AmeriCorps Mental Health Lead

Y.O.U. AmeriCorps Mental Health Lead

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!

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

Core Functional Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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 1 or 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 Youth 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
• 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

• Bachelor's degree in social work, Psychology, Child Development, or a related human services field (Required).
• Previous experience working with youth in a mental health, therapeutic, or educational setting, preferred.
• Strong group facilitation skills and the ability to de-escalate high-emotion situations with empathy and professional boundaries.
• Ability to translate clinical concepts into "layman's terms" for OST staff and families.
• 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