FocusFirst Initiative provides a cost-effective direct response to the vision problems of children who live in urban and rural communities in Alabama, Tennessee, and South Carolina. Impact America AmeriCorps Members, in collaboration with college students, provide free vision screenings to children, ages six months to five years, in Head Starts and daycares using technologically advanced digital screening cameras. All children failing the screenings receive free follow-up care through Sight Savers America.
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Position Description:
FocusFirst Coordinators create and implement a comprehensive schedule for Impact America team members to conduct free vision screenings and implement many of the logistical details for the program. The Coordinators work closely with Impact America program staff, FocusFirst National Director, and community partners to create a strategic plan for annual vision screenings, ensuring program targets are met. Screenings take place during the academic year between August and May, and subsidized follow-up care is provided by local eye care providers in coordination with Sight Savers America.
FocusFirst coordinators are full-time AmeriCorps members and will also serve with Impact Alabama’s service initiative SaveFirst. SaveFirst provides free tax preparation services to facilitate economic improvement for working families.
Position Requirements:
- Provide information and benefits of early detection regarding FocusFirst program to Head Start, Pre-K and daycare administrators
- Develop master calendar for vision screenings
- Work with college administrators and professors to recruit and train volunteers from partnering campuses
- Recruit and train work study students from partnering campuses
- Ensure that the results of the screening are organized and processed before returning the results to the child care center
- Communicate with Sight Savers America to ensure that the children that failed the screening receive comprehensive follow-up care, as necessary
- Conduct both qualitative and quantitative evaluations of each screening with an emphasis on the quality of the screenings, the number of children screened, the number that failed each screening, and specific reasons for failure
- Obtain basic level IRS tax certification
- Serve at tax site one to two days a week in January through March
Positions are currently available in Greenville, SC.
Skills Required:
- Exhibit a commitment to improving the lives of economically disadvantaged families
- Record of community service and/or civic engagement; demonstrated student leadership
- Ability to work well with a diverse group of individuals, including college students, children, working families, and community-based partners
- Ability to multi-task and exhibit flexibility in a fast-paced environment
- A positive attitude
- Organizational, planning, and management skills
Additional Information:
Impact America is an AmeriCorps Program®. Benefits include the following:
- Monthly living stipend
- $1,500+ education award (received upon completion of term of service)
- Health insurance
- Meals when providing service outside of your home county
- Mileage reimbursement when driving your personal car for service
- All travel costs during overnight trips (hotel, rental car, meals)
- Ongoing professional development and training
Impact America welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities. We have sought to identify the essential functions and physical requirements of all service positions and will make reasonable accommodations through scheduling, task reassignment, and other methods to accommodate applicants and AmeriCorps members. Please contact the Recruitment Director should you need accommodations in order to apply.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Documentation of status as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or lawful permanent resident alien (AmeriCorps eligibility requirement)
- Completion of a college degree (exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis with prior approval)
- Submit to a criminal background check, including an FBI check, NSOPW check, a statewide check in the applicant’s state of residence at the time of application, a statewide check in applicant’s state of service (if different than state of residence)
- At least 18 years of age
Additional information:
The position begins July 2019, and ends July 2020 (some flexibility can be provided with the end date). This a full-time (40 hours per week) position. You will receive ten vacation days plus holiday breaks (including a 3-day holiday break at Thanksgiving, 2-week winter holiday at the end of December, and a 2-day spring holiday in April).
PRIORITY DEADLINE: March 31st, 2019
For questions, contact Catherine McIntyre, FocusFirst Director
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