Public Health Iowa AmeriCorps (PHIA)

Member Duties: AmeriCorps members will support a myriad of essential public health services in counties, communities, hospitals, and other organizations across the state of Iowa.
1. Collaborate with local agencies ranging from public health departments, Emergency
Management Agencies, to non-profit organizations to facilitate efforts to improve public health
in the community. Plan and implement public health events within the county/community. Revise
and/or develop county plans (e.g., emergency preparedness/response, community health
improvement). Build topic-based partnerships (e.g., disaster preparedness) between county
public health, area aging services, and other community organizations serving vulnerable
populations.
2. Deliver Disaster PrepWise (DPW) intervention to specific vulnerable populations. Some
positions entail the delivery of the DPW program. Members will identify locations to reach target
population (senior housing, meal sites, churches, community centers, etc.) and conduct outreach
in those locations. Recruit individuals for intervention delivery. Meet with individuals to guide
them through using the DPW online tool and assist with creating a personalized emergency plan.
Follow up with participants to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Train county public
health employees in intervention delivery to ensure long-term sustainability.
3. Support and deliver Healthy LifeStars (HLS) intervention to elementary aged children. Some
positions entail the delivery of the HLS program. This position will include motivating, educating,
and inspiring kids to live active and healthy lives now and in the future. Members may become a
HLS coach, delivering the program at youth-serving organizations, represent HLS at events,
recruit new programming sites and coaches, assist in administrative tasks, create promotional
materials, and/or aid in general tasks supporting in-person programming implementation
4. General Public Health Programming. Other positions will entail activities that support refining,
developing, and delivering of public health services and programming (e.g., community health
assessment, developing of new programs/training/exercises).
5. Member may participate in additional service activities that will help them grow professionally
and align with approved grant activities.

Position Requirements: Valid driver's license or ability to transport self from home to service site and
community events.
Qualifications: Must be 18 years of age or older by start date. Must have a high school diploma or
equivalent or be in process of completion. Must be either a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident
alien of the United States. Must pass mandatory pre-service background checks.
Program Benefits:
The Public Health Iowa AmeriCorps Program is offering two options for hours, 1/4 time (450 hours) and
1/2 time (900 hours). This allows students to decide what works best for their schedule.
Each member will have access to trainings related to their position (e.g., disaster preparedness, nutrition,
infectious disease) as well as several professional development opportunities, including certifications.
A living allowance will be provided to help meet the necessary living expenses incurred while serving in
the AmeriCorps program. The living allowance will be divided evenly across the term of service and
provided every month via direct deposit. Upon successful completion of the term of service, the member
will receive a Segal Education Award from the National Service Trust. Student loan deferment,
forbearance or forgiveness opportunities are available depending on the type of student loan. It is the
member’s responsibility to obtain information about whether their loan(s) qualify for this benefit. This is
not an automatic benefit of the program. Training and professional development related to the knowledge
and skills required for service, as well as training specific to the community the member serves. The
member will receive a mid-term and end of term evaluation.
Program Start and End Date: September 1, 2025. Hours of service will depend on which time slot
students choose (half-time or quarter-time). Service will end May 2026.
Locations: Multiple locations are available in Eastern Iowa including here at the College of Public Health.
Past members have served at the following locations: UI-College of Public Health, Linn County Emergency
Management, Local Health Departments (Linn, Johnson, Washington, Wapello, Benton, Polk), Area
Agency on Aging, United Way, Johnson County Neighborhood Centers.