Want to make a difference within our schools? Or perhaps you know someone who might just be the perfect candidate for AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers In Service To America)?
Communities In Schools of Kalamazoo recruits a number of community members to serve as full-time AmeriCorps VISTA Associates through the “Parent Involvement Makes A Difference” project. CISK places VISTAs in various Kalamazoo Public Schools affiliated with CISK. The CISK Site Coordinator in a particular school serves as the VISTA’s direct supervisor. The CISK Director of Evaluation and Quality coordinates the placement of each group of VISTAs and serves as a secondary supervisor.
VISTAs are a vital part of a school’s CISK site team. A CISK site team can include the Site Coordinator, Assistant Site Coordinator, Social Work Intern, and Parent Leader. The role of an AmeriCorps VISTA is to develop and mobilize resources that create long-term sustainable benefits at a community level. In the case of CIS, a VISTA assists the Site Coordinator in building a school’s capacity to respond to student and family needs. VISTA volunteers will be matched with a school (or schools) that can best utilize their interests and strengths.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Normal working conditions where there is no physical discomfort due to temperature, dust, noise and the like. Occasionally lifts average 15 pound boxes of supplies, materials, etc. to waist level. Must be able to observe and hear students, staff, and providers across a wide range of settings and interpret those observations for the purpose of evaluation, monitoring, and service modifications. Must be able to work occasional evenings, weekends and/or early mornings in order to cover work responsibilities. Must be available for occasional travel to state and national meetings. Must have reliable transportation and ability to commute to each assigned school site and main CISK office.
VISTAs commit to one full year of service with Americorps and CISK. Americorps provides for health care benefits and a living stipend of $858 per month. A $5,300 educational award (or a post-service stipend of $1,500 accrued at the rate of $125 per month) is offered at the completion of a year of service. VISTAs can take two college-level classes at a time, but they may not work part-time at another job or be enrolled as a full-time student.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
CISK utilizes the Integrated Student Services (ISS) model to guide their work in the schools. The ISS model is an evidence-based approach to providing community resources to students and schools based on identified needs. The model provides a framework for CISK to use to first identify students’ needs and then provide Level One (school-wide) resources or Level 2 (individual student) services. VISTAs spend much of their time assisting the Site Coordinator with the organization and delivery of Level One resources within their schools. CISK Level One resources are designed to meet the needs of students in the areas of attendance, behavior, reading, writing, or math. CISK also utilizes four cross-cutting strategies to support student achievement: school-based health, mentoring and tutoring, parent engagement, and quality out of school time.
A sample of Level One resources that VISTAs help to organize includes:
- Physical Health (mobile dental clinic, vision screening), including student forms and scheduling
- Publishing Centers, including managing volunteers, scheduling, and coordination with KCIS and school personnel
- Basic Needs (weekly food backpacks, hygiene kits, apparel), including stocking supply cabinets, organization, and distribution
- VISTA Signature Project, responding to identified school-wide needs, and related to the “Parent Involvement Makes A Difference” theme.
In addition, VISTAs must maintain confidentiality in matters relating to parents, students and the school and demonstrate respect for racial, ethnic and cultural groups within the Kalamazoo community and are a positive representative of CISK.
The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements.
Postions begin in mid-November 2010.
Do not send in the CIS online application. Apply at www.americorps.gov and contact Meg Blinkiewicz at (269) 337-1601, extension 218 to discuss the position.
Back