AmeriCorps/Disability Inclusion
Kreider Services promotes the Inclusion of people with disabilities (PWD) in National Service Programs as volunteers and members in service.
Kreider Services has been the recipient of a Disability Inclusion Grant for the past 6 years. The Disability Inclusion Grant is awarded by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to each state in the nation. Each state has a governor appointed commission that oversees appropriation of grant funds. The Serve Illinois Commission oversees AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and Learn and Serve programs throughout the state. The Disability Grant is only a portion of the funds the Commission oversees. The Disability grant awarded to KSI, provides funding for accommodations for members in service throughout Illinois; provides for retention of a Disability Inclusion Officer who is located at KSI; the Inclusion Officer is responsible for providing training and technical assistance to CNCS funded programs throughout the state, participating in National Service Inclusion Project (NSIP) trainings/conference calls/special projects, reports to Commission and Commission staff on all projects, oversees mini-grant expenditures that promote Inclusion in National Service and chairs the Illinois State Inclusion Team.
In alignment with supporting PWD in National Service; KSI is a host site for the ABC AmeriCorps program. ABC is located at Sauk Valley College. As a host site, KSI retains two slots for AmeriCorps members: a half-time and a quarter-time position. The members assist with sports and recreation, Early Intervention and the Autism program as needed. AmeriCorps members receive training from ABC and KSI, receive a small living stipend during service and receive an educational award after successful completion of their term of service. The Education award can be utilized to go back to school, pay off outstanding students loans, or (if the member is 55 or over) can be transferred to a child or grandchild. While in service, members acquire skills that will help them in the work world: these can be skills specific to the task as well soft skills like being a team player and work etiquette. PWD are encouraged to apply.
The Illinois AmeriCorps Disability Outreach Coordinator is of Kreider Services. For more information, visit one of the following web sites:
