Davids Announces Funding to Train 30 Public Health and Service Workers in the Kansas Third District
Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced the Unified Government of Wyandotte County will receive $216,000 to establish a Public Health AmeriCorps Program, and Overland Park will receive $139,410 of renewed funding for their AmeriCorps VISTA Program. In total, this funding will support 30 new AmeriCorps members in Kansas' Third District. Earlier this year, Davids announced renewed funding for the Unified Government's AmeriCorps VISTA Program to support members working full-time on community health projects.
"Over the past two years, we've learned the importance of investing in our community programs so folks have the resources they need to live healthy, prosperous lives," said Davids. "These grants and the Unified Government's new Public Health Corps will not only ensure preparedness for future public health emergencies, but also increase the capacity and effectiveness of our local medical systems. I can't wait to see the new AmeriCorps members in action!"
The WYCO Public Health Corps Program, a partnership between AmeriCorps and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will work to recruit, train, and develop a new generation of public health leaders while providing surge capacity and support to the community. The 15 new members trained will work to improve community health, especially among vulnerable populations, while focusing on four areas: tobacco cessation, COVID-19 outreach and education, the Community Health Improvement Plan, and the WYCO Connect initiative. In addition, AmeriCorps will provide more than $48,700 each year in education scholarships for the Public Health AmeriCorps members supported by this award to help pay for college, vocational training, or pay back student loans.
"We are beyond excited for this amazing new grant opportunity and thank Rep. Sharice Davids for the continued support of AmeriCorps," said Alli Zuel, AmeriCorps Initiatives Supervisor, Unified Government Public Health Department. "This funding allows us to expand our AmeriCorps programming to include the brand-new Public Health AmeriCorps program. These 15 AmeriCorps members will provide critical increases in capacity for public health-focused initiatives here in WYCO."
Since 2016, members of the AmeriCorps VISTA program in Overland Park have worked on projects involving fundraising, grant writing, research, and volunteer recruitment to engage, empower, and improve the community. This renewed funding will allow for five new full-year and ten new summer members to work on community projects focused on reducing poverty and improving overall quality of life. These members are also eligible for $46,221 in education awards.
"The VISTA program in Northeast Kansas focuses on programs that will have a lasting impact on our community including new outcome systems, training curriculums, and program design," said Kasey Featherston, Director of AmeriCorps VISTA, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas. "This renewed funding will enable us to expand our housing, financial education, citizenship, and refugee services across multiple counties and through six separate programs. Rep. Davids' support for our AmeriCorps program, including our Foster Grandparents program, helps ensure our mission spreads farther and has a greater impact."
Background:
Over the past 8 years, United Government AmeriCorps members have worked with 90 individuals, making it the largest VISTA intermediary program in Kansas. Members work on projects surrounding local health initiatives, neighborhood revitalization efforts, and capacity building for organizations that are supporting sustainable solutions to poverty in Wyandotte County.
Throughout the past 6 years, AmeriCorps VISTA members at Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas have worked with 28 individuals full-time, and about 40 associates in the summer. Many of their projects include anti-poverty and immigration work.
AmeriCorps tackles the nation's most pressing challenges by engaging more than five million Americans in service through AmeriCorps VISTA, AmeriCorps NCCC, AmeriCorps State and National, AmeriCorps Seniors, the Volunteer Generation Fund, and other national service initiatives. It is the nation's largest annual grant maker supporting service and volunteering. President Bill Clinton signed the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993, officially designating AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National and Community Service as an independent federal agency.
Since 1965, over 220,000 AmeriCorps members in the VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) program have joined the fight against poverty by helping local organizations such as a nonprofit, faith-based organization, college or university, or local government agency expand their capacity to make change. The VISTA program serves in each of the 50 U.S. states and in all U.S. territories.
Grantees are actively recruiting adults of all ages and education backgrounds to serve in Public Health AmeriCorps. Public Health AmeriCorps members may be eligible to receive a living allowance, professional development, health and childcare support, and an education award. Those interested in joining Public Health AmeriCorps can learn more here.