[Law Newz] A government watchdog group found that six members of the national service program, AmeriCorps, took pregnant women to abortion clinics in New York City, according to a report on TheHill.com. Helping to facilitate abortions is a direct violation of federal rules as they relate to grants used to fund the program which is overseen by The Corporation for National and Community Service.The Hill reports that the volunteers served as "abortion doulas" and would provide help, transportation and emotional guidance to women seeking abortions. A full inspector general’s report is expected to be released later today. The small group who allegedly violated the rules was part of the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). They are the ’largest health-focused national AmeriCorps program that promotes health care for America’s undeserved, while developing tomorrow’s health care workforce."
The Corporation for National and Community (CNCS) released this statement to The Hill: "Although the Office of the Inspector General’s (OIG) investigation concluded the misconduct occurred on an extremely limited scope, the grantee broke the law and violated the spirit of national service."
The association’s chief operating officer told The Hill that they they self-reported the issue to the appropriate authorities after learning about the potential violation. The program has been stopped, and NACHC have made their staff undergo training on "all relevant rules and regulations related to AmeriCorps prohibited activities."