Improving the health status of all.

AmeriCorps Volunteers

You Health Service Corps Members of the Youth Health Service Corps-AmeriCorps Division are a part of a national network of AmeriCorps programs sponsored by the federal Corporation for National and Community Service. Begun in 1994, the AmeriCorps programs provide opportunities for Americans to make an intensive commitment to service. The AmeriCorps network of local, state, and national service programs engages more than 70,000 Americans in intensive service each year. AmeriCorps members serve through more than 3,000 nonprofits, public agencies, and faith-based and other community organizations, helping meet critical needs in education, public safety, health and the environment. The variety of service opportunities is almost unlimited. Members may tutor and mentor youth, build affordable housing, teach computer skills, clean parks and streams, run after-school programs, or help communities respond to disaster. As an AmeriCorps member, you will gain new skills and experiences—and you will also find the tremendous satisfaction that comes from helping others. In addition, full-time members who complete their service earn a Segal AmeriCorps education Awards of $5,550 to pay for college, graduate school, or to pay back qualified student loans; and also receive a modest living allowance during their term of service.

This program currently runs at the Sports and Medical Sciences Academy, and Classical Magnet School in Hartford, and will expand to other Hartford schools as well as New Britain High School in the Fall 2010 semester thanks to the help of five new AmeriCorps workers. Stay tuned to hear about our exciting Service Learning opportunities.

AmeriCorps members are responsible for the implementation of the Youth Health Service Corps Program within designated schools in their AHEC regional office. Responsibilities include:

  • Work with school liaison to recruit high school students at risk of dropping out to participate in the YHSC
  • Conduct student volunteer trainings and coordinate CPR trainings
  • Oversee the implementation of Service Learning Projects including Oral Hygiene, Nutrition, Emergency Preparedness and other projects as developed
  • Provide upport services to students including group mentoring, attention to academic achievement and family support including home visits
  • Monitor students’ school attendance, behavior and achievement
  • Introduce various health/ public health careers and coordinate related speakers
  • Support youth as participants in National Service Days including MLK Day of Service and Global Youth Service Days
  • Utilize YHSC Database to manage and track student participation in the program and program outcomes
  • Conduct program evaluations
  • Recruit volunteer agencies, maintain contact with volunteer site coordinators, monitor volunteer placements
  • Grant writing to support service learning activities
  • Participate in AmeriCorps large service project
  • Other duties as assigned