The Division of Maternal and Child Health Workforce Development (DMCHWD) Internship, based in the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is designed to educate, engage, and support future leaders in Maternal and Child Health (MCH).
DMCHWD accepts applications from highly motivated graduate students in good standing at schools of public health or other health-related training programs in the United States.
DMCHWD internship application package
Statement of interest - Address the following (500-word max):
- What do you hope to gain from this MCH-focused internship experience, and how does this internship align with your career goals?
- How have your experiences shaped your definition of diversity? What does it mean for you to have a commitment to diversity? In your opinion, what is the purpose of promoting health equity over health equality?
- Have you been involved with any of DMCHWD’s graduate or undergraduate education programs? If so, please describe your involvement.
Resume / curriculum vitae
Unofficial transcript (most current)
Statement of availability
- Include the months and days of the week available, total hours needed (if submitting as a university requirement), and any concurrent responsibilities.
- Include a statement confirming your understanding that you will need to travel to HRSA headquarters or a HRSA regional office 1-2 times at your own expense to complete the onboarding process for your internship.
- Example: Available January through May, 3-4 days per week, 300 total hours needed, working as a graduate research assistant 10 hours per week. If selected, I agree to travel to xxx regional office to complete the onboarding process.
Application deadlines
Applications should be received by 11:59 PM on:
- January 25, for Summer Internships
- April 25, for Fall internships
- September 25, for Winter/Spring Internships
Please send all application materials to Laurel Huffman.
Previous Intern Spotlights
As the HRSA MCHB intern for both fall 2020 and spring 2021, I worked on varying projects for both the Division of Workforce Development (DMCHWD) and the Office of Policy and Planning (OPP). My work in the DMCHWD focused mostly on creating overview documents on grantee needs assessments and progress reports from the division's various initiatives and programs. Examples of the programs that I worked with included the Pediatric Mental Healthcare Access Program, CARES Act funding, MCH Centers of Excellence and Public Health Catalyst programs, and the State Title V block grant initiatives. Projects that I worked on for OPP included an issue brief on the most current information regarding the COVID-19 vaccine and pregnant women, developing and maintaining an MCH COVID-19 data tracker, writing a feature in the MCHB staff newsletter, and developing a brief on key MCH disparities.
My work products were used by project officers and senior division staff, to synthesize the current needs and findings from each program or topic area, so that they could make appropriate decisions moving forward. Each of these assignments provided me with a valuable learning opportunity to understand how federal MCH programs are developed, funded, and maintained, which I have been able to apply to my understanding of initiatives at the state and community levels. Working with the DMCHWD and OPP teams gave me experience working in a high-caliber, professional setting with individuals who are highly competent and equally passionate about MCH topics. One of the most valuable and relevant skills that I learned throughout this internship was the development of needs assessment and progress report summaries, which required scanning extensive documents and synthesizing my findings in a clear and useful fashion to convey a bigger picture overview for each program. This will be particularly useful in my future career endeavors and has been instrumental in securing a full-time employment offer following my graduation in May.
As an MPH student concentrating in Maternal and Child Health, this internship has been invaluable to my academic and future professional success. The MCHB team challenged me and pushed me to reach my full potential. This internship allowed me to apply my MPH studies to real-life work and gave me the opportunity to use my knowledge of program design and evaluation, to better prepare me for future employment. Through this internship, I learned what areas of MCH work I exceled at and enjoyed, which helped me to narrow my job search and define what type of position I was looking for. When interviewing for post-graduation employment positions, I was able to discuss my internship experience and demonstrate that I have the ability to apply what I have learned in the classroom to a professional setting.
My advice to future interns would be to take advantage of all of the learning opportunities provided through this position; go to as many team meetings, informational sessions or webinars as possible, even when not required, and have as many conversations and interactions with fellow staff members as possible. This is an awesome internship program that offers endless opportunities to grow as an MCH public health professional.
Post-script:
Isabella has since graduated with her Master of Public Health degree from The George Washington University, and accepted a position as Maternal and Infant Child Health Collaborative Program Coordinator in Nassau County, New York.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Visit the MCH Workforce Website
- Join the MCH Workforce Email Lists for additional announcements and opportunities.
- Graduate students must be enrolled at least half-time in a graduate program as verified by the student's institution of higher learning. Masters level students are given preference due to the typical responsibilities assigned to interns.
- Post-graduate students and undergraduate seniors are considered on a case-by-case basis. NOTE: Undergraduate seniors must be enrolled at least half-time in an undergraduate program as verified by the student's institution of higher learning. Current juniors/"rising" seniors may apply for a summer internship, assuming they will enter their fourth year in the fall.
- An applicant must be a United States citizen or foreign national having in his/her possession a visa permitting permanent residence in the United States.
Applicants who are able to commit to a 200-hour (6- to 8-week) minimum are strongly preferred. We expect interns to commit to completing their hours during regular business hours, and ask that interns maintain a consistent schedule. Flexibility in the internship work schedule will be accorded to accommodate concurrent academic coursework and responsibilities.
- Trainee engagement: Develop and sustain activities that encourage networking and engagement of current and former MCH trainees.
- Emerging issues: Report and track emerging issues in Zika, newborn hearing screening, transition, and autism.
- Communications: Contribute to the continued implementation of DMCHWD's communications plan.
- MCH workgroups and committees: Participate in cross-cutting DMCHWD and Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) efforts, including topics around workforce development, autism, and children and youth with special health needs.
DMCHWD is unable to offer any type of financial compensation for this internship experience. Students are responsible for all costs associated with the internship, including room/board, transport, and other living expenses.
The internship is located at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in the Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane Rockville, MD 20857. We will also be offering a virtual option. Candidates for the virtual option will need to confirm that, if selected, they are able to travel to HRSA headquarters or a HRSA regional office 1-2 times at their own expense to complete the onboarding process.
It is Metro accessible on the Red Line. The Twinbrook station is a 10-15 minute walk from the building. There is street parking and garage parking available for a fee.
Applications are accepted on a "rolling" basis. Students may apply for a winter/spring, fall, and/or summer internship at any time throughout the year. Students should apply by 11:59 P.M. on January 25 (for Summer), April 25 (for Fall), and September 25 (for Winter/Spring).
Although interested students may apply at any time, our application due dates for each seasonal internship are set to allow enough time for the federal onboarding process. The DMCHWD internship selection process allows time for application reviews and internship interviews, and the onboarding process includes time for HR review, security clearance, and other internship logistics. Additionally, we have adjusted our timelines to accommodate feedback from universities that students need to confirm their internships far in advance.
Yes. When you submit your application, you can state availability for a summer and/or fall and/or winter/spring internship. If we are unable to offer you an internship for summer, we may have availability for the fall or winter/spring. However, placement in a different season is not guaranteed and is contingent on the needs of the DMCHWD and each candidate's application.
Yes. On your Statement of Availability, please note that your university does not have a time commitment, but include the amount of time you would be able to commit. NOTE: An official university representative will be required to validate your status as a student and sign the HRSA Student Volunteer Agreement even if you are not using the internship toward your program's
HRSA offers opportunities for Public Health Interns to complete a one-semester rotation within one of HRSA's Bureaus or Offices, including the Maternal and Child Health Bureau. Public health internships at HRSA are unpaid practicum experiences for graduate and undergraduate students in good standing at schools of public health and public health programs in the United States. For more information, visit the HRSA Public Health Student Intern Program webpage.
If you still have other questions, email Laurel Huffman.