Division I - American Conservation and Youth Service Corps

42 USC 12655 - General authority

The Corporation may make grants to States or local applicants and may transfer funds to the Secretary of Agriculture or to the Secretary of the Interior for the creation or expansion of full-time, part-time, year-round, or summer, youth corps programs[1] To the extent practicable, the Corporation shall apply the provisions of division C of this subchapter in making grants under this section.
[1] So in original. Probably should be followed by a period.

42 USC 12655a - Limitation on purchase of capital equipment

Not to exceed 10 percent of the amount of assistance made available to a program agency under this division shall be used for the purchase of major capital equipment.

42 USC 12655b - State application

(a) Submission 
To be eligible to receive a grant under this division, a State or Indian tribe (or a local applicant if section 12655 of this title applies) shall prepare and submit to the Corporation, an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Corporation may reasonably require.
(b) General content 
An application submitted under subsection (a) of this section shall describe
(1) any youth corps program proposed to be conducted directly by such applicant with assistance provided under this division; and
(2) any grant program proposed to be conducted by such State with assistance provided under this division for the benefit of entities within such State.

42 USC 12655c - Focus of programs

(a) In general 
Programs that receive assistance under this division may carry out activities that
(1) in the case of conservation corps programs, focus on
(A) conservation, rehabilitation, and the improvement of wildlife habitat, rangelands, parks, and recreational areas;
(B) urban and rural revitalization, historical and cultural site preservation, and reforestation of both urban and rural areas;
(C) fish culture, wildlife habitat maintenance and improvement, and other fishery assistance;
(D) road and trail maintenance and improvement;
(E) erosion, flood, drought, and storm damage assistance and controls;
(F) stream, lake, waterfront harbor, and port improvement;
(G) wetlands protection and pollution control;
(H) insect, disease, rodent, and fire prevention and control;
(I) the improvement of abandoned railroad beds and rights-of-way;
(J) energy conservation projects, renewable resource enhancement, and recovery of biomass;
(K) reclamation and improvement of strip-mined land;
(L) forestry, nursery, and cultural operations; and
(M) making public facilities accessible to individuals with disabilities.
(2) in the case of youth service corps programs, include participant service in
(A) State, local, and regional governmental agencies;
(B) nursing homes, hospices, senior centers, hospitals, local libraries, parks, recreational facilities, child and adult day care centers, programs serving individuals with disabilities, and schools;
(C) law enforcement agencies,[1] and penal and probation systems;
(D) private nonprofit">nonprofit organizations that primarily focus on social service such as community action agencies;
(E) activities that focus on the rehabilitation or improvement of public facilities, neighborhood improvements, literacy training that benefits educationally disadvantaged individuals, weatherization of and basic repairs to low-income housing including housing occupied by older adults, energy conservation (including solar energy techniques), removal of architectural barriers to access by individuals with disabilities to public facilities, activities that focus on drug and alcohol abuse education, prevention and treatment, and conservation, maintenance, or restoration of natural resources on publicly held lands; and
(F) any other nonpartisan civic activities and services that the Corporation determines to be of a substantial social benefit in meeting unmet human, educational, or environmental needs (particularly needs related to poverty) or in the community where volunteer service is to be performed; or
(3) encompass the focuses and services described in both paragraphs (1) and (2).
(b) Limitation on service 
No participant shall perform any specific activity for more than a 6-month period. No participant shall remain enrolled in programs assisted under this division for more than 24 months.
[1] So in original. The comma probably should not appear.

42 USC 12655d - Related programs

An activity administered under the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, that is operated for the same purpose as a program eligible to be carried out under this division, is encouraged to use services available under this division.

42 USC 12655e - Public lands or Indian lands

(a) Limitation 
To be eligible to receive assistance through a grant provided under this division, a program shall carry out activities on public lands or Indian lands, or result in a public benefit.
(b) Review of applications 
In reviewing applications submitted under section 12655b of this title that propose programs or projects to be carried out on public lands or Indian lands, the Corporation shall consult with the Secretary of the Interior.
(c) Consistency 
A program carried out with assistance provided under this division for conservation, rehabilitation, or improvement of any public lands or Indian lands shall be consistent with
(1) the provisions of law and policies relating to the management and administration of such lands, and all other applicable provisions of law; and
(2) all management, operational, and other plans and documents that govern the administration of such lands.
(d) Participation by other conservation programs 
Any land or water conservation program (or any related program) administered in any State under the authority of any Federal program is encouraged to use services available under this part[1] to carry out its program.
[1] See References in Text note below.

42 USC 12655f - Training and education services

(a) Assessment of skills 
Each program agency shall assess the educational level of participants at the time of their entrance into the program, using any available records or simplified assessment means or methodology and shall, where appropriate, refer such participants for testing for specific learning disabilities.
(b) Enhancement of skills 
Each program agency shall, through the programs and activities administered under this division, enhance the educational skills of participants.
(c) Provision of pre-service and in-service training and education 

(1) Requirement 
Each program agency shall use not less than 10 percent of the assistance made available to such agency under this division in each fiscal year to provide pre-service and in-service training and educational materials and services for participants in such a program. Program participants shall be provided with information concerning the benefits to the community that result from the activities undertaken by such participants.
(2) Agreements for academic study 
A program agency may enter into arrangements with academic institutions or education providers, including
(A) local education agencies;
(B) community colleges;
(C) 4-year colleges;
(D) area vocational-technical schools; and
(E) community based organizations;

to evaluate the basic skills of participants and to make academic study available to participants to enable such participants to upgrade literacy skills, to obtain high school diplomas or the equivalent of such diplomas, to obtain college degrees, or to enhance employable skills.

(3) Counseling 
Career and educational guidance and counseling shall be provided to a participant during a period of in-service training as described in this subsection. Each graduating participant shall be provided with counseling with respect to additional study, job skills training or employment and shall be provided job placement assistance where appropriate.
(4) Priority for participants without high school diplomas 
A program agency shall give priority to participants who have not obtained a high school diploma or the equivalent of such diploma, in providing services under this subsection.
(d) Standards and procedures 

(1) Consistency with State and local requirements 
Appropriate State and local officials shall certify that standards and procedures with respect to the awarding of academic credit and the certification of educational attainment in programs conducted under subsection (c) of this section are consistent with the requirements of applicable State and local law and regulations.
(2) Academic standards 
The standards and procedures described in paragraph (1) shall provide that an individual serving in a program that receives assistance under this division
(A) who is not a high school graduate, participate in an educational curriculum so that such individual can earn a high school diploma or the equivalent of such diploma; and
(B) may arrange to receive academic credit in recognition of the education and skills obtained from service satisfactorily completed.

42 USC 12655g - Repealed. Pub. L. 10382, title I, 101(e)(8)(A), Sept. 21, 1993, 107 Stat. 816

Section, Pub. L. 101–610, title I, § 199H, formerly 128, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3146; Pub. L. 102–10, § 5(5), Mar. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 30; renumbered 199H, Pub. L. 103–82, title I, § 101(a), Sept. 21, 1993, 107 Stat. 788, related to amount of award and matching requirement.

42 USC 12655h - Preference for certain projects

(a) In general 
In the consideration of applications submitted under section 12655b of this title, the Corporation shall give preference to programs that
(1) will provide long-term benefits to the public;
(2) will instill a work ethic and a sense of public service in the participants;
(3) will be labor intensive, and involve youth operating in crews;
(4) can be planned and initiated promptly; and
(5) will enhance skills development and educational level and opportunities for the participants.
(b) Special rule 
In the consideration of applications under this division the Corporation shall ensure the equitable treatment of both urban and rural areas.

42 USC 12655i - Age and citizenship criteria for enrollment

(a) Age and citizenship 
Enrollment in programs that receive assistance under this division shall be limited to individuals who, at the time of enrollment, are
(1) not less than 16 years nor more than 25 years of age, except that summer programs may include individuals not less than 14 years nor more than 21 years of age at the time of the enrollment of such individuals; and
(2) citizens or nationals of the United States or lawful permanent resident aliens of the United States.
(b) Participation of disadvantaged youth 
Programs that receive assistance under this division shall ensure that educationally and economically disadvantaged youth, including youth in foster care who are becoming too old for foster care, youth with disabilities, youth with limited English proficiency, youth with limited basic skills or learning disabilities and homeless youth, are offered opportunities to enroll.
(c) Special corps members 
Notwithstanding subsection (a)(1) of this section, program agencies may enroll a limited number of special corps members over age 25 so that the corps may draw on their special skills to fulfill the purposes of this chapter. Programs are encouraged to consider senior citizens as special corps members.
(d) Joint projects with senior citizens organizations 
Program agencies shall use not more than 2 percent of amounts received under this division to conduct joint projects with senior citizens organizations to enable senior citizens to serve as mentors for youth participants.
(e) Construction 
Nothing in subsection (a) of this section shall be construed to prohibit any program agency from limiting enrollment to any age subgroup within the range specified in subsection (a)(1) of this section.

42 USC 12655j - Use of volunteers

Program agencies may use volunteer services for purposes of assisting projects carried out under this division and may expend funds made available for those purposes to the agency, including funds made available under this division, to provide for services or costs incidental to the utilization of such volunteers, including transportation, supplies, lodging, recruiting, training, and supervision. The use of volunteer services under this section shall be subject to the condition that such use does not result in the displacement of any participant.

42 USC 12655k - Repealed. Pub. L. 10382, title I, 101(e)(8)(A), Sept. 21, 1993, 107 Stat. 816

Section, Pub. L. 101–610, title I, § 199L, formerly 132, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3147; renumbered 199L, Pub. L. 103–82, title I, § 101(a), Sept. 21, 1993, 107 Stat. 788, related to post-service benefits.

42 USC 12655l - Living allowance

(a) Full-time service 

(1) Living allowance required 
Subject to paragraph (3), each participant in a full-time youth corps program that receives assistance under this division shall receive a living allowance in an amount equal to or greater than the average annual subsistence allowance provided to VISTA volunteers under section 4955 of this title.
(2) Limitation on Federal share 
The amount of the annual living allowance provided under paragraph (1) that may be paid using assistance provided under this division, section 12571 of this title, and any other Federal funds shall not exceed 85 percent of the total average annual subsistence allowance provided to VISTA volunteers under section 4955 of this title.
(3) Maximum living allowance 
The total amount of an annual living allowance that may be provided to a participant in a full-time youth corps program that receives assistance under this division shall not exceed 200 percent of the average annual subsistence allowance provided to VISTA volunteers under section 4955 of this title.
(4) Waiver or reduction of living allowance 
The Corporation may waive or reduce the requirement of paragraph (1) with respect to such national service program if such program demonstrates that
(A) such requirement is inconsistent with the objectives of the program; and
(B) the amount of the living allowance that will be provided to each full-time participant is sufficient to meet the necessary costs of living (including food, housing, and transportation) in the area in which the program is located.
(5) Exemption 
The requirement of paragraph (1) shall not apply to any program that was in existence on September 21, 1993.
(b) Reduction in existing program benefits 

(1) In general 
Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a program in existence on November 16, 1990, to decrease any stipends, salaries, or living allowances provided to participants under such program so long as the amount of any such stipends, salaries, or living allowances that is in excess of the levels provided for in this section are paid from non-Federal sources.
(2) Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 
For purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 [29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.], residential youth corps programs under this division will be considered an organized camp.
(c) Health insurance 
In addition to the living allowance provided under subsection (a) of this section, program agencies are encouraged to provide health insurance to each participant in a full-time youth corps program who does not otherwise have access to health insurance.
(d) Facilities, services, and supplies 

(1) In general 
The program agency may deduct, from amounts provided under subsection (a) of this section to a participant, a reasonable portion of the costs of the rates for any room and board that is provided for such participant at a residential facility. Such deducted funds shall be deposited into rollover accounts that shall be used solely to defray the costs of room and board for participants.
(2) Evaluation 
The program agency shall establish the amount of the deductions and rates under paragraph (1) after evaluating the costs of providing such room and board to the participant.
(3) Duties of program agency 
A program agency may provide facilities, quarters, and board and shall provide limited and emergency medical care, transportation from administrative facilities to work sites, accommodations for individuals with disabilities, and other appropriate services, supplies, and equipment to each participant.
(4) Other Federal agencies 

(A) In general 
The Corporation may provide services, facilities, supplies, and equipment, including any surplus food and equipment available from other Federal programs, to any program agency carrying out projects under this division.
(B) Secretary of Defense 
Whenever possible, the Corporation shall make arrangements with the Secretary of Defense to have logistical support provided by a military installation near the work site, including the provision of temporary tent centers where needed, and other supplies and equipment.
(5) Health and safety standards 
The Corporation and program agencies shall establish standards and enforcement procedures concerning the health and safety of participants for all projects, consistent with Federal, State, and local health and safety standards.

42 USC 12655m - Joint programs

(a) Development 
The Corporation may develop, in cooperation with the heads of other Federal agencies, regulations designed to permit, where appropriate, joint programs in which activities supported with assistance made available under this division are coordinated with activities supported with assistance made available under programs administered by the heads of such agencies (including title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 [29 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.]).
(b) Standards 
Regulations promulgated under subsection (a) of this section shall establish standards for the approval of joint programs that meet both the purposes of this subchapter and the purposes of such statutes under which assistance is made available to support such projects.
(c) Operation of management agreements 
Program agencies may enter into contracts and other appropriate arrangements with local government agencies and nonprofit">nonprofit organizations for the operation or management of any projects or facilities under the program.
(d) Coordination 
The Corporation and program agencies carrying out programs under this division shall coordinate the programs with related Federal, State, local, and private activities.

42 USC 12655n - Federal and State employee status

(a) In general 
Participants and crew leaders shall be responsible to, or be the responsibility of, the program agency administering the program on which such participants, crew leaders, and volunteers work.
(b) Non-Federal employees 

(1) In general 
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a participant or crew leader in a program that receives assistance under this division shall not be considered a Federal employee and shall not be subject to the provisions of law relating to Federal employment.
(2) Work-related injury 
For purposes of subchapter I of chapter 81 of title 5, relating to the compensation of Federal employees for work injuries, a participant or crew leader serving in a program that receives assistance under this division shall be considered an employee of the United States within the meaning of the term employee as defined in section 8101 of title 5 and the provision[1] of that subchapter shall apply, except
(A) the term performance of duty, as used in such subchapter, shall not include an act of a participant or crew leader while absent from the assigned post of duty of such participant or crew leader, except while participating in an activity authorized by or under the direction and supervision of a program agency (including an activity while on pass or during travel to or from such post of duty); and
(B) compensation for disability shall not begin to accrue until the day following the date that the employment of the injured participant or crew leader is terminated.
(3) Tort claims procedure 
For purposes of chapter 171 of title 28, relating to tort claims procedure, a participant or crew leaders assigned to a youth corps program for which a grant has been made to the Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of the Interior, or the Director of ACTION, shall be considered an employee of the United States within the meaning of the term employee of the government as defined in section 2671 of such title.
(4) Allowance for quarters 
For purposes of section 5911 of title 5, relating to allowances for quarters, a participant or crew leader shall be considered an employee of the United States within the meaning of the term employee as defined in paragraph (3) of subsection (a) of such section.
(c) Availability of appropriation 
Contract authority under this division shall be subject to the availability of appropriations. Assistance made available under this division shall only be used for activities that are in addition to those which would otherwise be carried out in the area in the absence of such funds.
[1] So in original. Probably should be “provisions”.