Children's Vision and Eye Health Internship

One in 17 preschool children and 1 in 5 school-aged children have a vision condition requiring treatment, including amblyopia, strabismus and refractive errors. Vision plays an important role in children’s physical, cognitive, and social development and much vision loss can be prevented if vision disorders are found and treated early. The National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health (NCCVEH) at Prevent Blindness targets children ages birth through 18 years, including children facing the greatest health disparities based on race, language, socio-economic status, citizenship status, geography (especially rural areas and Indian Country). As an organization fostering systems change, our systems-change work targets policy makers, medical and education professionals, public health and education state and local governmental staff, and parents and caregivers.
Join our team as an intern to assist with these possible projects:
Education
 Develop educational materials (including presentations and posters) on children’s vision, focusing on overcoming challenges for families to receive eye care for their children in Chicago and nationally.
 Develop educational materials for young children on vision and eye health.
 Assist with coordination education activities for tribal, immigrant, and refugee populations with the Children’s Vision Equity Alliance.
 Write blogs and newsletter articles on children’s vision for partner organizations.
Research and Data
 Research vision services in Federally Qualified Health Centers across the U.S.
 Assist with research on disparities in vision and eye health and access to eye care for the Children’s Vision Equity Alliance. Develop presentations, grant applications and/or articles.
 Perform literature searches upon request and summarize articles.
 Compile information on state vision screening guidelines and relationship between regulations and guidelines with technical assistance provided by the NCCVEH.
Outreach and Partnerships
 Perform outreach to state education and health agencies and associations to promote the services of the NCCVEH, including the Children’s Vision Screening Certification Course: create marketing materials and presentations; research organizations and develop talking points on the connection of children’s vision to organizational and association missions; participate in meetings.
 Assist with efforts nationally to integrate eye care and vision screening into Community Health Centers (FQHC).

To apply, send a cover letter, resume/CV and a writing sample to Donna Fishman, MPH, NCCVEH Director, at dfishman@preventblindness.org. Internship will be 5-10 hours per week minimum; length of internship flexible. Other projects can be developed to meet the graduation requirements of MPH candidates. Internship can be virtual or hybrid (office in the Loop). Stipend may be available.