Hands of Hope AmeriCorps Member

Hands of Hope AmeriCorps Members provide direct child-care and supervision to children in foster care placement that reside in the assigned household members are placed to serve in the Casa de Esperanza Neighborhood during a 12-month service year program. Hands of Hope AmeriCorps Members leave our program with knowledge and experience that they can apply to the complex social problems faced by children and families in the child welfare system to achieve innovative solutions.

EDUCATION:  High School Diploma or GED (minimum)

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum age of 21 years old
• Fluent in written and spoken English
• Completed Application and References
• Cleared Background Check
• Valid driver’s license (held for at least two years) is required to transport children and operate agency owned vehicles.  Applicants without a driver’s license or those who have not been licensed for at least two years will not be permitted to transport children or operate agency vehicles
• Cleared pre-placement drug screen.  Clear random drug screens for duration of placement
• Completion of TB Screening
• Annual vaccination for Influenza
• Remain fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (unless an exemption applies) 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Empathy for the needs of children in care
• Desire to serve the children in care
• Ability to prioritize the needs of the children
• Sound judgement and decision making
• Excellent work ethic
• Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with others
• Flexibility
• Patience
• Strong communication skills
• Emotional regulation in high stress and high emotion situations

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides care to assigned infants, toddlers, and young children that reside in the foster home the member serves in 
• Maintain the assigned household and vehicle
• Transports children to and participates in children’s medical, dental, and therapy appointments
• Completes required state documentation for the children’s service activities 
• Maintains all standards of care and documentation with Casa de Esperanza’s policies and Residential Child Care Licensing Guidelines
• Builds community within the Casa de Esperanza Neighborhood
• Participates as a team member in the care of the children in the home the member is assigned to serve in 
• Contributes to the mission of Casa de Esperanza

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS:

AmeriCorps Members live with other AmeriCorps Members in one of Casa de Esperanza’s residences and are expected to abide by all policies and residential guidelines.