The intern will support the Community Health Development team at the Maricopa County Department of Public Health in planning for the next Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). Through research, resource development, and partner engagement, the intern will help strengthen CHIP planning processes while gaining hands-on experience in public health planning, community collaboration, and program development.
The intern will work with the Community Health Development team within the Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH), supporting initiatives related to the Health Improvement Partnership of Maricopa County (HIPMC), the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), and the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA).
During the Spring 2027 semester (January–April), the team will be focused on planning and preparing for the next CHIP cycle. The intern will contribute to this work through research, development of planning tools and resources, and partner engagement activities. This internship will provide a well-rounded experience in community health development, combining an independent semester-long project with opportunities to collaborate with public health professionals and community partners.
Primary Responsibilities
CHIP Research and Best Practices: Research how other local health departments develop and implement their Community Health Improvement Plans, with a focus on workplan development, partner engagement, accountability, and implementation strategies. Summarize findings and identify recommendations that could inform Maricopa County's upcoming CHIP cycle.
CHIP Planning and Resource Development: Support planning for the 2027 CHIP by developing practical tools, templates, and resources to strengthen planning and implementation processes. Potential projects include creating goal-writing guides, standardized workplan templates, partner commitment resources, and internal policies and procedures. The intern will work with the team to identify priority resources and develop materials that can be used by MCDPH staff and community partners.
Partner Engagement and Communications: Support HIPMC partner engagement and communication efforts through contact list organization, database management, and outreach activities. Assist with identifying opportunities to improve partner communication processes, including developing recommendations for maintaining accurate and up-to-date contact information.
Event and Meeting Support: Assist with coordination and preparation for HIPMC quarterly partner meetings, steering committee meetings, and CHIP planning activities. Responsibilities may include developing meeting materials, supporting logistics, documenting discussions, and helping organize partner feedback.
