EIU Department of Human Services

Undergraduate Internship in Human Services

(Formerly FCS Family Services)

HSL 4275 Internship is an individually-planned work experience in a business or agency appropriate to the chosen area of academic specialization.

The objectives of the internship are to 1) simulate a job search as you identify and secure an internship site appropriate to your professional goals, 2) provide a relevant professional experience equivalent to an entry-level position, and 3) allow for professional self-reflection.

In order to apply for HSL 4275 Internship you must have:

1. completed either HSL 4200 or FCS 3500 with a C or better,
2. be in good academic standing
3. submit internship application by the due date (see below), and
4. obtain approval from the Undergraduate Internship Coordinator and Human Services Department Chair

This pre-professional experience gives you the opportunity to put practical use of the knowledge and skills acquired as a student. It is expected that you will gain an understanding of the philosophy, organization, and “inner workings” of your site and become familiar with the roles, responsibilities, and limitations within your field of study.

Talk to your advisor, Ms. Alisa Gray, about whether you will need to take the course for 3 credits (120 hours) or 6 credits (240 hours) before submitting your application.

Undergraduate Internship Coordinator: Mrs. Julie Harper, jrharper4@eiu.edu // Klehm Hall 2012 / Buzzard Hall 1102 // 217-581-7917

Online Application

Dues dates for the undergraduate internship application (all paperwork will be submitted online):

• December 1st for Spring Internship
• April 20th for Summer Internship
• August 1st for Fall Internship

Upon approval of the internship application, you will be administratively added to the course. If you are not enrolled in HSL 4275 by the end of finals week the semester before you will complete your internship, contact Mrs. Julie Harper at jrharper4@eiu.edu for information.

You must also complete the EIU Undergraduate Internship Agreement Form, and review the Site Supervisor Information Sheet.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT INTERNSHIPS

• You MUST submit your application and be approved by the deadline for the semester you wish to complete your internship. 
• HSL 4275 is a regular university course. You will begin the internship at your site on the start date of the section you chose and end the last date of the semester. There is a section for this course in D2L where you will submit weekly assignments and reports. You will need to check your emails after being enrolled in the course to ensure that you complete the next steps. 
• It is your responsibility to remove any financial holds on your account that may prevent you from enrolling in the course. 
• To be enrolled, submit your application by clicking the "Online Application" link above. Once approved, Mrs. Harper will notify you of approval.  You will be administratively added to the course. You will not register yourself as you do other classes.
• Do not wait until the last minute to submit your application. If you submit it early and it's rejected for any reason, you can revise and resubmit. However, if you submit it on the day that it's due and it is rejected, you will have to wait until the next semester to apply.
• You must have your internship, a site supervisor, and an experiential learning activity planned BEFORE submitting your application. After you have secured a site for your internship, you can submit your application. 
• Your site supervisor cannot be your current boss or supervisor for your paid work (though you can accepted paid internships). Your site supervisor cannot be a relative, your internship cannot be at a facility that is your family or friend's business. Your site supervisor must be authorized by the company/organization to serve in this role. They must complete an internship agreement form before you start. You and your site supervisor will be required to complete a mid-term and final evaluation.
• Any international student who wishes to enroll in an internship, hours must work in tandem with the Office of International Students and Scholars. Current international students doing internships must be approved for Curriculum Practical Training (CPT). Students doing practicums after graduation must have Optional Practical Training (OPT). Without such approval, a student's immigration status can be lost.

Current Internship, Job, and Volunteer Opportunities

DCFS: It's our mission to keep children safe by strengthening and supporting families. Learn about our services and how you can help by becoming a child's forever family through adoption, foster care or guardianship; reporting suspected child abuse or neglect; or becoming part of the child welfare team by working for Illinois DCFS!

DCFS Deadlines:

Spring Semester: September 15- October 15

Summer Semester: January 15-February 15

Fall Semester March 15-April 15

Contact: Craig McFadden or Audrey Reischauer at DCFS.Internships@illinois.gov 

Illinois Coalition for Community Services/Teen Reach,

Contact: Program Manager, Claude Magee claude@iccscares.org

• Need volunteers and interns for after school program 
• Occasionally hires tutors ($15/hour) for after school program (contact Claude to check for availability).

Mattoon YMCA, Contact Youth and Community Senior Contact: Blake Fairchild  bfairchild@mattoonymca.org. 

LifeLinks in Mattoon, IL. LifeLinks’ mission is to design and deliver an array of high quality, cost effective, outpatient behavioral health services oriented toward consumer recovery and responsive to the needs of the consumers, their families and the community.

Contact: Mandy Bute mbute@lifelinksinc.org 

AmeriCorp VISTAs! VISTAs will focus youth development through Stem programming.

Contact: beau.scott@fit-2-serve.net

CCAR Industries: Our mission is to empower lives through individual care and inclusive community support!

Contact Chastity Parker at cparker@ccarindustries.org, Director of Human Resources, at 217-348-0127 ext. 405 for more information.

Crosspoint Human Services. Crosspoint Human Services has openings for the following:

• Care Coordinator-Shelter
• Care Coordinator
• Mental Health Therapist
• School Based Mental Therapist
• Supervisor II-Recovery Services

Interested people should contact Sheryl L. Baumeister at 217.442.3200 Ext 133 or email slbaumeister@crosspointhumanservices.org. You can also send resume/application Crosspoint Human Services, Attn: Human Resources, 210 Avenue C, Danville, IL,61832. OR apply online at https://www.crosspointhumanservices.org/.

The Douglas County Health Department is currently looking for interns for their summer food programs in Douglas and Edgar counties. 

Contact: Amanda Minor amanda.minor@douglascountyil.com

Summer Phillips summer.phillips@douglascountyil.com

Camp New Hope is a year-round recreational experience for those eight-years-old and above with developmental and physical disabilities. Volunteers opportunities are plentiful at Camp New Hope.

Contact: Lilly Bales  217-895-2341 or officemanager@campnewhopeillinois.org

Touch of Nature Environmental Center. 

• On-site housing
• Stipend at $275 per week
• Education and Adventure

Attach resume and cover letter to Cassandra Roy at cassandra.roy@siu.edu.

Disney Career Internship Program. Students who participate in this internship have access to many different benefits that come with living around the Disney parks, housing at apartment complexes (equipped with pool and a game room, as well as mental health and relationship support programs). Students also have access to a student center where they can focus their course work. Rent is take from students checks. Disney is also flexible in creating schedules for students who need to work around EIU classes if needed. Interns are provided with uniforms and laundry access, and they receive free transportation to their work sites, shopping sites, the beach, and other local tourist attractions. Interns also receive discounts on lodging, merchandise, and food, including free access and guest passes to any of the Disney parks and water parks in their area. While working with Disney, student interns are treated as employees, so opportunities also exist for position advancements and pay increases, and some have reported working with celebrities.

The program is competitive, yet students can apply through www.disneycollegeprogram.com, and contact Dr. Mikki Sherwood for questions and guidance. Dr. Sherwood can be reached at mlsherwood@eiu.edu or by calling (217) 581-6374.

Lutheran Social Services of Illinois LSSI frequently hires their interns for Child Welfare Specialist positions after a successful completion of internship.

If you are interested or would like more information please e-mail, Evelyn Mancilla at Evelyn.Mancilla@lssi.org. Or contact the main office 708-771-7180 or email LCFS_info@lcfs.org

Charleston Transitional Facility (CTF) provides residential, vocational, and developmental day programming services and support to individuals with developmental disabilities. 

Contact: Amber Goddard ambergoddard@ctfillinois.org

217-348-8798, ext. 123. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters. "In a world of causes, we can make a difference by creating professionally supported, one-to-one matches for kids who want to realize their full potential." Being a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters is one of the most rewarding things you can do.

Contact: Jill Schafer at 217-348-8741 or email volunteer@joinsomethingbig.org

Charleston Parks and Recreation. Provide skills, instruction and games that allow boys and girls to participate in a team-oriented sport to promote sportsmanship, cooperation, self-improvement, and self-esteem.

Call Brian Jones, Director at 217-345-6897

Brookstone Estates. Is an independent living community for senior citizens. Brookstone provides lively entertainment for seniors while still allowing the freedom of independent living. Volunteers needed to assist with bingo, game activities, arts and crafts, and other ongoing activities.

Contact Sierra Wickman at 217-348-6500 or email swickman@seniorlifestyle.com

Hilltop Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation. Is one of the regions most premiere skilled-nursing facilities. Hilltop is committed to meeting the needs of their residents, families, and community. Thier services include rehabilitation and long-term care.

Contact Sean Swaney, Activity Director at 217-345-7066

Prevail (Formerly SACIS)

 Provides crisis and on-going services to victims of sexual assault, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment. Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks including: work on 24-hour crisis line, assist with elementary programs, advocacy, fundraising, and much more.

Contact: Tina Johnson tina.johnson@prevailil.org

217-348-5033 or email volunteer@sacis.org

HOPE of East Central Illinois (Coalition Against Domestic Violence). Is a private, non-profit domestic violence advocacy organization serving the counties of Coles, Clark, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Moultrie and Shelby. HOPE stands for housing, outreach, prevention and education.

Contact: Camille Gordon, Director of Outreach and Prevention at 217-348-5931, ext. 239 or email camille@hope-eci.org 

Catholic Charities - serving Coles, Douglas, and Edgar Counties. Catholic Charities agencies throughout the country are an integral part of the safety net that keeps people from utter destitution. They provide a continuum of services - food, clothing, housewares, medical equipment, and others - that give people a leg up when life has knocked them down.

Contact Amanda Honn at 217-235-0420 or email honn_matt@cc.dio.org

Heritage Woods of Charleston. An independent living community for active, retired seniors. Volunteers are needed to help run activities including bingo, exercises, movie nights, art classes, event planning, leadership opportunities, and marketing interest.

Contact Joyce Baker at 217-345-4900 or email resident.services@hw-charleston-slf.com

Villas of Holly Brook. Is a local assisted living and nursing home. Spend time inside engaging with seniors, learn about their lives, and help brighten their day. They are a family based and faith-based organization committed to providing life changing care for seniors in communities designed with a purpose.

Contact: Evan Myers charleston_director@villasofhollybrook.com

217-512-2773

Coles County Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials, and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price. Volunteers are needed to help sort donations, stock, etc. 

Contact Angela Reed at 217-348-7066

Choices Pregnancy and Health is here to listen and provide a safe space for women who might be facing an unplanned pregnancy. Choices provides: pregnancy testing, pregnancy options counseling, ultrasound, parenting classes, and material items assistance. We have four locations: Charleston, Mattoon, Paris and Casey. Volunteers are needed to help clean the building, sort and clean donations, light                                                                    office work, as well as special projects. Volunteers may also be able to                                                              work with clients after they have gone thought the Client Advocate Training.

Contact Cali Rice at 217-345-5000 or email admin@choices4pregnancy.org

Coles County Health Department. Volunteers are needed for office support tasks. 

Contact Lee Ann Bryant, Health Educator at 217-348-0530

Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital: Volunteers are needed to assist employees and visitors in their day-to-day activities. 

Contact Colleen Stoner ar 217-258-2500

Mattoon Rehabilitation and Healthcare: Mattoon Rehabilitation & Health Care Center offers the very best in skilled nursing, palliative care and progressive rehabilitation, helping seniors recover well at the premier Mattoon Rehabilitation for seniors.                                                                           

Contact: Melodyn Gordon at mattoon@tuera.com or call 217-235-7138         

One Hope United: One Hope United (OHU) is a nonprofit providing early childhood education, child and family services, behavioral and mental health resources, and residential programs for more than 129 years. We’re proud to serve over 10,000 children and families each year across Illinois and Florida. Through our evidence-based and trauma-informed practices, we empower children and families to see and create a future where, regardless of their past, they can reach their full potential. 

Contact: Ann Harris at aharris2@onehopeunited.org or call 217-294-6727       

Children's Advocacy of East Central Illinois:                 

We are working as a team to make a difference in the lives of sexually and physically abused children. We serve children in Clark, Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Moultrie, & Shelby Counties. All services provided by the Children's Advocacy Center of East Central Illinois are provided at no cost to clients regardless of race, sex, gender identification, sexual orientation, national origin, native language, religion, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Contact: Robyn Carr at robyn@caceci.org or call 217-345-8250