Empowering Foster Youth and Paving the Service to Careers Pathway in Public Health
Empowering Foster Youth and Paving the Service to Careers Pathway in Public Health
Eisner Health proudly announces its partnership with iFoster (www.ifoster.org), a national non-profit with the largest and most inclusive online community of youth, caregivers, and organizations in foster care. Together, we are implementing the Public Health AmeriCorps Program, which will provide 100 LA County emancipated foster youth with 10-month job assignments at Eisner Health.
The Public Health AmeriCorps Program was created in 2021, with a pioneering collaboration between AmeriCorps and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The focus of the program is on recruiting, training, and nurturing the next generation of public health leaders. iFoster was one of 100 organizations to receive funding in 2023 to create innovative public health career pathways, addressing the shortage of health care personnel in United States.
Upon receiving the award, iFoster partnered with Eisner Health to provide 100 LA County emancipated foster youth with a 10-month job assignment beginning in April 2024, helping their patients, and Los Angeles’ most vulnerable populations. This initiative combines the experience and resources of iFoster with the deep-rooted commitment to community of Eisner Health, whose dedication spans 104 years. By partnering with Eisner Health, iFoster ensures that the foster youth participating in the program gain valuable professional skills training and paid work experience, while providing essential patient services across multiple departments. In addition to winning “Best New AmeriCorps Program in 2019”, the iFoster TAY AmeriCorps program was also recognized with the “Excellence in AmeriCorps” award in 2023.
“We are incredibly proud to be able to empower current foster youth to support their peers, while at the same time providing a pathway to stable careers”, said Serita Cox, iFoster’s Co-Founder & CEO. “This is a model that we believe can be replicated across all states, and we are actively working with AmeriCorps to duplicate”.
“Eisner Health is excited to work with iFoster to launch the Public Health AmeriCorps program in Los Angeles,” said Monica Gutierrez-McCarthy, Eisner Health’s Interim CEO + COO. “By leveraging Eisner Health’s extensive experience in providing quality healthcare services to underprivileged communities, we can collaboratively address the pressing public health needs of LA County while empowering foster youth to achieve living-wage public health careers. This partnership highlights the significant impact that can be made when organizations work together to create pathways for service-minded individuals in the crucial field of public health.”
Eisner Health and iFoster’s partnership began in 2021, in response to a request by Governor Newsom of California. At that time iFoster reshaped its TAY AmeriCorps peer navigation program to contribute to equitable vaccine rollout efforts amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In partnership with three Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers, iFoster created a virtual call center staffed by 104 TAY peer navigators to streamline vaccination appointment scheduling. In just 9 months, iFoster TAY AmeriCorps members handled 39,450 calls, scheduled 12,032 vaccination appointments, and drastically reduced wait times, contributing greatly to public health.
About iFoster
iFoster is a 501c3 national non-profit with the largest and most inclusive online community of youth, caregivers, and organizations in foster care; with over 85,000 members in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Guam. iFoster’s mission is to ensure that every child growing up outside their biological home has the resources and opportunities they need to become successful. Learn more at www.ifoster.org.
About AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteerism and national service, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency places more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empower millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.
About Public Health AmeriCorps
Public Health AmeriCorps, a pioneering collaboration between AmeriCorps and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, firmly believes in recruiting, training, and nurturing the next generation of public health leaders. With an exceptional five-year, $400 million investment under the American Rescue Plan Act, Public Health AmeriCorps demonstrates unwavering commitment to addressing crucial public health needs while creating clear pathways to rewarding careers in this vital sector.
About Eisner Health
Founded in 1920, Eisner Health is a quality-focused, federally qualified community health center dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the people in the communities we serve. Eisner Health has historically provided low-income patients with convenient clinic locations, and culturally sensitive, comprehensive care throughout Los Angeles County. Today we provide care to over 40,000 Angelenos, offering medical, dental, women’s health, pregnancy care, labor and delivery, behavioral health, optometry, dermatology, and a pharmacy. We also provide a variety of early intervention and health education programs, supportive services, and care management. For more information about Eisner Health, please visit www.eisnerhealth.org.