For Immediate Release
February 3, 2015
Voices for National Service President AnnMaura Connolly Releases Statement on President Obama’s FY 2016 Budget
WASHINGTON – Following the release of President Obama’s fiscal year 2016 budget proposal, Voices for National Service President AnnMaura Connolly issued the following statement:
“Voices for National Service is pleased that President Obama’s FY16 budget calls for increased funding for national service programs overall. By prioritizing support for the Corporation for National and Community Service, the President’s proposal underscores the impact national service programs have on local communities and the dedicated individuals who step forward to serve.
“While we appreciate the President’s recommendation to increase funding for national service, the proposed budget primarily focuses the expansion of service positions in part-time and short term national service programs. If enacted, this will not provide the funds necessary to scale proven and full-time programs positioned to meet increased demand from local communities. The President’s budget also fails to provide resources sufficient to achieve the FY16 target of 235,000 AmeriCorps positions outlined in the bipartisan Serve America Act.
“We look forward to working with Congress to focus the new resources recommended by the President on the areas within the national service field where they will have the greatest impact and return on investment for the nation.”
The President’s FY16 Budget allocates $1.184 billion for the Corporation for National and Community Service, a 12% increase over the previous year, and almost reaching the level requested by Senate Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Barbara Mikulski. The proposed funding would allow AmeriCorps to grow from 73,600 to 90,150 members serving.
Included in the President’s budget proposal are slots for 17,200 new (full and part-time) national service positions including:
- 13,000 summer AmeriCorps positions for disconnected youth;
- 4,000 AmeriCorps positions for seniors, 55 years and over; and
- 200 AmeriCorps positions for the Resilience Corps in partnership with NOAA.
Voices for National Service is a diverse coalition of national service programs, state service commissions and individual champions, who advocate to ensure Americans of all ages have the opportunity to serve and volunteer in their community. Founded in 2003, Voices for National Service has built strong bipartisan support among our nation’s leaders and helped position national service as a viable policy solution to tackle unmet needs, expand opportunity, and leverage human capital.
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