PRACTICUM OPPORTUNITY
The Louisiana Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Initiative Workgroup
Institute of Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health
Tulane University School of Medicine
Scope of Work: The candidate will examine the existing body of research on ACEs and investigate communication, education, and advocacy strategies used in other cities and states related to ACEs. This investigation will likely require phone interviews as well as online research. S/he will compile promising findings and will generate recommendations for the workgroup. The candidate will participate in workgroup meetings and will support the group’s planning and infrastructure-building activities.
The Louisiana ACE Initiative Workgroup is a group of partners who are exploring the potential for a statewide communication and education strategy around Adverse Childhood Experiences. The partners represent child-focused organizations across the state, including the LA Children’s Trust Fund, the LA Partnership for Children and Families, LA DHH-OPH Bureau of Family Health, the LA Parenting Education Network, the Mary Amelia Center, and Louisianachildren.org, as well as Tulane’s Institute of Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health. The workgroup is in its first year and is currently engaged in strategic planning, information-gathering, and infrastructure-building. It is exploring a type of statewide initiative that has evolved in recent years in multiple other states, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Alaska, with the aim of translating the science of early childhood into key messages for communities and family-serving workforces in order to promote a cultural shift rooted in common understanding. This movement is based on the idea that a shared understanding of ACEs can promote more compassionate and effective practice across sectors including education, healthcare, social services, criminal justice, and policy-making and can support communities in becoming healthier and more resilient.
Requirements: The candidate must have excellent communication skills, the ability to work independently, and the ability to synthesize information from multiple sources. We strongly prefer candidates who have completed their core MPH courses and who have an interest in early childhood health and development. Timeframe is flexible and can be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
To Apply: Send a cover letter, CV, and contact information for two references (preferably at least one from Tulane SPHTM) to Lindsay Usry at lusry@tulane.edu
