Welcome to Community HealthCorps !

5. Welcome to Community HealthCorps! Program Overview 2013-2014

6. Welcome to Community HealthCorps! Overview

7. Overview • Launched by the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) in 1995 • Largest health-focused AmeriCorps program that promotes health care for America’s underserved, while developing tomorrow’s health care workforce. • Community HealthCorps Members try to help people who have no regular primary care provider to: • Increase access to health care • Provide health education • Recruit and develop volunteers for health centers

8. Oversight of National Service

9. Community HealthCorps Relationship Map

10. Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) • Federal entity created in 1993 by the National Community Service Trust Act • Engages Americans of all ages and backgrounds in community-based service that achieves direct and demonstrable results • 2 major programs: • AmeriCorps (includes AmeriCorps*State & National, AmeriCorps*VISTA, AmeriCorps*NCCC) • Senior Corps

11. Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act • Signed April 21, 2009 by President Obama • Reauthorized and expanded national service programs administered by CNCS • Increased the size of AmeriCorps from 75,000 to 250,000 positions over the next eight years • Established September 11 as a National Day of • Service and Remembrance

12. Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act Created 5 national service priority areas for AmeriCorps State & National programs: Education Unmet educational needs within communities especially those that help children and youth achieve success in school and increase high school graduation rates. Healthy Futures Unmet health needs within communities including access to health care, disease prevention and health promotion initiatives, and health literacy.

13. Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act Clean Energy/Environment Unmet energy-efficiency and environmental needs within communities. Veterans Unmet needs of veterans, members of the Armed Forces who are on active duty, and family members of deployed military personnel and engagement of veterans in service. Economic Opportunity Unmet needs relating to economic opportunity for economically disadvantaged individuals within communities including financial literacy, housing assistance, job training, and nutritional assistance.

14. AmeriCorps • Specifically, AmeriCorps strives to: • Get things done • Strengthen communities • Encourage responsibility • Expand opportunity • Since 1994, more than 706,000 Americans have given 860 million hours of service through AmeriCorps.

15. AmeriCorps Pledge I will get things done for America -to make our people safer, smarter, and healthier.I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities.Faced with apathy, I will take action.Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground.Faced with adversity, I will persevere.I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond.I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done.

16. National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) America’s Voice for Community Health Centers The NACHC Mission To promote the provision of high quality, comprehensive and affordable health care that is coordinated, culturally and linguistically competent, and community directed for all medically underserved populations.

17. National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) • Organized in 1971 with the needs of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in mind • Works closely with a network of state health center and primary care associations to serve its members in three major ways: • Research-based advocacy for health centers and their clients • Education of the public and training of health center staff and boards • Development of alliances with like-minded public and private partners to foster delivery of medical care to those in need.

18. Role of NACHC Staff in Community HealthCorps Responsibilities Include: • Administering the Community HealthCorps National program (developing and managing projects) • Organize a competitive application process for choosing new program sites and project stations • Helping to interpret AmeriCorps regulations, providing technical assistance and enforcing administrative policies and AmeriCorps regulations • Monitoring for compliance of grantees • Approving Member assignment descriptions

19. Community Health Centers Spread across 50 states and all U.S. territories, 1,200 health centers provide vital primary care to millions of Americans with limited financial resources through over 8,000 service delivery sites.

20. Health center patients are among the nation’s most vulnerable populations • Nearly all patients are low income, with 72% of health center patients having incomes at or below poverty. • Patients tend to be members of racial or minority groups • 38% are uninsured, and another 39% depend on Medicaid • About half of health center patients reside in rural areas, while the other half tend to live in economically depressed inner city communities

21. Community Health Centers Overcome Barriers to Care Health centers remove common financial, geographic, and cultural barriers to care. They • Are located in high need areas (those with elevated poverty, higher than average infant mortality, and where few physicians practice) • Are open to all residents regardless of insurance status, and provide free or low-cost care based on ability to pay • Offer services that help their patients access health care such as transportation, translation, case management, and health education • Tailor their services to fit the special needs and priorities of their communities, and provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services

22. For many patients, the health center may be the only source of health care services available. The number of uninsured patients at health centers has doubled – from 3.9 million in 1998 over 7.3 million today.

23. Program Sites Health Centers are the placement sites and the predominant sponsors of the Community HealthCorps. Program sites: • Make a financial contribution to the program • Hire the program coordinator and/or select site supervisors • Recruit Community HealthCorps Members for their team • Provide Member training • Manage day to day Member service activities

24. Welcome to Community HealthCorps! AmeriCorps Members

25. Community HealthCorps Eligibility Requirements Applicants must meet the following criteria and provide required documentation in order to be eligible to enroll in AmeriCorps: • Complete an online application packet • Complete program site interview process, which may include reference check (requirements vary across program sites) • Provide documentation of U.S. Citizenship or status as a U.S. National or a lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Individuals in the U.S. under a student, work, or tourist visa are not eligible to become AmeriCorps Members. • At least 18 years of age at the commencement of service (or 17 with parental permission) • Have a high school diploma or GED or agree to obtain a GED while serving • Fulfill National Service Criminal History Check requirements, which includes National Sex Offender Public Registry, state and FBI criminal registry searches

26. Employee vs. Member • An AmeriCorps Member is not an employee of the placement site • An AmeriCorps Member is not an employee of the program site • An AmeriCorps Member is not an employee of NACHC or CNCS

27. General Terms of Service AmeriCorps Members have made a commitment to the community they serve. • Members agree to serve 1700 hours (FT), average of at least 30 hours per week • Members may serve up to 12 months (minimum term of service is 10 months) • Members can serve up to four terms in AmeriCorps State & National • Members can receive the equivalent of two full time Education Awards if they serve multiple terms

28. Benefits of Serving • Living Allowance • Education Award earned after successful completion of agreed upon term of service, can be used to pay off federally qualified student loans and for future schooling • Health Insurance for Members who are not otherwise covered • Child Care assistance for Members meeting eligibility requirements • Loan forbearance and payment of accrued interest while serving upon successful completion • Unique training opportunities and experience related to community health

29. Welcome to Community HealthCorps! What will you do? To see videos of what Members are doing, check out our YouTube page at www.youtube.com/communityhealthcorps!

30. Service Activities • Direct Service: Work that addresses unmet human needs, the environment, public safety, and/or education. Examples include: • Outreach & Advocacy: Conduct outreach in the community and provide education about health insurance eligibility, available health and related programs, and health care options • Enrollment: Assist individuals with the enrollment process for health programs, health insurance plans, and/or pharmaceutical assistance programs. • Improve Utilization of Health Services and Programs: Provide linguistically and culturally appropriate translations, provide transportation assistance, provide health education in one-on-one or group settings, assist individuals with navigating health and related services/programs, etc.

31. Grant Writing & Fundraising Activities Members may raise funds directly in support of their service activities up to 10% of their total service time.

32. Ideal Community HealthCorps Placements • Outreach to vulnerable and/or underserved populations • Development of new position(s) • Involve service that would not otherwise get done and/or expands availability of services • Utilizes unique talents of individual Members • Does not displace or duplicate any paid employee providing the same or similar service at the site • Provides opportunities for Community HealthCorps Members to perform direct service activities that that address health and/or human needs in the community

33. What is the purpose of the Member Assignment Description? The assignment description can make or break the placement. • It charts a course of action for the Member’s term of service • A clear understanding of the assignment description helps avoid confusion over what is expected of the Member. Use it at the beginning of the term to see what the year ahead should look like. Go back to it every few months to develop short-term plans. • If used correctly, the assignment description provides direction for the Member and allows supervisors to talk about what is working and what is not.

34. Welcome to Community HealthCorps! Unallowable Activities

35. Employee Displacement & Duplication • An AmeriCorps Member is not: • an employee of the program • is not to be confused with a community volunteer • is not to be confused with an intern or student • Given that Members are not employees, they are not allowed to perform an employee’s duties or otherwise displace employees • A Member may not fill in for an absent employee • Members may not, under any circumstances, perform services, or activities that had been assigned to an employee or volunteer or to an employee or volunteer who has recently resigned or been discharged • Programs may not use Members, even temporarily, to replace staff (i.e. fill in when they are sick, on maternity leave, and/or offsite for any reason)

36. Employee Displacement & Duplication (continued) AmeriCorps Members may not displace or duplicate the service provided by an employee or volunteer: • If staff resigns or is terminated a Member may not fill this duty. • If staff is out sick, on vacation, etc. a Member may not fill this duty. • If staff leaves for his/her lunch hour, a Member may not fill this duty. • A Member may not assist staff to complete a duty in his/her job description, unless the Member is expanding or enhancing this service in some way

37. Prohibited Activities Community HealthCorps Members or staff members charging time to the AmeriCorps grant may not participate in any of the following activities: • Attempt to influence legislation • Conduct voter registration drives. • Organize or engage in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes • Assist, promote, or deter union organization • Provide abortion services or make referrals* for such services *A referral consists of a name, address, telephone number, and other relevant factual information such as type of insurance accepted.

38. Prohibited Activities (continued) • Engage in partisan political activities or other activities designed to influence the outcome of an election • Participate in, or endorse, events or activities that are likely to include advocacy for or against a political party, platform, candidate, proposed legislation, or elected officials • Engage in religious instruction, conduct worship services; construct, operate, or manage facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship; engage in any form of religious proselytizing *Wearing the AmeriCorps and/or Community HealthCorps logo during the above activities or in a situation that could negatively reflect on the program is prohibited.

39. Prohibited Activities (continued) AmeriCorps Members may not provide a direct benefit to: • A for-profit entity; • A labor union; • A partisan political organization; or • An organization engaged in the religious activities described earlier, unless Grant funds are not used to support the religious activities. • A nonprofit entity that fails to comply with the restrictions contained in section 501(c)(3) of U.S. Code Title 26.

40. Welcome to Community HealthCorps! PROVE that you’re making a difference!

41. Performance Measures • ACCESS TO CARE educating and / or coaching economically disadvantaged individuals regarding the importance of proper management of chronic conditions and share strategies for managing those conditions to help reduce the need for unnecessary primary care intervention and the costs related to these interventions. • ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY emphasizing economic opportunity with a focus on engaging economically disadvantaged individuals to improve their financial knowledge as it relates to health care. • INDEPENDENT LIVING assisting older adults and individuals with disabilities with receiving food, transportation, or other service that will allow them to live independently.

42. Performance Measures continued… • CHILDHOOD OBESITY engaging elementary to high school aged youth/ opportunity youth and family members to increase participation in in-school or afterschool physical education and nutrition focused activities with the purpose of reducing childhood obesity. • VETERAN ENGAGEMENT providing health education and supportive counseling services to underserved veterans, focusing on unmet needs in the areas of mental and behavioral health, primary care, eligibility assistance and referrals to health and non health services. • Data is collected in OnCorps Reports through Direct Service, Volunteer Mobilization, and Capacity Building reports. • Site supervisors are able to review and reject these reports. *Not every Member will be performing activities under every performance measure.

43. Welcome to Community HealthCorps! What kind of training will you receive?

44. Training will be conducted by the Program Coordinator & Site Supervisor Pre-Service Orientation: • Provides an in-depth introduction to the Community HealthCorps, its objectives, performance measures, and policies and procedures at the beginning of the term of service. Placement Site Orientation – conducted by the site supervisor and other staff, introduces the new AmeriCorps Member to the community, organization, project, and assignment description during the first few weeks at the placement site On-Going Training: • Prescription for Success Curriculum - required for all Members by April 30 of the program year • Develop knowledge & skills the Member and supervisor identified as required in reviewing the assignment description • Regularly scheduled team meetings • Life After AmeriCorps - Designed to provide Members with the necessary tools to transition from a year of service to a professional career or further schooling, and should build professional skills • Other examples include Member Development calls hosted by NACHC and local training opportunities when available

45. Member Development & Training • The Corporation for National and Community Service allows up to 20% of total service time to be dedicated to training. • Members may earn up to 10% of their training hours through approved college/GED coursework. This must be pre-approved by the Program Coordinator. • Member Training & Development is tracked in OnCorps Reports on the timesheet and in the HC Member Development report. • For the complete guidance and requirements on Member Training & Development, please see the “Tools for Program Staff” section of the Community HealthCorps website.

46. Welcome to Community HealthCorps! Expectations & Code of Conduct

47. Member Expectations • Show respect for the program staff, agency staff, the community, and fellow AmeriCorps Members at all times. • Act as an appropriate role model with service recipients and within the community • Follow directions as set forth by the program • Uphold all privacy regulations as set forth by the agency • Direct concerns, problems and suggestions to their Site Supervisor and/or Program Coordinator • Abstain from engaging in prohibited activities while earning service hours and/or wearing the AmeriCorps and/or Community HealthCorps logos • Communicate effectively and respectfully with site supervisors, program coordinators, and other program staff • Be present and punctual for service • Satisfactorily complete service assignments as defined in the Member Assignment Description, and determined by the Program Site • Consistent and reliable attendance is essential to providing service. • Members are expected to report to their service sites as scheduled and be ready to serve at the scheduled time. Please review the Rules of Conduct found in the Community HealthCorps Member Contract.

48. Always call your Program Coordinator if… • You feel you were discriminated against • You had a family emergency and need to get home • You were arrested • You have a work related injury • Your site supervisor attempted to terminate you • Your site supervisor asked you to perform unallowable activities • You are unhappy in your service assignment

49. Your Site Supervisor is trained to always call the Program Coordinator if… • You don’t show up for service • You are hospitalized • You are arrested • You are not meeting performance or behavioral expectations and the situation has not been resolved • He/she wants to terminate you • You are doing a wonderful job!!

50. Disciplinary Procedure • Written Warning- It is at the discretion of the program site and placement site to decide when to issue a written warning based on the severity and frequency of the violation(s) • Suspension – Upon continued refusal to comply after a written warning, the Member may be suspended for one day or more, at the discretion of the program site, during which time his/her living allowance is pro-rated. The Member will not be able to make up those days and/or hours for which Member is suspended for disciplinary actions. • Release for Cause – Upon continued refusal to comply after the Member has been suspended, the Program Site may terminate the Member, and the Member will receive no part of the education award A Member can only be suspended or terminated by the Program Coordinator.