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Fact /Information Sheet
What is AmeriCorps?
AmeriCorps supports local, state, and national organizations across the nation that involves Americans in results-driven community service. AmeriCorps members participate in local service programs operated by not-for-profit organizations, local and state government entities, Indian tribes, territories, and institutions of higher education, local school and police districts, and partnerships among any of the above. Members serving in these programs help meet communities' critical education, public safety, environmental, and other human needs.
What is CSUDH-SLFH?
The California State University Dominguez Hills- Service Learning for Family Health
(CSUDH-SLFH) is project under the CSU Service Learning for Family Health (CSU-SLFH) AmeriCorps Program, an innovative statewide partnership involving 1) the CSU system and 2) the non-profit sector and 3) state government. The mission is "to develop and support community-university partnerships that will directly address the health and Human service needs identified by community-based agencies servicing children and families; enhance the quality of student learning; and promote an ethic of service." The three main objectives for this project revolves around some of the National and Community Service Ethic - a) Getting Things Done, b) Participant Development and c) Strengthening Communities.
The CSU-SLFH project is designed to involve two communities a) Families served by Health and Social Service Agencies and b) Higher Education. By creating AmeriCorps positions that provide direct service to clients of health and social service agencies and coordinate community service and service learning placements for university students, this program will assist in delivering affordable, high-quality services to a diverse population throughout California.
The CSUDH-SLFH program will serve the Carson, Wilmington, Compton and San Pedro areas. At Dominguez Hills we have partnered with eight organizations (see the attachment) in Carson, Wilmington and Compton.
When does this program start?
Interviews will be starting in late August 2000 and will be continued until the 16 part-time positions (900 hours/year) are filled. The program starts August 2000 and ends in July 2001.
What are some of the responsibilities for the AmeriCorps members?
In the CSUDH-SLFH program, under supervision, members will work directly and provide assistance to a diverse population of children, families, and homeless adults and. Members will be involved in some of the following activities:
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Case management e.g. providing assistance and information to students and families and assisting in identifying range of services to meet the needs of the students and families Exams for elementary school children
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Provide assistance and education to homeless adults and children
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Must participate and assist in four national Service Days such as Make a difference day (October 28, 2000); Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service (January 15, 2001); Volunteer Week (April 15-21, 2001); and National Youth Service Day (April 20-21, 2001)
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Must participate and attend in state end-of-year function
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Must submit monthly journals, mid year and end of year reports
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Other duties as directed
What is the pay for service?
AmeriCorps is NOT a job. It is community service. As such, members are not paid, instead they are provided a living allowance and, after their service, receive an education award paid as vouchers from the National Service Trust which may be redeemed, within seven years, to pay for current education costs at colleges, universities, other postsecondary institutions and approved school to work programs, or to pay back qualified student loans already incurred.
What are some of the benefits for the AmeriCorps members?
A major benefit is the opportunity to apply education and experience to help communities. In addition, the two major financial rewards the AmeriCorps member receives are: A living allowance of $5,175.00 will be distributed in bi-weekly installments, and an educational award of $2,362.00 will be awarded at the end of the community service.
Do the living allowance and the education award affect my financial aid?
By law, a member's living allowance does not affect work study eligibility or eligibility for other federal student aid.
Who can apply to this program?
Individuals must fill out an application. An interview will also be conducted.
Students and members will be recruited primarily from the student body at CSU Dominguez Hills. The focus will be placed on recruiting students enrolled in health and human services disciplines (but will not be limited to these areas) that are interested and prepared to serve in Carson, Wilmington, Compton and San Pedro.
What are the Desired Qualities?
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Commitment to service as AmeriCorps members for the entire year.
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Good standing at a university or college.
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Strong interpersonal organizational written and verbal
communication skills.
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Some experience with and or knowledge of community health or community development.
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Good interaction skills with a diverse population and a genuine desire to serve in culturally and racially diverse communities.
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Ability to speak a second language.
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Ability to function independently and be a team player.
What are the minimum qualifications?
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Attainment of a high school diploma and enrolled in higher education.
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Availability to participate in the weekly or bi-weekly reflective seminars (180 hours/year) on the activities of the program and on interpersonal and intrapersonal growth.
How will members be supervised?
Both community-based and campus-based coordinators will supervise AmeriCorps members. Members will be supervised by the Healthy Start coordinators at each site and by the Program Manager in the homeless program.
How will members be trained?
Training programs will be provided both statewide and locally and will address the following:
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Philosophies of the AmeriCorp program
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Site Orientation
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Team Building
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Leadership
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Cultural Diversity
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CPR
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Effective communication
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Community building and Mobilization
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Culturally Sensitive health delivery
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Conflict Resolution
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Social Issues awareness
Glossary of Terms
CSUDH - California State University Dominguez Hills
CLASP - California Local Area Service Partnership
CILTS -- California Commission on Improving Life Through Service - The State
Commission in California administering the AmeriCorps Program
SLFH - Service Learning for Family Health - The name of the CSU grant
CSUDH-Service Learning Family Health AmeriCorps Project
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