Illinois State University’s Central Illinois Area Health Education Center (AHEC) is recruiting for a Healthy Minds Alliance AmeriCorps Member to teach Mental Health First Aid in 2020. The Member will teach others how to support individuals who are experiencing a mental health challenge or illness. One in five adults has a diagnosed mental illness. They are our family, friends and neighbors.
The AmeriCorps Member also will support the McLean County Health Department that leads the McLean County Mental Health First Aid Collaborative comprising the AHEC, Health Department, and other health and human service organizations. With the help of AmeriCorps Members, the MHFA Collaborative has certified over 2,000 MHFAiders since 2014.
The Healthy Minds Alliance, developed through Connecticut-based Health 360 in collaboration with the National Council for Behavioral Health and the Corporation for National and Community Service, addresses the important issue of improving mental health outcomes in our nation. AmeriCorps members are trained as MHFA instructors and provide MHFA certification classes in their communities for a cross-section of the population including teachers, community health workers, college students, veterans, nurses, public safety workers, etc.
The AmeriCorps Member will complete a 10-month commitment beginning in 2020. The position is 40 hours per week totaling 1,700 service hours. Members receive a $13,992 stipend for their service, paid biweekly, and a $6,095 education award upon completion of the service commitment. A bachelor’s degree is required. To apply for this position, individuals can complete the AmeriCorps Member Application by January 1, 2020 at https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=52020 and send a resume to Sharon Mills, Central Illinois AHEC, at smmills@ilstu.edu.
“AmeriCorps is an indispensable resource to help meet critical mental health challenges facing our communities and nation,” said Tricia Harrity, executive director of Health360. “We’re thrilled to be working with a diverse group of 43 AmeriCorps host site organizations including Illinois State University’s Area Health Education Center who provides everything the Member needs for a successful service year. AmeriCorps members and their respective host sites will meet pressing local mental health needs as they develop civic and leadership skills that last a lifetime.”
“With the AmeriCorps member, we provide the 8-hour MHFA and Youth MHFA certification courses in our 16-county region including McLean County,” said Sharon Mills, Central Illinois AHEC director. “These courses raise awareness of the signs and symptoms someone may be in crisis or developing a mental illness, provide a plan to respond when appropriate, and share health care resources and information. This helps to reduce stigma related to mental illness and encourages hope for recovery.”
Health 360
Health360’s mission is to build a healthier nation one community at a time through innovative, collaborative educational programs. Health360.org
Corporation for National and Community Service
Federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service through its AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs and leads the nation’s volunteering and service efforts. Nationalservice.gov
National Council of Behavioral Health
The unifying voice of America’s health care organizations that deliver mental health and addictions treatment and services and is committed to all Americans having access to comprehensive, high-quality care that affords every opportunity for recovery. www.thenationalcouncil.org
Central Illinois Area Health Education Center, Illinois State University
The Central IL AHEC mission is develop and enhance education and training networks within communities, academic institutions, and community-based organizations to increase diversity among health professionals, broaden the distribution of the health workforce, enhance health care quality, and improve health care delivery to rural and underserved areas and populations. www.cihealth.IllinoisState.edu
McLean County Health Department
The mission of the McLean County Health Department is to Protect and Promote Health. The Department fulfills the public interest in assuring conditions conducive to good health and providing leadership in promoting and protecting the health of county residents.
