Prevention Specialist Intern

Temporary Unpaid Internship Position

Working with us takes a certain kind of person; we want someone who identifies with our values and is willing to challenge themselves both personally and professionally. We seek employees who are passionate about serving and making a difference in the lives of others.

The Prevention Specialist Intern will assist with the coordination and facilitation of prevention services and student support services designed to promote positive youth development, social-skill learning, school engagement, and healthy decision-making. The intern will work directly with Eckerd staff, students and school personnel to support prevention programming, small group activities, classroom presentations, youth and family events and data collection efforts that enhance student success and well-being.

Interns will observe and learn to:

• Support assigned Prevention Specialists during school-based prevention and life skills education services (classroom/small group/individual).
• Assist with implementation of evidence-based prevention curricula and activities.
• Assist with pre/post assessments, surveys, attendance tracking, classroom documentation, and preparation of materials.
• Learn appropriate documentation procedures related to student services.
• Maintain program data entry into the data system required by program funder (PBPS, etc.) and EHR (Eckerd Connects' electronic health record) through accurate and timely input of referrals, client demographics, billing attendance, event, survey and assessment data. (If applicable.)
• Observe student participation and engagement and communicate relevant observations to intern supervisor.
• Support the planning and facilitation of youth and family engagement activities designed to strengthen communication, decision-making, self-esteem, problem-solving, and social skills.

Qualifications

• Current student enrolled as Undergraduate or Masters level in an accredited University Social Work Program or other applicable degree program.
• Some previous experience working with youth, schools, after-school programs, camps, mentoring programs, or community organizations is preferred but not required.
• Must successfully pass a background screening process, including, but not limited to, state, local, and funder criminal background check requirements.
• Required to pass a drug screen in compliance with our Substance Abuse and Drug-Free Workplace policy.
• Must have appropriate and valid state driver's license and be able to meet requirements for Eckerd's Auto Insurance and be able to drive for business purposes.

Eckerd Connects Prevention Services provides substance misuse prevention education and community based activities to build resiliency in youth. The foundation to the program is the use of evidence based curriculum that facilitates the teaching of life skills to youth at program sites including topics like communication skills, decision making, and self-esteem with age appropriate discussions about substance misuse including alcohol and tobacco.

The Hi-Five program focuses on elementary aged youth at partner locations. In this program model, youth are offered class, group, or individual services. At each level of service, we work to help youth build personal strengths and identify their personal protective factors.

The RISE (Resilience in Strength and Empowerment) program focuses on middle and high school youth at partner locations and focuses on group and individual services. Youth resiliency is developed through a series of sessions on topics that include setting reachable goals, making responsible decisions, and understanding addiction. Presentations are also offered to share the risks of early substance misuse with other students and community organizations.

Together these programs help to build a stronger community and leverage the development of individual resiliency for a better future.