idealist.org

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.

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 will this project entail?

The HealthCorps social work outreach worker/case manager will work primarily at the OB/GYN and Specialty Care Center in Kingston, N.Y. Institute health centers provide social work services to patients who are uninsured, need assistance accessing public benefit programs, or would benefit from housing, legal or other support services offered by partner agencies. The Health Corps member will work with the Institute’s Psychosocial Services staff to enroll patients and members of the community into public insurance plans such as Family or Child Health Plus, Medicaid and others. This member will provide direct services to patients during the enrollment process, document enrollment and outreach activities in patient care records, conduct outreach events and activities, and liaison with community organizations. The focus will be on conducting intake assessments for prenatal patients which includes risks and barriers to care, public insurance enrollment, depression screening and supportive services.

Specific Member Responsibilities and Activities:
• Call uninsured patients who are eligible for insurance and make enrollment appointments
• Participate in health fairs and outreach activities
• Assist patients in the completion of insurance applications and provide insurance information to patients and their families
• Educate providers on available insurance programs
• Conduct depression screenings and make appropriate referrals
• Conduct prenatal intake assessments in conjunction with nursing and medical providers
• Work one-on-one with patients to address barriers
• Collaborate with social work staff to maximize patient access to needed services
• Participate in evaluation activities to improve the delivery of social work services at Institute health centers.

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

How long is the program?
• Full-time HealthCorps members serve for 1,700 hours over an 11 month period – approximately 40 hours/week; starting in September of 2009.

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
• Transportation Benefits

All candidates must apply through the AmeriCorps website at www.americorps.gov. Search for positions with the Institute for Family Health in New York, NY. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, please apply as soon as possible.

Further questions can be directed to Nicki Fietzer at nfietzer@institute2000.org.