The Changing Landscape of Internship as it Pertains to Undergraduates in Health and Human Services The Internship and Field Placement Model utilized at Arkansas tech university

ABSTRACT The landscapes of Internships as it pertains to undergraduates in Health and Human Services is changing. In order to expand students’ knowledge, experience, and impact on the trajectory of their careers, Internships have enlarged to include Service Learning. This expansion is changing the dynamics of the field.

MISSION STATEMENT of ATU REHABILITATION SCIENCES PROGRAM The Rehabilitation Science Program is dedicated to nurturing scholastic development, respect of diversity, ethical behavior, passion for advocacy, and professionalism of future rehabilitation practitioners. Graduates of the program are equipped to effectively serve the needs of the community, individuals with disabilities, and other human service populations

AREAS OF EMPHASIS Vocational Rehabilitation Disabilities Social Services Child Welfare Corrections Aging Addictions

INTERNSHIP/FIELD PLACEMENTS Rehabilitation Science majors have a unique opportunity to complete either a full-time one semester internship or a two semester field placement Students are placed in sites across the state Receive hands on experience Increase knowledge base and exposure to the field Ability to work with diverse populations Helps to build community partnerships

POTENTIAL PLACEMENTS CAMP CAUDLE (Hector, AR) Restored Life Services (Addictions Treatment Russellville) ARKANSA CAREER TRAINING INSTITUTE (ACTI in Hot Springs) DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES (Across the state) COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS FIFTH DISTRICT JUVENILE COURT (Pope County) AREA AGENCY ON AGING (Across the state) INDEPENDENT CASE MANAGEMENT (Little Rock and Russellville) ARKANSAS REHABILITATION SERVICES (Across the state)

LANDSCAPE CHANGING IN REHABILTATION About three years ago there was a change that started happening in the Rehabilitation Sciences program that had to be addressed. There was a shift in what our student population wanted Students requested more placements in Therapy Areas Students wanted to prepare for : Occupational Therapy (Pediatric and Adult Populations) Physical Therapy (Pediatric and Adult Populations) Speech Therapy (Pediatric and Adult Populations) OTA and PTA is also very popular among our students

HOW DID WE ADDRESS THIS NEED Formed partnerships with agencies that were willing to give our therapy students an opportunity to gain experience, work both guided and independently, assist them in learning every facet of their chosen therapy field including Billing (Medicare, Medicaid Waivers, Private Insurance, etc.) Case Management (Making sure documentation is concise, thorough, accurate, teaching them how to work in various operating systems Therapists directed and allowed our students to develop and implement plans of treatment The emphasis area utilized for this student population in Rehabilitation Science is Disabilities

POTENTIAL THERAPIES PLACEMENTS Camp Aldersgate - (PT, OT, SP Camp for Kids with Special Needs) LR Lane Therapy- (PT Adults and Aging Populations) Russellville and also coordinates PT in the athletics department of TECH and also with athletics training and rehabilitation for the Russellville School system Pediatrics Plus ( OT, PT, and SP for Children) Sites in Russellville, Conway, Sherwood, Little Rock, Fayetteville Learn, Play, Grow (OT, PT, SP for Children) Bentonville Independent Living Services (Adult OT, PT, SP, Day Treatment) Conway Friendship (Adult and Children Therapies OT,PT, SP, Housing, Direct Care Services) Russellville, Benton, Ft. Smith, Conway

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SERVICE LEARNING COMPONENT Pilot Class- Fall 2017 Community Outreach Engagement with various agencies Forming New Partnerships for Arkansas Tech and Rehabilitation Sciences Program Exposure to the field prior to Field Placement or Internship Volunteerism Delta Sigma Omicron: Co-ed Student Service Organization

DIVERSITY OF REHABILITATION SCIENCES PROGRAM Students in the Rehabilitation Science Program at Arkansas Tech Are Diverse and Include: Students with Disabilities Both Seen and Unseen Students from Rural Backgrounds Students from Low Socio-Economic Backgrounds Minorities (African American, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, and Native American) Veterans Majority Female Population

GROWTH, RETENTION, AND GRADUATION Currently we have 215 students in the Rehabilitation Sciences Program and we are getting new students weekly that have declared our major. In Behavioral Sciences we are second only to Psychology. Retention is strong because of the dedicated faculty and staff in the Rehabilitation Department. We work as a team to support, nurture, educate, and prepare our students for the work force or higher level degrees after graduation. The changing landscape of Internship will continue to evolve and at Arkansas Tech University we will adapt and change with it in order to stay at the forefront to propel our students to the next level. Graduation Rates Have Remained Strong Over The Last Three Years 2015- 37 2016- 47 2017- 40 2018- 24 Fall

THANK YOU……ANY QUESTIONS ?