“Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty… I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life. I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.” -Theodore Roosevelt
No one ever said that a term of service would be easy! Your time with ACE will come with its own set of challenges, but hopefully that will be part of what makes it rewarding. Here are some resources to help you along the way. If you need additional support please contact your primary point of contact at ACE!
ACE EPIC 2024 Member Handbook
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Budgeting tips:
Making ends meet on a living allowance can be challenging. Here are some budgeting tips to help you plan ahead and think about how to manage these funds during your term. You can also find many free apps which can help you keep track of your spending.
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Reimbursements:
If your term of service allows reimbursement requests, please use the ACE Reimbursement Request App to submit any and all reimbursement requests, including receipts, housing, mileage, and per diem.
Not every position qualifies for reimbursement. Reimbursement eligibility is based on the terms of the Agreement and will be noted in your position description.
Please make sure that you are eligible for reimbursement before submitting the reimbursement request, and save itemized receipts for any purchase that you hope to be reimbursed for. Instructions for using the app can be found here.
Not every position qualifies for reimbursement. Reimbursement eligibility is based on the terms of the Agreement and will be noted in your position description.
Please make sure that you are eligible for reimbursement before submitting the reimbursement request, and save itemized receipts for any purchase that you hope to be reimbursed for. Instructions for using the app can be found here.
SNAP Benefits
Depending on your state of service and current financial situation many members will qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This can be a helpful way to cover food expenses if you need to supplement your living allowance. If you are interested in applying for SNAP benefits, contact your primary ACE contact and we can provide a letter explaining your AmeriCorps status to bring in to your nearest assistance office.
Eating well:
Whether you are working in the field or in the office, eating well can help fuel your body and keep you focused. Cooking at home can be a great way to stay healthy and also save money. Check out the cookbook Good and Cheap by Leanne Brown for some inspiration for delicious meals that fit a budget! Here is a Spanish language edition of her cookbook.
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Health Insurance:
ACE does not provide health insurance for short-term placements. If you are not already insured you should consider purchasing health insurance through the marketplace. Travel or accident insurance is another more affordable option which could help cover you during your term with ACE. A Volunteer Card is an option for short-term travel insurance. In some states members may also be eligible for Medicaid.
Worker's Compensation:
ACE does provide workers compensation for injuries that occur on the job. If you are injured on the job let your ACE point of contact know as soon as possible! Refer to your member handbook for more information on ACE's worker's compensation policies.
Workers Compensation Tip: Always complete an ACE incident report and contact your ACE point of contact if there is an accident in the field even if you do not plan on seeking medical care. It will help to ensure that you are covered if an injury worsens and it also helps ACE to track incidents in the field.
Workers Compensation Tip: Always complete an ACE incident report and contact your ACE point of contact if there is an accident in the field even if you do not plan on seeking medical care. It will help to ensure that you are covered if an injury worsens and it also helps ACE to track incidents in the field.
How to Access your Paystubs and W-2's (Paycor):
ACE's payroll is administered through Paycor. This platform is where you can access information such as tax documents and pay stubs. An email should have been sent to you at the beginning of your term with the log-in information to access your Paycor account. Please note that you will not be able to set up your Paycor account until you receive your first paycheck. View instructions on how to register for Paycor, as well as how to view your paystubs and sign up for paperless tax documents here.
If at any time you are having trouble accessing your Paycor account, please reach out to your ACE point of contact.
Note: If you served with ACE in 2023 and need to access paystubs and/or tax documents through Paylocity, you can view instructions on how to do so here.
If at any time you are having trouble accessing your Paycor account, please reach out to your ACE point of contact.
Note: If you served with ACE in 2023 and need to access paystubs and/or tax documents through Paylocity, you can view instructions on how to do so here.
Pro Deals:
Many outdoor retail companies will provide "Pro Deals" for outdoor professionals. These deals consist of a variety of discounts on outdoor gear and clothing. Check on company websites to see if you may qualify as an ACE member. There are also sites like Outdoor Prolink and Expert Voice which combine deals from a variety of companies. There is typically an application process where you may need to provide your enrollment contract or paystubs as proof of employment.
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Self Care and Mental Health:
Individual placement positions can be both physically and mentally demanding. It's important that you take care of yourself throughout your term so that you can continue to do your best work and get the most out of your time with ACE.
ACE provides a free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Magellan Healthcare. EAP is a resource to help address a broad range of personal difficulties that may be causing distress. Receive brief, counseling to help resolve such concerns as:
• Marital Difficulties
• Drug/Alcohol Addictions
• Family Problems
• Legal or Financial Issues
• Stress & Anxiety
• Grief & Depression
• Elderly or Child Care
• Any Distressing Life Issue
In additions to counseling services, Magellan also provides other resources, including a discount center, learning events, self-care programs and coaching.
Please refer to your member handbook for more information about how to use Magellan Healthcare EAP services. If you have additional questions about how to access this service you can contact your ACE point of contact.
In addition, you can refer to the list of national crisis hotlines if you are not finding that ACE's EAP program is meeting your needs.
Here is a helpful guide on stress management and self-care from Service Year, as well as a flyer detailing more about Magellan:
ACE provides a free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Magellan Healthcare. EAP is a resource to help address a broad range of personal difficulties that may be causing distress. Receive brief, counseling to help resolve such concerns as:
• Marital Difficulties
• Drug/Alcohol Addictions
• Family Problems
• Legal or Financial Issues
• Stress & Anxiety
• Grief & Depression
• Elderly or Child Care
• Any Distressing Life Issue
In additions to counseling services, Magellan also provides other resources, including a discount center, learning events, self-care programs and coaching.
Please refer to your member handbook for more information about how to use Magellan Healthcare EAP services. If you have additional questions about how to access this service you can contact your ACE point of contact.
In addition, you can refer to the list of national crisis hotlines if you are not finding that ACE's EAP program is meeting your needs.
Here is a helpful guide on stress management and self-care from Service Year, as well as a flyer detailing more about Magellan:
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Goal Setting During your Term:
Goal setting is a valuable process at all points in life. Setting both personal and professional goals at the beginning of your time with ACE is a great way to focus your intentions and get the most out of your term. Check out this guide for setting SMART (Sustainable, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals.