The Community Health Champions Internship Program is a semester-long experiential learning opportunity designed to engage undergraduate students in HIV/AIDS prevention and outreach efforts. The program aims to equip interns with practical skills, knowledge, and experiences to become effective advocates and contributors to public health efforts, particularly in underserved communities. Interns will work closely with the HIV Program Care Coordinators to support HIV/AIDS prevention program activities.

This program aims to foster a new generation of public health advocates who are equipped to tackle the ongoing challenges of HIV/AIDS prevention and contribute meaningfully to community health initiatives.

Program Objectives:

• Educate interns about the epidemiology, prevention strategies, and treatment options for HIV/AIDS.
• Empower students to engage in community outreach, delivering evidence-based HIV prevention messaging.
• Provide practical experience in working with marginalized populations and understanding the social determinants of health related to HIV/AIDS.
• Promote cultural competence and ethical public health practices in addressing HIV-related stigma and barriers to healthcare.

Program Structure:

1. Orientation
• Introduction to HIV/AIDS epidemiology, prevention, and treatment.
• Overview of the program goals, expectations, and community partnerships.
• Training in ethical public health engagement, confidentiality, and cultural competence.
2. Educational Workshops
• Workshops led by Care Coordinators, Certified training opportunities through Federal/State/Local agencies:
• HIV transmission and prevention strategies (e.g., PrEP, condom use, harm reduction).
• HIV testing and counseling.
• The role of stigma in prevention and care.
• Social determinants of health and their impact on HIV/AIDS outcomes.
3. Community Outreach
• Interns will partner with care coordinators and local advocacy groups to conduct outreach activities, such as:
• Hosting community health fairs offering free HIV testing and educational resources.
• Engaging in social media campaigns targeting young adults to promote safe sex practices.
• Working with local schools and colleges to deliver presentations on HIV prevention.
• Providing support to mobile clinics offering HIV testing and counseling.
4. Capstone Project
• Interns will develop and implement a community-based project focused on HIV prevention, testing, or stigma reduction that can be used for future program activities. Examples include:
• Organizing a “National HIV Testing Day” event in partnership with a local clinic.
• Creating a multimedia campaign targeting specific at-risk populations.
• Conducting qualitative interviews with community members to understand barriers to HIV prevention.

Evaluation:

• Interns will be evaluated based on participation, the impact of their outreach activities, and the quality of their capstone projects.
• Ongoing feedback from mentors and program supervisors will guide the interns’ learning and professional development.

Program Benefits:

• Hands-on experience in HIV/AIDS prevention and outreach in community settings.
• Opportunity to work with marginalized populations and learn about health equity.
• Development of public speaking, community engagement, and project management skills.

Application Process:

• Submission of a resume, academic transcript, and personal statement outlining the applicant's interest in HIV/AIDS prevention.
• Selected applicants will be invited for an interview with the program committee.

Duration:

• 15-20 weeks (Fall or Spring semester)
• 6-8 weeks (Summer semester)
• 15-18 hours per week, flexibility around academic schedules

Salary:

• These are paid internship opportunities.

Eligibility:

• Undergraduate students majoring in public health, social work, nursing, psychology, marketing, healthcare management, or related fields.
• Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Passion for public health and a strong interest in HIV/AIDS prevention.
• Commitment to promoting health equity and working with underserved communities.