• Maternal & Child Health Program Implementation Intern (Perinatal Systems) – Summer and Fall 2026 – Hybrid in Chicago, IL

    Candidates must have secure home internet access, a hotspot, or VPN and the ability to work remotely while collaborating with program staff at the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). 

    Join our team in the Office of Health Improvement – Maternal and Child Health (MCH) division (previously the office of Women’s Health) at the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The selected intern will develop skills in project planning, coordination, and implementation through involvement in the development and rollout of the Regionalized Perinatal Health Care Code (77 Ill. Admin. Code 640) Handbook and related training initiatives. They will engage regularly with Title V staff, state partners, and community stakeholders through professional communication, planning meetings, and committee meetings. The internship will also provide insight into the roles, structures, and processes that support Illinois’ statewide regional perinatal network system. By the conclusion of the internship, the intern will be able to demonstrate a clear understanding of the Regionalized Perinatal Health Care Code; develop the full draft of the 640 Handbook by organizing content, synthesizing code updates, and preparing materials for internal review; produce at least two educational or outreach materials to support provider training; track training or implementation progress using established tools; and communicate effectively with partners through coordinated email updates and follow‑up.

    Responsibilities:

    • Develop a comprehensive understanding of the Illinois Regionalized Perinatal Health Care Code (77 Ill. Admin. Code 640) and its application in supporting risk‑appropriate perinatal care across the state. 
    • Lead the development of the full draft of the 640 Handbook, including organizing content, synthesizing code updates, and preparing materials for internal review and refinement. 
    • Create educational and outreach materials, such as PowerPoint presentations, visual summaries, and reference tools, to support provider training on 640 updates. 
    • Collaborate with MCH staff, APCs, and other partners to ensure materials are accurate, aligned with current standards, and responsive to provider and system needs. 
    • Assist in tracking training needs, implementation progress, and partner feedback using established tools and processes.
    • Perform additional duties as assigned in support of the project scope and team objectives.

    Requirements:

    • Currently enrolled as a graduate student (in good academic standing) in an MPH program, with a concentration in Maternal & Child Health but we will consider public policy, global health, or similar graduate programs. 
    • Ability to work remotely and maintain regular communication with the supervising team.
    • Must be able to work from the Chicago office one day per week (flexible for the intern’s schedule). 
    • Secure home internet access, a hotspot, or VPN. 

    Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

    • Foundational knowledge of maternal and child health (MCH), public health systems, and healthcare policy or regulatory frameworks (or ability to learn quickly). 
    • Familiarity with risk-appropriate care concepts and healthcare system structures. 
    • Basic knowledge of program planning, implementation, and evaluation principles. 
    • Strong written communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex policy or technical information into clear, user-friendly materials (e.g., reports, handbooks, presentations, training tools). 
    • Project coordination and organizational skills, including managing timelines, tracking progress, and prioritizing multiple tasks. 
    • Basic data tracking and analysis skills to monitor implementation progress and feedback. 
    • Ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with internal teams and external partners. 
    • Ability to adapt to evolving priorities and incorporate feedback into deliverables. 
    • Initiative and willingness to take ownership of projects.
    • Experience with policy analysis, research, program implementation, or developing training/educational materials (preferred).
    • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint) or similar tools.

    Duration and Compensation:

    This internship is for a minimum of six months (with flexible start and end dates depending on your academic schedule) and will require approximately 16 hours per week, with one day per week in the Chicago office. 

    This is an unpaid internship, but academic credit may be available depending on your institution’s policies and guidelines – please check with your academic advisor. 

    All applications must be submitted by Friday, April 24th, 2026, by noon to be considered for this internship. 

    Apply Here