U.S. University Program

We offer three types of internships for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in colleges or universities located outside the United States:

1. Business Internships

Students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in a business-related field may be placed in one or more of the following departments:

• Admissions. Admissions facilitates and processes all admission referrals to the following areas: Brain Injury Center; Children's Specialty Hospital; Residential Services; and Crotched Mounatin School, which serves day and residential students. This office acts as a liaison between referring sources such as hospitals, schools, families, physicians, state and local agencies. The admission process involves evaluation of all applications and follow up to ensure the receipt of all necessary documentation prior to review for admission and presentation to the review committee. Provides tours to clients, families, schools and other agencies. Admissions also works closely with the Marketing office regarding referral development.
• Continuing Education. Develops, schedules, and teaches all monthly staff training as well as tracks all the courses completed by every employee. Projects include course and training materials development, and Internet research.
• Development (Fund Raising).
• Finance?
• Human Resources. An intern in Human Resources learns personnel record keeping and filing using software programs; motivational strategies, principals of pay scales; employee relations and benefits and more.
• Marketing/Communications. An intern in the Marketing Department expands communication and research skills by preparing reports, publications and direct mailings. Other duties include Internet research and web site development; attending regional seminars and conferences; and volunteer coordination. Interns assist in the identification of possible donors and in the updates to the database of those who support Crotched Mountain. Goal: To acquire a broad range of knowledge and skills associated with the Marketing Department of a private, non-profit organization. Objectives: 1) Intern will become familiar with the daily operations of the Marketing Department and the overall programs and services of a large non-profit organization serving people with disabilities, 2) The intern will acquire proficiency in the business aspects of the Department including budget-related activities and quantifying program output, 3) The intern will demonstrate the ability to develop and execute a marketing-communication plan. Each activity will be scheduled in consideration of the intern's ability to acquire new knowledge and operating performance in previously assigned tasks. The intern's activities during the internship may include some or all of the following: data entry; learn to operate new equipment; assist the Communications and Development offices, as needed Level II activities include · Learn about issues effecting people with disabilities · Represent Crotched Mountain at exhibits and conferences with supervisor present · Develop web site and intranet content · Complete a project related to a specific program or service · Learn Microsoft Office; ACT! Contact management software, CBISA community benefits software · Other activities relating to the Marketing Department as deemed appropriate by the intern supervisor Parameters of the Internship.

2. Clinical Internships

Designed to meet the academic requirements for students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in any of the following clinical fields:

• Occupational Therapy.
• Physical Therapy.
• Psychology.
• Speech-Language Pathology. This placement is designed to offer participants the opportunity to observe Speech-Language Pathologists and the Communication Technology Specialist working with students with specialized needs and to become familiar with communication devices, both electronic and non-electronic, methods of access for these devices, computer access, knowledge and use of software to develop communication boards and the fabrication of materials that might be needed with the communication device or access method. View a sample training plan, a document that outlines the outcomes and activities within an internship placement (specifics are subject to change).
• Therapeutic Recreation.

 
3. Social Science Internships

Students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in a social science field have the opportunity to support the children and adults we serve, along side the primary direct caregivers, in one of the following departments:

• Assistive Technology.  Specifically designed for trainees interested in pursuing a career relating to assistive technology. This placement offers participants the opportunity to observe assistive technology technicians and other professionals working with people with specialized needs and to become familiar with seating and mobility, computer access, environmental control, and funding equipment and methods. The trainee will learn about the various disability conditions/syndromes of people with special needs. Trainees are also invited to participate in their own professional development through attendance at a variety of formal training classes. Trainees will learn about Certificates of Medical Necessity (CMN) and other assistive technology reports. Trainees will observe how goals and objectives from the therapy programs are integrated into a holistic technological services program. Trainees may also learn how a for-profit Durable Medical Equipment (DME) vendor operates.  View a sample training plan, a document that outlines the outcomes and activities within an internship placement (specifics are subject to change).
• Case Management.  This placement is designed to offer participants the opportunity to observe professionals working with adults with brain injuries and to become familiar with related service providers, methods of implementing goals, objectives and individualized care plans. The Brain Injury Center serves approximately 30 adults who have experienced some form of traumatic brain injury.   View a sample training plan, a 7-page Word document that outlines the outcomes and activities within an internship placement (specifics are subject to change).
• Day Program. This placement is suitable for trainees interested in pursuing a career relating to rehabilitation services for children and young adults. Participants will observe Day Program staff working with clients with specialized needs and become familiar with methods of implementing goals, objectives and individualized programs. The Day Program offers a wide range of day-time services to persons with disabilities, some, but not all of whom, may be Crotched Mountain residents. A primary focus of the Day Program is to utilize a 1:1, peer support, psychosocial rehabilitation methodology in delivering service. These services can include, the learning and supporting of recreation, of self care, of socialization, of rehabilitation and so on. Day Program employees include a team of activity coordinators, as well as a clinical team made up of physical, occupational and speech therapists and a psychologist. All client programs are individually based and dependent on the needs and desires of the client. Day Program trainees have the title of "Activity Coordinator Trainee" and as such are primarily learning the skill and knowledge sets of a typical Activity Coordinator. The trainee will learn about the various handicapping conditions/syndromes of clients with special needs. Trainees will become familiar with the clinical-based activities of clients and their attending staff within a Day Program setting. Trainees will become familiar with the day-to-day schedule of one or more Day Program clients. Trainees will also learn how various functions of the therapeutic milieu and see how specific components interconnect. Trainees will learn about Individual Care Plans and understand the range of individual needs including clinical, rehabilitative, social and spiritual needs. View a sample training plan, a document that outlines the outcomes and activities within an internship placement (specifics are subject to change).
• Residential Services. Residential interns on second shift will be placed in one of the eight group homes. The interns will be asked to assist residents in daily routines and residential programs. This placement offers students interested in exploring social service careers an opportunity to observe Residential Skill Instructors working with students with specialized needs. Residents focus on learning and practicing independent living skills to prepare themselves for life after Crotched Mountain. Group home activities include recreational and social activities. Teamwork and communication skills within the house setting are essential to assisting the students in their daily activities.  View a sample training plan, a document that outlines the outcomes and activities within an internship placement (specifics are subject to change).
• Crotched Mountain School. School internship placements offer students interested in pursing a teaching career the opportunity to observe teachers working with students with specialized needs, become familiar with curriculums, methods of implementing goals, objectives and individualized programs. The intern will learn about the various conditions/ syndromes of the students and the adaptive equipment available. Interns will observe how the individualized therapy programs' goals and objectives are integrated into the student's daily program and how the prevocational/vocational and "special" and physical education classes are adapted for students. View a sample training plan, a document that outlines the outcomes and activities within an internship placement (specifics are subject to change).