At The Carter Center, we work to build hope in some of the world's most impoverished and forgotten communities. The Health Programs programs prevent the suffering of millions of people around the world from diseases often ignored by others. Many of the most severe afflictions are entirely preventable. Yet people living in developing nations die or are disabled because they do not have access to the services they need to treat their illness or avoid infection entirely. Every day our experts show people how they can take steps to transform their own lives.

The Mental Health Program, founded by Rosalynn Carter, works in many avenues to reduce the stigma shrouding mental illnesses. According to the first-ever surgeon general's report on mental health, released in December 1999, in the United States alone, mental illnesses are the second leading cause of disability, and mental disorders affect one in five Americans.

The Health Programs Development department raises financial and in-kind support for The Carter Center's Health Programs from institutional donors including foreign governments, U.S. government agencies, foundations, and corporations.

Program Preferences:

• Strong academic record with displayed interest in the program of your choice
• Advanced research, writing, and analytical skills
• English proficiency
• Basic technological proficiency (PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Internet)
• Familiarity with research databases
• Real-world experience: previous work/internship experience and/or study abroad
• Ability to work independently or as part of a team
• Positive attitude, curiosity, flexibility, resourcefulness, and enthusiasm for the work of The Carter Center

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Health Programs

Health Programs, Mental Health, Health Programs Development

Health Programs works to alleviate human suffering by providing technical expertise and support to national programs to build strong systems for the prevention and treatment of diseases.  People living in developing nations die or are disabled because they do not have access to the services they need to treat their illness or avoid infection entirely. Every day our experts show people how they can take steps to transform their own lives.  One tool becoming increasingly important for the health programs is the use of Geographic Information System (GIS).  The health programs continue to improve the way data is analyzed and presented through GIS, which has led to improved ways of planning interventions.

Some of the targeted diseases include:

• Guinea worm. Poised to become the next disease after smallpox to be wiped off the face of the earth, eradication efforts are rejuvenating communities throughout Africa, enabling children to return to school and farmers to their fields. The Center spearheads the international campaign, which has reduced cases by more than 99.7 percent since 1986.
• Trachoma. As part of the effort to control the leading cause of preventable blindness, The Carter Center has supported improved sanitation and hygiene to improve the conditions through which the disease is spread.  In addition, the program helps to distribute antibiotics to prevent blinding trachoma and supports surgery to correct permanent damage caused by infection.
• River blindness.  Since 1996, more than 140 million treatments in 11 endemic countries in Latin America and Africa have been distributed. The Carter Center is leading the drive to eradicate this debilitating disease where it occurs in the Americas by the end of the decade.
• Schistosomiasis. Building on village-based drug distribution systems now in place in Nigeria to prevent river blindness, the Center is reducing incidences of the parasitic disease, enhancing children's abilities to grow, develop, and learn.
• Lymphatic filariasis. The same health care delivery infrastructure in Nigeria also is helping to prevent and treat lymphatic filariasis, a disfiguring and shame-ridden disease afflicting the poorest of the poor.
• Malaria. By distributing 3 million long-lasting insecticidal bed nets in Ethiopia, the Center aims to protect 18 million people at risk for contracting the deadly mosquito-borne infection.

Number of Interns per Semester: 1

Program Preferences:

• Advanced research, writing, and analytical skills
• English proficiency
• Interest in publishing academic research
• Interest in conducting disease specific research for impact assessment
• Interest in reviewing/researching appropriate periodicals for publication
• Advanced knowledge of DropBox, Microsoft Access and Word
• Ability to work and communicate effectively and coordinate work schedule independently or as part of a team
• Real-world experience: previous work/internship experience and/or studying abroad
• Positive attitude, curiosity, flexibility, resourcefulness, and enthusiasm for the work of The Carter Center

Project:

• Conducts research of the international trachoma projects
• Collaborates to collate data for impact statement(s) on the Millennium Development Goals
• Performs writing related to the quantitative and qualitative analysis of health program data based upon impact statement(s)
• Completes publication research, writing, editing and reviewing to the point of actual submission

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Mental Health Program

Health Programs, Mental Health, Health Programs Development 

 
The Mental Health Program promotes policies and practices that advance the prevention of mental illnesses and lead to improved mental health and social functioning. The program's four main goals are to:

• Reduce stigma and discrimination against people with mental illnesses;
• Foster early education about mental health;
• Promote the equitable treatment of mental illnesses;
• Improve services for people with mental illnesses globally.

The work of the program is guided by the Mental Health Task Force, which is chaired by former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. Mrs. Carter has been a driving force in the field of mental health throughout her career. Similar to other programs at The Carter Center, the Mental Health Program achieves its goals by networking and partnering with other organizations. Specific projects that address these priorities vary as opportunities arise.

Number of Interns per Semester: 3

Program Preferences:

• Interest in health care issues
• Coursework/fieldwork in psychology, public health, medicine, public policy, or a related area
• Strong writing and critical analysis skills

Typical Projects:

• Research and develop PowerPoint presentations for the director's frequent lectures and keynote presentations
• Assist with all aspects of planning for program initiatives (annual symposium, Georgia Mental Health Forum, and Journalism Fellowship meeting)
• Assist with coordination of program special public events
• Keep staff up-to-date on current mental health issues (over time it has been parity, returning veterans issues, children's issues, etc.)

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Institutional Development/Fundraising* 

Health Programs, Mental Health, Health Programs Development

The Office of Institutional Development/Fundraising supports Carter Center Peace and Health programs by generating project-specific financial and in-kind resources from foreign governments, U.S. government agencies, foundations, corporations, and individuals.  Staff researches potential funding prospects and initiates relationships through letters, proposals, phone calls, and meetings.  The development department maintains long-term relationships with more than 150 program donors.

Development staff must have extensive knowledge of Carter Center goals and activities in program countries.  In addition, they must stay abreast of the assistance policies and internal politics of donor nations as well as current corporate and foundation philanthropic news and initiatives.

Internship positions are available to support the following development departments.

• Health Programs Development: As a Health Programs development intern, you would join a dynamic team that is tasked with raising support for The Carter Center's Health Programs from foundations, corporations, and governments.  Knowledge of global health issues and neglected tropical diseases will be strengthened, while gaining insight into the world of fundraising for an international nonprofit.  Responsibilities may include editing grant proposals and reports; conducting research on prospective donor institutions and writing briefing reports; drafting Web content; attending Health Program review meetings; interacting with Finance and other departments; drafting correspondence on behalf of Carter Center executives; and completing other writing-intensive tasks.  Experience or interest in the global health field is highly desirable.

*Please note that while you only have the opportunity to apply to the Office of Institutional Development as a whole, you may choose to indicate in your short essay if you have a preference for a specific department.

Number of Interns per Semester: 1 per department

Program Preferences:

• Coursework in English, international development, international finance and economics, international affairs, public health, public policy, philanthropy, business, scientific and technical writing, library sciences, and/or nonprofit management
• Familiarity with – or interest in – one or more of the following issues: foreign aid, mental health, international health, disease control, corporate philanthropy, democracy, civil society, human rights, and conflict resolution
• Relevant experience:  research and technical writing, work in procurement/ contracting, fundraising, or other work with nonprofit organizations
• Exceptional writing and research skills
• Extensive experience with Internet resources and electronic databases
• Proficiency with Access or another contact database
• Availability to work 30-40 hours per week
• Creative and entrepreneurial
• Able to work both independently and as part of a team in a deadline-driven environment

Typical Projects:

• Research potential funding prospects
• Monitor international giving trends, development/humanitarian assistance approaches, and the work of similar nonprofit organizations
• Write/edit letters, articles, reports, and proposals
• Write talking points and briefing memoranda for executive staff
• Assist with donor mailings and other correspondence
• Support efforts to raise unrestricted funds by marketing the annual fund through the Ambassadors Circle. Provide event support for donors participating in the annual Executive Briefing and Visit to Plains, Ga.

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