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What is The Institute for Family Health?
The Institute for Family Health is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality and availability of family practice services to medically underserved populations. Founded in 1983, the Institute operates 16 full-time and 9 part-time federally funded community health centers throughout Manhattan, the Bronx, and the Mid-Hudson Valley in New York State, including a school-based health center and eight part-time sites that serve the homeless.
In addition to its clinical programs, the Institute trains health professionals through a tri-state faculty development program, engages in community-based participatory research related to racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes, and works to promote the diversity of the healthcare workforce through its leadership in the New York State Area Health Education Center (AHEC) System.

What is Community HealthCorps?
The Community HealthCorps is a national AmeriCorps program that promotes health care for the underserved while developing future healthcare workers. HealthCorps members engage in a variety of projects to promote access to health care and health information in medically underserved communities. They can also recruit and develop volunteers to support community health centers.

What types of projects are available at the Institute for members?

Members are placed in projects at our health centers in Manhattan, the Bronx, and Ulster County. Examples of HealthCorps projects available at the Institute include:

• Conducting one-on-one and group health education sessions on preventive health topics such as asthma, diabetes, and prenatal care with patients at our health centers;

• Working in our School Based Health Center to provide health services and health education to high school students

• Serving as an educator and support person for patients who attend the Institute’s Women’s Health Free Clinic and the teen reproductive health session

• Other assignments include: depression care program case management, working with social work services, providing assistance and education about electronic medical records and other health information technology, community outreach, translation services, enrolling patients in health insurance programs, etc.

What qualifications should members have?
• United States citizen, United States national, or lawful permanent resident
• High school diploma or GED or commitment to obtain during the service year
• At least 17 years of age
• Strong commitment to service
• Respect for and interest in working in medically underserved communities
• Excellent people skills
• Ability to learn quickly
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Creativity and initiative
How long is the program?
• Full-time HealthCorps members serve for 1,700 hours over an 11 month period – approximately 40 hours/week;

What are the benefits of being a Community HealthCorp member?

All members receive extensive training and professional development.

Full-time members also receive:
• A living allowance of $11,400 for the year
• $4,725 taxable education award to be used toward student loans or future education costs
• Health insurance
• Childcare benefits – if income eligible
• Loan deferment on qualified student loans
• Monthly Metrocards

Please apply as soon as possible. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

All applicants must apply through the Americorps website: www.americorps.gov.

For more information please contact: Nicki Fietzer at nfietzer@institute2000.org.