Principles of Good Practice in Community Service Federal Work-Study
This document outlines best practices in combining college and university Federal Work-Study (FWS) experiences with community service and service-learning. The principles were created by Erin Bowley and Marsha Adler for Campus Compact after conducting focus groups with practitioners from 52 colleges and universities in the spring of 2002. Following are ten principles for constructing an effective community service FWS program. Click on each principle for explanation, detail, and campus examples of how the principle can be implemented. Representatives from the campuses used as examples are willing to provide those interested with further information; their names and titles appear at the end of each section. Because contact information changes frequently, it is not included here; to reach any individual or position (e.g., service-learning coordinator), contact the campus.
10 PRINCIPLES OF GOOD PRACTICE
- Integrate community service Federal Work-Study into the institution’s overall civic engagement mission and programs.
- Create program goals for community service FWS and an evaluation plan to measure progress.
- Formalize a structured institutional system to provide oversight, coordination, and optimal use of resources and capacity.
- Offer a range of community service positions that are challenging and developmentally appropriate, and that contribute to the common good.
- Actively and effectively market community service opportunities to students and community partners.
- Ensure that students receive a thorough orientation, are properly trained for their positions, and have opportunities for reflection and connections to academic study.
- Contribute to student success through effective monitoring, ongoing supervision, and recognition of student contributions.
- Create partnerships with community organizations built on open communication, trusting relationships, joint design, and evaluation of program objectives.
- Prepare community partner supervisors to be effective in their role through a clear orientation, training as needed, and recognition of their contributions.
- Adhere to the spirit and rules of U.S. Department of Education Federal Work-Study legal requirements.
