The JCU AmeriCorps CRUSH program establishes and delivers a service-learning based curriculum to Ohio students in under-resourced school districts to provide academic and career skill support necessary for students to obtain a sustainable career in the healthcare industry, a growing Ohio career opportunity.
CRUSH students identify a health issue in their community and develop a project that brings awareness to the issue. CRUSH serves schools and communities statewide in Northeast, Central, Southeast, and Southwest Ohio.
The JCU Community Health Worker track gives members the opportunity to screen patients in local hospital settings and connect them to resources that meettheir social determinant of health needs. In some hospital settings, members track common needs trends and develop community-wide programming to address that particular need. In addition, members connect with local youth to deliver resources first hand that align with their hospital settings, as well as conduct health-based summer programming.
In 2021, the JCU AmeriCorps CRUSH leadership team formed a partnership with the JCU Department of Counseling in order to better address mental health needs faced by the students and local communities served. With this new track, AmeriCorps members will have the opportunity to better hone their mental health training by starting the journey for Chemical Dependency Counselors Assistant certification. Members will still receive Community Health Worker Certification through the Ohio Board of Nursing, and will leverage the training with agency experience in order to address the mental health needs of students and community members statewide. Agency support will also provide specific training to address treatment plans for individuals in recovery, addressing their Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and connecting them to local resources in order to alleviate barriers to recovery. This mental health track is aligned for 10 full time members.
![Map of Ohio counties served by AmeriCorps](/sites/default/files/styles/image_full_width/public/2022-03/AmeriCorps%20service%20map_3.png?itok=aaA9U07w)
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ServeOhio
University Hospitals
Signature Health
Boys Hope Girls Hope
Monarch Lifeworks
Dayton Children’s Hospital
Crossroads Health Center
Rocking Horse Community Health Center
Wright State Boonshoft School of Medicine
Ohio Department of Health
United Black Fund
Health Path Foundation of Ohio
These amounts can vary year-to-year, but the stipend amounts for 2022 are:
![A breakdown of the stipend amounts that AmeriCorps provides.](/sites/default/files/styles/embed_large/public/2022-03/americorps%20stipend.png?itok=KxOm418-)
Start by submitting a cover letter and resume to Anita Iveljic, Director of AmeriCorps, at Aiveljic@jcu.edu
Rolling applications for both full time and part time positions are always being accepted.
Positions run on an August to July duration.
Note: JCU current undergraduates with an existing on campus position are ineligible.
Minimum Qualifications Include:
18 years of age or older
U.S. Citizen or Green Card Holder
Transportation Required
Success Stories
![](/sites/default/files/2022-03/Roundtree%20AmeriCorps%20Highlights.png)
From participant to supervisor
Sierra Roundtree (2016 - 2018) AmeriCorps CRUSH alum and current Site Supervisor
"I served in the Cincinnati OH area with the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing Ohio Minority Health (OMH) grant. The CRUSH program was one that positively impacted me and helped to shape my overall growth and development. While dedicating my time to service, it allowed me to understand the true meaning of service as well as my passions and purpose. From my service years, I learned and recognized that I have passion to serve the youth and uplift the community by being a resource and an individual who strives for the greater good by the development of initiatives that empower the youth to follow their career dreams. Having the opportunity to come back to the CRUSH program in the capacity of a Site Supervisor is very rewarding. This opportunity allows me to stay connected with the youth and to continue to be a resource and advocate of helping them follow and achieve their life goals."
The JCU AmeriCorps CRUSH program is supported by ServeOhio through Award No.21AFH-1502-22-OC144.
What Our Partners Have to Say
![](/sites/default/files/2022-03/americorps%20WSU%20logo.png)
“The Corps for Rural and Success in Health (CRUSH) has made an important impact on the lives of young persons in the Miami Valley. Participating students have gained skills in communication and caring for the health of their communities. CRUSH coaches have gained invaluable experience working on a team and many have gone on to graduate school in their chosen health profession.”
John M Pascoe, MD, MPH
Professor of Pediatrics
Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine
![](/sites/default/files/2022-03/lifeworks.png)
“Our partnership with Ƶ University/ AmeriCorps has made a significant, positive impact on our organization. We cannot say enough about the quality and character of every individual that we have had the privilege to collaborate with. From top to bottom, the JCU chapter of AmeriCorps embodies servant leadership.”
Carl Brass
Executive Director of Lifeworks Autism Services & JCU alum
![](/sites/default/files/2022-03/dayton%20childrens.png)
“At Dayton Children’s, we know the importance of building a diverse workforce for the future. The CRUSH program is integral in showing students health care careers in a really tangible and meaningful way while building critical thinking skills which are applicable for any avenue students may explore.”
Jessica Saunders
Executive Director
Center for Health Equity
![](/sites/default/files/2022-03/Highlights%20Template.png)
"Our partnership with the AmeriCorps CRUSH program has been an incredible asset to our Academy programming here at Boys Hope Girls Hope. Seeing our scholars make connections between social determinants of health and their own communities has been essential to their growth as individuals, leaders, and young agents of change. We couldn't be more excited to continue making strides with our collaboration efforts."
Danielle Rojas
Academy Assistant Director
Early High School