Apply to Veterans Recovery Team VISTA Project- Mental Health Outreach and Advocacy
The Veterans Recovery Team is an AmeriCorps VISTA project. It is a multi-site collaboration of organizations in the New Haven area that work with Veterans experiencing homelessness and serious mental illness. Partnering organizations will hire three AmeriCorps VISTA members to work on inter-related projects to help end homelessness amongst veterans. One partner organization, is VA Connecticut’s Errera Community Care Center. A wide array of psychosocial services are offered here to Veterans in support of their recovery, including supported employment, therapeutic groups, a wellness center, as well as case management and housing programs.
Currently there are 12,400 Veterans receiving mental health care in Connecticut, with more than 4,200 Veterans seeking specialized services at the Errera Community Care Center. There are still many Veterans in need of mental health care but due to stigma, fear, accessibility, and other issues, they do not seek services. This VISTA will conduct outreach through organized presentations at high schools to educate students about challenges facing Veterans. This will result in preparing high school students with the knowledge and resources to effectively volunteer with the Veteran population. This VISTA member will also compile resources at the VA and in the community in order to develop a recovery-oriented resource guide that will be distributed to Veterans. Additionally, the VISTA member will network with existing Veterans’ groups to facilitate the development and sharing of personal recovery narratives. Finally, the VISTA member will develop better linkages between the larger VA system, outreach efforts, and homeless shelters to discuss how to enhance services and ensure that Veterans do not fall through the cracks.
Successful applicants will have:
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Creative and innovative thinking.
• Good collaboration skills.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Good time management and organizational skills
• A demonstrated interest in working in the community and working with Veterans.
• A demonstrated interest in mental health and poverty
• Some college preferred.
Pay and Benefits provided by the AmeriCorps VISTA program: AmeriCorps members receive a living allowance, student-loan forbearance, health coverage, and child care for those who qualify. After successfully completing their term of service, they receive an AmeriCorps Education Award of up to $5,350. This award can be used to pay off qualified student loans or to finance college, graduate school, or vocational training at eligible institutions. For more information on the AmeriCorps VISTA benefits and eligibility please visit:
http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/choose/vista.asp
To Apply:
To apply please send a resume, and cover letter to Samuel Adelman at samuel.adelman@va.gov. The position open until filled so please apply as soon as possible.
