Americorps' Comcorps Program Targets
Health Status of Area Children
Contact: Kevin Sanders, writer/editor, at (740) 593-0896 for more information
ATHENS, Ohio (May 26, 2000) -- "Getting things done, strengthening communities and developing
leadership skills" are the themes of AmeriCorps' new program, ComCorps,
which begins in August. The volunteer-supported ComCorps program, which is
designed to promote health education, enhance disease prevention efforts and
improve health-care access in local communities, will be a major community
service thrust coordinated by Ohio University College of Osteopathic
Medicine's (OU-COM) Community Service Programs (CSP) throughout the upcoming
year.
"The ComCorps program will improve the health status of area
children 12 and under," said Nancy Schell, CSP community health
presentations coordinator. ComCorps will achieve this through programs built
around five components, said Schell. "ComCorps volunteers will be trained to
provide education and information in the five areas the program targets.
They will take the program to the community -- to its schools, agencies and
the families served by those agencies."
The Athens County Department of Human Services; each of the five
Athens County school systems; Tri-County Community Action Agency HeadStart;
Athens County Children Services; Athens City-County Health Department; and
Athens County Women, Infants and Children program, a federal supplemental
food program, are supporting agencies in ComCorps. The volunteer recruitment
phase of the program is now in full swing, said Schell.
ComCorps will create and implement a variety of programs structured
around four component areas: dental health education, immunizations,
infectious disease prevention and lice infestation prevention. The fifth
component will be to increase enrollment in the Ohio Insurance for Children
Program. The Ohio Insurance for Children Program provides medical, dental
and vision care coverage for children 19 and under in families with incomes
twice the poverty level and below.
As a participant in ComCorps, volunteers are eligible for an
education award of $4,725, which can be used to pay off student loans. In
addition to receiving a small living allowance, health insurance and
possibly qualifying for child-care assistance and compensation for
relocation expenses, volunteers also may be eligible for deferment and
forbearance on student loans during their service. ComCorps is accepting
volunteers of all ages but is best suited for students at least 17 years of
age and with a high school diploma or GED that would like to take a year off
school before joining the job market. Volunteers must commit 10 to 12 months
of service.
"We need people who are committed to community service and expanding
their knowledge base in the areas of human or social services, health and
education," Schell said.
"We need people who are dedicated, motivated and have the initiative
to be self-starters and are interested in bettering themselves."
Those interested in applying should contact Nancy Schell at (740)
593-2293 or via e-mail at schelln@ohio.edu.
For more information about the program log on to the World Wide Web at www.oucom.ohiou.edu/csp/
You can download an application from www.americorps.org
Applications must be submitted by June 19.
"This program is a great resume builder and networking tool for
anyone in the fields of health education and social work, not to mention
that it's a great way to give back to the community."
ComCorps is funded by an $80,000 one-year grant from AmeriCorps.
AmeriCorps is a "Domestic Peace Corps" which began in 1994. More than
150,000 members have served in the program. OU-COM has partnered with
AmeriCorps since the program began, providing health services and education
to the people of rural Southeastern Ohio.
