Prevention Educator Intern (OASAS)

Paid Internship Opportunity

Title: Prevention Educator Intern                         

Salary: $20 per hour

Supervisor: Director of Ulster Prevention Council

Status: Non-Exempt, Part Time, approximately 18-20 hours per week

Length of Internship: OASAS funded internship will begin July 2023 through December 2023 with possible extension to 2024

Intern Summary: Ulster Prevention Council (UPC) is a program of Family Services based in Kingston, NY.  Our goal is to reduce and prevent substance use and substance use disorder (SUD) among youth and families throughout Ulster County.  We achieve this by providing evidence-based direct support services and strategies that address local needs and preferences. We work with health and human services agencies, school districts, government, law enforcement, youth organizations and community members to reduce and prevent alcohol and substance use. The UPC Prevention Educator intern will plan and implement prevention education throughout Ulster County Schools and community settings.  The position enthusiastically supports, practices, and communicates the agency’s Mission and Statement of Values.

Our Mission:

Family Services brings people together to find the support they need, improving their lives and communities, and building a stronger safer Hudson Valley.

Our Values:

Compassion – Extending empathy and understanding to others.

Integrity – Being honest and dependable.

Hope – Believing in the strength of the human spirit and heart, to emerge and thrive when faced with a challenge.

Diversity – Promoting a vision of community comprised of wide-ranging assets.

Respect – Treating all individuals with dignity and without judgement.

Community – Recognizing and reinforcing the importance of our world as being comprised of people of differing strengths and perspectives.

Justice – Promoting social and economic equity and fairness.

Quality – Aspiring for excellence in every aspect of our work.

Intern Responsibilities:

• Provide direct delivery of evidence-based prevention curriculums to groups of youth K-12 in classroom, after school, and in community settings.
• Seek and incorporate methods of instruction that enhance and enrich the learning experience. Explore and implement media resources and strategies that actively involve the participants in the lessons.
• Prepare and deliver materials and supplies for each program session. 
• Network with multi-disciplinary services and youth service providers to build working partnerships. 
• Maintain accurate and complete records of programs and projects (including program sign-in sheets and completed participant pre/post-test evaluations and entering service delivery data online monthly as required by New York State OASAS). 
• Represent the program at school events, community health fairs and other events. 
• Participate in weekly team meetings as well as supervision to enhance skills and development.
• Participate in conferences and professional development in the health education and substance use prevention field. Expand knowledge of evidence-based programming in order to build skills in providing prevention services.  Training will include (but is not limited to):
  • Too Good for Drugs K-12: is a universal K-12 prevention education program designed to mitigate the risk factors and the enhance protective factors related to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (ATOD) use. The lessons introduce and develop skills for making healthy choices, building positive friendships, developing self-efficacy, communicating effectively, and resisting peer pressure and influence.
  • Teen Intervene: Teen Intervene is a tested, evidence-based program (EBP) for teenagers (twelve to nineteen years old) experiencing mild to moderate problems associated with alcohol or other drug use. Teen Intervene integrates stages of change theory, motivational interviewing, and cognitive-behavioral therapy to help teens reduce and ultimately eliminate their chemical use.
  • The Substance Abuse Prevention Skills Training (SAPST): The SAPST training is grounded in current research and SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework. It provides knowledge and skills to implement effective, data-driven prevention programs, practices, and policies that reduce behavioral health disparities and improve wellness.

Intern Requirements and Competencies:

• Willingness to work occasional and pre planned evenings and weekends as program demands.
• Reliable transportation for travel throughout Ulster County as needed.
• Both standing and sitting are required for extended periods of time.
• Ability to receive and convey detailed and/or important instructions or ideas accurately, audibility, and quickly on the telephone and in person.
• Willingness to work with clients from elementary through adulthood.
• Computer literacy (Windows, Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Outlook) 
• Communication and public speaking skills such as teaching and facilitating.
• Time management, planning and organizational skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Collaborative relationship development.
• Flexible and adaptable.

Work Environment:

The intern will work in the Ulster Prevention Council office in Kingston as well as local schools, community organizations, health agencies, and after school and youth centers (Everette Hodge Center in Kingston, Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, etc.). The noise level is moderate.

Family Services, Inc. complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [email protected].

Family Services is an equal opportunity employer. We follow federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination in hiring and employment.

Must be authorized to work in the United States without work sponsorship.