This internship is a two-semester commitment from JANUARY 2026 - AUGUST 2026. Please only apply if you can commit to the total duration of this internship.
Location: Remote – must be available to attend one or two in-person meetings at the IDPH Chicago office or IDPH Springfield office
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented intern to support the Substance Misuse Section and the Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) Program. This internship provides practical experience in public health communication, outreach, and policy analysis while offering a unique opportunity to contribute to overdose prevention efforts across Illinois.
The intern will assist with strengthening and expanding OFR teams statewide through activities focused on outreach, stakeholder engagement, communications, and applied research. This role will provide hands-on experience in data-driven public health practice and collaborative program development.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct outreach to counties interested in establishing OFR teams and maintain a log tracking engagement levels and contacts.
- Coordinate introductory meetings and follow-up sessions with local health departments, coroners, and other stakeholders.
- Prepare and distribute informational materials to new or interested counties.
- Develop and update outreach and educational materials, including one-pagers, onboarding packets, and presentation slide decks.
- Draft short summaries, newsletters, or success stories showcasing OFR accomplishments and community impact.
- Maintain contact lists and stakeholder directories for health departments, public safety agencies, and other partners.
- Support the creation of infographics and brief data reports highlighting trends and OFR recommendations.
- Conduct background research on national OFR best practices, policy models, and data-sharing strategies.
- Summarize findings into concise memos or briefs to inform program strategy.
- Track relevant state and national policy updates related to overdose prevention and fatality review initiatives.
Qualifications:
- Currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in Public Health, Community Health, Public Policy, Political Science, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Communication Studies, Data Science, or Statistics.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects independently and in collaboration with others.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Outlook); experience with data visualization tools is a plus.
Duration and Compensation:
This is an unpaid internship with flexible scheduling options to accommodate academic commitments. This is a remote position for 12-16 hours a week. Academic credit may be available depending on your institution's guidelines.
All applications must be submitted by Tuesday, November 18th, by 4:00 PM.
Apply here
