TUESDAY JUNE 14, DENVER - Serve Colorado, which administers Colorado’s AmeriCorps State programs, announced today an additional 60 AmeriCorps members will provide behavioral and mental wellness support in schools, increase health benefit enrollment, and support local public health agencies over the next year. The Colorado AmeriCorps State program employs service and volunteerism to address critical needs in local communities across the state.
“I am thrilled that three Colorado organizations were awarded Public Health AmeriCorps grants. This funding will provide Coloradans across the state with essential services, as well as create workforce development opportunities to individuals interested in public health fields,” said Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera and Director of the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care. “We’re looking forward to this new partnership for AmeriCorps.”
AmeriCorps is awarding $1,266,738 in federal funds through Public Health AmeriCorps Grants to three Colorado nonprofits. The funds will also support the recruitment, training, and development of the next generation of public health leaders. Public Health AmeriCorps is a partnership between AmeriCorps and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and is supported by a five-year, $400 million investment from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Each of the three organizations will develop programs that address a different aspect of public health for Coloradans.
- Colorado Department of Regulatory Affairs - Division of Insurance’s Enroll for Health program will utilize 12 AmeriCorps members to assist with outreach across Colorado to largely undocumented individuals who will be newly eligible for state-subsidized health insurance coverage through Colorado's Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise.
- Trailhead Institute’s Public Health Works! program will place 28 AmeriCorps members in Community Health Worker registered apprenticeships, providing technical assistance and capacity building support for local and state public health agencies and organizations across Colorado.
- Spark the Change Colorado’s Spark Health Corps will engage 20 AmeriCorps members to provide mental wellness counseling and education to vulnerable K-12 students. Members will foster positive social, emotional and behavioral skills for all students, as well as provide individualized support for children and youth with identified mental health disorders.
These programs will build on the work of the Colorado Healthcare Corps to increase exposure to individuals interested in careers in healthcare while addressing community needs.
AmeriCorps members serving with Public Health AmeriCorps programs will receive a living allowance, healthcare, and childcare benefits. In addition, AmeriCorps members will earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to repay student loans, pay for future education expenses, or if they are over age 55, transfer to a child, grandchild, or foster child to use.
AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteerism and national service, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. To learn more about serving with AmeriCorps in Colorado visit serve.colorado.gov.