2006 Utah Code - 9-1-809 — Commission duties.

     9-1-809.   Commission duties.
     (1) The commission shall, in the performance of its tasks and functions:
     (a) ensure that its funding decisions meet all federal and state statutory requirements;
     (b) recommend innovative, creative, statewide service programs to increase volunteer participation in all age groups and community-based problem-solving among diverse participants;
     (c) develop and implement a centralized, organized system of obtaining information and technical support concerning volunteerism and community service recruitment, projects, training methods, materials, and activities throughout the state and share such information and support upon request;
     (d) promote strong interagency collaboration as an avenue for maximizing resources and providing that model on the state level;
     (e) provide public recognition and support of individual volunteer efforts and successful or promising private sector initiatives and public/private partnerships that address community needs;
     (f) stimulate increased community awareness of the impact of volunteer services in the state;
     (g) utilize local, state, and, subject to Title 63, Chapter 38e, Federal Funds Procedures, federal resources to reinforce, expand, and initiate quality service programs;
     (h) assist in the planning and implementation of volunteer programs;
     (i) serve as the state's liaison and voice to appropriate national and state organizations that support its mission;
     (j) develop a three-year comprehensive state and community service plan and establish state priorities;
     (k) preselect programs and prepare applications to the corporation pursuant to the act;
     (l) prepare service learning applications;
     (m) administer the grants program and oversee and monitor the performance and progress of funded programs;
     (n) implement comprehensive, nonduplicative evaluation and monitoring systems;
     (o) provide technical assistance to local nonprofit organizations and other entities;
     (p) assist in the development of programs established in the act;
     (q) develop mechanisms for recruitment and placement of people interested in participating in national service programs;
     (r) assist in the provision of health care and child care benefits to participants under the act;
     (s) make priority program recommendations to the corporation;
     (t) coordinate its activities with the activities of other state agencies that administer federal block grants; and
     (u) coordinate its activities with the activities of other volunteer service programs.
     (2) The commission may not directly operate or run any national service program receiving financial assistance, in any form, from the corporation.
     (3) The commission may, subject to Title 63, Chapter 38e, Federal Funds Procedures, receive and accept federal funds, and may receive and accept private gifts, donations, or funds from any source. All moneys shall be deposited with the state and shall be continuously available to the commission to carry out the purposes of this part.

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     (4) (a) The commission shall establish a community volunteer training program to assist the state's school districts in implementing the literacy programs required under Section 53A-1-801.
     (b) The program shall focus on:
     (i) recruitment of volunteers to assist public schools in reading improvement programs;
     (ii) providing for the training of volunteers recruited under Subsection (4)(b)(i), which may include training in teaching phonetic decoding skills and phonemic awareness, to assist public schools and community based, not-for-profit literacy programs in accomplishing the literacy goals established in Section 53A-1-801;
     (iii) providing grants to entities whose primary purpose is to support literacy by working with either school districts or individual schools to accomplish their literacy goals; and
     (iv) providing materials and supplies which may be used by the commission or the public schools or both to help public education accomplish its literacy goals under Section 53A-1-801.
     (c) The commission shall coordinate its activities under this Subsection (4) with other state and community entities engaged in child literacy programs.
     (d) (i) The commission shall make an annual report to the State Board of Education on:
     (A) how public monies were spent on the programs authorized under this Subsection (4); and
     (B) the number of volunteers recruited for and participating in the program.
     (ii) The commission shall make its report by July 1, with the first report required by July 1, 2000.

Amended by Chapter 352, 2004 General Session