Health Literacy Intern Program

WHA is starting a program to involve students in our Healthy Kids and nutrition efforts. We are offering internships to interested students who are in the 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grades, beginning in November 2007.

I. Purposes

A. Interns will become "health literate" under the guidance of WHA staff.

B. Interns will assist teachers in various aspects of health education.

C. Interns will multiply the efforts of WHA staff in teaching nutrition to pre-school, kindergarten, and primary school students.

II. Selection and Training

With the help of school administration and faculty, WHA will identify students who show unusual interest in learning more about health and health education. WHA will provide training for the students in using Lesson Plans (LPs) developed for teaching health topics to K level children and their families. We will also help them become familiar with the Health Education Primer, which is a supplement to the LPs.

Using WHA materials, student interns will learn basic human anatomy and physiology, as well as limited disease specific information.

Interns and their parents will maintain contact with WHA throughout the year by using email, telephone, and personal contact when feasible.

III. Intern Function and Activities

A. School based.

1. Assist in developing and maintaining the School Health Index.

2. Provide new classes with help in developing and conducting health fairs.

3. Help K and 1 level teachers by assisting with nutrition LPs developed by WHA.

4. Conduct summertime "refresher" classes for pre-school students using the WHA nuttrition LPs.

B. Community based

1. Help develop ideas for improved community health. (better sports programs, neighborhood cleanups, assist with adult health literacy efforts)

2. "Bright Light" visits to shut-in elderly

IV. Administration

A. WHA

WHA will be responsible for overall supervision and coordination of the internship program. WHA will provide medical coordination and training coordination for the interns. WHA will seek sponsors for the Internship Program such that individual, post-high school scholarship accounts can be established for the Interns. WHA will host an annual recognition and awards ceremony for the Interns and their parents.

B. Parents

Parents will provide transportation for their child(ren) as may be necessary. Parents will permit their child to have e-mail contact with WHA either at home, at school, or at a community library.

Parents will have the satisfaction of seeing their child(ren) involved in a wonderful program. Parents will receive a tee shirt or cap and a $xx gift certificate each year.

C. School

D. Interns

Interns will learn about diet and nutrition and other health education topics. Interns will receive a uniform (polo shirt, pants, cap) and a personal copy of HEP.

E. Community