Ethics & Leadership in Health Care

Foundation Communities

Foundation Communities has helped empower low-income families in Austin to build a better financial future.

1) Community Tax Centers:Join them in offering free tax preparation to hard-working families. Securing a full refund allows clients to put more food on the table, pay outstanding bills and save for what’s ahead.

2) Insure Central Texas: Work one-on-one with folks to help them enroll in affordable health insurance via the federal marketplace. Your efforts aid families in accessing necessary health services and finding peace of mind for the future.

No prior experience is needed for either program – comprehensive training is provided. Daytime, evening and weekend shifts are available locations throughout Austin. Email Foundation Communities to connect and learn more.

http://foundcom.org/get-involved/volunteer/

The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is looking for an undergraduate research intern studying computer science, web development, graphic design, commercial art, or related degree program for their “Web Communication and Accessibility” internship. The intern’s research will directly support Mental Health and Substance Abuse (MHSA) prevention programs and Decision Support objectives.

Internship/Practicum Project Title: Mental Health and Substance Abuse (MHSA) Web Communication and Accessibility Internship

Semester/Term: Fall 2015

Paid: No

Hours: Flexible

Total hrs. 8-24 hrs/week

Duration: Sept. 2015 – Dec. 2015

Location: Austin State Hospital (ASH)- Campus, Building 634

DSHS Organizational Area: Mental Health and Substance Abuse (MHSA), Office of Decision Support, Internship Supervisor: Henry Pinter

DSHS Internship Coordinator: Wendy Andreades, MBA.

Ph: 512-776-3750

Email: wendy.andreades@dshs.state.tx.us

Qualified and interested students are directed to submit an internship application, letter of interest (indicating the specific project or projects the student is interested in), resume, and two references via e-mail to Wendy Andreades.

Project Description/Overview

Program context within which project occurs: The Office of Decision Support provides data consultation services to agency partners and community stakeholders involved with the provision of mental health and substance abuse services. This internship will provide a unique opportunity for a student to learn how to make documents web-ready in accordance with federal and institutional web content accessibility guidelines. The students will also gain knowledge and experience uploading and designing web content and/or print materials. Additional tasks may be suggested by the intern.

Purpose and/or goals: The purpose of this internship is to create and revise files that are compliant with the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and prepare them for web publishing. Intern will also assist with the reorganization of existing websites and the design of new websites, as well as, other design tasks such as: preparing visual reports, pamphlets, posters, etc.

Population (s) that benefits from program/project: Intern’s research will directly support MHSA prevention programs and Decision Support objectives.

Project description: This internship will provide a learning opportunity in the area of communications and web design. The intern will mentor with an experienced commercial artist/ web developer to ensure that agency web content is ADA compliant. The intern will also have opportunities to develop new web content and to improve and reorganize existing web content. The intern will also perform user testing, proofing, and web maintenance. The intern may suggest additional design products as part of their learning experience.

Stakeholders: DSHS/MHSA agency staff and web audiences

Intern Qualifications

Required:

• Experience designing and editing content with software such as Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Publisher

• Experience using other Microsoft products including Excel and Word

• Experience with HTML, CSS, and WordPress

• Some exposure or familiarity with accessibility guidelines for the web

• Undergraduate study in computer science, web development, graphic design, commercial art, or related degree program

*Examples of Web Design Work

*Examples of Print Work, if available

Preferred:

• Graduate study in computer science, web development, graphic design, commercial art, or related topic

• Interest in communications and all aspects of the web development process

• Interest in creating design solutions creatively and designing materials for diverse audiences

Learning Objectives /Activities/Deliverables

Learning Objectives:

• Gain an understanding of the agency mission, MHSA service provisions, the role of Decision Support in providing effective communication to the community on mental health and substance abuse issues

• Gain experience working with agency websites and web content

• Gain knowledge of ADA guidelines for web content and how to run system checks for compliance

• Learn additional skills for identifying ADA noncompliance and revising/proofing content prior to publishing

• Gain experience presenting web content in order to increase effective communication and ensure that agency messages reach the desired audience

Intern Activities:

• Meet with preceptor and Decision Support team members regularly.

• Perform maintenance tasks on websites such as updating text, colors, icons, graphics, etc.

• Create proofs for concept layouts from designs and improve existing layouts

• Perform user-testing/validation of websites

• Assist with the design and creation of print products

• Additional activities may be suggested by the intern

Intern Deliverables:

• Intern will maintain a summary log of all web activities conducted as part of internship.

• Intern will create a final portfolio or presentation of their work products including documents, URLs, and print media.

• Intern may suggest additional deliverables.