More federal funding needed for AmeriCorps

Congress has proposed to maintain current federal funding levels for AmeriCorps. I appreciate their commitment to the important work national service members are doing in Washington state. At a time when the nation seems more divided than ever, national service unites citizens of different backgrounds to get things done in local communities.

This year, the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) invested $16.3 million in our state to support 19 AmeriCorps programs that will engage 1,500 AmeriCorps members in service to strengthen students' academic success, preserve the environment, assist with disaster response and recovery, and support veterans and military families.

What you may not know is that AmeriCorps is a public-private partnership. Every AmeriCorps grantee leverages significant outside resources to operate their program. The $16.1 million federal investment will leverage an additional $17.5 million from the private sector, foundations, and other sources, strengthening community impact and increasing the return on taxpayer dollars.

Congress’ proposal to level-fund CNCS programs is a step in the right direction, but now is the time to put national service on a path toward growth as envisioned with the passage of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.

When Congress returns to Washington this fall, I urge Sens. Murray and Cantwell and Congressman Heck to support full funding for CNCS and to work with their colleagues to expand service opportunities nationwide.

This story was originally published September 4, 2016 at 6:40 AM with the headline "More federal funding needed for AmeriCorps."