Primary Resources:
• United Ways of Iowa, Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service, Corporation for National and Community Service
• Communities and nonprofit organizations that collaborate with United Ways of Iowa, Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service and the Corporation for National and Community Service can improve their capacity to recruit, manage, reward, and retain volunteers. These volunteer service organizations serve as valuable partners for accomplishing community and organizational program goals.
• Community nonprofit organizations may acquire Americorps Vista volunteer assistance through the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service (www.volunteeriowa.org) and to learn more about volunteer opportunities in local communities through its website section, Volunteer Iowa. Consult the Corporation for National and Community Service (www.nationalservice.gov), (515) 284-4819 and (515) 284-4817 regarding AmeriCorps@VISTA volunteer assistance. United Ways of Iowa volunteerism information and training assistance may be acquired at (www.uwiowa.org) and (515) 246-6500.
• Several educational and professional organizations offer short courses focused on volunteer program management and volunteer engagement. Consult your local United Way office, community college, Iowa State University Extension service, and other training and consulting outlets to learn ways to achieve greater community engagement through volunteerism.
• Iowa’s National Career Readiness Certificate (INCRC) program represents an ACT WorkKeys assessment-based employment credential that provides employers and career seekers a uniform and objective measure of job skill foundation in three areas: Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information, and Locating Information. Applicants demonstrate skill proficiency levels ranging from bronze to platinum based on test scores. The INCRC is a valuable credential that employers can use along with other educational and background information to make better employment decisions.
• The Worldwide Interactive Network (WIN) is a free service available through Iowa Workforce Development. IWD provides both those currently in the workforce and individuals entering the workforce with free WIN Courseware interactive tutorials to prepare for INCRC assessments. WIN Courseware actually supports concept mastery, not just test preparation. Nonprofit organizations can contact their nearest INCRC center and resource person (listed below) to refer clients for personal WIN consultation and to acquire a WIN password for ongoing preparation.
Resource: Iowa Workforce Development and its Regional Offices
• Faith-based or community-based nonprofit organizations are uniquely qualified to develop small outreach employment assistance centers for underserved individuals and families through volunteer assistance using on-line access to Iowa Workforce Development’s employment and career assistance information and technical support.
• Nonprofit organizational partners sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Iowa Workforce Development that stipulates responsibilities and resources to support implementation.
Resource: Iowa Department of Human Services
•The Online Application for State of Iowa Services (OASIS) is a 10-25 minute electronic questionnaire available to underemployed/unemployed individuals and families to help them streamline their application for benefits such as cash assistance (Family Investment Program), food assistance, child care assistance, Promise Job training, and refugee employment assistance. Nonprofit volunteers can assist individuals and families apply for these benefits using the DHS website: then click on OASIS Video Training for Community Partners.
Primary Resources:
• AARP—regional services, Iowa Department of Human Services website to link to free tax preparation sites
• Iowa Workforce Development—Burlington and Keokuk offices (free tax preparation sites)
• Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is provided by IRS-trained volunteers to assist low to moderate income individuals, Non-English speaking persons, and those with disabilities file income tax returns. In addition, trained nonprofit volunteers can assist individuals apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) which may qualify them for a tax refund.
• Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) is also an IRS-sponsored volunteer-based tax assistance program for individuals aged 60 and older. Nonprofit organization volunteers prepare basic tax returns at conveniently located community and neighborhood sites. AARP has taken a leading position nationally, as well as in Iowa, in providing this service through its Tax-Aide program.
• Iowa free tax preparation sites are identified on this Iowa DHS website.
• Nonprofit organizations can choose to develop in-house tax assistance volunteers for greater internal capacity and/or partner with AARP or other organizations to sponsor these services locally.
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When state and federal benefit claims are made, local and individual benefits are realized.
A community of skilled certified workers provides new confidence for a community, county or region to document its quality workforce, and new capacity for attracting and retaining business and industry.
Nonprofit organization sponsorship of ICAP activity and referrals to and ongoing support of clients in securing WIN/INCRC resources presents a vivid public-private demonstration of enhanced purpose and collaboration of individuals, families, organizations, communities, government agencies and the private economic sector.
When employment information and assistance are brought closer to otherwise isolated individuals and diverse populations, new hope and potential are released to achieve career goals and new workplace vitality.
The Southern Iowa Rural Benefits iPortal and Strengthen Rural Iowa (SRI) join other nonprofit organizations, public and private sector entities, and their communities in developing new integrated capacity building. Additional contact information is available at www.strengthenruraliowa.org.
Strengthen Rural Iowa is a capacity building project funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Community Services and its Communities Strengthening Fund Grant Program.
• Nonprofit organization volunteers can help activate community and regional Benefits iPortal services for those needing a temporary helping hand and for communities desiring enhanced social capital and economic strength.
• Benefits iPortal services, properly aligned and collaborated for public good, can be one of the best kept collaborative ventures available to individuals, families, organizations, and communities.
New tax refund resources represent new local spending potential for those needing essential goods and services.
Iowa organizations, agencies, communities and private sector entities may adopt or link to any or all portions of this Benefits iPortal, including its naming, to assist local aspirations.
This website was designed and created by Eric Hoddenbagh • (515) 309-2987 • eric@hoddenbagh.com