Title: To reauthorize and reform the national service laws.
Sponsor: Rep McCarthy, Carolyn [D-NY-4] (introduced 6/26/2007)      Cosponsors (16)
Latest Major Action: 9/11/2007 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.Highlights: Authorizes new Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) programs, providing grants for programs of national significance that provide poor and rural communities with: (1) financial literacy and planning; (2) before-school and after-school services; (3) community economic development initiatives; (4) assistance to veterans and their families; and (5) health and wellness services. Eliminates the VISTA Literacy Corps, University Year for VISTA, and Literacy Challenge Grant programs.

Grant eligibility: Grants for VISTA positions will be made to aid programs in developing and carrying-out financial literacy, financial planning, budgeting, savings, and reputable credit accessibility programs in low-income communities, including those programs which educate on financing home ownership and higher education; and in initiating and supporting before-school and after-school programs in low-income communities.

ASPIRA Policy Position

ASPIRA supports services that address the needs of vulnerable children and families especially support for financial literacy. It should also support children and parent technology literacy. 

ASPIRA is concerned about the elimination of the Literacy programs, as these can contribute to family literacy and student achievement.