Frequently Asked Questions | Help Center (2024)

What is the Department of Service and Civic Innovation?

Governor Wes Moore created the Department of Service and Civic Innovation when he signed SB551, the Serving Every Region through Vocational Exploration Act of 2023, also known as the SERVE Act. The Department of Service and Civic Innovation aims to promote service and volunteerism in the state.

Where can I learn more about the Department of Service and Civic Innovation?

To learn more about the Department of Service and Civic Innovation, visit our website: https://dsci.maryland.gov.

What is the difference between Service Year Option and Maryland Corps?

Service Year Option is a program for individuals who have graduated from a Maryland high school or earned an equivalent diploma or certificate within the past three years (Class of 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023).

Maryland Corps is open to all eligible adults.

Participants in both programs are paid $15.00 per hour and are eligible for a $6,000 program completion award after at least nine (9) months of service.

How long is the commitment?

Service Year Option and Maryland Corps are full-time (40 hours/week) commitments over a period of nine (9) months.

What job options are available?

We are working on identifying potential Host Partners. We will share updates on our Host Partners on our website, so please continue to check https://dsci.maryland.gov for updates.

If I am accepted, when would I start?

Members are slated to begin service in mid-to-late October 2023.

If I am accepted and complete the program, how is the completion award issued?

The completion award can be deposited into a Maryland 529 (college savings) account to be used for higher education expenses or awarded as a cash stipend.

Is a high school diploma required?

No, a high school diploma is not required. An applicant may have a Maryland high school diploma, GED, or certificate of completion to participate in the Service Year Option. There are no educational requirements for Maryland Corps.

How many hours are Service Year Members/Maryland Corps Members expected to invest within the course of the year?

There is not a specific cumulative amount of service hours that must be earned in this program. Members are engaged with the program for about 44 weeks starting October 25th and must work a minimum of 30 hours per week. Members will serve at least to July 30th, and no later than August 27th.

Can people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities apply for Service Year and Maryland Corps?

Yes, individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities are eligible for both programs.

May a candidate participate in a Service Year at age 21 and apply for Maryland Corps the following year?

Yes, Members may serve two terms in these programs.

When you say “any age”, does that include current high school students under 18?

No, Members must be at least 18 to serve in the Service Year Option and Maryland Corps programs.

I’ve completed my application. What are my next steps?

Thank you for submitting your application. You should expect to receive guidance on next steps within two (2) weeks.

How can I check the progress of my application?

Our team continues to receive significant interest in the pilot year of this exciting new program and will strive to respond with next steps within two (2) weeks. We will provide updates by email.

When are applications due?

We are accepting applications on a rolling basis. Please submit your application by September 8, 2023 to be considered for the 2023-2024 service term for the Service Year Option and Maryland Corps.

What makes me eligible for the Service Year Option?

For the Service Year Option program, you must be a resident of Maryland for 12 months. You also must have graduated from a Maryland high school or earned an equivalency diploma or certificate within the past three years (Class of 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023).

Do I have to be a Maryland resident to participate?

For the Service Year Option program, you must be a Maryland resident to participate.

What would I need to do to verify that I am a Maryland resident?

Verification of Maryland residency includes, a valid Maryland driver's license, a lease, utility bill, checking or savings account with Maryland address, or mail sent to MD address from a government agency. If you have questions about verification, please email dsci.gov@maryland.gov or call 1-888-769-7479.

Do I need to be a citizen?

You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to participate in either Service Year Option or Maryland Corps, but you must possess the right to work. You must possess the right to work for the entire duration of the program.

I am waiting for my Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”). Can I still participate?

You will need to complete employment verification documents so you should receive your Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”) and possess the right to work before you apply for the Service Year Option and Maryland Corps programs. You must possess the right to work for the entire duration of the program.

I am an employer. How do I express my interest in being a Host Partner?

We are grateful that you are interested in hosting Service Members at your organization. Please complete our Application and we will be in touch within two weeks with next steps.

What address should I use if my company has multiple addresses?

Please enter the physical address of your Maryland headquarters.

What are the commitments if I want to be a Host Partner?

Partners share a commitment to develop and support the talent needed to strengthen Maryland’s current and future competitiveness. We are looking for organizations to onboard a minimum of two (2) participants at each location. The strongest partners will be those who provide meaningful work experiences including on-site supervision and professional development, job training, and some degree of mentoring. Partners may also need to support the provision of certain wrap-around services (examples include childcare, transportation, financial literacy skills, and job search/college application support) as needed by individual participants.

I’ve submitted my interest form to be a Host Partner. What’s next?

We are grateful that you are interested in hosting Service Members at your organization. Please complete our Application and we will be in touch within two weeks with next steps.

What are the costs associated with being a Host Partner?

The Department of Service and Civic Innovation aims to share certain costs with Host Partners that will allow for a broad range of external organizations to participate, regardless of size. We will provide additional information on the potential cost sharing models during the application and approval process.

Will Host Partners be involved with selection/match for their organization?

Yes. Host Partners will have the opportunity to review and interview potential members as part of the matching process.

Is there a preferred experience for Maryland Corps and Service Year Option members? Any specific careers you are particularly looking for?

We are looking to prepare and train members for meaningful jobs for the future. We are open to what career paths they may be interested in and that Maryland needs.

What is the financial cost to the organization?

All organizations will need to provide necessary equipment (e.g. computer, cell phone etc. as needed), benefits (such as health insurance), supervision, mentorship, in addition to in-kind support similar to what they provide employees. Large organizations - those with more than 50 employees - will be charged $6,000 per member in Year 1 of the program. The cost structure may change in future years of the program.

Is there a fee or financial cost to Host Partners?

For for-profit companies, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies that have more than 50 employees, they will be charged $6,000 per member in year one of the program. In addition, all organizations must provide benefits, equipment, supervision and appropriate supports to the members, just as they would employees.

Who provides the professional development?

Professional Development is a shared responsibility between the Department of Service and Civic Innovation and Host Site Partners.

What sort of professional development will be offered?

Professional development will be tailored to participant needs, but will include: financial literacy (i.e. personal money management) training, resume writing, interviewing skills, career exploration, workplace etiquette, problem solving, community building, among other relevant skills. In addition, host site organizations are required to provide on-the-job training needed for specific roles and related professional development to members serving at their organization as well.

When is the deadline to complete the Host Partner Interest Form?

September 8 is the priority deadline; however, we will continue to accept applications until there are a sufficient number of host sites for all Members.

Are host organizations limited to one Service Member?

No, in fact each host site must agree to host a minimum of two to three Service Year Option or Maryland Corps Members. We will be placing Members in cohorts this year.

English is not my first language. Could I have the application translated?

Yes. The application site is compatible with the Linguist extension (Firefox/ Google Chrome). For the best translation experience, please use Firefox and Google Chrome browsers.