*

3.

Program Start-Ups

The national WLP network has been in operation for 36 months
(9-24-81 to 9-30-84). The original goal in 1981 was to set up and
operate WLP projects in 50 communities nationwide before the
federal sunset date of 9-30-84.

In actual practice, the WLP reached a total of 47 grantees comprising
53 operational projects in 41 states,* averaging 1.3 start-ups per
month. The cumulative totals and rates of start-up are shown in
Chart No. 1. The number of new projects started each year peaked
in 1982. The amount of national staff support needed increased
significantly after 1982 as the final total was approached and then
peaked in 1984 at 47 projects in 41 states.

CHART NO. 1

FIELD PROJECTS ESTABLISHED DURING 36-MONTH DEMONSTRATION PERIOD (9-24-81 to 9-30-84)

NOTE: Six of the 47 grantees are each actually two projects combined in one grant, which when counted separately, brings the total to 53 projects. For funding, administrative and reporting purposes, the VVLP had 47 projects in its network as of 9-21-84.

4. Financial Support From ACTION

The original goal in 1981 was to operate each WLP at a projected annual cost of $50,000 on average. A maximum annual total expenditure rate of $2.5 million was expected, up to a three-year, cumulative total of $6.5 million. The actual totals were less than the projected figures due to the gradual phasing-in each year of new projects.

In actual practice, the WVLP received a total of $5,685,795 in federal funding during the three-year period, at an average annual rate of $1.9 million per year. The average amount received each

year by grantees was only $35,404.

The amount of funding obtained each year (new and cumulative) is shown in Chart No. 2. The amount of new funds obtained each fiscal year peaked at $2.0 million in 1983, with the final total reaching $5.7 million in 1984. ACTION distributed its funds each fiscal year to new project start-ups as well as to preexisting projects for second and third year work programs.

A breakdown of ACTION funding by year and by four sources of federal funds used is presented in Table No. 1. These funding sources are the Department of Labor (DOL), Health and Human Services (HHS), ACTION and ACTION/VISTA.

A final accounting of actual expenditures year-by-year and project-byproject is being undertaken by ACTION's Grants Management Office. It will be based on an internal review procedure at ACTION. Final results are due later and are not expected to differ significantly from these findings.

* Does not include VISTA volunteer salaries, training, and public information support.

** Still under negotiation at time of writing.

The 1981 goal of creating 50 VVLPS was accomplished for a number of reasons, one of which was holding national costs to a minimum and allocating most of the funds to the field. A detailed breakdown on the distribution of funds to the field that made this possible is presented in Table No. 2.

The cost of administration and operations in the national offices came to 12.20 percent of the three-year total. This came to an average cost per month of $19,052. The relatively low ratio of national administrative support (i.e., less than 20 percent) to volunteer support expenses in the field (i.e., more than 80 percent) is noteworthy in light of the fact that the VVLP was only an idea 36 months ago that posed a significant organizing challenge to the national staff.

1/ Fourteen of the 47 projects were partially administered by the WLP in Baltimore under a cooperative agreement with ACTION.

2/ Four national conferences, three for training and one for planning VVLP's future, were held for personnel from the 47 projects.

3/ Allocated in the form of grant agreements.

If

4/ Does not include 1,572,800 in VISTA salaries and VISTA training and public information support that went to VISTA volunteers. included, the national percentage share would fall. even lower than 12.20 percent.

The cost of field operations came to $4,991,910, or 87.80% of the threeyear total. The average monthly cost for all 47 projects in the national network was $138,664. The average project:

Received $106,210 from ACTION during the 36-month period,
for an average monthly cost per project of $2,950.

Logged an average of 22.4 months of operation. This is
based on an aggregated figure of 1,055 months of cumulative
operation for all projects during the 36-month period.

Paid their project directors $26,745 per year on average as
of 9-7-84. The full range of salaries paid to WLP project
directors is shown in Table No. 3. An essential element of
success was being able to attract competent, professional
veterans to serve as project directors to manage state and
local operations. This salary range achieved that purpose.

A listing of all 47 projects is presented in Attachment No. 6, Chronological History of ACTION Funding, including start-up dates, number of months in operation, and funding totals for individual projects.

**

Five (5) directors are currently paid through VISTA at
an annual rate of $21,000 to $27,000.

Forty-seven (47) VVLPS have been awarded ACTION grants.
Five control second offices of which three are authorized
to staff an additional director, and one VVLP controls
two offices each with an additional director.