K2H Civic Futures Liaison - Sobesky Academy

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About the Program:

The K2H Civic Futures AmeriCorps Program focuses on civic learning and engagement opportunities and
skill development for kindergarten through higher education (K-H) students. In addition, the K2H
program strengthens partnership pipelines between K-12 systems and higher education systems that
create continuity for civic learning and engagement initiatives as students transition from K-12 to higher
education. Twelve K-H partnerships are participating in the K2H Civic Futures Program for 2018-2019,
with K2H AmeriCorps Members responsible for both civic learning and engagement program
implementation with K-12 youth (Civic Mentors) and for partnership development between K-H teams
(Liaisons).


About Sobesky Academy:

Sobesky Academy is a Jefferson County Public School that serves Special Education students with
significant emotional disabilities (including mental illness, autism, ADHD) who are currently unable to be
successful in less restrictive academic environments. Our goal for all students is to help them learn and
build the skills necessary to be successful in school and life after high school (college or career).


AmeriCorps Member Benefits:

K2H Liaisons (full-time AmeriCorps Members)
o Living stipend of $13,750 over the course of one year of service
o Education award commensurate with the Pell Grant (~$6,000) to be used for current
educational expenses, to repay qualified student loans, or to be used within 7 years for
educational expenses
o Child care credit
o Deferment of existing student loans during the K2H term of service
o Repayment of interest accrued on qualified student loans during the K2H term of service
o Hands-on experience in the field of K-12 education, higher education, civic learning and
engagement, community development, youth development


Performance Measurements:

Education
1. 750 K-12 students will participate in a civic learning and engagement program supported by the
K2H Civic Futures AmeriCorps Program
2. 562 of those participants will complete the civic learning and engagement program
3. 600 of those participants will demonstrate improved academic engagement (behaviors)
4. 600 of those participants will complete civic learning and engagement portfolios/capstones that
count toward graduation requirements
5. 600 of those participants will demonstrate improved academic engagement (attitudes)

Capacity Building
1. 12 K-H partnerships will receive capacity building services
2. 210 community volunteers will be managed by K2H AmeriCorps Members to support civic
learning and engagement initiatives
3. 12 K-H partnerships will complete a community assessment identifying goals
4. 24 new services will be provided through the 12 K-H partnerships
5. New beneficiaries will receive civic learning and engagement services by the end of the three-
year grant cycle

Site-Specific Roles & Responsibilities:

Within the K2H Liaison Roles and Responsibilities listed below, some tasks specific to Sobesky Academy
would include:
● Build and maintain relationships with our higher education partners
● Build and maintain community relationships that will benefit all partners by increasing the
likelihood of successful career and volunteer opportunities for our students
● Support on and off site student participation in career exploration activities both during the
school year and throughout the summer. This may include facilitating civic learning and
engagement knowledge through classroom interactions.
● Support our counseling department in gathering data and research leading to development of a
K-12 continuum of college/career 21st century skills.


K2H Liaison Roles & Responsibilities:
1) K-H Partnership Development

o Work with host site and program partners to assess the capacity of partners to support
ongoing civic learning and engagement programs with students
o Complete a pre- and post-assessment of each organizational partner using the CNCS
Organizational Capacity Building Assessment
o Create an implementation plan for civic learning and engagement programming at new
host sites, or at existing host sites where direct programming is not currently being
provided
o Develop sustainability plans for K-H partnerships that support ongoing civic learning and
engagement initiatives beyond grant funding

2) Community Mapping & Outreach

o Map the local community, identifying partnership opportunities for student learning,
engagement, and volunteerism
o Connect community organizations with K-H partners
o Assist with assessment for the Civic Health & Equity Initiative at higher education host
sites
o Recruit and manage community volunteers supporting the K2H Civic Futures program

3) Team Development & Reporting

o Meet bi-monthly with K2H AmeriCorps Members for training and reflection

o Attend required training and development opportunities provided through CCMW and
through the host site
o Complete all monthly time reporting, data collection, and progress reporting required
by CCMW and CNCS


Desired Skills & Qualifications:
● Experience working with K-12 students
● Understanding of or willingness to learn about higher education systems
● Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work across difference
● Strong verbal and written communication skills
● Ability to work with diverse members of the community
● Ability to work with minimal supervision
● Adaptability
● Collaborative spirit