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Ethics & Leadership in Law Politics & Government

, Filed Under: Internship

Internship Available with the Wye River Group – Spring 21

Wye River Group Overview

Wye River Group is a nonpartisan, not for profit entity, which serves as catalyst to raise awareness and broaden perspectives to enable cross stakeholder engagement. The organization tackles challenging public policy issues such as water and health and health care.

Based in Washington DC WRG and its sister organization GKEN.org (Global Knowledge Exchange Network) create an intellectual exchange of fresh ideas in a neutral environment, employing a dynamic process that works to stay ahead of emerging trends. We identify and advance approaches that build on the value of consensus and public private partnerships.

The strength of this work rests on the active engagement of a cross-section of stakeholders committed to advancing common goals. The unique, inclusive process employed in reaching agreement on issues helps ensure its long term viability in the public policy arena and in the marketplace.

Our success depends on maintaining our position as neutral catalyst skilled at creating an environment of trust and in setting the stage for dialogue involving diverse interests within an ‘apolitical’ philosophical framework.

For more information, please visit wrgh.org.

Texas Alliance on Health Internship

The Texas Alliance for Health Care was created as a resource to lawmakers in anticipation of changes in the Affordable Care Act. We are a diversified group of stakeholders from private and public sectors representing hospitals, health plans, philanthropy, community clinics, providers, business, and public health. Our goal is to provide well thought out research that will inform and offer guidance as to the impact of proposed changes in the finance and delivery of health care in Texas.

We are seeking an intern to support our current project Texas Advisory on Public Health Infrastructure. The intern(s)  will support our roll out of op eds and monitoring legislative committee and chamber discussions on three topics; interoperability of health-related data, use of Universal Patient Identifiers, and E-Passports  during the upcoming 2021 legislative session.

Texas Advisory on Public Health Infrastructure is using the process described below to manage the creation of a set of consensus recommendations and principles initially delivered to lawmakers in November 2020.

Our objective is to provide Texas leadership with thoughtful recommendations for addressing unexpected public health crisis. We want to ensure our state policies and practices are optimally informed and that we have in place the necessary tools for addressing the three R’s: our readiness to respond, our response itself and our recovery tools.

We have selected three areas within public health to focus on: workforce, surveillance, and public health infrastructure.  These are suggested areas and we welcome your ideas.

The project is currently underway and will be ongoing  through June 2021. You will report directly to Jon Comola, Founder of WRG. Communication will be remote through conference calls and internet. This is a non-paid position.

Supporting front line workers with real time peer to peer facilitated coaching Internship

We propose to vet and pilot the creation of an app to support front line workers. Interns would experience how to build public policy support and how to test the application of sourcing front lines to real time digital support. The internship will run through the summer of 2021.

We see too many front-line workers from health care workers, to fire and police, suffering in silence. They have some of the highest suicide rates, they burnout and live with poor mental health as a  result of their stress.

We propose to support these populations with real time peer to peer support with a professional facilitator to address their emotional and psychological needs.

Many front-line workers are not comfortable using their organizations Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for fear of retribution or stigma. This leaves them very few options to receive the support they need.

We propose the creation of a wide array of tools that are delivered through a digital platform (an app).  While this idea is not new, existing platforms are associated with employers or payers and have not successfully engaged the target audience. improve lives.

The app would be available to anyone who wants to use it. It will be anonymous using avatars, completely independent from the employer an insurance company The app will be funded independent of the employer insurance companies, be available 24/7, scalable, and accessible anywhere anytime via your telephone.

We have conducted hours of due diligence research and interviewed dozens of experts in order to harness their experience and help us successfully construct a digital platform delivered through an app.

We propose to initially pilot the use of the app with Kaiser Permanente. We will target a cohort of their population and tailor the apps services to their level of sophistication. We will offer participants peer to peer facilitated discussions with options from online group chat rooms, individual messaging or referrals for those that need a higher order of intervention. They will have access to a wide array of proven tips, tools delivered digitally.

This app will provide a robust platform accessible to individual front line workers from health care to law enforcement. Individuals would access the app when they need a mechanism to de-stress, interrupt anxious thoughts or outright panic, make sense of their situation or calm their fears. (Picture your trusted friend in your pocket, ready to listen without judgment and available to advise when you want advice)

The conversations on this app will be anonymous, so the design should be one that communicates a calming, compassionate, and trusted feeling. This could be reassuring the user about the anonymity of the platform on loading screens or using templated hand drawn avatars for profiles.

We are all too familiar with burnout, suicide and the mental stress that confronts front line workers and it’s time to create something that meets them where they are and gets the care they badly need.

The project is currently underway and will be ongoing  through August 2021. You will report directly to Jon Comola, Founder of WRG. Communication will be remote through conference calls and internet.

If interested in any of the positions listed above, please contact Jon Comola, Founder of WRG, by email at jrcomola@wrgh.org.

, Filed Under: Internship

Young Invincibles’ Young Advocates Program for Spring 2021

About Young Invincibles:

Young Invincibles is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to engage young adults ages 18 to 34 in the political process and expand economic opportunity for our generation. Founded by and for young adults in the summer of 2009 during the debate over health care reform, YI has quickly grown into a leading voice for young people on the broader spectrum of economic justice, with a focus in the issue areas of health care, higher education, and economic security. The organization has achieved major successes in areas ranging from the regulation of college health plans to Pell grants, and has successfully engaged hundreds of thousands of young adults online, through a network of over 100 partner organizations.

Young Advocates Program Description 

Young Invincibles (“YI”) is accepting applications for our 2021 Young Advocates program. The Young Advocates program is a unique, paid leadership development program that trains young adults ages 18-34 to strengthen their voices across our issue areas while developing skills and gaining experience in the core functions of advocacy and policy work. Advocates build power among young adults to effect positive change in their communities through on-the-ground organizing, such as planning state and local events to educate and facilitate discussions on pressing issues affecting young people.

Advocates will work closely with our YI South team to engage their communities around behavioral health initiatives, affordable higher education and expanding economic opportunity for young Texans. In addition to working in small teams to create and implement campaigns, participants will work closely with our policy and research teams to develop and propose solutions and will also work with our communications team to amplify stories and messages. Advocates will also receive training and hands-on experience in a variety of advocacy tools; and connect with local partners and campaigns working on the issues they care about.

This is a great opportunity to develop skills and experience in the core functions of advocacy and public policy work. We are seeking applicants who have a passion for YI’s mission and who are interested in building power among young adults to effect positive change. If you are a young adult who lives in the Houston or Austin metro areas and you’re interested in becoming more civically engaged, we invite you to apply. 

Position Overview

Orientation is Saturday and Sunday February 5-6. Advocates will meet on Fridays from February 12 – May 14, 2021 from 12-4pm CST during the spring. Meetings and activities take place virtually over Zoom for the duration of the Spring program.

At the weekly meetings, Advocates will receive training on community organizing, policy advocacy, and strategic communications skills. In addition, each participant will be asked to 1) conduct background research, 2) organize a campus or community event, 3) advocate for state -level policy changes. 4) Collect stories from their peers. These activities will be done outside the weekly training hours.

Compensation

Young Advocates will be paid a rate of $15.00 per hour/10hrs per week for training and work on group projects over the course of the program.

Position reports to: Malcolm Sullivan malcolm.sullivan@younginvincibles.org

Principal Responsibilities:

Advocates will attend routine meetings and receive training on community organizing, policy advocacy, and strategic communications skills. In addition, each participant will help create and execute campaign plans. Participants will also be asked to:

  • Conduct background research
  • Organize a virtual campus or community event
  • Advocate for institution-level & state-wide policy changes
  • Participate in stakeholder meetings with decision makers.
  • Complete administrative duties such as personal timesheets. 
  • Engage in lobbying activities as directed by supervisor (if applicable)

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate

  • Must show willingness and ability to work independently and as a member of a team
  • Must have the ability to work in a professional environment and show maturity in the workplace
  • Must actively participate in the community
  • Must be creative, have initiative and able to work in a fast-paced environment
  • A college degree or current college enrollment are not required to participate.

For further information, contact Malcolm Sullivan, YI’s Southern Organizing Manager at malcolm.sullivan@younginvincibles.org 

Requirements for Program Participation

1. Attend advocates virtual orientation February 5-6, 2021.

2. Attend training every Friday beginning February 12 and ending May 14. Trainings are held from 12-4 pm.

3. Complete assignments and conduct events as assigned.

4. Application closes on December 24. Interviews are done on a rolling basis. We will reach out for virtual interviews with selected candidates in January. All applicants will be notified of application status on January 15.

How to Apply:

Complete the application form at the link below:

Young Advocates Program Application Form

, Filed Under: Internship

Immigration Case Management Internship – Spring/Summer 21

About the Equal Justice Center

The Equal Justice Center (EJC) is a non-profit law firm and social justice organization which empowers the immigrant community by providing free legal services throughout the state of Texas. We advocate for systemic reforms that strengthen immigration rights and work towards securing permanent immigration solutions for Dreamers. Through assistance of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program we are able to serve a large and vastly unrepresented community.

We have ongoing internships for: Fall semester (15 weeks), spring semester (15 weeks), and summer semester (12 weeks).

Internship Details

  • Qualifications: Spanish fluency preferred.
  • Time Commitment: 10 hours per week.
  • Job Description:
    • Conduct detailed telephone interviews with numerous potential clients who contact the EJC seeking immigration legal assistance,
    • Open new matters and update existing cases in the EJC’s case management system,
    • Collect, upload and review client documents,
    • Prepare case files and assist with client applications
    • Sort and record mail and government correspondence,
    • Assist in virtual community outreach efforts and virtual legal clinic preparation,
    • Research and assist with writing organizational public comments to proposed rule changes,
    • Other tasks and duties assigned.
  • Learning Opportunities: Interns are not required, but are invited to attend the virtual intensive course, alongside UT Law clinic students and other law student interns, to learn the basics of the substantive law and practice methods employed by EJC. The internship will also provide on-the-job training in handling confidential client information, community outreach, social media management and various immigration processes.
  • Academic Credit: Academic credit toward your major is likely available; please inquire with your college/university.
  • Cycle Deadlines: Applications are accepted on a rolling admission basis, but we recommend you consider the following deadlines. Fall: August 15 | Spring: December 15 | Summer: April 30
  • Apply: Fill out the application on our website (www.equaljusticecenter.org) and submit a one page cover letter, letter of recommendation and your resume by email to: phernandez@equaljusticecenter.org