AmeriCorps Introduces New Criminal History Form
Published Date: 7/15/2026
Notice
Summary
AmeriCorps is rolling out a new form for VISTA sponsors and candidates to acknowledge criminal history info. This helps keep everyone safe and informed while serving communities. If you’re involved, you’ve got until September 14, 2026, to share your thoughts—no big costs, just a little paperwork time.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Organizations Must Use New CHAF
AmeriCorps is creating a new AmeriCorps VISTA Criminal History Acknowledgment Form (CHAF) that VISTA sponsors (businesses, organizations, and state/local/tribal governments) must use when a candidate fails to report criminal history or is noted to have certain violent or serious offenses. The agency estimates 120 annual responses and 120 annual burden hours for this new collection (OMB Control Number 3045-NEW).
Applicants Must Disclose and Explain Certain Offenses
Certain VISTA candidates must complete Parts A–D of the CHAF: Part A reports offense details (offense, date, final court judgment, legal status), Part B accepts conditions for serving with special consideration, Part C records the sponsor's accept/reject recommendation and required supervision measures, and Part D is a personal narrative for applicants with violent criminal history. Sponsors use the CHAF information to decide whether to accept or reject the candidate.
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