The TRAILS Day Program at Tierra Village provides adults with developmental disabilities with life-skills education and practice through recreation/adventure, self-expression through the arts, and community involvement. The full time/40-hour per week AmeriCorps Service Member assigned to this position will serve all aspects of TRAILS and Tierra Village, with an emphasis on expanding participants’ opportunities for greater health and well-being through education/awareness, hands-on learning, community involvement, and preventative interventions.
This AmeriCorps Service Member assigned to TRAILS will be accountable to the participants of a community day program for adults with developmental disabilities; responsible for collaborating with regard to all aspects (inside and outside) of the successful operation of TRAILS programs, including the participants’ ongoing learning, health and wellness, and contribution to community. The AmeriCorps Volunteer will support, facilitate and advocate alongside participants to ensure their opportunity to enjoy self-directed lives in a collaborative and supportive learning environment.
Service Activities
● Routinely refer to Member Service Agreement requirements
● Ability to serve at project site location and time specified in position description
● Plan and facilitate a 12-week Health & Wellness course for the TRAILS Day Program
• Plan and implement health & wellness education sessions for a one-week day camp and/or ongoing after-school program for individuals with developmental disabilities
• Support and coach participants to present themselves in an appropriate and professional manner
• Actively participate and contribute as both a TRAILS and a Tierra Village team member.
• Maintain awareness of participants; contribute to strength-based learning objectives in the TRAILS Day Program
• Support and empower TRAILS program participants through a person-centered approach
• Share responsibility for the general safety and supervision of all participants
• Consistently model appropriate behavior and communication
• While supporting participants in the community, represent the values and mission of TRAILS and Tierra Village while encouraging maximum independence and learning
• Transport participants to/from program and during activities (using TV vehicle, after training)
• Support participants in building social capital and natural supports in the community
• Act promptly and effectively in urgent and emergent situations
• Report any/all incidents in a timely manner to the TRAILS Program Director
• Maintain a healthy, open and dynamic educational environment that is person-centered:
o Facilitate interaction and decisions between participants to sustain a relaxed and respectful shared learning environment
o Support participants with their communication with family and friends.
o Facilitate self and community awareness.
o Communicate effectively to ensure an open, honest, trusting environment that allows for positive growth of staff, parents, self and participants.
o Help to change the environment, communication approach, and supports should challenging behaviors arise.
Community Need Addressed
Empower developmentally disabled community members to learn about and maintain habits of healthy lifestyles.
Position Outcomes
increased awareness of healthy lifestyles.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Relocation allowance (if applicable), Student loan forbearance, Training
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment