AmeriCorps Members will engaged in a 2 days training over the weekend of May 16th and 17th from 9:00am-5:00pm. During this training AmeriCorps members will learn how to engage and mentor individuals with developmental disabilities, learn sort skill leadership skills, CPR and First Aid, Disaster Preparedness,Disability Awareness & Etiquette, Diversity and much more. AmeriCorps members will begin their serving on June 8th 2020 and end their service term on July 31st 2020. Members will be serving 38 hours a week for 8 weeks in the Summer Institute Program. Members will receive a biweekly stipend of $283.30. Once members have successfully completed 300 hours by July 31st 2020, they will also receive an educational award of 1, 289.95.
Service Activities
Members will engage in the following service activities:
- Support Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) with creating independent living goals and track of progress
- Develop and implement customized independent living activities that provide training for vocational skills, appropriate work behaviors, job skills and pre-employment and daily living skills
- Provide education and coaching in vocational skills, appropriate work behaviors, job skills, pre-employment, self-advocacy and daily living skills.
- Design and facilitate customized activities that enhance vocational and daily life skills.
- Provide education and coaching in vocational skills, appropriate work behaviors, job skills, pre-employment, self-advocacy and daily living skills
- Assist in community outings with individuals with disabilities.
-Develop and implement social activities and provide social mentoring (i.e., friendship mentoring, relationship mentoring, exploring interests and hobbies)
- Provide mentoring with individuals with I/DD in health topics such as stress management, healthy lifestyle choices and food safety.
Community Need Addressed
AmeriCorps Members at the Arc of Palm Beach County mentor individuals with developmental disabilities in pre-employment, job specific training as well as develop job readiness, employment soft skills, explore job opportunities, and vocational training. Members also create independent living goals and track of progress and plan/coordinate activities that engage individuals with developmental disabilities in the local community creating community inclusion.
Position Outcomes
Overall 200 clients will be served with an average of 9 clients per AmeriCorps Member. Clients will demonstrate on the post-test an increase of knowledge from the pre-test administered based on the module taught. Out of the 200 clients being served, 140 of the clients will show an increase of knowledge in daily living skills or vocational training depending on the need of the individual client or group. Members will review with onsite supervisor prior to services to discuss the curriculum used for the individual or group.
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
Education Benefits
GED/High School Diploma
REST training, First Aid and CPR, Qualified Emergency Management Volunteer in Palm Beach County.
Skills you will gain
soft skills leadership, conflict resolution, healthy communication.
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, 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