Wisconsin HealthCorps. Introduction to National Service

Transcription

1 Wisconsin HealthCorps Introduction to National Service

2 This is National Service! National Service is an exciting opportunity for individuals to make a difference in their communities and in the lives of others. Through National Service programs, members gain a wide range of experiences, personal and professional development opportunities, and the unique opportunity to act as change agents and improve society.

3 Issues Addressed by National Service Programs Childcare Homeland Security Health and Human Services Environmental Issues Service Learning Mentoring Child and Adult Education Senior Care Disaster Relief Community Development

4 History-Makers in National Service

5 Rooted in America s Tradition of Service President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the early 30 s. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a work relief program for young men from unemployed families established in March 1933 in President Roosevelt s first hundred days. It was part of the New Deal designed to combat the poverty and unemployment of the Great Depression in the United States. This program was one of the precursors of what is now called AmeriCorps*NCCC. President John F. Kennedy is famous in the history of national service for establishing the Peace Corps, which had the dual function of helping to combat poverty overseas and help to cultivate a positive view of Americans in other parts of the world. President Lyndon Johnson established the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program in Similar to the Peace Corps, his program engaged Americans in a year of service to fight the war on poverty here in America rather than abroad. In the 90 s, VISTA was renamed AmeriCorps*VISTA. The elder President George H.W. Bush signed the National and Community Service Act in This act was the precursor to what would come in 1993, the National and Community Service Trust Act. President Bill Clinton signed the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, creating AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National and Community Service. It also folded under the corporation several pre-existing national and community service programs, including VISTA, National Civilian Community Corps, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), the Senior Companions Program (SCP), Foster Grandparents Program (FGP), and Serve America (known as Learn and Serve America which is no longer funded). In 1994, more than 20,000 AmeriCorps members began serving all over the country. President George W. Bush, In his 2002 state of the Union Address, asked all Americans to devote two years or 4,000 hours to volunteer service during their lifetimes. As part of this call to service, he created USA Freedom Corps, a White House office and coordinating council to encourage Americans to serve their communities and country. He also proposed to expand AmeriCorps by 50 percent. And finally President Obama. In 2013 Obama created the Task Force on Expanding National Service. The Task Force will make recommendations on policies to expand national service opportunities, recommend ways to coordinate volunteering and service programs across the Federal government and identify public-private partnerships to expand national service

6 Who leads AmeriCorps? Did you know? In 2009, President Obama signed into law the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, which reauthorized and expanded the service programs administered by the Corporation. The increased funding is in part meant to put AmeriCorps on a path from 75,000 positions annually to 250,000 by In 1993, President Bill Clinton signed the National and Community Service Trust Act, which established the Corporation for National and Community Service The Corporation is the nation s largest grant maker supporting service and volunteering This Act also created the AmeriCorps Program, which combined the longstanding VISTA program, and the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC).

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8 AmeriCorps Flow Chart FEDERAL LEVEL STATE LEVEL GRANTEE

9 AmeriCorps State and National Largest branch of AmeriCorps About 70,000 members serve each year Members serve with more than 3,000 organizations Members address needs in education, environment, health, housing, disaster response and more Sponsors include Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys and Girls Clubs & thousands of other nonprofits & government organizations Full-time and less than full-time opportunities

10 AmeriCorps Terminology: What it is and what it isn t AmeriCorps member volunteer worker, staff, participant, employee or intern Living allowance or stipend wage or salary Serve or service work or job A service position is not a job because the position should not have displaced any paid staff member that performs the same function. 10

11 Who leads AmeriCorps in Wisconsin? Serve Wisconsin is the State AmeriCorps Commission, formally known as the Wisconsin National and Community Service Board Serve Wisconsin supports service in Wisconsin primarily by granting AmeriCorps funds through the Corporation for National and Community Service Serve Wisconsin has 5 staff, members: Executive Director Tom Devine, Program Officers: Casey Sweeney, Jessica Kessler, Amy Porter, and Steven Yule. Did you know? Serve Wisconsin is located within the Department of Health Services at 1 W Wilson in Madison.

12 What is Wisconsin HealthCorps? Improving the health of Wisconsin s communities by engaging AmeriCorps members who: Promote access to primary care, Provide community-based health education, Recruit volunteers to enhance their efforts and increase the capacity of the organizations they serve

13 Where is Wisconsin HealthCorps? Community Health Centers Marshfield, Eau Claire Marshfield Clinic Cashton - Scenic Bluffs CHC Wausau - Bridge CHC Sheboygan/Manitowoc - Lakeshore CHC Ashland NorthLakes CHC Wautoma - FH-La Clinica Lakewood Northern CHC Milwaukee Progressive CHC Milwaukee Sixteenth Street CHC Public Health Departments Wautoma Waushara Co. Health Dept. Oshkosh Winnebago Co. Health Dept. Eau Claire Eau Claire Co. Health Dept. Madison Dane County Dept. of Human Services Non-Profits Milwaukee Children s Health Alliance of Wisconsin Milwaukee FAM Allies/Milwaukee AHEC Hospitals Madison American Family Children s Hospital Shawano ThedaCare Medical Center

14 What Does WPHCA Do? Represents Wisconsin s 18 Community Health Centers Training and technical support (workshops, conferences, networking meetings) Government relations and advocacy (educating policy makers and advocating/lobbying for the best interests of health centers in the state) Programmatic support (AC program, Health Information Technology, Quality Improvement, etc. )

15 What Does WPHA Do? Provides support and advocacy for Wisconsin s Public Health Community

16 The 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.