Youth Mental Health Fellows
As part of a national pilot program, AmeriCorps Mental Health Fellows will help young people in Minnesota access critical mental health resources while building their own careers.
Supporting Student Mental Health and Success
Youth Mental Health Corps Fellows serve a cohort of 30 students through part-time on-site service, and provide weekly support to students through 1:1 meetings or small group facilitation aimed at increasing youth mental health, academic engagement, and school attendance. Members also design and complete programming to support positive-social student behavior.
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Your Site
Youth Mental Health Fellows serve in middle and high schools in the Twin Cities metro area. No matter your service site, you’ll have both a site-based and Alliance-based team of support to help you have the best year possible.
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Your Role
AmeriCorps Youth Mental Health Fellows each work with a “focus list” of 30 students that are identified based on data related to their school attendance and engagement. Students on your list are typically those that are struggling to engage in school or in need of strong connections to caring adults.
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Your School
As a Youth Mental Health Fellow, you will be enrolled in Century College’s Mental and Behavioral Health Worker Certificate program, working towards program completion during your service. The Certificate program includes coursework in: interventions in Mental and Behavioral Health, General Psychology, Psychological Disorders, and more.
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Your Training
In addition to your Certificate coursework, Youth Mental Health Fellows receive ongoing training and support throughout their service, in topics including; Youth Mental Health First Aid, Boundaries + Mandated Reporting, the Establish Maintain Restore (EMR) Relationship Method, Motivational Interviewing, and a selection of Career Development trainings. Fellows also participate in a national Youth Mental Health Corps training cohort.
Youth Mental Health Fellows are individuals aged 18-24 that serve as caring adults in your school who support, mentor, and build positive relationships with young people in 6-12th grade while also enrolled in Century College’s Mental and Behavioral Health Worker Certificate program.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Youth Mental Health Fellow program
What is a Mental and Behavioral Health Certificate?
The certificate provides an opportunity for early entry into the mental and behavioral health field. This certificate prepares students to enter the workplace as a Mental and Behavioral Health Worker or Mental Health Rehabilitation Worker. Questions about the certificate program? Contact Dr. Jessie Breyer-Peterson at Century College ([email protected])!
What classes will I be taking?
The Mental and Behavioral Health Worker Certificate is a 17 credit certificate that includes the following classes; English Composition, Introduction to Mental and Behavioral Health Work, General Psychology, Psychological Disorders, Interventions in Mental and Behavioral Health, as well as a required Internship, which will be fulfilled through your AmeriCorps service.
What will it cost?
Century College’s 17 credit certificate program costs participants $215/credit, plus an estimated $450 for books, for a total of $4105. Many AmeriCorps members qualify for free tuition through the North Star Promise program, which is open to students that have a family Adjusted Gross Income* (AGI) as reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) below $80,000.
What supports are available?
Minnesota Alliance With Youth staff can assist you with the application process, including navigating enrollment into Century College. You will receive ongoing training and check-ins throughout your service, and will be part of a cohort of members participating in the Mental and Behavioral Health Certificate program courses. Additionally, you will be part of a national Youth Mental Health cohort receiving professional development through the Peer Health Exchange as well as 1:1 career coaching with InsideTrack.
How do I balance it all?
AmeriCorps members enrolled in the program will have flexibility in choosing their coursework experience (online, in-person and evening/weekend classes), and will be placed at school sites that will gladly accommodate the busy schedules of members serving with the program and taking college courses.
Will I get paid?
Yes! As an AmeriCorps Youth Mental Health Fellow, you will receive a living stipend of $16/hour for your service. This stipend applies even while serving hours required for the Certificate program’s internship requirement. Additionally, once you successfully complete the 1700-hour service requirement, you are eligible to receive a $7395 education award that can be applied to federal student loans or can be used for future education!
Who can be a Youth Mental Health Fellow?
You must be 18-24 years old at the start of service, be a high school graduate with a Diploma or GED, and be enrolled at Century College (you do not need to be enrolled at the time of application to the program)!
Additionally, you must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the United States, and be able to pass a complete National Service Criminal Service History check.
A National Response
One in three high school students report persistent feelings of hopelessness, and approximately 122 million people live in a Mental Health Professional Shortage Area. To help address the youth mental health crisis, the Alliance is joining forces with ServeMinnesota, the Schultz Family Foundation, Pinterest and AmeriCorps to recruit, train, and deploy AmeriCorps members to help young people access critical mental health resources while simultaneously creating career opportunities for young adults. Minnesota Alliance With Youth’s AmeriCorps Youth Mental Health Corps is one of the three pilot programs across the country!
Ready to take the next step? Start your Youth Mental Health Fellow application today!
Take me to the application!
Ready to take the next step? Start your Youth Mental Health Fellow application today!
