Internship Opportunities

This unpaid internship provides students with an opportunity for first-hand accounts and comprehensive knowledge in the inner workings of the Centre County Office of Aging.  Centre County provides training programs and opportunities for professional development by using up-to-date resources/equipment to assist employees and interns in the performance of daily duties. 

Typical student internships include opportunities to observe the following:

• Observe daily operations of Case Management and Abuse Investigative Departments.
• Witness Court proceedings including emergency interventions and guardianships.
• Experience unit functions within Case Management, Protective Services, Senior Centers, Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), and Ombudsman/PA-Medi. 
• Gain first-hand experience on how Case Managers and Abuse Investigators work with Older Adults in the field.
• Observe use of Needs Assessment screening tools. 
• Learn about Centre County’s Cross System Collaboration Process.
• Learn about Community projects throughout the county.

Different Learning Objectives to Expect

Case Management 

• Learn about community resources available to older adults.
  • Centre County specific resources but also a general knowledge of the types of resources different communities offer. 
• Attend Home Visits and Facility visits with Case Managers to complete Assessments for needs, services, and safety. 
• Shadow case managers and learning how to complete the basic assessment.
• Be shadowed while completing the engagement, assessment, intervention, and evaluation process.
• Implement prevention interventions that enhance client capacities. 
• Effectively utilize engagement and listening skills to gather the necessary information to complete a comprehensive assessment of the OA’s situation. 
• Advocate for all of the Older Adult’s needs. 
• Practice assessing the Older Adult’s strengths and limitations. 
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication in working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and colleagues. 

Protective Services

• Observe abuse investigation visits with the Protective Services workers.
• Understand the Older Adult Protective Services Act and how it is implemented within this agency. 
• Review cases and understand the different ethical conflicts and decisions presented within each case. 
• Gain the ability to recognize the extent to which a culture’s structures and values may oppress, marginalize, alienate, or create or enhance privilege and power.
• Observe how Abuse and Neglect does not discriminate and affects all people despite, race, socio-economic status, gender, age etc. 
• Observe court interventions and hearings and how a Caseworker would testify. 
• Identify and understand personal bias. 
• Observe how professional roles and boundaries are challenged and managed regularly. 
• Observe and practice professional boundaries in the field.  
• Practice professional demeanor in behavior, appearance, and communication. 
• Meet with different peers in the AAA office and meet regularly with the Internship supervisor to complete “check-ins”.

Senior Centers

• Research Human Development of Older Adults and identify activities to meet the needs and to support this life stage. 
• Plan a unique program that is educational and enjoyable for participants.
• Present programming in a professional and collaborative way to participants.
• Receive feedback from participants and center manager to reflect upon experience.
• Learn how to engage with older adults and build rapport while still implementing professional and emotional boundaries.
• Practice facilitating a group. 

Application/Policy

• Internship Application (PDF)
• Internship Policy (PDF)

For more information Contact