Behavioral Health Disaster Response & Recovery VISTA

What is AmeriCorps VISTA?

AmeriCorps VISTA is the national service program designed specifically to fight poverty. Founded as Volunteers in Service to America in 1965 and incorporated into the AmeriCorps network of programs in 1993, VISTA has been on the front lines in the fight against poverty in America for more than 50 years.

About the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) AmeriCorps VISTA Public Health Partnership Project:

The Oregon Health Authority AmeriCorps VISTA Partnership Project aims to alleviate, prevent, and reduce poverty by engaging public health professionals in a year of full-time service in major public health organizations to create or expand public health systems capacity. We reduce poverty by building sustainable public health programs and systems that ensure health equity, community resiliency and improved health outcomes.

OHA AmeriCorps VISTA members serve full-time, forty hours per week in a capacity building role in statewide organizations, local public health departments, Tribal governments, or non-profits across the state of Oregon. Work is done in an indirect service and capacity building role in a professional office setting and there are many opportunities for training and professional development. AmeriCorps members at OHA focus their efforts on building the organizational, administrative, and financial capacity of organizations that improve public health services.

This position joins Oregon Health Authority’s statewide AmeriCorps VISTA team. In addition to activities at your individual site, members receive additional orientation, training throughout the year, team meetings, and the support of the team leaders and project director based at the state public health agency. Professional development opportunities include conferences, training about social determinants of health, equity, cross-sector partnership, and mentorship. For more information about the Oregon Health Authority AmeriCorps VISTA Partnership Project, visit: http://healthoregon.org/vista.

Selections are made on a rolling basis and early applications are strongly encouraged. The last day to submit an application is June 12, 2024.

About this position:

This project targets poverty reduction by establishing sustainable wellness initiatives and improving disaster preparedness in the behavioral health sector, with a focus on health equity and community resilience for economically disadvantaged individuals.

Vision:

A thriving Oregon where mental health, substance use, and gambling disorders are prevented through proactive measures, including prevention, early intervention, and accessible care.

Mission:

Our mission is to empower Oregonians to attain holistic wellbeing by facilitating access to comprehensive health, mental health, and addiction services and supports. We strive to meet the diverse needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to thrive in their communities through collaboration with families, counties, state agencies, providers, advocates, and communities.

Goals:

1. Enhance the lifelong health of all Oregonians.
2. Improve the quality of life for those we serve.
3. Expand the availability, utilization, and quality of integrated community-based healthcare services.
4. Reduce healthcare and societal costs through strategic investments.
5. Enhance the effectiveness of the integrated healthcare delivery system.
6. Foster active participation of individuals and families in healthcare delivery and planning.
7. Enhance accountability within the healthcare system.
8. Promote efficiency and efficacy within the state healthcare system.

The member will serve at the Oregon Health Authority in the Behavioral Health Division (BHD). The OHA BHD helps Oregonians achieve physical, mental and social wellbeing by providing access to health, mental health and addiction services and supports to meet the needs of Oregon’s adults and children. We accomplish this through collaboration with individuals, their families, counties, other state agencies, providers, advocates and communities.

In this role, the AmeriCorps VISTA will:

The member will collaborate with FEMA, SAMHSA, and local organizations to enhance behavioral health (BH) counseling outreach services before, during, and after disasters.

Duties include:

• Develop a BH response plan, contribute to crisis communication strategies, and promote culturally responsive BH support.
• Research state plans, strengthen partnerships, and supporting the creation of a GIS resource for disaster response. Work will focus on crisis communication planning, collaborating with CMHPs to ensure effective outreach during disasters.
• Attend BH meetings and provide capacity-building suggestions for equitable support, addressing disparities in underserved communities.
• Collaborate with county partners to update emergency response plans and engage with local, state, and federal agencies.
• Stay updated on disaster mental health developments, provide stress management and trauma intervention, and participate in exercises to ensure readiness in disaster response efforts.