  
Youth Health Service Corps Guide
Purpose
Eastern Connecticut Area Health Education Centers (Eastern AHEC, Inc) is teaming with AmeriCorps to bring an exciting program, the Youth Health Service Corps (YHSC) to Coventry High School students. The YHSC Program has been in existence for eight years and operates in 20 states across the county. The program strives to improve academic skills, grades and exposes students to wide variety of health issues and careers.
YHSC Participants will:
- Select, plan and implement service-based projects surrounding health issues that build upon their academic skills and increase their sense of civic responsibility.
- Build their leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills by working to solve community health and environmental concerns.
- Develop positive peer and adult relationships with guidance and mentoring by YHSC coordinators.
Meetings will be held on Mondays during study hall periods D, E & F. Students who join YHSC will be expected to attend one YHSC class each week. Additionally, there will be opportunities for students to be involved in offsite service activities in group or individual settings but these experiences will be optional and dependent on student interest.
Throughout the year, Youth Health Service Corps participants will be trained using a Six Module Curriculum that prepares them for service in health care settings that serve marginalized populations. In addition to the training, students will participate in numerous quality service learning projects that fulfill the needs of their particular community.
Module 1: Leadership and Service Learning
Objectives
After completing this section, students will:
- Understand the mission of the Youth Health Service Corps
- Describe the role of student leader in service learning projects
- Define the significance of service learning and reflection
Module 2: Student Website Training
Objectives
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Log onto YHSC website
- Sign up for events and opportunities
- Log volunteer hours
Module 3: Vulnerable Populations and Cultural Competence
Objectives
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Indentify populations considered to be vulnerable
- Describe health care disparities
- Describe the importance of cultural competency as it relates to self and others
Module 4: Ethical and Legal Issues
Objectives
After completing this module, students will:
- Understand privacy, confidentiality, and ethics as they relate to volunteer.
- Understand when it is acceptable to breach confidentiality.
- Understand the basics of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
Module 5: Health Career Exploration
Objectives
After completing this section, students will:
- Discuss the broad range of career in health professionals and related fields
- Describe the difference between associate and baccalaureate programs
- Describe personal qualities of a successful health care professional Describe the value of volunteer service in preparation for health careers
Module 6: Health Care Skills
Objectives
After completing this module, students will:
- First Aid and CPR Certified
- Understand principles of Universal Precautions and the use of Personal Protective Equipment.
- Demonstrate proper hand washing
- Learn the proper gloving technique
- Properly conduct a client interview
- Measure vital signs
- Report observations & data to supervisor
Service Learning Component
Service learning can be defined as “a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities.”
Service learning projects will be conducted throughout the program. In process called IPARDCS. Small groups of students will INVESTIGATE, ACT, REFLECT, DEMONSTRATE, CELEBRATE and SUSTAIN projects that address community health issues.
Possible Service Learning Projects include:
- School Efficient Energy Assessment- lighting/light bulb replacement
- Lunch Health Assessment- nutritional investigation and transformation
- School Cafeteria Compost Project
- Actively engage the community on National Service Days
- Childhood Obesity Prevention: Nutrition and Physical Activity
- Oral Health Education & Prevention
- Health and Social Issues of the Aging Population
- Educational Art Mural to enhance the school or community
Student Benefits
The Benefits of this Program for the Students Include:
- Knowledge about health careers
- Participation in meaningful service
- Increase in academics & civic engagement
- Exposure to professional career role models
- Building their resume for college or work
- Participation in YHSC online social network and students with similar interests
- Become First Aid and CPR Certified
Students Rewards and Recognition
Students receive the YHSC National Community Service Recognition Award supported in partnership with the National Health Service Corps for 50 hours of service. Students who serve a minimum of 100 hours over 12 months are eligible for the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
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