Families USA Internship Program
Now accepting applications for fall internships:
Interns at Families USA are considered part of the staff and attend weekly staff meetings and internal team meetings to discuss Families USA's advocacy strategy and new initiatives to ensure health care access to all U.S. residents. In addition, Families USA encourages interns to take part in the active political community of Washington, D.C., by attending hearings on Capitol Hill, press conferences at the National Press Club, and policy forums at other major organizations and think tanks such as the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Center for American Progress.
Interns are also expected to participate in “brown bag” discussions of advocacy work and political issues. A passion for progressive causes and an interest in politics are a must.
Interns are paid ($7.00 per hour) and normally work 30-40 hours per week.
To apply for any of the internships listed on this page, please send a cover letter, current resume (listing applicable work and educational experiences), a 3-5 page writing sample, and the names and contact information for three references (two of the references must be non-academic) to:
Melissa Rosenblatt, Director, Internship and Fellowship Program, Families USA, 1201 New York Ave. NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC 20005. Fax: 202-347-2417. E-mail: internship@familiesusa.org. For further information, call 202-628-3030 and ask for Melissa Rosenblatt.
The Communications Intern works with the Communications Department staff on outreach to national, state, and minority broadcast and print media. This often includes rapid responses to breaking news. The intern will have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects. Potential projects may include:
- Assisting with logistics for press conferences;
- Pitching story ideas to print, radio, and TV reporters at the national and local level;
- Filing media clips; and
- Supporting Families USA's story bank project.
In addition, interns have the opportunity to attend press conferences and hearings on Capitol Hill and at the National Press Club.
Qualifications: Strong oral and written communication skills are essential. Applicants must also be highly organized and must be able to pay close attention to detail. The Communications Intern works approximately 40 hours per week.
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Health Policy Department Internship
Families USA’s top priority is to bring the voice of low-income health care consumers to health policy debates. The Health Policy Department provides the analytical support for all of Families USA’s federal and state health care advocacy work.
The Health Policy Department is responsible for preparing fact sheets, issue briefs, media reports, and other written materials for the organization. We work closely with the media, field, government affairs, and publications/Web departments to tailor written products to different audiences and meet current advocacy needs.
Interns work closely with health policy department staff on a variety of activities, including:
- Conducting primary and secondary research on a range of health care access and affordability issues, including Medicaid, SCHIP (the State Children's Health Insurance Program), Medicare, prescription drugs, and the private insurance market;
- Surveying state agencies and state advocates;
- Collecting specific data for health policy media reports; and
- Preparing drafts of other short- and long-format materials that are relevant to current health policy debates.
Interns with Families USA’s Health Policy Department work collaboratively with staff to take a written product from start to finish and often have an opportunity to be listed as a co-author on one or more products. Interns in the past have co-authored issue briefs for state advocates, and materials posted on the Families USA Web site.
Qualifications: Strong research, writing, and computer skills are essential. Knowledge of health care policy a plus. We are looking for interns who can demonstrate a commitment to low-income people’s issues.
This internship is paid ($7.00 per hour), and interns normally work 40 hours per week
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The Publications Intern works with the Publications staff in editing all of the organization's published materials, including fact sheets, issue briefs, and media reports, as well as Web content. This work includes such tasks as the following:
- Editing, copyediting, and proofreading Families USA’s publications and Web content.
- Researching and exploring certain key health policy topics in order to assist in rewriting and fact-checking publications.
- Compiling regular “New on the Web” listings, which summarize significant health policy publications produced by other organizations. This task includes identifying appropriate material for inclusion and writing abstracts of selected publications.
- Writing content for Families USA’s Web site as needed.
Qualifications: The Publications Intern must have a passion for progressive causes and an interest in health policy. Strong writing skills and attention to detail are essential.
This internship is paid ($7.00 per hour), and interns normally work 20-40 hours per week.
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The Online Advocacy Intern will work with staff to ensure that the Families USA Web site is current, fresh, and useful to the national, state, and local organizations we work with. The intern will help implement e-advocacy campaigns and manage Families USA’s email lists. The intern will also assist in updating and creating new content for the Web site, including helping to manage and upload user-generated content, writing and researching blog posts, proofreading, and other editorial tasks, as well as updating and maintaining social networking sites. The intern will be responsible for conducting basic research on blogs and help track mentions of Families USA and health care issues. The intern will also help analyze online metrics. This work includes such tasks as the following:
- Participate in staff meetings and collaborate with staff to determine online advocacy needs,
- Prepare content for posting online,
- Help with maintenance of Families USA's Web site,
- Assist in the drafting and design of e-mail campaigns to Families USA’s e-mail lists,
- Strategize and explore innovative ways to improve online usability and effectiveness, and
- Blog writing and research.
Requirements:
- Passion for health care policy and social justice,
- Knowledge of online organizing tools and technology,
- Strong writing and editing skills,
- Ability to think creatively, and
- Knowledge of content management systems and HTML a plus.
This internship is paid ($7.00 per hour), and interns normally work a minimum of 20 hours per week.
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Families USA’s Field Department works with more than 200 state and local organizations that are involved in consumer health care issues. The Field Intern works closely with Field Department staff to:
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Coordinate logistics for state events and maintain an event database;
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Expand Families USA's current contacts in key states and the faith community;
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Update and maintain state-specific pages on Families USA’s Web site;
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Update and maintain Families USA’s faith-based resource center;
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Attend general health advocacy and faith-based events and briefings; and
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Draft e-mails to Families USA’s faith leaders e-mail list.
Interns may also have the opportunity to:
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Assist in the coordination of state releases of Families USA reports;
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Conduct a survey of key state advocates;
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Organize conference calls for faith advocates and leaders;
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Develop faith-based publications, resources, and tools; and
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Organize faith-based events as necessary.
Qualifications: Applicants must have a strong interest in working with the faith community. Excellent oral and written communication skills are also required. Database and Web site management experience is a plus.
This internship is paid ($7.00 per hour), and interns normally work 24-40 hours per week.
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