Mississippi § 43-55-13 - Duties of commission.

§ 43-55-13. Duties of commission.

The commission shall do all of the following: Promote increased coordination, visibility, and support for volunteers of all ages, especially youth and senior citizens, and community service in meeting the unmet needs of communities. Ensure that its funding decisions meet all federal and state requirements. Recommend innovative, creative, statewide service programs to increase volunteer participation in all age groups and community-based problem solving among diverse participants. Develop and implement a centralized system for obtaining information and technical support concerning volunteerism and community service recruitment, projects, training methods, materials, and activities throughout this state. The commission shall provide the information and support upon request. Promote interagency collaboration to maximize resources and develop a model of such collaboration on the state level. Provide public recognition and support of volunteer efforts that address community needs by individuals, by private sector organizations and businesses, and partnerships between the public and private sectors. Stimulate increased community awareness of the effects of volunteer services in this state. Utilize local, state and federal resources to initiate, strengthen, and expand quality service programs. Serve as this state’s representative to national and state organizations that support the commission’s mission. Prepare for this state a national three-year service plan that is developed through an open and public process that provides maximum participation and input from national service programs in this state and other interested members of the public. The plan shall be updated annually and contain information that the commission considers appropriate or the corporation requires. The plan shall ensure outreach to diverse community-based agencies that serve under-represented populations, by either using established state networks and registries or establishing these networks and registries. Prepare this state’s financial assistance applications under Section 117B of Title I, 42 USCS 12543, and Section 130 of Title I, 42 USCS 12582. Assist in the preparation of the Department of Education’s application for assistance under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, Public Law 93-113, 87 Stat. 394. Prepare this state’s application under Section 130 of Title I, 42 USCS 12582, for the approval of service positions that include the national service educational award described in Division D of Title I, 42 USCS 12601 to 12604. Make recommendations to the corporation with respect to priorities for programs receiving assistance under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, Public Law 93-113, 87 Stat. 394. Make technical assistance available to enable applicants for assistance under Section 121 of Title I, 42 USCS 12571, to plan and implement service programs and to apply for assistance under the national service laws, using information and materials available through a clearing house established under Section 198A of Title I, 42 USCS 12653a, if appropriate. Assist participants in national service programs that receive assistance under Section 121 of Title I, 42 USCS 12571, in attaining health care and child care under Section 140 of Title I, 42 USCS 12594. Develop a state system for the recruitment and placement of participants in programs that receive assistance under the national service laws. Disseminate information about national service programs that receive assistance under the national service positions. Use assistance provided under Section 121 of Title I, 42 USCS 12571, to administer this state’s grant program in support of national service programs including the selection, oversight, and evaluation of grant recipients. Develop projects, training methods, curriculum materials, and other materials and activities related to national service programs that receive assistance directly from the corporation or from the state using assistance provided under Section 121 of Title I, for use by such programs upon request. Establish policies and procedures for the use of federal funds received under Title I of the national service laws. Coordinate its functions, including recruitment, public awareness, and training activities, with any division of the Corporation for National and Community Service.