Program Information General Description of what students will be doing at this Site: Due to the increasingly proven health benefits, some doctors are starting to write nature prescriptions. Patients from underserved communities are often willing but unable to fulfill nature prescriptions due to strenuous work scheduled, fear of city parks due to gangs, transportation and park access fees. Doctors may struggle with insufficient knowledge, lack of insurance reimbursement, and lack of educational materials, time and resources. Ventana Wildlife Society (VWS), a local non-profit organization, may just be able to help tackle some of these issues. VWS is providing Wellness Through Nature Progams for migrant families throughout Monterey and the Salinas Valley. The program includes direct services for youth and families; transportation and entrance fees; materials and resources in Spanish for distribution within health clinics to assist doctors to refer patients; program support for doctors to become involved; and expanding collaborations. VWS is looking for motivated, bilingual English / Spanish students interested in assisting our staff with the development of this new and innovative program-focus.
Key Responsibilities: Working with VWS staff and collaborators to develop and provide meaningful outdoor experiences that increase participant wellness; Interacting with and getting feedback from Spanish speaking families on program experiences; Developing materials in Spanish for program participants, and for distribution at local clinics; Assist with the development of innovative and meaningful outdoor education programs with a focus on wellness.
Desired Intern Characteristics: Our ideal intern will be bilingual English and Spanish (level 5 - native/bilingual proficiency); self-motivated; flexible; adaptable; open to learning; drawn to share nature with and serve others, work with children and families and to increase community wellness; part of the Salinas community, or similar lived experience; interested in program development.
Special Considerations: Applicant must be bilingual English and Spanish at least level 3 / professional working proficiency. A person at this level is described as follows: able to speak the language with sufficient structural accuracy and vocabulary to participate effectively in most conversations on practical, social, and professional topics; able to understand the essentials of all speech in a standard dialect including technical discussions within a special field; able to read within a normal range of speed and with almost complete comprehension a variety of authentic prose material on unfamiliar subjects.
Interprofessional opportunities available for the student: We are a conservation non-profit focusing conserving native wildlife and their habitats through science, education and collaboration. Through this internship there may be opportunities to learn more about non-profit management, education and outreach, multi-agency collaborations and species recovery.
The following CHHS Competencies that the student will be exposed to:
- Cross Cultural Competency
- Knowledge of Health & Human Services (SW or CH)
- Personal & Professional Communication