Iowa Community Corps

Iowa Community Corps

The Iowa Community Corps is an Ameri Corps program at the Iowa Department of Health & Human Services. Members receive a living allowance and education award for their service, while gaining a professional network and leadership skills to forge a successful career in community health. Ameri Corps members serve at community-based organizations to support capacity-building projects in four key areas:
1) Food security
- Support programs that increase access to nutritious foods
2) Resource navigation
- Connect individuals and families to public health resources available in their communities
3) Community engagement
- Engage community members in service and develop strong volunteer programs
4) Youth mental health (as part of the Youth Mental Health Corps)- join the movement to address the youth mental health crisis in America The Iowa Community Corps is committed to the professional development of its members. In addition to completing meaningful service, members can expect to spend up to 20% of their service hours on the following professional development activities:

-Community Health Worker Training- this online training results in a professional noncredit certificate from Des Moines Area Community College
-Monthly professional development sessions with Ameri Corps members- sessions focus on a variety of topics including resume and cover letter writing, motivational interviewing, and more.

-Mentorship sessions- connect with a mentor for problem solving and goal setting
-Networking sessions- collaborate with your peers and build your professional network Further help on this page can be found by clicking here.

Member Duties :
Member service activities will increase, expand, or enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and scale or reach of programs at their host sites to provide lasting positive outcomes for the benefiting community. Examples of Ameri Corps member services activities include organizing service days and events to increase citizen engagement, encouraging and promoting volunteerism, developing collaborative relationships between organizations and citizens, developing new programs or services, developing systems to improve efficiency or effectiveness of services, and conducting research and asset mapping to strengthen an organization's ability to meet community needs.

Members will also complete training to become Community Health Workers. Members will apply this training by connecting individuals to food, healthcare, and other essential resources.

Program Benefits :
Living Allowance , Training , Education award upon successful completion of service , Childcare assistance if eligible .

Terms :

Permits attendance at school during off hours , Permits working at another job during off hours .

Service Areas :

Community Outreach , Health , Community and Economic Development , Children/Youth , Hunger .

Skills :

Writing/Editing , Public Speaking , Leadership , Youth Development , Non-Profit Management , Team Work , General Skills , Computers/Technology , Education , Social Services , Community Organization , Public Health .