Narrative of Resolution:
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INTRODUCED BY THE PLANNING AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES COMMITTEE
TO AUTHORIZE THE CREATION OF A COUNTY-FUNDED VOLUNTEER PROGRAM UNDER THE SULLIVAN COUNTY OFFICE FOR THE AGING (SCOFA), TO REPLACE FEDERALLY FUNDED AMERICORPS RETIRED SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (RSVP)
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If Resolution requires expenditure of County Funds, provide the following information:
Amount to be authorized by Resolution: N/A (initial setup costs budgeted in current fiscal year)
Are funds already budgeted? Yes
Specify Compliance with Procurement Procedures:
WHEREAS, the Sullivan County Office for the Aging (“SCOFA”) has successfully operated the federally funded Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) through AmeriCorps Seniors since 1972, with substantial community benefit; and
WHEREAS, in 2024, this program facilitated volunteer placements for approximately 130 older adult residents contributing more than 13,000 hours of service annually, generating over $436,000 in in-kind value to the County and community organizations; and
WHEREAS, federal funding through the Corporation for National and Community Service (“CNCS”) / AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP program will no longer be authorized beyond May 7, 2025; and
WHEREAS, in order to preserve the impact and continuity of senior civic engagement and community benefit, SCOFA seeks to transition to a County-administered volunteer program; and
WHEREAS, the newly proposed volunteer initiative will maintain partnerships with public agencies, secular or faith-based nonprofits, and proprietary health care organizations, herein referred to as “volunteer stations”; and
WHEREAS, all current volunteers will be grandfathered into the new program; and
WHEREAS, SCOFA will enter into Memorandums of Understanding (“MOUs”) with volunteer stations, outlining mutual responsibilities for supervision, placement, and program compliance, and
WHEREAS, the Sullivan County Attorney shall approve the form of all MOUs, which shall be renewed at least every three (3) years or as required; and
WHEREAS, SCOFA has fiscally planned for this transition in its 2025 departmental budget and will plan future budgetary requests for the initiative in upcoming budgetary allocations and staffing structures.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Sullivan County Legislature hereby authorizes the establishment of a County-administered volunteer program under the Sullivan County Office for the Aging, effective May 8, 2025, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Manager is hereby authorized to execute MOUs with existing and future volunteer stations participating in this volunteer centered initiative, in such form as approved by the County Attorney, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution shall take effect immediately and remain in force until further action by this Legislature or modification to program structure or funding, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all program activities are contingent upon continued County funds as allocated through the annual budgeting process.