AmeriCorps Mental Health Lead (2026-2027)

Description

We are now accepting applications for the Y.O.U. AmeriCorps Mental Health Lead for our 2026-2027 program year. AmeriCorps is an opportunity to make a big difference in your life and in the lives of those around you. It’s a chance to apply your skills and ideals toward helping others and meeting critical needs in the community. Whether your service makes a community safer, gives a child a second chance, or helps protect the environment, you’ll be getting things done through AmeriCorps!

How to Apply [REQUIRED]

There are two applications to complete separately.

1. AmeriCorps Registration Profile 

2. Complete the Y.O.U. online application through this portal, along with a cover letter, current resume, and the contact information for three references.

What You’ll Do

The AmeriCorps Mental Health Lead serves as a vital bridge between Y.O.U.’s clinical expertise and its daily afterschool enrichment. This role is designed for a Bachelor’s-level professional seeking to gain high-level experience in social work, community mental health, and program administration. You will support the integration of that social-emotional learning (SEL) and mental health support seamlessly integrated into the Out-of-School Time (OST) environment.

AmeriCorps Time Commitment (Academic Year)

· Part-Time members will work between 5 and 29 hours per week

AmeriCorps Time Commitment (Summer)

· All members may work up to 40 hours per week

Your Supervisors

AmeriCorps Mental Health Lead Members will report to Y.O.U.’s AmeriCorps Manager and the Director of Clinical and Outreach Services.

CORE FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Facilitation & Youth Support

• Daily Group Facilitation: Design and/or lead daily mental health and wellness groups for youth within the OST program,      focusing on resilience, coping skills, and social-emotional growth.
• Milieu Support: Provide "on-the-floor" emotional support during afterschool hours, helping youth navigate interpersonal conflicts and emotional regulation.
• Evidence-Based Programming: Implement clinical curricula with fidelity, ensuring sessions are inclusive, trauma-informed,      and age-appropriate.

Programmatic Liaison & Integration

• Departmental Bridge: Act as a liaison between the OST Department and the Clinical & Outreach Department. Ensure that clinical insights inform OST activities and      that OST observations are reported back to clinical supervisors.
• APM Support: Provide direct support to the Afterschool Program Manager (APM) by assisting with behavior management plans and identifying youth who may need elevated clinical intervention.
• Data & Reporting: Maintain accurate records of group attendance and progress notes, providing regular updates to the Director of Clinical and Outreach Services to meet grant and internal requirements.

AmeriCorps Service & Community Engagement

• Capacity Building: Develop resources and toolkits for non-clinical OST staff to help them better support the mental health needs of participants.
• Service Initiatives: Participate in mandatory AmeriCorps service days, professional development cohorts, and community outreach events as required by the program.

Crisis Response

Collaborate with the Clinical Director to respond to immediate youth or family crises, ensuring a warm hand-off to long-term counseling services when necessary.

PROGRAM SITE-TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervises and facilitates enrichment activities with groups of 1or more students in a safe, developmentally appropriate, and structured environment.
• Gathers supplies to execute programs, including setting up space for readiness and cleaning up the space
• Troubleshoots in real-time during afterschool program, including but not limited to receiving feedback and relaying information to OST and Clinical leadership and follow-up interventions.

Key Metrics for Success

• Fidelity: 100% completion of daily mental health group sessions as scheduled and compliance with all AmeriCorps guidelines.
• Collaboration: Consistent attendance at weekly "Liaison Meetings" between OST and Clinical departments.
• Documentation: Timely submission of all clinical logs to the Director of Clinical and Outreach Services.

Y.O.U. AmeriCorps Y.O.U.th Serve Benefits

• Bi-monthly Living Stipend
• Professional Development
• Up to 10 days of vacation and up to 10 days of sick leave for full-time members only. Part-Time members' vacation and sick leave will be prorated based on availability.
• Y.O.U./AmeriCorps Uniform

AmeriCorps and other federally issued Benefits

• AmeriCorps Segal Education Award up to $7,395 (subject to change)
• Childcare Benefits paid by AmeriCorps
• Loan Forbearance and Interest Accrual Payments for Qualified Student Loans
• Time Accrual toward the U.S. Department of Education’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Must complete the AmeriCorps application at www.americorps.gov/join
• Strong interest and/or experience working with youth ages 7 to 18 years old or 2nd through 12th grades
• A US citizen or permanent resident
• Valid driver's license or willingness to obtain one
• Able to pass a Federal and State background check, National Sex Offender check, and reference checks

 Professional Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in social work, Psychology, Child Development, or a related human services field (Required).
• Experience: Previous experience working with youth in a mental health, therapeutic, or educational setting, preferred.
• Skills: Strong group facilitation skills and the ability to de-escalate high-emotion situations with empathy and professional boundaries.
• Communication: Ability to translate clinical concepts into "layman’s terms" for OST staff and families.
• Commitment: Passion for Y.O.U.’s mission and a desire to serve an AmeriCorps term (minimum of 100 hours up to 900 hours over 12 months).

Preferred Skills

• Punctuality
• Flexible and Adaptable
• Attention to detail
• Time Management
• Problem-Solving Ability
• Decision-Making Skills