Reproductive Health & Gender-Affirming Care Policy 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:

Within Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Office of Medicaid serves Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members benefitting from Oregon's Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program. Approximately 1/3 or 1.4 million Oregonians currently benefit from OHP coverage including Reproductive Health & Gender-Affirming Care services, from all walks of life including working families, children, pregnant adults, single adults, and seniors.

This work is completed through an intersectional health equity lens and always centers Oregon Health Plan members.

In this role, the AmeriCorps VISTA member will:

The Reproductive Health & Gender-Affirming Care VISTA in the Medicaid Office will collaborate with Oregon Health Authority subject matter experts, research national best practices, and learn from community voices to write a policy analysis of current & developing public health policy’s effectiveness on these topics.

With strong attention, you will detail where state programs are working well and where there is needed improvement.

You will then recommend various policy & program changes to promote access to care for Oregon Health Plan members statewide.

Finally, you will lead implementation on one or more recommendations at the discretion of the VISTA supervisor.

Desired skills:

• Experience with Oregon Health Plan (Oregon’s Medicaid program) as a member, advocate, work experience, etc.
• Experience collaborating on projects to complete a desired goal

About Portland Oregon:

Portland is Oregon’s cultural center. It is dense with independent movie theaters and art galleries. The exceptional public transit system makes it easy to get around the city without a car, whether you’re visiting a food cart pod or a public park.

With the innovative and equity driven work happening in Oregon, the state's Public Health Division in Portland is a wonderful place to explore a future in public health.