Summer Public Health AmeriCorps

Purpose

Our House Founded in 1987 Our House is a comprehensive program for the working homeless serving over 3000 clients annually. Operating on a 7acre campus in central Little Rock Our House empowers homeless and nearhomeless families and individuals to succeed in the workforce in school and in life through hard work wise decisionmaking and active participation in the community.

AmeriCorps and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have joined forces to establish Public Health AmeriCorps. This stream of national service provides a realworld professional experience for our next generations Public Health Workforce. In turn members address pressing health needs and barriers to advance more equitable health outcomes for marginalized communities.

Service Position Summary

The Public Health AmeriCorps Member will serve within the programs and partnerships Our House leverages to address the mental and physical health needs of over 400 adults and children. In addition the Public Health AmeriCorps member will gain compensated onsite field experience supervision and marketable training to support members as they seek out careers within the public health field.

Members will play a critical role in helping families and individuals move toward increased empowerment and health by utilizing the Whole Health Model. This holistic and strategic framework will be used to address all aspects of health while members serve clients specifically focusing on physical health resources individual and group therapy and connection to benefits.

The Public Health AmeriCorps Member will serve in person to increase the wellbeing of over 400 adults and children served by the Mental Health team. In addition they will support uninsured and insured individuals with barriers to health access completing health screenings and referrals mental health support and benefits assistance and work to increase the scores on the Arizona SelfSufficiency Matrix for over 160 adults. The following position responsibilities include inperson activities in the Career Center Childrens Center Family Support Center and Housing programs.

Essential Functions of Position

• Utilize the Whole Health model while serving both individual clients and families
• Assess and measure changes in health outcomes as measured by the Arizona SelfSufficiency Matrix (AZSSM)
• Increase access to quality healthcare services
• Assess the clients health needs and existing barriers
• Promote participation in and provide learning opportunities for an increase in healthy behaviors and choices regarding social environmental intellectual physical and emotional areas of health and wellness
• Host oneonone and group sessions with adults or children as appropriate
• Educate and connect clients to relevant community resources that will aid in their selfsufficiency
• Use the client database to record accurate and timely notes on clients health and other related data
• Support existing recovery and mental health resources provided at Our House
• Support clients participating in the Our House Wellness Clinic and other medication management agencies to continue service longterm
• Participate in AmeriCorps Days of Service and additional service projects as approved by the program director
• Attend Our House National Service Meetings led by the National Service team
• Attend weekly Our House team meetings and other meetings as directed by the supervisor
• All members will undergo all required criminal history checks: NSOPW FBI and Arkansas State Police as well as other states as necessary

The above functions may be completed with or without reasonable accommodations.

Marginal Functions of Position

• Volunteer Mobilization: When called upon members may be asked to support disaster response and/or recovery efforts as needed by the State of Arkansas.
• Community Outreach Activities: Members may engage in activities that directly support the AmeriCorps Program. For example assist with member recruitment; assist with public relations to introduce the AmeriCorps program to the community and develop community partnerships; and assist with efforts to build a culture of service in Arkansas.

This position does not duplicate the work of previous or existing employees or volunteers supplant the hiring of workers or include service or duties that have been performed or were performed by a current employee an employee who recently resigned or was discharged an employee subject to a reduction in force or an employee who is on leave.

AmeriCorps Eligibility: AmeriCorps eligibility requires that participants must be at least 17 years of age at the commencement of service; be a citizen national or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States; be high school graduates GED recipients or working toward attaining a high school diploma or GED during their term of service; and satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check criteria.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities Required: The Public Health AmeriCorps Member will be thoroughly committed to Our Houses mission. All candidates must enjoy serving adults and/or children have a positive attitude and a flexible mentality and serve as role models for all Our House clients. Prior experience working with people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity and mental health issues is preferred but not required.

Academic and Experience Qualifications:
High school diploma or GED required; Must be enrolled in or a graduate of a Social Work degree program

Service Conditions: Service will be performed primarily indoors.

Commitment Required: 40 hours a week for a two 2 month term beginning June 02 2025 to August 08 2025 for a minimum of 300 hours at the end of the service term.

Orientation and Training:

• Onsite Our House orientation
• CDC Training in Public Health
• First Aid/CPR
• Any other training deemed necessary by the supervisor and/or Program Director

AmeriCorps Program Benefits:

• Living Allowance of $4388 over the term of service
• $1565.08 Segal Education Award at the end of a successful service term
• Eligibility for tuition discount at UA Little Rock
• Access to Employee Assistance Program
• Paid time off
• Healthcare coverage
• Student Loan forbearance

Evaluation and Reporting:

AmeriCorps members will participate in midterm and endofterm evaluations and reviews. AmeriCorps Members will submit their hours on a biweekly basis write monthly or quarterly reflections and attend monthly service member meetings.

For more information:

• Contact Paige Krueger Health Wellness Coordinator atext. 168
• For more information about AmeriCorps State and National go to program is available to all without discrimination on the basis of race color sex sexual orientation pregnancy religion age national origin genetic information disability military status familial status political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by law.

  Updated April 2025