45 CFR § 2556.400 - What is termination for cause and what are the criteria for termination for cause?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t45/s2556.400"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "45 CFR § 2556.400 - What is termination for cause and what are the criteria for termination for cause?"
title_number: 45
title_name: "Public Welfare"
section_number: "2556.400"
section_name: "What is termination for cause and what are the criteria for termination for cause?"
chapter_name: "CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE"
part_number: "2556"
part_name: "VOLUNTEERS IN SERVICE TO AMERICA"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "42 U.S.C. 4951-4953; 5 CFR part 734, 42 U.S.C. 4953(a), (f), 4954(b), (e), 4955(b), 4956, 5043(a)-(c), 5044(a)-(c), (e), 5046, 5052, 5056, and 5057; 42 U.S.C. 12651b (g)(10); 42 U.S.C. 12651c(c); E.O. 13279, 67 FR 77141, 3 CFR, 2002 Comp., p. 2156, 42 U.S.C. 4954(a), (b), (d), 4955, 5044(e), 5055, and 5059; 42 U.S.C. 12602(c), 42 U.S.C. 4953(b), (c), (f), and 5044(e)."
regulatory_source: "88 FR 31180, May 16, 2023, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "2556"
---


# 2556.400 What is termination for cause and what are the criteria for termination for cause?

(a) Termination for cause is discharge of a VISTA from the VISTA program due to a deficiency, or deficiencies, in conduct or performance.

(b) AmeriCorps may terminate a VISTA for cause for any of the following reasons:

(1) Conviction of any criminal offense under Federal, State, or local statute or ordinance;

(2) Violation of any provision of the Domestic Service Volunteer Act of 1973, as amended, or any AmeriCorps or VISTA program policy, regulation, or instruction;

(3) Failure, refusal, or inability to perform prescribed project duties as outlined in the project plan, assignment description, or as directed by the sponsor to which the VISTA is assigned;

(4) Involvement in activities which substantially interfere with the VISTA's performance of project duties;

(5) Intentional false statement, misrepresentation, omission, fraud, or deception in seeking to obtain selection as a VISTA in the VISTA program;

(6) Any conduct on the part of the VISTA which substantially diminishes their effectiveness as a VISTA; or

(7) Unsatisfactory performance of an assignment.