Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Allies is seeking full-time AmeriCorps members to support prevention, treatment, and recovery agencies throughout Chicago and suburban Cook County. SUD Allies AmeriCorps members engage clients, youth, and providers through a variety of comprehensive services. Administered by Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago (PHIMC), SUD Allies increases resources to combat substance use disorder for individuals, families, and communities. PHIMC provides the members with the training and professional development necessary to successfully enter the public health workforce.
Full-time members will serve 1,700 hours each over an 11-month period called a ‘term of service’. The term of service begins with member orientation. SUD Allies will address locally identified needs through direct service to the community. Members are placed at Host Sites that are organizations providing SUD prevention, treatment, and recovery services in Chicago and suburban Cook County. The majority of the member’s time is spent in service for the Host Site and fulfilling other SUD Allies AmeriCorps program requirements. The remaining hours may be dedicated to training and professional development opportunities. Members attend SUD Allies AmeriCorps and Serve Illinois Commission sponsored trainings and activities, participate in National Days of Service, attend monthly team trainings, and have the opportunity to participate in optional development and service activities.
Service Activities
Note that specific service activities will be dependent on what the member host site placement is.
• Provide direct service to underserved populations, including case management, health insurance enrollment assistance, prevention education, and/or anti-stigma education
• Complete 1,700 hours of service by the end of the designated service term
• Attend scheduled trainings, including pre-service orientation and monthly in-service days
• Attend scheduled service projects, including mandatory National Days of Service (Veterans Day, MLK Day, and AmeriCorps Week)
• Submit accurate, thorough timesheets on the 1st and 16th of every month
• Maintain records on clients served by submitting performance measures on the 1st and 16th of every month
• Participate in a member-led committee by leading monthly trainings, service projects, or other team activities during the service year
• Fulfill the requirements of the host site and adhere to their organizational policies/procedures
• Maintain open communication with program and host site staff throughout the service year
• Represent host site and SUD Allies with professionalism, integrity, enthusiasm, and compassion
Community Need Addressed
Substance Use Disorder Allies (SUD Allies) will address the community need for substance use disorder services (SUDS) and prevention in Chicago and suburban Cook County.
Position Outcomes
SUD Allies have the goal to not only reduce the incidence of opioid and prescription drug use disorder and other substances, but also increase the quality of healthy lives through social service engagement.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
- Eligibility for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits
- Enrollment in the AmeriCorps Member Assistance Program (MAP) for accessible, free mental health services
- Extensive professional development
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