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What is SAFE?

The SAFE program utilizes a corps of AmeriCorps members to provide free, bilingual pesticide safety and health training for farmworkers. AmeriCorps members serving in this program improve farmworkers' difficult working and living conditions by teaching them to reduce their exposure to pesticides in accordance with the EPA's Worker Protection Standard and by helping them to access other health, education, and supportive services.

The SAFE program consists of members serving in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. Our full-time members generally serve January through December, or in summer and six-month positions. Our program mission is:

bullet To improve the health and well being of farmworker families;
bullet To strengthen rural communities;
bullet To provide opportunities for farmworkers, their children, and other
 Americans to engage in community service.

Why is this program needed?

An estimated 20,000 farmworkers endure pesticide poisoning each year. Often struggling in poverty, ill or injured farmworkers lack access to appropriate health services. SAFE helps improve the quality of life of farmworker families through education and outreach.

What are the benefits of the program?

SAFE provides the following benefits to its members:

bullet Educational award upon successful completion of program;
bullet Experience in public speaking, health education, outreach, leadership, and public service;
bullet National leadership conferences;
bullet Living allowance/stipend;
bullet Health insurance during term of service;
bullet Child care assistance (if eligible);
bullet Student loan forbearance.

In addition to these benefits, you will also become a certified pesticide trainer for the state in which you serve.

The SAFE Program DOES NOT offer a relocation or moving allowance.

Join SAFE

The SAFE AmeriCorps Program is currently recruiting!

We are looking for people who are dynamic, committed, and creative to:

bullet Assist farmworkers and their families;
bullet Teach about pesticide safety and other farmworker-related health issues;
bullet Support the farmworker community.

Positions are available in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Idaho, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Sites recruit locally, and you can send your application directly to one of our sites. For a site list, click here.

For more information, you can download our program application.

To apply online, go to http://www.americorps.org.

SAFE Program Staff

Hope Driscoll, Program Director
Levy Schroeder, AmeriCorps Manager

SAFE Resources

Selected chapters of the SAFE Member Handbook are now available online for current members and supervisors to access.  Please click the chapter title to download.

  1. Program Overview - Aspectos del Programa
  2. Pesticide Safety - Seguridad Contra los Pesticidas
  3. Other Health Issues - Otras Cuestiones de Salud
  4. How to Train Well - Como Entrenar Bien
  5. Social Marketing - Promuévete
  6. Evaluation - Evaluación
  7. Policies - Normas de Conducta
  8. Preparation ­ Preparación
  9. Evaluation Tools ­ Instrumentos de Evaluación
  10. Training for Children


AFOP Logo  Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs
1726 M Street NW, Suite 800 • Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 828-6006 • Fax: (202) 828-6005

Send email to afop@afop.org with questions or comments about this website.
Last modified: 04/28/08

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