The Chicago Health Corps: strengthening communities through structured volunteer service.

Abstract

The Chicago Health Corps is an AmeriCorps*USA program, established in 1994 by the Corporation for National Service in partnership with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Public Health Service. The Chicago Health Corps deploys 20 full-time equivalent corps members in selected community sites that offer primary health care services to Chicago's underserved families. Chicago Health Corps members provide a combination of outreach, home visit, and case management services to address unmet health needs identified by community members, including both laypersons and professionals. Providing meaningful opportunities for participants to assist their communities with health care helps corps members develop an awareness of their fellow community members and an ethic of service.