AGING NUTRITION PROGRAM & DEMENTIA SERVICES INTERN - 57166 - AUDIT

Executive Service

AGING NUTRITION PROGRAM & DEMENTIA SERVICES INTERN

Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability

TCAD

Nashville, TN

Salary: School Credit

Closing Date: 05/06/2024

Who we are and what we do:

The Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability (TCAD) was created by the Tennessee General Assembly in 1963. The Commission is the designated state agency on aging and is mandated to provide leadership relative to aging issues on behalf of older persons in the state. Our mission is to bring together and leverage programs, resources, and organizations to protect and ensure the quality of life and independence of older Tennesseans and adults with disabilities.

Job Overview:

The Aging Nutrition Program was established by the Older Americans Act {42 U.S. Code, Chapter 35, Subchapter 3, Part C Nutrition Services} to reduce hunger and food insecurity, promote socialization of older individuals, and promote the health and well-being of older individuals and delay adverse health conditions through access to nutrition and other disease prevention and health promotion services. Services are targeted to those in greatest social and economic need with particular attention to low-income individuals, minority individuals, those in rural communities, those with limited English proficiency, and those at risk of institutional care. The Aging Nutrition Program helps older individuals remain independent and in their communities. TCAD, the State Unit on Aging, recently received a grant from the Administration for Community Living (ACL) providing an opportunity to make Tennessee a more Dementia-Capable state. This grant involves the creation of dementia and brain health education, outreach, research, etc. This is a great opportunity for someone interested in learning more about dementia services and how dementia could impact the lives of older adults and their care partners.

Key Responsibilities:

The Aging Nutrition Program Intern would be conducting research on nutrition screening tools for older adults, food insecurity solutions, as well as assisting the program director on updating waitlist across the state. Currently there are over 9,000 people on the nutrition waitlist statewide and the program director is working to contact all individuals to ensure their desire to remain on the waitlist as well as update their information. This is conducted via mailing letters, making phone calls, and updating information online. This intern would also have the opportunity to assist with dementia related research and education statewide. This could include outreach, education, research, policy review/updates and other duties as needed.

Required Experience:

The Aging Nutrition Program Intern should be a current student that is pursuing an education and career in nutrition, public heath, or aging fields.

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State's policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person's race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.