2022 Spark Health Corps School Mental Health Associate
Full Position Description
Full Position Description
Become a School Mental Health Associate for the 2022-23 school year.
Send your resume and cover letter to:
Barb Knapp, [email protected] or call 720.420.3215 for more information!
Send your resume and cover letter to:
Barb Knapp, [email protected] or call 720.420.3215 for more information!
Position Summary: Spark Health Corps is a Public Health AmeriCorps State and National program designed through a partnership with Spark the Change Colorado and the Colorado Charter School Institute to provide systemic and targeted, community responsive, mental health support to K-12 youth while simultaneously impacting workforce development of aspiring mental health professionals entering or reentering the field. Participating schools have been among the most impacted by the pandemic with the fewest resources, and will benefit from the implementation of strong systemic wellness strategies, culturally responsive social-emotional curriculum, parental and family engagement, and ethically compliant crisis response.
Spark Health Corps is seeking to engage 20 reduced half time (675 hours) Public Health AmeriCorps Members as School Mental Health Associates in service at 10 public charter schools throughout the state of Colorado. Associates will serve in person in a school setting. The mode of service delivery will primarily occur within a school building, and there may be opportunities to engage in expeditionary activities with staff and students outside of the school building. We are seeking individuals who are interested in advancing their mental health skills in a school-based setting. Ideal candidates will be enrolled in a master’s level or higher program in a mental health field or will have earned their masters degree in a mental health profession and are looking to sharpen their clinical and/or school-based skills while completing national service. Spark Health Corps service may meet requirements for graduate level internship completion. Ideal candidates will have a passion for youth, improving school-based mental health interventions, and will demonstrate adaptability to their school site’s needs as well as completing required professional development and other AmeriCorps requirements.
Spark Health Corps host schools include Kwiyagat Community Academy (Towaoc, CO), Animas High School (Durango, CO), New America School Aurora (Aurora, CO), James Irwin Charter Academy (Colorado Springs, CO), Prospect Academy (Arvada, CO), Steamboat Montessori (Steamboat Springs, CO), Monument View Montessori (Fruita, CO), Colorado Military Academy (Colorado Springs, CO), Coperni 2 Charter School (Colorado Springs, CO) and Colorado Early Colleges-Parker (Parker, CO)
Spark Health Corps is seeking to engage 20 reduced half time (675 hours) Public Health AmeriCorps Members as School Mental Health Associates in service at 10 public charter schools throughout the state of Colorado. Associates will serve in person in a school setting. The mode of service delivery will primarily occur within a school building, and there may be opportunities to engage in expeditionary activities with staff and students outside of the school building. We are seeking individuals who are interested in advancing their mental health skills in a school-based setting. Ideal candidates will be enrolled in a master’s level or higher program in a mental health field or will have earned their masters degree in a mental health profession and are looking to sharpen their clinical and/or school-based skills while completing national service. Spark Health Corps service may meet requirements for graduate level internship completion. Ideal candidates will have a passion for youth, improving school-based mental health interventions, and will demonstrate adaptability to their school site’s needs as well as completing required professional development and other AmeriCorps requirements.
Spark Health Corps host schools include Kwiyagat Community Academy (Towaoc, CO), Animas High School (Durango, CO), New America School Aurora (Aurora, CO), James Irwin Charter Academy (Colorado Springs, CO), Prospect Academy (Arvada, CO), Steamboat Montessori (Steamboat Springs, CO), Monument View Montessori (Fruita, CO), Colorado Military Academy (Colorado Springs, CO), Coperni 2 Charter School (Colorado Springs, CO) and Colorado Early Colleges-Parker (Parker, CO)
Welcome Statement: Spark the Change Colorado, Colorado Charter School Institute and AmeriCorps are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and access. We believe diverse partnerships contribute to the creativity and strength of our work and our communities and enables us to realize our vision of world with stronger, more resilient, equitable, and connected communities through the power of volunteerism. We seek to create an inclusive, equitable and welcoming work environment for all individuals. Given the nature of structural inequality and how it presents in the workforce, we specifically encourage folks from traditionally marginalized groups to apply to this opportunity even if you do not meet all of the desired qualifications. We recognize that underrepresented groups such as women and BIPOC may be less likely to apply to a role if they don’t meet 100% of the listed qualifications. If this Public Service opportunity aligns with your interests and career trajectory, and you meet a majority of the qualifications, we would love to see your application! Reasonable accommodations will also be made as requested.
Service Responsibilities (may vary based on host school need):
- Attend all required training, in-service, and staff meetings
- Maintain confidentiality of all student information according to FERPA regulations
- Deliver universal activities to all students as a proactive and preventative approach to whole person wellness, delivered via evidence-based best practice social-emotional (SEL) curriculum that is attentive to culturally appropriate needs and normed for school populations and immediate presenting concern
- Support staff and systemic wellness through a whole person lens using best practice supports
- Deliver targeted interventions to high need students requiring intensive and individualized assistance
- Provide workshops for K-12 teachers and school staff on identifying characteristics of mental health and developmental challenges for the purpose of identifying students who could benefit from a referral to the Spark Health Corps
- Assess need for parental involvement (depending on age) and/or ongoing support
- Provide holistic resource support for students and communities and involve consultation, training and support for families and guardians whenever appropriat
Member Requirements (may vary by host site):
- Members must reside in the state of Colorado during the service year
- Members must pass a background check in order to work with school-age children
- Ideal candidates will be:
- pursuing a career in school counseling, school social work, school psychology, or another mental health profession or
- currently licensed or a candidate for licensure in a mental health field or
- undergraduates seeking alternative pathways to attaining a Special Services Provider (SSP) credential may be eligible to apply with at least five years of experience
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills; friendly, helpful, professional
- Strong organizational and administrative skills and attention to detail
- Flexibility, resourcefulness, positive attitude, strong work ethic and proven ability to initiate problem solving
- High integrity, sound judgment and ability to maintain confidentiality
- Strong computer and internet skills, competency with Microsoft Office 365, Google Suite, Zoom and Teams
- Enthusiastic ambassador for mental health and overall wellness
- Cultural humility and a strong desire to learn from others
- Individuals who are multilingual and members who are indigenous and First Nations are especially encouraged to apply
Service Term Commitment: This is a part-time service position. Members must complete 675 hours of service during the service term (8/15/22 – 5/19/23), conducting approximately 16 hours of on-site service per week during the school calendar year.
Member Benefits:
- Semi-monthly living allowance of $371.25, earning up to $7,425 (before taxes) during service term
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,474.27 upon successful completion of service term
- An option to temporarily postpone repayment of qualified student loans through forbearance while serving as an AmeriCorps Member
- Extensive, regularly scheduled clinical supervision
- Network building, continuing education and professional development provided on a regular schedule; additional opportunities may be provided based on member interest and/or availability
- Advancement of mental health career trajectory in a school-based setting
- Established pathway towards Colorado Department of Education (CDE) Special Services Provider (SSP) licensure
- Make an immediate impact in the area of mental health & wellness in communities that have been devastated by loss and trauma
To apply, send resume and cover letter to Barb Knapp, Spark Health Corps Manager, at [email protected] Questions or for more information visit here.
