Frequently Asked Questions
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Questions about the Department and Program
What is the Department of Service and Civic Innovation?
The Department of Service and Civic Innovation is a cabinet level agency in Maryland that Governor Wes Moore created in 2023. The Department was charged with creating two new streams of service, Service Year Option and Maryland Corps as well as expanding a legacy service program, AmeriCorps. The Department also plays a leading role in promoting volunteerism across the state as well as signature Days of Service, the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday and the commemoration of September 11th.
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: serve.maryland.gov. You can also follow us on Instagram and X @marylandserves and LinkedIn and Facebook at @Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation.
What are the major differences 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 or earned an equivalent diploma or certificate within the past three years (Classes of 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025). The Service Year Option also has a Maryland residency requirement for all of its Members.
Maryland Corps is open to all eligible adults 18 and older and does not require a high school diploma or the equivalent.
How are Service Year Option and Maryland Corps similar?
Participants in both programs are paid at least $15.00 per hour/$600 weekly plus benefits. Members are also eligible for a $6,000 program completion award payable as a taxable cash award after successful completion of the program.
What is the time commitment for Members?
Maryland Corps/Service Year Option are full-time (40 hours/week) commitments over a period of at least nine (9) months. Inclusive of hours with their Host Site Partners, Members must complete and be compensated for in-person and virtual professional development activities as required by DSCI and their Host Site Partners.
What roles are available?
We are working on identifying potential Host Site Partners and roles. We will share updates on our Host Site Partners on our website, so please continue to check serve.maryland.gov for updates.
If I am accepted, when would I start?
Members are slated to begin service on September 10, 2025.
If I am accepted and complete the program, how is the completion award issued?
The completion award is issued as a taxable cash stipend via direct deposit or check.
Is a high school diploma required?
No, a high school diploma is not required to participate in the Maryland Corps pathway Currently, to participate in the Service Year Option pathway, applicants need a Maryland GED, certificate of completion, or High School diploma.
How many hours are Maryland Corps/Service Year Option Members expected to invest within the course of the year?
Members are engaged with the program full-time for 40 hours per week, for at least 41 weeks starting September 10th, 2025. Members will serve until June 23, 2026.
Can people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities apply to Maryland Corps/Service Year Option?
Yes, individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities may apply to serve in the program.
Questions about the Application Process
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 via email very soon. Be sure to check your email often!
How can I check the progress of my application?
Our team continues to receive significant interest in this program and will strive to respond with next steps very soon. We will provide updates by email. If you have questions about your application, please contact applytoserve@maryland.gov.
When are Member applications due?
We are accepting applications on a rolling basis. The Early Deadline 1 for Service Year Option is March 1st, 2025.. Applicants under 25 are likely to be eligible for Service Year Option. Maryland Corps-eligible applicants (those 25 years of age and over) will not be considered until the Maryland Corps application cycle opens in Summer 2025.
When are Host Partner applications due?
We are accepting applications on a rolling basis. Please submit your application by the early deadline of March 1, 2025 to be considered for the 2025-2026 service term.
Translation
English is not my first language. Can I have the application translated?
Host Site Partner Questions
I am an employer. How do I express my interest in being a Host Site 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 very soon with next steps. The Application to become a Host Site Partner is also an application to receive grant funds for the programs.
Our Application can be found here: serve.maryland.gov
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 Site Partner?
- Host 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 on-site mentoring
- All Host Site Partners must provide an on-site mentor for each Member and a physical location for Members to serve
- Host Site Partners must have at least 1 FTE
- All Host Site Partners must provide fringe benefits for all Members and may also need to support access to or the provision of certain wrap-around services (examples include childcare, transportation, financial literacy, translation services, and job search/college application support) as needed by individual participants
- Provide a Supervisor and Mentor (they can be the same person) to work with the candidates placed at your program
- Commit to using an online training platform to manage and assign your members work
Will Host Site Partners be involved with selection/match for their organization?
Yes. Host Site 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 aim 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 align with the State’s workforce needs.
What is the financial cost to the organization to host a Maryland Corps/Service Year Option Member?
All organizations will need to provide necessary equipment (e.g. computer, cell phone etc. as needed), fringe benefits (such as health insurance), supervision, mentorship, in addition to in-kind support similar to what they provide to their employees. Additional cost sharing depends upon your organization's operating budget.
Members are considered employees of the host site partner, and must be hired as W-2 employees. If you do not currently pay anyone at your organization as a W-2 employee, you must go through the process to do so in advance of a member being placed with your organization.
Who delivers professional development?
Professional Development is a shared responsibility between DSCI, Host Site Partners and the Department’s online platform partner BuildWithin. All provide important elements for the Member experience.
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 readiness, problem solving, community building, civic knowledge, among other relevant skills. DSCI will host required in-person professional development on a monthly basis with additional tasks within the BuildWithin platform that Members will be compensated for as part of their work time. In addition, Host Site Partner 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 Site Partner Application?
March 1, 2025 is the Early Deadline.
Are host organizations limited to one Service Member?
No, Host Site Partners are strongly encouraged to host multiple Members. We’ve found that Members thrive when working with other Members.
Questions about Verification
What makes me eligible for the Service Year Option?
Currently, for the Service Year Option program, you must be a resident of Maryland for the preceding 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 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025).
Do I have to be a Maryland resident to participate?
Do I need to be a citizen?
You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to participate in either Maryland Corps or Service Year Option, but you must be eligible to work in the United States for the entire duration of the program. Host Site Partners will require documentation verifying this requirement.
Media Inquiries
Contact
For general media inquiries, contact dsci.media@maryland.gov.
Other
I need support. Is there someone I can speak to?
Due to the high volume of requests, we kindly ask that you send us an email to
applytoserve@maryland.gov (Member applicants) or
dsci.gov@maryland.gov (Host Site Partner applicants). If you would still like to speak to someone, please note in your email that you would like someone to call you.
