Corps for a Change members are placed at one high school and will support a caseload of 20-40 students who are considered to exhibit low attendance and/or lack of engagement. AmeriCorps members will focus on student interventions such as: one-on-one support meetings, classroom observation, outreach phone calls, resource referrals, tutoring and other school-wide attendance and engagement initiatives. The goal of the members’ term of service is to support students to be more engaged in school, improve attendance, and help support a path toward academic success.
Service Activities
- Complete CYC intake process (pre- and post-survey, barriers to student engagement/attendance, identities and life events information)
- Build strong relationships with your caseload (youth identified with low attendance/engagement)
- Monitor student attendance and conduct one on one meetings to support students in being successful in school (academics, attendance, social-emotional needs, general school engagement)
- Provide tutoring or tutoring resources to students as needed
- Address barriers to student learning by connecting them with in-school and local community
service providers so they may focus on school
- Provide school-wide engagement/attendance supports Engage parents/guardians through
phone calls, meetings, or home visits
- Track all students’ progress within CYC’s database, school databases, and other spreadsheets
- Collaborate with school staff, students, families, and CYC staff in order to successfully accomplish responsibilities
Community Need Addressed
In 2021-2022, 10,524 left school. Studies have shown that attendance improves when schools engage students in positive ways and provide caring adults for chronically absent students.
Position Outcomes
Increased attendance and school engagement.
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
Education Benefits
College Degree, Credential or Certification
All members receive an education award upon successful completion of their service. This promotes continued higher education or helps to pay back schooling already obtained. In addition, we support teacher pathway pipelines for second year members who are interested in becoming classroom teachers.
Skills you will gain
Student mentorship and relationship building, data tracking and management, professional development, interventions.
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