Children's Mental Health AmeriCorps Member

Service Position Title and Type: Children’s Mental Health AmeriCorps (Three-Quarter-time, 1200 hours)
Name and Address of Program: Our House, 302 E. Roosevelt Road, Little Rock, AR 72206
Service Locations: Our House
Lead Site Supervisor: Shereen Dajani, Behavior Support Specialist, 501-374-7383 ext. 323 [email protected]

Purpose

Our House empowers homeless and near-homeless families and individuals to succeed in the workforce, in school, and in life through hard work, wise decision-making, and active participation in the community. The Our House team has defined a set of seven Guiding Principles that characterize our culture and that we intentionally seek to uphold: Hard Work, Wise Decision-Making, Community, Initiative, Integrity, Safety, and Heart.

Service Position Summary

The Children's Mental Health AmeriCorps Member will serve in Our House’s Children's Programs, called Bright Beginnings and Our Club. Bright Beginnings serves over 100 children ages 0-5, and Our Club serves up to 200 youth in grades Kindergarten-12th grade. Bright Beginnings operates year-round, and Our Club operates during school-out times – every weekday after school, all day during school breaks (winter, spring, and summer breaks), and during teacher in-service days. 

The Children's Mental Health AmeriCorps Member will provide behavioral support in the classroom setting through problem-solving, self-regulation, impulse control, and empathy for children of all ages. Members serve directly with the children to provide daily support to help each child reach their developmental and social-emotional goals. 

By providing a safe and nurturing environment and fostering resilience, the Children's Mental Health AmeriCorps Member will help meet established outcomes goals for Our House’s AmeriCorps project. This includes serving at least 120 children in both programs to ensure that at least 80% of children in Bright Beginnings maintain or increase their ASQ score in social-emotional skills, and that at least 80% of school-age youth show an increase in their SDQ score in social-emotional learning. 

Essential Functions of Position

• Build age-appropriate relationships with children to create a trusting and supportive environment for children or youth within one of seven age groups: 
  
  
  
  
  • Early Learning Academy
  
  
  • Preschool Academy
  
  
  • K-2nd
  
  
  • 3rd-4th
  
  
  • 5th
  
  
  • 6th-8th
  
  
  • 9th-12th grade
    
  
  
  
  


• Actively engage with children during various classroom activities, aid in transitions, and provide support to children experiencing emotional and behavioral challenges.


• Teach and model coping skills and self-regulation techniques to help children understand and manage their emotions effectively. 


• Collaborate with the Mental Health team to implement social-emotional learning (SEL) activities and curriculum. 


• Assist program staff in administering screening and assessment tools that measure social and emotional milestones of children and youth. 


• Collaborate with the Mental Health team to deliver SEL curriculum and activities tailored to the needs of individual children or groups. 


• Participate in team meetings and training sessions to enhance skills and knowledge related to child development and trauma-informed care. 


• Communicate effectively with children, teachers, and families to support a collaborative and inclusive classroom environment.


• Serve collaboratively with other AmeriCorps members, volunteers, and staff members to ensure a cohesive approach to supporting children's needs, implement programs, achieve and track outcomes, and other activities that benefit the clients and programs of Our House.


• Participate in AmeriCorps Days of Service and additional service projects as approved and directed by the program director, including MLK Day, AmeriCorps Week, Volunteer Week, Civic Season, September 11th, Opening Ceremony, and Hill Day.


• Attend service member meetings led by the National Service team, and any Our House team meetings as directed by the supervisor


• All members will undergo all required criminal history checks: NSOPW, FBI, and Arkansas State Police, as well as other states, as necessary 

The above functions may be completed with or without reasonable accommodations.

Marginal Functions of Position

• In the event of a local, state, or federal disaster declaration, AmeriCorps members may be asked on a volunteer basis or be required by EngageAR to activate to assist in disaster response and recovery activities within their communities. This may involve virtual service opportunities or in-person service opportunities. This may include service opportunities outside the members’ standard service hours or in place of their standard service duties.  In the event of a large-scale, high-needs local, state, or federal disaster, AmeriCorps members may voluntarily or be required by EngageAR to deploy to an area outside of their service area to assist in disaster response and recovery activities


• Community Outreach Activities: Members may engage in activities that directly support the AmeriCorps Program. For example, assist with member recruitment; assist with public relations to introduce the AmeriCorps program to the community and develop community partnerships; and assist with efforts to build a culture of service in Arkansas. 
  

This position does not duplicate the work of previous or existing employees or volunteers, supplant the hiring of workers, or include service or duties that have been performed or were performed by a current employee, an employee who recently resigned or was discharged, an employee subject to a reduction in force, or an employee who is on leave. 

AmeriCorps Eligibility: AmeriCorps eligibility requires that participants must be at least 17 years of age at the commencement of service; be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States; be high school graduates, GED recipients, or working toward attaining a high school diploma or GED during their term of service; and satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check criteria.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required: The Children's Mental Health AmeriCorps Member will be thoroughly committed to Our House’s mission. All candidates must enjoy working with school-age youth, have a positive attitude, and serve as role models for the children in the program. 

Academic and Experience Qualifications: High school diploma or GED required; Must have experience working with children or youth, or have experience in a Children's Mental Health setting. 

Service Conditions:  This service is performed indoors and outdoors. This is a physically active role where you will engage with children of all ages.

Program Hours: Selected AmeriCorps members will serve within the following hours:

• School Year: minimum of 25 hours/week, alternating 9-2pm and 1-6pm Monday-Friday, 


• AND Summer/School Out Days: 7:30am-5:30pm (full-time), Monday-Friday

Commitment Required: 25-40 hours a week for a ten (10) month term beginning October 6, 2025, to August 14, 2026, for a minimum of 1200 hours during program hours. In order to successfully complete their term of service, members should complete the minimum number of hours and serve through the dates listed, except in rare circumstances.

Orientation and Training

• On-site Our House orientation


• First Aid/CPR 


• Youth Development Institute Training


• City of Little Rock Training


• New Staff Orientation for Arkansas Minimum Licensing 


• Any other training deemed necessary by the supervisor and/or Program Director

AmeriCorps Program Benefits

• Living Allowance of $14,400 over the term of service 


• $5,176.50 Segal Education Award at the end of a successful service term 


• Eligibility for tuition discount at UA Little Rock 


• Access to Employee Assistance Program


• Paid time off


• Student Loan forbearance

Evaluation and Reporting

AmeriCorps Members will participate in mid- and end-of-term evaluations and reviews. AmeriCorps Members will submit their hours on a bi-weekly basis, write quarterly reflections, and attend monthly meetings. 

For more information:

• Tamidra Marable, Director of Human Resources, 501-374-7383 ext. 158


• For more information about AmeriCorps State and National, go to www.americorps.gov

This program is available to all, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, disability, military status, familial status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law.