Project Grant 19SRNIN002

THE RSVP VOLUNTEER CENTER SERVES DAVIESS AND MARTIN COUNTIES IN RURAL SOUTHWESTERN INDIANA. IN OPERATION FOR 45 YEARS, THE AGENCY IS A SELF-SPONSORED, INCORPORATED, NON-PROFIT AGENCY GOVERNED BY AN 18 MEMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS. AN ESTIMATED 325 RSVP VOLUNTEERS WILL SERVE BY YEAR THREE OF THIS GRANT CYCLE. OF THIS NUMBER, 100 RSVP VOLUNTEERS WILL BE PLACED IN OUTCOME BASED ASSIGNMENTS. SOME OF THEIR ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE THE EVIDENCE BASED FALLS PREVENTION PROGRAM, HEALTHY STEPS FOR OLDER ADULTS; TAX PREPARATION FOR LOW INCOME SENIORS AND FAMILIES; VISION SCREENING PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS; PROJECTS TO REDUCE FOOD INSECURITY; AND AN INTERGENERATIONAL PROJECT MATCHING RSVP VOLUNTEERS WITH CHILDREN IN LOWER ELEMENTARY GRADES TO PROMOTE LITERACY AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS. THE PRIMARY FOCUS AREA OF THIS PROJECT IS HEALTHY FUTURES. AT THE END OF THE THREE YEAR GRANT, IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT 20 OLDER ADULTS WILL REPORT A CHANGE IN BEHAVIOR THAT WILL REDUCE THEIR RISK OF FALLING; $78,300 WILL HAVE BEEN SAVED IN TAX PREPARATION FEES FOR OLDER ADULTS AND LOW INCOME FAMILIES; 35 CHILDREN AND ADULTS WILL HAVE RECEIVED VISION CARE SERVICES FROM AN EYE CARE PROFESSIONAL; 400 FAMILIES WILL REPORT INCREASED FOOD SECURITY; AND 45 CHILDREN WILL SHOW IMPROVED ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENT OR SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SKILLS. THE CNCS INVESTMENT OF $56,830 WILL BE SUPPLEMENTED BY $24,356 IN REQUIRED MATCH AS WELL AS $29,463 IN ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING.