisted under section 1701q of title 12, as such section existed before November 28, 1990;(E) housing financed by a loan or mortgage insured under section 1715l(d)(3) of title 12 that bears interest at a rate determined under the proviso of section 1715l(d)(5) of title 12;(F) housing insured, assisted, or held by the Secretary or a State or State agency under section 1715z-1 of title 12;(G) housing constructed or substantially rehabilitated pursuant to assistance provided under section 8(b)(2) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437f(b)(2)], as in effect before October 1, 1983, that is assisted under a contract for assistance under such section; and(H) housing that is assisted under section 8013 1 of this title.