MPH Practicum Opportunity – Eastern Trail Alliance
Opportunity Type: Practicum Opportunities, Public Health OpportunitiesLocation: Saco, ME
Salary: N/A
Opening Date: June 26, 2017
Closing Date: September 15, 2017
Website: https://www.easterntrail.org/
Contact Email: tbalogun@une.edu
1. Organization Information
Name of organization: Eastern Trail Alliance
Address of organization: Bldg 17-302-S, 2 Main St; Mail to: PO Box 250
City: Saco
State: ME
Zip code: 04072
Country (if outside the USA):
Website: www.easterntrail.org
Type of organization: Non-profit off road recreation-transportation trail
2. Practicum Information
Position Title: Research Assistant, Program Evaluation Intern
Start date: August 1, 2017
End date: September 15, 2017 (flexible)
Compensation (If any): N/A
Description of Practicum Project: The student will conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis of data related to Eastern Trail users in Scarborough and South Portland to document heath and economic benefits gained from using the trail. This will involve creating or modifying a survey, actively being on the trail to engage users, analyzing data, and generating a final report that can be used for future grant applications and in revising the current Economic Impact Study.
Tasks:
- Review 2014 ETA Economic Impact Study (EIS) & questionnaire.
- Revise questionnaire to include questions regarding the benefits to health by trail users – how the use of the trail has been utilized by participants to improve physical, mental and spiritual health, how the trail has been used to accomplish specific objectives and work on specific goals – reduce obesity, increase stamina, enhance flexibility and cardiovascular capacity, use for cardiac and cancer rehabilitation programs as well as other disease recovery programs.
- Set up and staff a table at trail heads rotating between designated locations in Scarborough and South Portland where the ETA is working to complete funding requirements so that a cricitcal 1.6 mile section of the trail connecting these two locations can be constructed (Close the Gap, CTG).
- Hand out literature, discuss the Close the Gap project, engage trail users collecting data and trail “stories”, administer survey and collect user data and traffic counts, document use and produce a final report of findings. Highlights of interest include statistics on use per day, time and location – # of cyclists, walkers, families, etc; statistics on how many stopped at table to inquire about the trail, and how many actually agreed to take the survey; health benefits of walking, cycling – mental, physical and spiritual; user statistics (age, gender, home location; education & economic status; regular user or just traveling through).
FMI see prior EIS http://easterntrail.org/documents/ETEconomicImpactStudy2014.pdf and Close the Gap project http://www.easterntrail.org/index.php/home/close-the-gap-campaign Additional information available from ETA contact person.
Requirements: Proficient in survey creation and statistical analysis, strong writing, marketing and outreach skills, personable, familiar with MAC environment, FB postings, and media outreach. Able to lift 30 pounds.
3. Preceptor Contact Information
Name: Carole Brush
Degrees/Certification: BS Environmental Science, Business
Email: eta@easterntrail.org
Phone: 207-284-9260 (office), 303-877-8337 (cell)
Please note:
- The UNE MPH Program requires a minimum of 120 hours at the practicum site.
- An Affiliation Agreement must be completed between UNE and the practicum site before the student can start counting hours for credit.
- For all questions regarding the practicum, please contact a Practicum Coordinator:
- Dr. Titi Balogun, tbalogun@une.edu or 207-221-4689
- Dr. Sharla Willis, swillis3@une.edu or 207-221-4794