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Preparing for your service term
The Michigan Education Corps team is eagerly anticipating the start of your service term, and we hope that you are too! Here are some important things to think about before starting your service term.
1. Do you know where you’re serving?
If you’re unsure, check your offer letter for the school at which you will serve.
Pro tip: Test out the commute once or twice so you can anticipate travel time and traffic.
2. Are you comfortable with your hours commitment?
After we select and train an interventionist for a school, we rely on that interventionist for the whole term of service – no substitutes or replacements. Your commitment means a lot to us, but it means even more to the kids who you’ll serve. Now is a good time to reflect on what your calendar will look like for the school year and ensure that you will be able to meet your weekly service commitment.
3. Have you built a budget for when you begin your service term?
As you’re planning for your service term, you’re probably thinking about housing, transportation and other life necessities. As an AmeriCorps member, while you receive a living stipend, it is important to think about your income and expenses.
Financially preparing for your service is crucial to your success. Start building your budget now! Check out this article on the best budget apps and personal finance tools.
Here are a few things that you may not have thought of yet:
Food benefits– SNAP benefits (previously called food stamps) are a benefit that most AmeriCorps members qualify for throughout the country. This gives you some money for groceries each month. Eligibility is based on family size and household income. To see if you qualify and to begin your application visit the MIBridges website.
If you plan to apply for food benefits, please email Tom Bobo at tbobo@hopenetwork.org to obtain the appropriate documentation needed for the application and verification process.
Health insurance- Michigan Education Corps offers health insurance for the individuals serving with our program in a full-time capacity. This insurance does not cover dependents. Similar to SNAP benefits, you may be eligible for Michigan Medicaid Expansion. Visit the MiBridges website (link is above) to see if you qualify and to begin your application.
If you plan to apply for Michigan Medicaid Expansion, please email Tom Bobo at tbobo@hopenetwork.org to obtain the appropriate documentation needed for the application and verification process.
Childcare Reimbursement- Depending on household income, you may qualify for childcare reimbursement benefits. To find out if you qualify and to begin your application visit the AmeriCrops Child Care Program website.
4. Do you know who to contact if you have questions?
If you’re unsure, please review the July newsletter (attached). This newsletter includes a “meet the team” section. If you have any questions prior to Institute, please reach out to your program staff! If you’re not sure who your program staff is, please reach out to Tom Bobo at tbobo@hopenetwork.org.
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