Up2Us Sports AmeriCorps Coach

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About Up2Us Sports

Our mission is to engage, train, and support sports coaches to transform youth, programs, and communities. Our vision is that all children regardless of socioeconomic circumstances have access to highly trained coaches who can inspire their success in a game and in life, through the power of sports.

Up2Us Sports leads a national service movement of AmeriCorps coaches who deliver daily physical activity programs to youth in the nation’s most vulnerable communities. Our coaches are trained to use sports to teach life skills connected to positive outcomes related to health, education, and risk prevention.

Headquartered in NY, Up2Us Sports has had a regional office in New Orleans since 2012. Since then, we have placed over 220 coaches that served over 6,000 kids across the city. Our coaches are placed at schools and after-school non-profit programs throughout New Orleans to provide in-school and after-school sports opportunities for all youth to be active, learn skills, and stay out of trouble through sports.

About the Up2Us Sports Coach Role

The Up2Us Sports coach position is an AmeriCorps service position. Our Up2Us Sports AmeriCorps coaches must complete their assigned term of service, not to exceed a 12-month period. Typically our coaches serve a 900-hour direct* service term over the course of nine months to one year. Coaches will receive a living stipend throughout their service term and will receive an education award upon successful completion of their term.

The role of an Up2Us Sports Coach may include but is not limited to:

• Assisting in PE classes and/or coach after-school sports at a school or community based organization
• Encouraging youth participants to gain and develop life skills, knowledge, and techniques through sport, using lessons learned at Up2Us Sports’ training events.
• Leading teams and/or classes in organized sports activities
• Performing data collection activities directed by their Up2Us Sports Program Manager
• Acting as a role model to gain the respect and trust of the community and youth served.
• Help with school-based or after school-based activities such as homework help, lunch duty, snack time, freeplay, recess, etc.

About AmeriCorps State and National

AmeriCorps state and national programs provide thousands of Americans each year the opportunity to improve the lives of their fellow citizens through service. Funded by the Corporation of National and Community Service (CNCS), a federal agency, AmeriCorps works hand in hand with local partners, tapping the ingenuity and can-do spirit of the American people to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing our nation.

CNCS invests in thousands of nonprofit and faith-based groups that are making a difference across the country. Up2Us Sports is a proud member of the AmeriCorps community.

Americorps members are not employees of the Program or of the federal government. The definition of "participant" in the National and Community Service Act of 1990 as amended applies to AmeriCorps members. As such, "a participant (member) shall not be considered to be an employee of the Program in which the participant (member) is enrolled" ((42 U.S.C. 12511(30) (B)). Moreover, members are not allowed to perform an employee’s duties or otherwise displace employees, and therefore generally not eligible to receive unemployment compensation.

Up2Us Coach Responsibilities and Requirements:

Up2Us Sports AmeriCorps Coaches must complete the following requirements to ensure successful completion of the AmeriCorps program:

• Completion of the minimum required hours of service and training by last day of coach contract
• Attendance at the Up2Us Sports Coach Orientation- August 3 rd (subject to change)
• Attend Coach Training Institute- August 4-7 (subject to change)
• Completion of biweekly timesheets
• Attendance at a Day of Service- January 18, 2021
• Attend/Participate in Up2Us Sports trainings, meetings, and special initiatives
• Successfully complete data collection
• Communicate in a professional, timely manner with your Host Site Supervisor, Program Manager, and youth in program
• Coach youth in organized sports activities

*Potential Coach Teleservice Responsibilities:

If a program suspends programming due to natural disasters, a pandemic, etc, the Up2Us Coach may continue to serve their service term via teleservice. Teleservice includes all approved remote activities a Coach completes that will count towards the service hour requirement. During teleservice, coaches may be required but not limited to the following:

• Completing weekly and bi-weekly activities
• Online training
• Working groups
• Attending weekly mandatory meeting(s)
• Working to create digital materials to share with youth
• Accessing Google Hangouts, Zoom, or other virtual meetings spaces via video on a regular basis

Uniform Policy:

Coaches must wear Up2Us Sports branded t-shirts with the AmeriCorps logo (provided by Up2Us Sports) when coaching and at program sessions and events.

Member Eligibility & Qualifications

• AmeriCorps is open to U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents
• Member must be at least 18 years old
• Member must have, or be working towards High School diploma, GED, or its equivalent
• Member must have previous experience working with youth
• Member should have sports experience

Restrictions on Eligibility:

• If a candidate has participated in:

• Two full-time service terms or their equivalent, the candidate will be ineligible for a third Education Award or other in-service and after-service benefits.
• Four AmeriCorps National Direct of State service terms, regardless of whether those terms were served on a full or part-time basis, the candidate is ineligible for benefits.

• Additionally, a candidate cannot serve if:

• Failed to disclose to Up2Us Sports any history of having been released for compelling personal circumstances or for cause from another AmeriCorps program, this will render him/her ineligible to receive the Education Award and may render the Coach ineligible for service with the Program.
• Unable to complete a background check or does not pass a background check.

If the candidate was released for cause from another AmeriCorps program but was released having performed satisfactorily, the candidate may still be eligible for participation in the Program. However, this eligibility does not guarantee selection or placement.

Service Term Dates

Start date: August 1, 2020

End date: July 31, 2021 (last possible day of service; service term could end earlier)

Total Hours/Weekly Hours

900-hour service term (approximately 25-30 hours per week depending on end date)

AmeriCorps Living Allowance & Segal Service Award

Living Allowance: $7,770

Segal Service Award: $3,097.50 (For Educational Use Only)

Inquiries should be directed to:

Addie Fargason, afargason@up2ussports.org

or

Jerita Mitchell, jmitchell@up2ussports.org