Marshfield Clinic’s Center for Community Health Advancement (CCHA) manages two AmeriCorps programs that place nearly 100 individuals throughout Wisconsin to work on community health priorities. AmeriCorps is a voluntary civil program supported by the U.S. federal government that engages adults in public service work with a goal of “helping others and meeting critical needs in the community.”
 
It has been described as a domestic Peace Corps. CCHA has over 20 years of experience in managing AmeriCorps programs. AmeriCorps Recovery Corps and AmeriCorps Community Corps recruit individuals called members to serve at law enforcement agencies, county jails, community-based organizations, public health departments, social service departments, health care organizations, nonprofits and local coalitions. Members provide additional capacity to support programs and initiatives that improve community health. AmeriCorps Recovery Corps members undergo Recovery Coach training using the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) model of recovery coaching. They do not offer clinical care, but instead focus on non-clinical care and support like help with employment, transportation, and other social needs that help support the recovery journey. By reducing substance use, Recovery Corps members are helping to build healthier communities. AmeriCorps Community Corps members serve organizations that are addressing local community health priorities such as nutrition and physical activity, mental health, prevention of alcohol and substance misuse, healthy growth and development, and social emotional health.
 
CCHA placed 16 Recovery Corps and 48 Community Corps members throughout Wisconsin in 2022. Recovery Corps members reached over 3,600 people through advocacy and recovery coaching services. Of those who used recovery coach services, 98% reported the services helped them maintain sobriety and 57% of clients made progress toward at least one goal in their wellness plan. Community Corps members served 33 organizations in 54 counties and carried out a wide variety of activities including health education, vaccine clinic support, food pantry operations and many others.