Purpose

Our House – Founded in 1987, Our House is a comprehensive program for the working homeless, serving over 3,000 clients annually. Operating on a 7-acre campus in central Little Rock, Our House empowers homeless and near-homeless families and individuals to succeed in the workforce, in school, and in life through hard work, wise decision-making, and active participation in the community.

AmeriCorps and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have joined forces to establish Public Health AmeriCorps. This stream of national service provides a real-world, professional experience for our next generation’s Public Health Workforce. In turn, members address pressing health needs and barriers to advance more equitable health outcomes for marginalized communities. 

Service Position Summary

The Public Health AmeriCorps Member will serve within the programs and partnerships Our House leverages to address the mental and physical health needs of over 400 adults and children. In addition, the Public Health AmeriCorps member will gain compensated onsite field experience, supervision, and marketable training for public health-related careers while completing the school-required social work internship. 

Members will play a critical role in helping families and individuals move toward increased empowerment and health by utilizing the Whole Health Model. This holistic and strategic framework will be used to address all aspects of health while members serve clients, specifically focusing on physical health resources, individual and group therapy, and connection to benefits.

The Public Health AmeriCorps Member will serve in person to increase the well-being of over 400 adults and children served by the Career Center and Mental Health teams. In addition, they will support uninsured and insured individuals with barriers to health access, completing health screenings and referrals, mental health support, and benefits assistance, and work to increase the scores on the Arizona Self-Sufficiency Matrix for over 160 adults. The following position responsibilities include in-person activities in the Career Center, Children’s Center, Family Support Center, Housing programs, and at our partner site, Harmony Health Clinic.

Essential Functions of Position

• Utilize the Whole Health model while serving both individual clients and families 
• Assess and measure Increases in health outcomes as measured by the Arizona Self-Sufficiency Matrix (AZSSM)
• Increase access to quality healthcare services
• Assess the client’s health needs and existing barriers 
• Promote participation in and provide learning opportunities for an increase in healthy behaviors and choices regarding social, environmental, intellectual, physical, and emotional areas of health and wellness 
• Graduate students will host one-on-one and group therapy sessions with adults or children
• Educate and connect clients to relevant community resources that will aid in their self-sufficiency
• Meet with clients weekly at a minimum and more as needed by individuals 
• Use the client database to record accurate and timely notes on clients’ health and other related data
• Support existing recovery and mental health resources provided at Our House 
• Support clients participating in the Our House Wellness Clinic and other medication management agencies to continue service long-term 
• Follow all procedures in the Our House COVID-19 Team Safety Policy 
• Participate in AmeriCorps Days of Service and additional service projects as approved by the program director 
• Attend Our House National Service Meetings led by the National Service team
• Attend weekly Our House team meetings and other meetings as directed by the supervisor
• All members will undergo all required criminal history checks: NSOPW, FBI, and Arkansas State Police, as well as other states, as necessary 

The above functions may be completed with or without reasonable accommodations. 

Marginal Functions of Position

• Volunteer Mobilization: When called upon, members may be asked to support disaster response and/or recovery efforts as needed by the State of Arkansas. 
• Community Outreach Activities: Members may engage in activities that directly support the AmeriCorps Program. For example, assist with member recruitment; assist with public relations to introduce the AmeriCorps program to the community and develop community partnerships; assist with efforts to build a culture of service in Arkansas. 

This position does not duplicate the work of previous or existing employees or volunteers, supplant the hiring of workers, or include service or duties that have been performed or were performed by a current employee, an employee who recently resigned or was discharged, an employee subject to a reduction in force, or an employee who is on leave. 

AmeriCorps Eligibility: AmeriCorps eligibility requires that participants must be at least 17 years of age at the commencement of service; be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States; be high school graduates, GED recipients, or working toward attaining a high school diploma or GED during their term of service; and satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check criteria. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required: The Public Health AmeriCorps Member will be thoroughly committed to Our House’s mission. All candidates must enjoy serving adults and/or children, have a positive attitude, and flexible mentality, and serve as role models for all Our House clients. Prior experience working with people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity and mental health issues is preferred but not required. 

Other Requirements: AmeriCorps members serving at Our House must be vaccinated against COVID-19, willing to get vaccinated upon acceptance of the position, or meet the legal requirements for an exemption. 

Academic and Experience Qualifications: High school diploma or GED required; Must be enrolled in a Public Health related degree program (Social Work, Counseling, etc.) 

Service Conditions: Service will be performed primarily indoors. 

Commitment Required: 26 hours a week for a nine (9) month term beginning September 2024 to May 2025 for a minimum of 900 hours at the end of the service term. 

Orientation and Training: 

• On-site Our House orientation
• CDC Training in Public Health
• First Aid/CPR 
• AmeriCorps Arkansas Training 
• Any other training deemed necessary by the supervisor and/or Program Director

AmeriCorps Program Benefits: 

• Living Allowance of $8,250 over the term of service 
• $3,697.50 Segal Education Award at the end of a successful service term 
• Student Loan forbearance 

Evaluation and Reporting: 

AmeriCorps members will participate in mid-term and end-of-term evaluations and reviews. AmeriCorps Members will submit their hours on a bi-weekly basis, write monthly or quarterly reflections, and attend monthly service member meetings. 

For more information: 

Contact Paige Krueger, National Service Program Manager, 501-374-7383 ext 168 

For more information about AmeriCorps State and National, go to https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-state-national/become-member. 

Service Position Title and Type: Public Health AmeriCorps (Half-time, 900 hours) Name and Address of Program: Our House 302 E. Roosevelt Road Little Rock, AR 72206

Service Locations: Our House and Harmony Health ClinicSite Supervisor/Title: DeMarreo Tidwell, LMSW, Mental Health Manager, 501-374-7383 ext. 169, demarreo.tidwell@ourhouseshelter.org

This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. 

Updated April 2024