• Function as a resource to community members regarding services available, potential linkages, etc.
• Assist with coordination and facilitation of community work group meetings.
• Assist with coordination of community workshops and professional development opportunities related to child welfare issues.
• Assist with delivery of coordinated information related to child welfare issues to the CPPC members. This will include monthly newsletters, press releases and social media.
• Assist with development of a general volunteer recruitment and management process/materials that could be adapted by the CPPC Host Site
• Recruit, coordinate, and manage community volunteers
• Assist with development of a general list of resources available to the community
• Summarize best practices for building and sustaining community coalitions
• Visit and assist other CPPC host sites as needed
Necessary Skills and Abilities:
Applicant must be able to:
• Work in a fast-pace, diverse workplace in a team environment as well as independently
• Present a business image to persons who have diverse interests and ideas
• Engage community members and recruit volunteers through means such as media outreach campaign, press releases, public speaking, and written and oral outreach
• Take initiative and be a self-starter
• Travel and attend meetings as requested, including some evening meetings and overnight stays
• Use personal automobile and have liability and other automobile insurance as required by law
Required Competencies:
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Able to exercise a high degree of initiative, judgment, discretion, and decision-making to achieve objectives
• Knowledge of computer systems, including word processing programs and spreadsheet programs and applications
• Knowledgeable in social media and Windows software applications including Publisher and Word
Service Activities
Each host site operates to serve its particular community, and service activities in each host site will differ. However, in general the AmeriCorps member will perform the following activities on a regular basis:
• Function as a resource to community members regarding services available, potential linkages, etc.
• Assist with coordination and facilitation of community work group meetings.
• Assist with coordination of community workshops and professional development opportunities related to child welfare issues.
• Assist with delivery of coordinated information related to child welfare issues to the CPPC members. This will include monthly newsletters, press releases and social media.
• Assist with development of a general volunteer recruitment and management process/materials that could be adapted by the CPPC Host Site
• Recruit, coordinate, and manage community volunteers
• Assist with development of a general list of resources available to the community
• Summarize best practices for building and sustaining community coalitions
• Visit and assist other CPPC host sites as needed
Community Need Addressed
AmeriCorps Partnering to Protect Children (APPC) is looking for AmeriCorps State members to join their team for the program year. Members will serve at Community Partnerships for Protecting Children (CPPC) host sites or CPPC partnering service provider sites throughout the state of Iowa.
The purpose of the AmeriCorps Partnering to Protect Children (APPC) Program is to actively engage Iowans in providing families and children with the supports and resources they need to keep children safe from abuse/neglect thereby creating communities where children thrive. The program achieves this purpose, in part, by placing AmeriCorps members with non-profit organizations in underserved rural and urban high-poverty areas across the state to assist the sites in implementing an intervention based on the Community Partnerships for Protecting Children (CPPC) theory of change (Lint, 2006).
Position Outcomes
AmeriCorps members serving in the Partnering to Protect Children program will serve in Host Sites throughout the state of Iowa and will be primarily responsible for strengthening their sites in relation to three priorities areas: build community capacity; deliver information to service providers; and provide outreach and supports to parents/caregivers in a coordinated manner.
Members serving a term with APPC will also gain:
• Excellent training opportunities
• Leadership experience and skill development
• Hands-on experience in a professional setting
• Develop a life-long commitment to the value of service to others
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
Members serving a term with APPC will also gain:
• Excellent training opportunities
• Leadership experience and skill development
• Hands-on experience in a professional setting
• Develop a life-long commitment to the value of service to others
Skills you will gain
Community Based Prevention Programming, Volunteer Recruitment, and Facilitating Community Based Meetings
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, 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, 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, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, 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