Available Positions

Site Name and Location:

Health Care for the Homelss/Primary Care Health Services, Inc.
7227 Hamilton Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15208

Organization Description and Mission:

Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) operates as part of Primary Care Health Services, Inc. and serves homeless men women and childern in the greater Pittsburgh area, providing primary care, mental health, substance abuse, and/or case management services. The KIDSTART program, administered through HCH, is dedicated to serving the community's homeless children (ages newborn to 12 years old) and their families emphasizing a comprehensive case management approach.

Site Supervisor:

Jennifer Williams, MSN, RN
Program Director
412-244-3529
Fax 412-244-5162
jwilliams@pchspitt.org

Position Title: KIDSTART Assistant

Service Activities/Responsibilities:

Responsibilities will include: Performing outreach and client intake at various shelter and transitional housing sites, documenting client information and completing the HCH encounter form, assisting with behavioral and developmental screenings, referring clients to community programs. When not at the various clinic sites, the Kidstart Assistant will report to the HCH office and assist with answering phone, fielding requests for assistance and other duties as assigned.

Please refer to the linked PDF for a complete job description.

Site Location:

816 Middle Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Northview Heights Health Center, 525 Mt. Pleasant Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15214

412-321-4001 Main
412-321-4063 Fax
www.nschc.org
nschc@nschc.org
 
I. Organization Description and Mission:
The North Side Christian Health Center is a not for profit, inner city Primary Health Care Center that began 10 years ago through the efforts of local churches and individuals recognizing a need for primary health care and whole person outreach to Pittsburgh’s North Side community. The Health center provides primary health care services to all persons regardless of age, finances, gender, religious belief, race, national origin or ability to pay. In addition to providing primary health care to men, women, and children, the center reaches out to the community through churches, home visitation, health wellness classes, and health fairs in the local community. The center has a discount pharmacy for patients unable to afford the high cost of medications.  The Center also has mental health counselors and drug and alcohol counselors on site several days a week as well as counselors for individuals who have been sexually abused.

Program for Health Care to Underserved Populations (PHCUP)

Main Clinic Site:  Birmingham Clinic
44S 9th Street (South Side)
Pittsburgh, PA
 
Organization Description and Mission:
The Program for Health Care to Underserved Populations is committed to improving the lives of individuals needing health care but lacking appropriate access to health services.   We seek to do this through innovative partnering with communities-in-need, catalyzing a spirit of service and volunteerism within the heath profession, and articulating the individual, health system, and societal benefits of these unique models of care and service.
 
Critical Community Need(s) to be addressed through member service:
Coordinate appropriate, culturally competent and needed health care as well as social service referrals to the region’s uninsured and medically indigent, regardless of their ability to pay.
Support health professional students at all levels of training to be exposed to, participate in, and learn from providing care to disadvantaged and distressed communities of patients.
Assist our Program and community partners, government agencies, and key stakeholders, in the accumulation and analysis of data that promotes a better understanding of community needs, barriers to and gaps in service delivery, and outcomes from innovative models of care.
Develop programs in partnership with health professional students, volunteer providers and collaborating agencies that address holistic and social needs of our patients to ultimately improve their access to health services.   
 
.

Operation Safety Net
1518 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA   15219
 
Patient locations:    streets, alleys, underpasses; riverbanks, abandoned buildings; drop in centers; newly housed scattered apartments; and hospital rooms
Most of these sites are in the greater Pittsburgh area
 
Organization Description and Mission:
 
OSN’s mission is to promote the health, health care access and well being of those living on the streets.  It is to provide leadership in creating an educational environment for nurturing and training service-oriented health care professionals.
 
Critical Community Need(s) to be addressed through member service:
 
Create an environment for the exchange of information between clinicians, staff and patients for public health projects including:   Operation TB Outreach; street and van outreach sessions; severe weather shelter. Assistance in client case management.

Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force
5913 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
 
Organization Description and Mission:
The Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force is dedicated to saving, sustaining, and empowering the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS and preventing the spread of infections.
 
Through compassionate and caring work we respond to the disease in all its diversity by:

• Providing seamless, integrated services to individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS, including direct services, housing, referrals, and advocacy;
• Delivering innovative, targeted outreach and education programs to those at risk of infection;
• Taking leadership in collaborating with other organizations to achieve mutual goals.
• Providing access to nutritious and medically compatible food for clients living with HIV/AIDS

 
In the tradition of PATF’s caring founders, we will continue to employ these ethics and values: Compassion, Confidentiality, Dignity, Excellence, Integrity, Respect for Diversity.
 
PATF is the largest and oldest AIDS service organization in Southwestern PA. We provide case management, supportive services, legal advocacy, food bank, and housing to anyone who is HIV/AIDS positive. Our prevention department conducts HIV testing at our primary site as well as at community locations, including the Allegheny County Jail. Through contracts with the ACHD, the CDC, and SAMHSA we provide a variety of HIV prevention programs throughout the county.
 
Critical Community Need(s) to be addressed through member service:
 
A healthy diet improves teh quality of life for HIV?AIDS diagnosed individuals and helps them to live with dignity and security.  Meeting immediate nutritional and other basic needs is essential in enabling individuals to better fight the disease.  Weight loss, wasting, and malnutrition continue to be common problems for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.  Good nutrition helps the body process medications taken by people with HIV and helps to reduce the side effects of them.

Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force
5913 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
 
Organization Description and Mission:
The Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force is dedicated to saving, sustaining, and empowering the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS and preventing the spread of infections.
 
Through compassionate and caring work we respond to the disease in all its diversity by:

• Providing seamless, integrated services to individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS, including direct services, housing, referrals, and advocacy;
• Delivering innovative, targeted outreach and education programs to those at risk of infection;
• Taking leadership in collaborating with other organizations to achieve mutual goals. 

In the tradition of PATF’s caring founders, we will continue to employ these ethics and values: Compassion, Confidentiality, Dignity, Excellence, Integrity, Respect for Diversity.
 
PATF is the largest and oldest AIDS service organization in Southwestern PA. We provide case management, supportive services, legal advocacy, food bank, and housing to anyone who is HIV/AIDS positive. Our prevention department conducts HIV testing at our primary site as well as at community locations, including the Allegheny County Jail. Through contracts with the ACHD, the CDC, and SAMHSA we provide a variety of HIV prevention programs throughout the county.
 
Critical Community Need(s) to be addressed through member service:
 
HIV counseling and testing in our main office and at community venues. Outreach on the streets of East Liberty, Garfield, and Wilkinsburg to encourage individuals to get tested.
 
Educational presentations for PATF’s Speaker’s Bureau at public schools, colleges, and community events to raise awareness about HIV and HIV prevention.

HEALTH CARE FOR THE HOMELESS
 
Clinical Assistant

I. Site Info

Site Name and Location:

Health Care for the Homeless/Primary Care Health Services, Inc.
7227 Hamilton Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15208

 
Organization Description and Mission:
PCHS provides comprehensive primary and preventive health care services to medically underserved and indigent populations residing in Allegheny County.  Health Care for the Homeless operates as part of PCHS, Inc. and serves homeless men, women, and children in the greater Pittsburgh area, providing primary care, mental health, substance abuse, and/or case management services.  HCH, in partnership with Allegheny County, has been awarded a three-year federal grant to create an Integrated Delivery System, co-locating primary care, mental health, and substance abuse services at several sites across Allegheny County where the homeless population frequently seeks services.  The purpose of the IDS is to provide a "no wrong door" approach to service access for the homeless.      

Critical Community Need(s) to be addressed through member service:
Consumers utilizing HCH clinics face many barriers to accessing care.  Many of these consumers are uninsured or underinsured, lack transportation, and fail to seek care except on an episodic basis, therefore jeopardizing the continuity of their care.  The Homeless Consumers served in HCH Clinics have little or no resources with which to navigate the health care system.  The Pittsburgh Health Corps members will provide case management assistance to address these issues by assisting consumers in applying for entitlement programs, obtaining transportation, providing health education, improving continuity of care by assisting in the set-up and utilization of Electronic Medical Records in our homeless clinics, and more.

Please see the attached PDF for more complete details.

Patient Recruitment Liaison

Site name and Location:

Primary Care Health Services, Inc.
7227 Hamilton Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15208

Organization Description and Mission:

As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Primary Care Health Services (PCHS) provides primary medical care, obstetric care, pediatric care, dental care, podiatry care, and behavioral health services in multiple locations in and around the city of Pittsburgh, PA. PCHS offers healthcare and complementary services focusing on lifestyle, family and special needs to provide a full range of wellness treatment for its patients.

Critical Community Needs:

Assist consumers throught the service area who currently are not accessing health care by reaching out to communities using inventive outreach strategies.

Site Supervisor:

Deborah Robinson, MSW, LSW
Office Phone: 412-244-4985
Fax: 412-244-4992
drobinson@pchspitt.org

Position Title: Patient Recruitment Liaison

Service Activities/Responsibilities:

• Monitor Medicaid HMO rosters
• Organize and facilitate monthly consumer focus groups
• Develop outreach activities
• Participate in relevant staff meetings
• Assist clients

Please review the linked PDF for more complete details

Global Links
4809 Penn Ave.
2^nd Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
www.globallinks.org
 
Global Links is in the Bloomfield/Garfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh and is accessible by PAT bus lines from downtown or Oakland.
 
Organization Description and Mission:
Global Links is a medical relief and development organization dedicated to a two-fold mission of environmental stewardship and improving health in developing countries.  Global Links collaborates with U.S. healthcare institutions and the World Health Organization to redirect still useful materials away from the waste stream to public health improvement efforts in targeted countries throughout the hemisphere. 

Critical Community Need(s) to be addressed through member service:
Global Links relies on the support of volunteers throughout the greater Pittsburgh area to efficiently and economically fulfill our mission.  Since we focus on recovering unused supplies and gently used medical furnishings and equipment from area hospitals, Global Links relies on hundreds of hospital personnel from the major hospitals of the area to set aside appropriate materials for Global Links.  We serve an important role in the Pittsburgh area by providing hospitals with an environmentally responsible alternative to disposing of useful materials.  We thereby reduce the amount of hospital generated waste entering landfills. 
 
Each year over 100 individuals and 80 groups volunteer more than 6,000 hours to help sort and pack critically needed medical supplies for shipments overseas.  In addition, Global Links relies on specialized medical volunteers to advise Global Links staff regarding the appropriate use of many of the sophisticated supplies and surgical instruments that we receive. 
 
Never before has the demand for our services of providing medical support to hospitals overseas been greater.  Additionally, the national Green Health movement has spurred hospitals to find alternatives to landfill and incineration of surplus materials.  To do this, it is essential that we further increase the organization’s volunteer base and expand our outreach and education work within area hospitals.
 
The Health Corps members help in the following ways:

1. Increase the number of volunteers Global Links could accommodate to help sort and pack medical supplies and thus increase the amount of supplies we are able to process.
2. Increase the exposure Global Links has in the Pittsburgh community.
3. Help maintain the quality of Global Links shipments by helping to research incoming medical supplies Global Links receives from area hospitals.

In addition to the crucial support members provide to Global Links and the patients we serve overseas, Global Links’ outreach efforts are also of benefit to the greater Pittsburgh community.   Through our outreach efforts, Global Links helps educate the local community about the structural surplus of materials that exists in the U.S. health system and the need to find an alternative to throwing this material in our increasingly full landfills.  In so doing, Global Links is helping to deepen the environmental awareness of the general public and hospital community while providing education on global health issues that affect all of us.  

PITTSBURGH HEALTH CORPS
HOST-SITE APPLICATION
YEAR 2010-2011
The National Health Corps is a network of AmeriCorps community service programs dedicated to engaging citizens in addressing health and human service needs of underserved communities and to reducing health disparities through community partnerships, collaborations, and service activities while fostering members’ pursuit of health-related careers, civic involvement and life-long commitment to service.

CONSIDERATIONS:
Host Site applications for PHC members are reviewed by PHC Program Staff and their selection committee. If your application/service description does not meet the criteria to receive a PHC AmeriCorps member you will be notified for clarification and revisions, if necessary. Please do not submit an organization “Job Description”- PHC members are not to be used to fill paid employee positions and they cannot duplicate the services of a current employee. Members are not “volunteers”, they are members.  They do not “work”, they serve.  PHC members are not required to have college degrees. Please keep your service description open for flexibility in case the candidate has a different educational background then you were expecting. The member chooses a site based on the service description you submit. Even though it is not unusual for an agency to “update” what a member will be doing it is unfair to change more than 30% of the description after the member is placed. Keep in mind that a successful experience for the host site and the member happens when the member’s role is thought out and well planned prior to submitting an application.  It is imperative to ensure a good fit between member and site as the cost to sponsor a member position is non-refundable.  Full time members are expected to serve with their host site 35-40 hours per week - it is important that they have ongoing programs, projects, etc to participate in to ensure a meaningful, ongoing experience for the member. Upon a successful interview, member applicants review site service descriptions and the PHC Program Director will contact you to take the next steps in the interview process, which includes the site mentor interview of the member applicant.  (Please see attached Application/Selection Procedures).  The PHC has applied for funding to support this AmeriCorps program for the next 3 year grant cycle beginning September 1, 2010.  We have had a long and exemplary history with the Corporation and have no reason to anticipate an interruption in funding but continuation of this program will be contingent on the grant award notification in June. 

Request for Host Site Designation

Agency: Tobacco Free Allegheny

Contact Person/Title: Cindy Thomas, Executive Director                                                                                                                                             

Address: One Allegheny Square, Suite 101  City/State/Zip Code: Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Telephone: 412-322-8321  FAX: 412-322-8323

Email: cthomas@tobaccofreeallegheny.org

PITTSBURGH HEALTH CORPS
Member Service Description
I. Site Information
Site Name and Location:
Tobacco Free Allegheny
One Allegheny Square, Suite 101, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Organization Description and Mission:
Tobacco Free Allegheny (TFA) was established by the Allegheny County Health Department in 2002 to administer and manage the comprehensive tobacco prevention and cessation program for Allegheny County. TFA is a nonprofit organization (501c3) supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) through the Tobacco Settlement Fund governed by Act 77.

The mission of TFA is to change the community norms surrounding tobacco to make it uncommon to see, use or be negatively impacted by tobacco or tobacco smoke pollution. Organizational goals are guided by a work statement which is part of its contract with the state DOH. The goals are:

•  Prevent youth initiation into tobacco use
•  Promote quitting among youth and adults
•  Eliminate non-smokers exposure to secondhand smoke
•  Identify and eliminate tobacco related health disparities

Tobacco Free Allegheny provides funds to organizations and agencies that can help TFA advance the goals articulated by the DOH.

Critical Community Need(s) to be addressed through member service:
Despite the fact that considerable attention has been focused on issues related to tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke, tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States. In Allegheny County – 16% of all deaths annually are from tobacco related causes. Twenty-one percent of all adults in Allegheny County are current smokers, and 6% of adults report currently using smokeless tobacco. Within the county, prevalence of tobacco use is greater in African American adults where 29.5% are current smokers. The smoking rate is also higher among those ages 18-29 with a rate of 27.2%.

Although teen tobacco use has declined in Pennsylvania since 2003, the Pennsylvania Youth Tobacco Survey indicates that 4-6% of middle school students and 18-20% of high school students are current regular smokers. Since 90% of adults began smoking in their teen years, preventing youth from starting what is likely to become a lifelong addiction is crucial to ending the tobacco problem in the U.S.

i Pennsylvania Department of Health – Pennsylvania Tobacco Facts 2008
ii Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Allegheny County 2006-2008
iii Pennsylvania Youth Tobacco Survey 2006-07, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Tobacco Prevention and Control

Site Supervisor assigned to support member:  Name/Title/Phone/Fax/Email:
Alexandra Armstrong, Health Educator
Phone 412-322-8321
Fax 412-322-8323
aarmstrong@tobaccofreeallegheny.org

II. Service Description (Remember, a member cannot duplicate services provided by a current employee or that an employee has provided within the past 6 months)
Service Activities/Responsibilities: (be sure to include numbers, amounts, and time lines)

Provide community education and awareness in an informal setting
• By August 31, 2011 – participate in 30 health/wellness/community events promoting Tobacco Free Allegheny’s programs and services; distributing general educational materials, resource guides; engaging the audience in the health effects of tobacco through various demonstrations; and conducting brief interventions with smokers using the carbon monoxide breath test.

Provide formal tobacco specific presentations
• By August 2011, identify 25 existing groups to receive tobacco education presentation. 
• By August 2011, provide 25 formal educational presentations about various tobacco related issues to community audiences such as parents, employers, schools, and community groups.

Overall Service Goals: (be sure to include numbers, amounts, and time lines)
• Expand the reach of Tobacco Free Allegheny by engaging 30 new community partners in one or more of TFA’s existing programs by August 2011.
• Increase the capacity of community based organizations to include tobacco prevention education in their existing programming.
• Increase community awareness and knowledge of the consequences of tobacco related illnesses through presentations in both formal and informal settings.
• Provide content specific training for various constituencies.
•  Provide the public with health education material and referrals to resources in various types of community settings.

Outcome Measures:

Outcome: Tobacco Free Allegheny will increase its ability to reach disparately effected populations, specifically African American communities in Allegheny County.
• The number of organizations serving African American youth with prevention education will increase by 10%.
• The number of organizations serving African American adults with tobacco education and cessation resources will increase by 10%.
Outcome: Tobacco Free Allegheny will expand its reach into the community through formal and informal educational presentations.
• The number of community groups receiving tobacco education will increase by 10%.
• The number of health/wellness/community events where tobacco education is represented with increase by 30%.

III. Performance Measures:  The PHC AmeriCorps program is based on National Health Corps Performance Measures. Each PHC member should provide services that fall in at least one of the NHC Performance Measures below:
1. Access to Care
Does your service position include assessing eligibility for, completing paperwork for, and enrolling community members in adult/child health insurance and/or patient medication assistance programs?

(please check one)   NO

2. Individual & Group Health Education Instruction
Does your service position include any of the following? YES
Teaching health education classes, workshops, one on one sessions, leading clubs or organized activities on public health topics including home/public safety, violence prevention, smoking cessation, nutrition and exercise, asthma, diabetes, hypertension, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis and other public health topics that meet local community needs.  (Please check one)  YES 
If “yes”, please provide site specifics and explain the details regarding how the member will provide health education:
• The member will provide tobacco education to various cohort groups such as parents; firefighters; foster parents; home healthcare workers; students and educators of every educational level; employees and employers; healthcare professionals; and others as requested by community groups.
• The member will provide brief interventions (one on one) with smokers to help them quit.

3. Health Screening, Testing & Immunization
Does your service position include the member organizing, coordinating, promoting and/or participating in health screenings, testing and immunization campaigns for HIV/STDs and other communicable diseases, BMI, blood pressure and other issues that respond to local needs?  NO

4. Health Information & Outreach Material Distribution
Does your service position include the member distributing health education and outreach materials to individuals in underserved populations?  YES 

If “yes”, please provide site specifics and explain the details regarding the information that will be distributed and how it relates to the services provided by the site as a whole:
• Member will distribute Tobacco Free Allegheny resource guides and other tobacco content information to clinics and health centers that provide service to people without health insurance. The resource guide links individuals with help to quit smoking that is free and that provides access to free nicotine replacement therapy in the form of patches, gum or lozenges to individuals engaged with the programs. Prevention materials will be distributed to community base organizations and non-traditional schools to assist in the goal of stopping children, adolescents, and young adults from initiating tobacco use.

5. Promotion of Health Professions
Does your service description include giving the member the opportunity to be trained on health professions, health care settings, health care education opportunities, the healthcare needs of the underserved, health disparities, cultural competency, and various health related topics such as tobacco, asthma, hypertension, nutrition and HIV/AIDS? ?  YES

If “yes”, please provide site specifics and explain the details regarding how the member will be trained, gain experience in the health related topics mentioned:
• Intense training in tobacco is a core component of the organization. The member will be trained in nicotine addiction and the brain; tobacco and chronic disease; tobacco related health disparities.
• Member will be exposed to tobacco interventions in community health settings and in the community at large.
• Member will be included in trainings that benefit the professional development of health professionals.
• Depending upon what other organizations are offering, there are possibilities for trainings in chronic disease health related topics related to tobacco use.

IV. Logistical Information

Expected Schedule for Providing Service at Site: The regular office hours are 8 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. Some activities will fall outside the regular hours and will be held during evenings and weekends.

Orientation Plan:
– Executive Director, Cindy Thomas and TFA staff
• Introduction to the mission and organizational goals, strategic vision and work of TFA  including advocacy and Clean Indoor Air– Executive Director
• Introduction to TFA subcontractors – Health Educator
• Introduction to office procedures and IT systems – Administrative Assistant
• Introduction to financial procedures and personnel policy and enforcement of Act 112 – Youth Access Law – Director of Finance and Enforcement
• Introduction to custom data reporting system and evaluation – Health Educator
Tobacco “boot camp” – Health Educator, and select TFA subcontractors
• Tobacco 101 – health facts related to tobacco; tobacco in pregnancy; tobacco and teens; tobacco addiction and the brain; importance and benefits of quitting tobacco use, ways to quit and available resources; Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) best practices to treating tobacco dependence.
• Introduction to tobacco treatment – use of CO monitor and interpretation of results; skills involved in treatment including motivational interviewing; pharmacotherapy products used in treatment of tobacco addiction and their applications; CPG best practices for brief intervention by medical professionals.
• Introduction to the TFA family of cessation providers focusing on special populations – e.g. maternal smokers; mental health consumers; GLBT.
• Tour of off site locations as appropriate
Preventing Initiation to Tobacco –TFA subcontractors
• Observe presentations/sessions of  TATU – Teens Against Tobacco Use; classroom presentations of various evidence based interventions
Observation and Training – Health Educator to coordinate

Service Location(s) if different from site address:
The nature of the work of the member will involve various locations throughout Allegheny County requiring use of a private vehicle. These locations include, but are not limited to community health clinics, community based organizations, public locations (e.g. shopping malls, libraries, community centers etc), schools, places of employment, schools, day care centers and head start locations.

Additional Info (parking, transportation, ID, etc.):
Free parking is available at the main site (Tobacco Free Allegheny office) and allowable mileage is reimbursed at the rate specified in the prevailing contract (currently $.50/mile), service related parking is also a reimbursable expense. As is required by the TFA personnel policies, the member will be required to produce state and federal child abuse clearances, a valid driver’s license and automobile insurance coverage.

Member Qualifications:
• Access to a car
• Genuine interest in promoting a public health approach to the tobacco problem
• Agile learner
• Outgoing, articulate and energetic; able to express thoughts clearly verbally and in writing
• Able to make an immediate positive connection and to engage strangers in a positive conversation about tobacco
• Ability to adhere to a drug free/smoke free workplace policy. Must be a non-smoker.
• Comfortable speaking in front of groups of various sizes and of various ages
• Comfortable making phone calls to new organizations/individuals
• General computer proficiency required; knowledge of MS Office 2007 preferred

PITTSBURGH HEALTH CORPS
Position Request Form

Name ____________________________________________

Agency ___________________________________________

Phone Number _____________________________________

Fax Number _______________________________________

E-Mail ____________________________________________

Our agency is requesting __________ full-time member position(s) at $8,350.00 each per year through non-federal matching funds.   I accept my role as both Supervisor and Mentor to ensure the member successfully completes their year of service and understand the member/position cost to my agency is non-refundable.  

__________________________________________________        ________________
Signature of Funding Agency’s Representative     Date

__________________________________________________ ________________
Signature of Partner Site Representative     Date

ASSURANCES

(In the past there has occasionally been confusion between the agency providing funding for a PHC member(s) and the actual placement site.  To prevent any possible miscommunication and to ensure accurate billing procedures, both the funding organization and the actually placement site must sign below and information on this page must match that which is listed on Page 1: Request for Host Site Designation). 

We, the undersigned, understand and commit to the core values and operating principles of the Pittsburgh Health Corps, as outlined in the background information attached to this application.  We commit to provide a meaningful service experience for the member(s) assigned to our organization and to offer them guidance in their future career objectives.  We commit to meet the deadlines for program reports, evaluations, payments, and other program management requirements as they arise.  We commit to fully participate in the supervisor orientation and supervisor meetings.

FUNDING AGENCY DIRECTOR
             
Signature _______________________________________   Date ___________________________

DESIGNATED SITE SUPERVISOR

Signature _______________________________________   Date ___________________________

Thank you for taking the time to complete this application.  If this is an application from a site that has not participated in the Pittsburgh Health Corps within the past two years, we may contact you within the next few weeks to arrange a site visit.

By March 19, 2010, please submit one copy of the completed application by mail or hand delivery to:

Pittsburgh Health Corps
ACHD, Room 304
3333 Forbes Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Attn: Janet M. Elder

Or, email it to:   jelder@achd.net

FAXED COPIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THE
PITTSBURGH HEALTH CORPS

CHILDREN’S ORAL HEALTH PROGRAM
 
I.             Site Info
 
Site Name and Location:
Dental Sealant Program
Allegheny County Health Department
3333 Forbes Avenue, Room 303
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
 
Organization Mission:
The Allegheny County Health Department’s mission statement is: 
To assure quality public health services by promoting individual and community wellness, preventing injury, illness, and premature death or disability, and protecting the population from harmful effects of chemical, biological and physical hazards within the environment.
 
The Dental Sealant Program is a component of the Dental Program, which addresses dental needs of underserved children (1-21 years of age).  The Dental Sealant Program provides oral health education, a dental examination and sealants to second and sixth grade children in eligible schools. 
 
Critical Community Need(s) to be addressed through member service:
This school-based prevention-oriented program provides oral health education, examinations, and dental sealants for a population of children in need of these services.  AmeriCorps member will work to have these services provided to as many schools and students as possible, with high quality service, and keep program organized and in good contact with schools, and all associated staff-persons. 
 

Auberle Member Services - Desription

I. Site Information

Site Name and Location:
Auberle
1101 Hartman Street
McKeesport, PA 15132

Organization Description and Mission:
Auberle is a faith based catholic agency that has been dedicated to the mission of caring for and healing abused, neglected and troubled children throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania for over 50 years. We have been able to help thousands of children and their families through our residential care, foster care, emergency shelter, in-home intervention, education, and community programs. Family preservation, the reuniting of families in a positive home environment, and preparing children to be responsible adults are the ultimate goals of Auberle.

Critical Community Need(s) to be addressed through member service:
Auberle is located in the Mon Valley and serves children and families from several counties in Southwestern PA.

The SNAP program was funded as a result of proven need by the juvenile probation department. They reported younger and younger children in the area being referred for probation and having difficulty with the police and in their schools.

The Mon Valley has an increasing need for foster homes. Allegheny County has placed an emphasis on foster care as a preferred alternative to residential placements. As a result – nearly 100 teenagers are in the county child welfare system in need of foster homes. Families are often reluctant to take teenagers and this position will ideally identify foster homes willing and able to care for teens.

This region has a high level of Outpatient needs including drug and alcohol abuse and mental health issues. Auberle Outpatient services are relatively new (less than 3 years) and this position will create awareness of the types of services available to needy children and families.

Site Name and Location:

Health Care for the Homeless/Primary Care Health Services, Inc.
7227 Hamilton Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15208

Organization Description and Mission:

PCHS provides comprehensive primary and preventive health care services to medically underserved and indigent populations residing in Allegheny County.  Health Care for the Homeless operates as part of PCHS, Inc. and serves homeless men, women, and children in the greater Pittsburgh area, providing primary care, mental health, substance abuse, and/or case management services.  HCH, in partnership with Allegheny County, has been awarded a three-year federal grant to create an Integrated Delivery System, co-locating primary care, mental health, and substance abuse services at several sites across Allegheny County where the homeless population frequently seeks services.  The purpose of the IDS is to provide a "no wrong door" approach to service access for the homeless.

Site Supervisor:

Jennifer Williams, MSN, RN
Program Director
412-244-3529
Fax 412-244-5162
jwilliams@pchspitt.org

Position Title: ONTRACK Support Specialist

Service Activities/Responsibilities:

• Perform client intake
• Implement a Peer Support Network

Please review the attached PDF for a complete position description and more details.

GPCFB Nutrition Assistant

I. Site Information

Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
1 North Linden Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15110

Organization Description and Mission:

Our mission is to feed the hungry in southwestern Pennsylvania through a network of partners and to mobilize our region to end hunger.

Critical Community Need(s) to be addressed through member service:

Work with programs (Farm Stand Project, Choose Healthy Options Program, Kids COOK afterschool program) that empower people and children in need to meet their own nutritional needs.

Site Supervisor assigned to support member:

Matthew Bolton
Nutrition Supervisor
Phone (412) 412-460-3663 ext. 253
Fax (412) 460-0418

Service Activities/Responsibilities:

Assist the Nutrition & Marketing Supervisor provide more nutrition programming to agency sites in the form of pantry demos and afterschool programs.

• One afterschool program (KCOOK) once a month (8 total) October-May 2008
• Conduct Kids Cook afterschool programs at member agency sites
• Conduct food demonstration six times a month (54 total) October – June 2008
• Schedule, prepare and present pantry and farm stand food demonstrations at member agency sites
• Support food bank nutrition education activities October – July 2008
• Assist with the Choose Healthy Options Program (CHOP)
• Research and prepare articles and recipes for the Cooking and Nutrition newsletter, CSFP and Produce to People materials
• Work with Breakfast-911 to provide breakfast foods to Duquesne elementary school and provide breakfast nutrition education materials to children and parents
• Assist the Speakers Bureau Director to raise awareness in the community to the issues of hunger and poverty
• Create new materials for children’s programming
• Traveling to communities to tell the food bank’s story to adult audiences as well as children
• Assist with mailing to new contacts, businesses, schools, churches, etc.
• Create healthy snack recipes for children’s programming

Overall Service Goals:

• Become familiar with FB sources of food and inventory: Donated State Food Purchase Program (SFPP), Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP, USDA, government commodities), Wholesale Buying Program
• Be able to access FB nutrition education resources and credible internet sites to support education and recipe development
• Shadow nutrition staff and learn how to schedule, prepare, and present nutrition education programs and demos
• Be able to develop recipes and nutrition education materials

Outcome Measures:

• To become aware of the problem of hunger and food insecurity throughout Allegheny County by working with others to improve the amount of nutritious food available to food pantry clients
• Help empower people in need to meet their own nutritional needs, while communicating the nature of and solutions to hunger

Please review the linked PDF for more complete details

Infant Safe Sleep Initiative

Site Name and Location:

Allegheny County Health Department
Bureau of Policy Development & Assessment/Management & Special Initiatives
3333 Forbes Avenue, Suite 310
Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Organization Description and Mission:

The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) was founded in 1957. Its mission is to protect the environmental and public health of 1.2 million County residents which includes the residents of the City of Pittsburgh through Pennsylvania Act 315/the Local Health Administration Law.

ACHD assures quality public health services by promoting individual and community wellness, preventing injury, illness, and premature death or disability, and protecting the population from harmful effects of chemical, biological and physical hazards within the environment. ACHD’s Bureau of Policy Development and Assessment (PDA) assists municipalities, hospitals, community organizations and collaboratives in the development of health assessments and policies to assure that public health needs of the community are met. The Bureau provides health data, public health research, and professional resources to more effectively identify public health conditions and resolutions to protect and improve the general well being of the population. The mission of PDA’s Management & Special Initiatives is to monitor internal special initiatives and demonstrations, and to develop policies that assure the public health needs of the community are met.

Critical Need(s) to be addressed:

In Allegheny County, the rate of black infants dying from infant sleep related deaths is significantly greater than white infants. The overwhelming majority of babies who die from SUID were discovered in an unacceptable sleep position or sleep location. In order to reduce the number of infants dying due to sleep related risk factors, our vision is for every Allegheny County family with a newborn to receive clear, consistent, repetitive, and culturally appropriate information regarding a safe-sleep environment for their baby. Based on local and national data, African American caregivers are more likely to place their infants on their tummy for sleep and are more likely to share a sleep surface with their infant for sleep. Parents tend to copy practices that they observed from people that they trust; parent and grandparents tend to listen to people they respect, know and trust. Education and promotional activities have been undertaken with local health care providers, home visitors and maternity hospitals. Since SIDS disproportionately affects African American families, the African American church and its leaders are important and trusted resources to support efforts to educate and promote infant related deaths risk reduction steps among its congregation.

We need a PHC Member to actively engage the African American church community and inform them about infant safe sleep practices that increase risks of infant sleep-related deaths which are occurring in the community. We also need the PHC member to engage other groups, such as health clinics and home visitors who provide services to at risk families caring for infants, about current guidelines and the importance of providing consistent, repetitive, and culturally appropriate information regarding a safe-sleep environment for infants.

Supervisor:

M.J. (Peggy) O'Malley
Public Health Administrator III
412-578-8350
Fax: 412-578-8025
pomalley@achd.net

Please review the linked PDF for more complete details.