Full-Time AmeriCorps Service Position Available:
Community Engagement Coordinator-Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD)
Still Accepting Applications!
AmeriCorps Service Position Description:
AFCAMP and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) are seeking a full-time AmeriCorps member to serve as a Community Engagement Coordinator-Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) to be a part of our team for 10 months.
What We Do
Celebrating 20 years of service, African Caribbean American Parents of Children with Disabilities, Inc. (AFCAMP), commonly known as AFCAMP Advocacy for Children provides advocacy, resources, training, and support to culturally and linguistically diverse and low-income families who have children, youth and young adults with disabilities, including physical, mental, intellectual and Developmental. We are headquartered in Hartford, CT which will be the central location for this service opportunity. www.afcamp.org
On an individual level, we help parents to become their children’s best advocates, and empower youth and young adults to self-advocate for the services they need within various systems to improve their quality of life. As a voice for systems change, AFCAMP advocates for policy and program reforms that promote equity and equal access to appropriate services across various statewide and local child, youth and young adult -serving systems within Connecticut. We also provide peer support specialists and family advocates to service providers. From its inception, equity has been at the heart of our work toward the longstanding vision “that all children have the opportunity to realize their talents, dreams, and goals to their highest potential.
With residents and partners, LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America – great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families. Over the last 40 years, LISC and its affiliates have invested approximately $24 billion in businesses, affordable housing, health, educational mobility, community and recreational facilities, public safety, employment and other projects that help to revitalize and stabilize underinvested communities. Headquartered in New York City, LISC’s reach spans the country from the East Coast to the West Coast in 36 urban markets from Buffalo to San Francisco and 2,400 Rural counties. Visit us at www.lisc.org to learn more.
Role and Responsibilities as an AmeriCorps Member
This is an AmeriCorps position and as such, the member may not engage in prohibited activities as part of his/her/their service. The member will have an immediate supervisor at AFCAMP and a LISC point of contact throughout the term of service for coaching, mentoring, and training support in order to undertake activities to achieve a community goal.
The member is expected to undertake the following activities toward goal achievement:
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Conduct research and surveys
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Develop and implement a community outreach plan
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Identify available resources
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Plan and execute targeted information sessions, trainings and workshops
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Promote linkages between employment supports, employers and/or job placement services
In performing these activities, AFCAMP and LISC AmeriCorps anticipate that the person in this position will achieve the following goal(s):
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Provide 100 clients with employment/ job skills counseling where 25 clients will secure employment – or secure better employment – as a result of the aforementioned activities
In order to meet the goal(s), the successful candidate will be provided with a work-plan at the onset of service and training needed to achieve the goal(s). Progress toward goal attainment will be measured monthly through an on-line system and training will be provided.
Other Service Requirements
Members are required to track time and submit on-line timesheets twice per month. They are also required to submit a monthly report through the same system (training will be provided). The person selected for this position will perform his/her/their day to day service at the partner site and serve on average 40 hours per week. Normal business hours will be listed as 8:30 - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday with 30 minutes for lunch. Evening and weekend service will be noted. Members are eligible for all Federal Holidays off (except Dr. Martin King Jr. Day) and five (5) days off during the service term. It is expected that the person will be flexible as oftentimes service requires some evenings and weekends.
Members are expected to attend and participate in all LISC AmeriCorps sponsored activities including but not limited to:
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Onboarding sessions coordinated by LISC;
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National leadership conference in the spring of 2022;
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All locally sponsored monthly meetings;
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Nationally sponsored webinars;
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Actively participating in at least two team coordinated service projects (one for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and one for National AmeriCorps Week); and
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Engage in any other LISC events as determined by the local LISC office.
Skills Needed
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Desire and ability to work with a diverse group of people, particularly those living in low-income distressed neighborhoods
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Ability to work independently and in a team environment
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Computer skills
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Good written and oral communication skills
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Ability to work a flexible schedule (some night and weekends may be required)
To be eligible to participate as a LISC AmeriCorps member the candidate: (1) must not have previously resigned from a LISC AmeriCorps position; (2) be able to earn at least 74% of the education award for this position; and (3) if having previously served, been exited with satisfactory service from a prior term.
The candidate will also need to meet all AmeriCorps eligibility requirements including but not limited to:
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Be at least 17 years of age (there is no upper age limit)
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Possess unexpired proof of status as a US citizen or possess unexpired permanent resident status and be able to provide documentation as determined by AmeriCorps during the pre-enrollment period
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Meet the National Service Criminal History Check Requirement noted below
Program Eligibility Requirements
National Service Criminal History Check Requirement
If a candidate has a criminal record, it does not necessarily make him/her/them ineligible for service. LISC does not disclose any results with the host site and will discuss any eligibility concerns that may arise directly with the candidate as per LISC’s policy.
Candidates being offered and accepting this AmeriCorps position must consent to a search of the National Sex Offender Public Website, State Level Criminal History Search, and an FBI search. LISC should receive the results from all checks at least one week prior to the first day of proposed service. The person must be cleared for service by LISC prior to the first day of service.
A candidate may not be considered eligible for service in instances where he/she/they: (1) are subject to registry on the National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW); and/or (2) has been convicted of murder; and/or (3) has a non-resolved/non-adjudicated criminal offense.
Upon successful completion of the full term of service, the member will be eligible for a $6,345 education award to pay off existing, eligible student loans or return to school. Members are eligible to place qualifying, existing student loans (not in default) into AmeriCorps forbearance. The position pays a total stipend of $20,000. The stipend is taxable and paid in 20 equal checks twice a month from LISC. Direct deposit is required. A health care benefit is available for the participant only. For members with children under the age of 13, there is a child care subsidy benefit available which is dependent on the participant meeting all eligibility requirements (This benefit is administered by a contracted provider via the AmeriCorps Agency).
Additional benefits for alums can be found here: https://www.nationalservice.gov/special-initiatives/employers-national-service/alumni and information on Public Service Loan Forgiveness can be found here: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.
Program Benefits
How to Apply
Candidates should send a resume via email to dhr@afcamp.org. The subject line should read AmeriCorps Applicant.
The candidate selected for this position will complete an account set up and on-line application via the My AmeriCorps Portal located here: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/login.do as well as intake forms via a secure system.