This report is in response to the Joint Explanatory Statement of the Fiscal 2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 117-103), which directed AmeriCorps to submit a report detailing the steps necessary to restart service-learning programs such as Summer of Service and Semester of Service on a broader scale.

Senator Van Hollen (Maryland) has submitted a Dear Colleague letter asking that the FY23 budget include $250 million in annual appropriations for a Service-Learning Fund to be administered through Learn and Serve America, Subtitle B of the Edward M Kennedy Serve America Act. The Coalition for Service-Learning thanks the following Senators for signing the letter.

Contact Your U.S. Senators to Ask Them to Support Funding for Service-Learning by May 16

Representatives Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-3) and Andy Kim (NJ-3) have submitted a Dear Colleague letter asking that the FY23 budget include $250 million in annual appropriations for a Service-Learning Fund to be administered through Learn and Serve America, Subtitle B of the Edward M Kennedy Serve America Act. The Coalition for Service-Learning thanks the following Members of Congress for co-signing the letter.

The Coalition for Service-Learning thanks Chair Rosa DeLauro and the House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations subcommittee for including a request to the Corporation for National and Community Service (dba AmeriCorps) to plan to restart Learn and Serve America programs. The FY22 House-Labor-HHS appropriations bill that was marked up by the subcommittee on July 12 and by the full Appropriations committee on July 15 includes the following:

Service Learning.—The Committee encourages CNCS to continue to be a convener of the important work surrounding service learning. The Committee requests a report not later than 120 days after enactment of this Act detailing the steps necessary to restart service learning programs such as Summer of Service and Semester of Service on a broader scale.

Education Reform Now, Partnership for American Democracy, and Educating for American Democracy call for increased service-learning opportunities. Restoring Democracy Through Active Civic Learning and Ready to Engage reports call for reinvestment in Learn and Serve America.

The Coalition for Service-Learning looks forward to working with Mr. Smith to secure new funding for Learn and Serve America programs and ensure our youngest citizens are part of the future of AmeriCorps’ work to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.

We are disappointed that the President’s budget request does not include $250 million in funding for the Service-Learning Fund [programs authorized in Subtitle B of the National Service laws] as recommended by the Congressionally-appointed bipartisan Commission on Military, National and Public Service.

On May 26, 2021, the Coalition for Service-Learning convened this briefing on the history, impact, and future of federal investment in service-learning programs. This discussion featured experts, field leaders, students, and educators.

Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-3) has submitted a Dear Colleague letter asking that the FY22 budget include $250 million in annual appropriations for a Service-Learning Fund to be administered through Learn and Serve America, Subtitle B of the Edward M Kennedy Serve America Act.