NACDD Public Health AmeriCorps South Carolina III Service Member
POSITION OVERVIEW:
Position Name: NACDD Public Health AmeriCorps Service Member
Position Type/Hours: Three Quarter Time/1200 hours
Service Location: South Carolina Empowerment Center / FoodShare Laurens
28020 Highway 76 E, Clinton, SC, 29325
Living Allowance: $8,074.00
Education Award: $5,176.50
Total Award: $13,250.50
PROGRAM PURPOSE:
The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) is a national public health non-profit agency focused on improving the health of the public by strengthening state and national leadership and expertise for chronic disease prevention and control. NACDD’s core membership is composed of the 59 State and Territorial Health Department Chronic Disease Directors and their staff who protect the health of the public through primary and secondary prevention efforts and work “upstream” on root causes of chronic conditions. NACDD promotes health and reduces the burden of chronic disease through various programs and initiatives in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity and the Division of Population Health, and a team of nationally recognized experts.
To enhance public health resources across the country and support state and local public health settings respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Public Health AmeriCorps (PHA) program supports the recruitment, training, and development of the next generation of public health leaders. In partnership with State Health Departments, local health departments, other community-based organizations, and/or local YMCAs or YMCA State Alliances, Service Members will be placed across twenty states to advance existing efforts around food and nutrition security, safe physical activity access, social connectedness, and health equity, all within the context of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
SPECIFIC SERVICE FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The PHA Service Member, under the supervision of the South Carolina Empowerment Center’s FoodShare Laurens program, will provide assistance and support to the FoodShare Laurens Hub to expand food and nutrition security strategies to community members in underserved areas across the county. The Service Member will primarily focus on the distribution and promotion of the Fresh Food Box in the community. Service Members will:
- Assist with the distribution of promotional flyers and other communication items to support outreach efforts
- Collaborate with community partners to actively promote and provide linkages to FoodShare Laurens, for example at Health and Community fairs
- Participate in the packing and distribution of produce boxes
- Participate in outreach efforts to increase customer engagement with FoodShare Laurens
- Build connections with community partners that many lead to increased volunteer support, technical support or partner site establishment
- Aid partner sites with SNAP orders via online portal, and in person EBT machines
DESCRIPTION OF ANTICIPATED SERVICE SCHEDULE:
- In-person service hours
- Service hours are to be completed Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm time.
- A maximum of 20% of service hours may be training, education, or other similar approved activities
- A maximum of 10% of service hours may be fundraising activities
DESIRED SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
- Willingness to take initiative and demonstrate personal accountability
- Strong verbal and written communication (proficiency in Spanish preferred)
- Ability to establish positive relationships with diverse populations and effectively and restfully work with others
- Knowledge or interest in issues of food security, food justice, public health, community development and poverty alleviation
NON-DISCRIMINATION NOTICE
The NACDD PHA program operates in accordance with federal and AmeriCorps program requirements on non-discrimination. In accordance with applicable laws and regulations, the NACDD PHA program prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment based on the protected categories of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability (mental or physical), gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, reprisal, pregnancy, genetic information (including family medical history), military service, or their submission of a complaint. NACDD’s compliance history is available upon request.
REQUIRED COMMITMENT
- Service members are expected to complete 1200 service hours within a one (1) year timeframe.
- The service year begins 02/03/2025 and ends 02/02/2026.
ORIENTATION AND TRAINING
Members must participate in
- Pre-service orientation
- PHA-specific training
- Program-specific training
- Any other trainings deemed necessary by the Host Site supervisor
Note: Trainings will be limited to 20% or less of PHA Service Members service hours
EVALUATION AND REPORTING
PHA Service Members will:
- Complete quarterly assessments of the PHA Program including their Host Site experience, trainings, sense of belongingness and inclusivity, interest in pursuing a career in public health, etc.
- Complete monthly reflection forms
- Participate in quarterly performance evaluation and reviews with their Host Site supervisor
- Be required to submit service timesheets biweekly
PUBLIC HEALTH AMERICORPS ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS
PHA Service Members must:
- Be at least 18 years of age at the commencement of service
- Have a high diploma or its equivalent
- Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States
- Satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check eligibility criteria pursuant to 45 CFR 2540.202
- Live within commutable distance of the Host Site to accommodate a hybrid service schedule
OTHER PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS
- Must be willing to comply with all Host Site vaccination requirements, including for COVID-19
- Preferred: Upper level (3rd or 4th year) undergraduate student or graduate level student enrolled at a college or university pursuing a public health degree or related degree or recent graduate
PUBLIC HEALTH AMERICORPS PROGRAM BENEFITS
- Living allowance of $8,07400 over the course of the term of service
- $5,176.50 Segal Education Award at the end of a successful service term
- Student loan deferment and interest forbearance
- Increased professional awareness and accumulated real-world experience to enhance job competence following completion of service year
- Join a network of like-minded leaders who are passionate about improving communities and the health and wellbeing of community members
HOW TO APPLY
Submit Your Application by 12/20/24: Complete and submit the NACDD Public Health AmeriCorps Program Application through the following Smartsheet link:
https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/766fd3822c5942aa909458fef11dd12a
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Tierney Thomison, Public Health AmeriCorps Program Manager, National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (tthomison@chronicdisease.org) and Chelsea Cole, Public Health AmeriCorps Senior Program Coordinator (ccole@chronicdisease.org)