1. 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

2. 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.

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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)

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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
Fall

13. THANK YOU……ANY QUESTIONS ?