There will be 1 - 2 AmeriCorps members per health site with the program beginning September 2019 and ending July 2020. Recruitment and the open application window will take place from May to August.
Service Activities
AmeriCorps members will be placed at community health centers in Pennsylvania to provide outreach and education around opioid misuse to patients and their family members with the overall goal of decreasing opioid misuse in designated counties in Pennsylvania. AmeriCorps members will provide outreach and education to community members and patients with opioid use disorder and connect them to services. The program will work with vulnerable populations that are disproportionally impacted by the opioid crisis. The AmeriCorps members will help maximize coordination of health center resources, coordinate with community organizations to engage individuals impacted by the opioid crisis, and strengthen existing health center programs to expand resources to include opioid prevention. AmeriCorps members will conduct street and venue outreach, recruit, advocate, identify and address barriers to sustained adherence through education, screening, behavioral health service, and linkage to opioid use disorder treatment. Additionally, AmeriCorps members will be responsible for assisting patients in understanding and advocating for their health care needs, and navigating and accessing health and social services as necessary. Additionally, AmeriCorps members will help to develop strategies for sustainable partnerships throughout the designated county in Pennsylvania, conduct outreach for at-risk individuals and their network. Lastly, AmeriCorps members will provide educational workshops to community members and family circles and maintain data for case management of patients to sustain programming during this crisis.
Community Need Addressed
Opioid Use Disorder
Position Outcomes
Ensure that those with opioid-related substance use disorder stay in treatment t receive follow-up care and are supported within their communities. Ensuring that all medical providers are ale to prescribe MAT in every health center, act as patient advocated and navigators to link patients in the community to care,
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
Health Insurance
Child Care
Education Benefits
GED/High School Diploma
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise
Teamwork
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
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
Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, 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, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, 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 the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment