Child Development AmeriCorps

Service Position Title and Type: Child Development AmeriCorps Member (Half-time, 900 hours)

Name and Address of Program: Our House, 302 E. Roosevelt Road, Little Rock, AR 72206

Site Supervisor: Shereen Dajani, Behavioral Support Specialist, 501-374-7383 ext. 323, shereen.dajani@ourhouseshelter.org

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 Child Development AmeriCorps Member will serve at Our House’s child development center, called Bright Beginnings, which serves up to 125 children ages 6 weeks-5 years old. The Child Development AmeriCorps Member will serve in either a toddler or Pre-K classroom, each led by a Lead Teacher. The Child Development AmeriCorps Member will serve with the teacher to help plan and implement activities for the children, ensure the safety of all children in the program, and create an enriching, fun, and safe environment for the children helping them to meet their developmental goals and milestones.

The Child Development AmeriCorps Member will serve to meet established outcomes goals for Our House’s AmeriCorps project, including serving at least 75 children in Bright Beginnings; and helping at least 50 children ages 1-5 meet the developmental milestones on the developmental assessments.

Essential Functions of Position

• Provide hands-on support to children in the Bright Beginnings program to help them meet developmental goals and milestones.
• Assist in implementing curriculum-driven activities that reflect Arkansas’ Child Development and Early Learning Standards.
• Adopt and Implement Conscious Discipline in the classroom to enhance the social-emotional growth of all children
• Design and implement health, wellness, and social-emotional enrichment activities for Bright Beginnings.
• Facilitate parent engagement programming for parents of Bright Beginnings children quarterly, i.e., Family Fun Night.
• Serve collaboratively with other AmeriCorps members, volunteers, and staff members to implement programs, achieve and track outcomes, and other activities to 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 Member Retreat.
• 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 Child Development AmeriCorps Member will be thoroughly committed to Our House’s mission. All candidates must enjoy working with children, 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; a child development background and/or relevant college courses preferred.

Service Conditions: This service is performed indoors and outdoors. This is a physically active role where you will engage with children ages 1-5.

Commitment Required: 40 hours a week for a six (6) month term beginning September 09, 2024, to February 28, 2024, for a minimum of 900 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
• Childcare Orientation
• First Aid/CPR
• Conscious Discipline
• Disaster Training (if applicable)
• Any other training deemed necessary by the supervisor and/or Program Director

AmeriCorps Program Benefits

• Living Allowance of $11,440 over the term of service
• $3,697.50 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
• Healthcare coverage
• Student Loan forbearance

Evaluation and Reporting

AmeriCorps Members will participate in mid-term 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:

• Paige Krueger, National Service Program Manager 501-374-7383 ext. 168
• For more information about AmeriCorps State and National, go to www.americorps.gov

This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service.

Updated June 2024