Each of the undergraduate options also includes a field experience component. All students are given the opportunity to work in a professional placement during their undergraduate program. This requirement enables students to apply their course work to a professional position as they prepare to move into important careers with children and families.

Site: AARP North Dakota

Address: Bismarck
Field experience placement is in Bismarck. The intern will attend legislative hearings, gather information on selected legislation, and other issues of AARP.

Site: A Child's World Child Care Directorship Intern

Assist Director in managing a child care and preschool center. Learning the inbs and outs of child care management. Learning about the food program, licensing regulations, observational tools, grant writing, fundraising, enrollment procedures, etc.

Site: Alzheimer's Association

Responsibilities: Co-facilitate a monthly early onset support group, visit other programs, write press releases and newsletter articles, answer Help Line and make follow up calls.

Site: American Diabetes Association

The mission of the American Diabetes Association is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The position provides administrative support to the associate director and associate manager for special events and program activities.

Site: Big Brother / Big Sister Program

Responsibilities: Calls to match participants (parent, child and volunteer), supervision calls, assist in contacting matches for response to annual review questionnaires, responsible for case closure questions and final match evaluation for case file on matches that are closed, assist Case Managers with volunteer and client orientations, interviews, and EMPOWER groups, assist with group activities and program fundraiser's, receive inquiry calls, assist with miscellaneous program projects.

Site: Social Services - Child Care Licensing

Responsibilities: Learn licensing regulations for family, group, center, preschool and school age center programs. Complete licensing visits to assure minimum standards are met. Complete unannounced visits to child care programs to assure minimum standards are maintained. Write correction orders to those programs that do not meet minimum requirements. Do computerized background checks on professionals working with children.

Required: Interview and references, car.

Site: CDFS Department

Supervisor: CDFS Faculty

Responsibilities:Research opportunities with faculty. Contact field experience coordinator for details.

Site: Center for Child Development - NDSU child care center

Responsibilities:The Center for Child Development is an accredited early childhood program serving children 6 weeks - 5 years of age. Hours of operation are 7;30 - 5:30 p.m. (M-F). August May. Students will plan, implement and evaluate developmentally appropriate activities for children. Set-up and maintain a developmentally appropriate environment that ensures children's safety and hands-on experience. Implement developmentally appropriate guidance techniques based upon individual needs of children and the group. Implement room management skills through head or team teaching weeks. Based upon your observation and/or assessment of a child, write a child case study and conduct or sit-in on a minimum of one (1) parent conference. Develop parent partnerships through open communication, home visits, and attending parent involvement opportunities.

Site: Center for Child Development - Director or Manager

Responsibilities: Review and help maintain licensing standards. Help maintain The Center Accreditation through the National Academy of Early childhood programs by reviewing criteria and observing classrooms. Develop parent partnerships through open communication, home visits, and attending parent involvement opportunities. Help maintain an up-to-date waiting list. Solving problems using a team approach and good communication skills. Help maintain an attractive, clean and safe environment for children, families and staff. Help maintain required paperwork on children, families and staff. Assist in writing monthly newsletter. Support Center staff in the day to day operation of the Center.

Site: CHARISM Center

Job Classification: Youth Program Mentor
Status: Volunteer Hours: 2-4 hours per week
Reports to: Youth Development Director

Position Summary: Mentor and role model good character traits to youth in program. Implement program plans and discipline strategies arranged by CHARISM. Minimum commitment of 20 hours.

Experience and skills: Previous experience or education relating to working with youth. Ability to follow structured program while maintaining flexibility.

Representative Responsiblities:

• Advocate and implement culturally sensitive youth activities with an emphasis on anti-bias curriculum, respect for self, others and property and leadership skill development.
• Build individual trusting relationships with youth through open communication and by nurturing an atmosphere of acceptance and mutual respect.
• Provided statistical data for evaluation and measurement of program effectiveness.
• Prepare and maintain appropriate reports, records, and files.
• Oversee program participants.
• Assit with set-up and clean up.

Site: Childcare Resource and Referral

Responsibilities: Assist in overall goals of CCR & R, including assistance to parents in finding childcare, updating provider files maintenance of childcare data, professional development.

Required: Interview required along with Autobiography and resume.

CHILD LIFE PLACEMENTS see Field Experience Coordinator for placement information. A child life directory is available for check out.

Site: Children's Club - Fargo Jaycees

Help select the educational curriculum/programs, creative learning activities, for children ages newborn to 12 years of age.

Need to be available 6:30-8:30 PM 2 Thursdays per month, 3:30-5:30 PM 1-2 weekdays or weekends.

Another aspect of the internship would be to help run programs such as Jaycees Against Youth Smoking, programming with other youth groups, such as girl and boy scouts.

Resume and interview required.

Site: Children's Museum at Yunker Farm

Responsibilities: Developing age appropriate educational activities and special events for the hands-on Children's Museum.

Interacting with children and their families.

Site: Church Youth Groups

(To be discussed with Field Experience Coordinator)

Site: Clay County Extension - 4-H Afterschool

Responsibilities: Plan and coordinate activities (including field trips, hands-on activities) for 4-H Clubs that are scheduled after school in several Moorhead elementary schools. Serve as mentor/role model for children kindergarten through 6th grade.

The program is 2 hours once a week. However, prep time is extra.

A year-long commitment is encouraged; but semester will be accepted. Summer placements are available in other areas.

Site: Clay County Extension Parents Forever

Responsibilities: Assist coordinator with divorced parenting class/children of divorce.

Site: Community Living Services, Inc.

Partnership Program Other programs available: Respite Care and Family Support Services for Physically Disabled Children

Responsibilities: This program is designed to support and assist children by providing role modeling, behavior management assistance and/or supervision within the home and community, observation of children, supportive activities within the home and community, and assistance with transportation. This project serves children and adolescence with emotional/behavior disorders.

Site: Couple & Family Therapy Center

Responsibilities: Client reception, notify therapists, set-up therapy and observation rooms, fee collection, child care, data entry, phones, and some client scheduling.

Required: Only for students interested in further education in Couples and Family Therapy.

Site: Early Childhood Family Education

Supervisor: Kim Bushaw

Contacts will be made by Field Experience Coordinator

Responsibilities: Hands-on experience with a diverse group of learners, parent educators and child development, early intervention, office and administrative duties. Child Development Option Only.

Site: Early Risers Success Program

The program will be run in three Fargo elementary school. Each school program will include 40 children going into 1 st and 2 nd grades and about 5 or 6 staff members. Student assistants will assist the primary teachers throughout the - program. Duties may include documenting children's behavior; implementing a behavior management system based on earning points; assisting with teaching social skills, reading, or creative activities; and managing and guiding children's behavior. Two credits of field experience without pay would be available (about 84 hours).

Site: Elim Care Center

Elim Rehab and Care Center Elim Care Center is a Registered Eden Alternative Site. It is an intergenerational program with interaction between the children in an on-site child care center and nursing home residents; on-site animals for therapy/care, love, support to the elderly residents; plants and flowers for the elderly to care for and enjoy.

Responsibilities: Recreation Director; Under the direction of the Activity Director, the coordinator will assist in the planning, coordinating, and implementing of a therapeutic activity program on a daily basis to meet the individual residents' needs and interest. Including: case management for elderly residents, Medicare assessment, plan of care development, attending care conferences for residents, assist with organizing and conducting meetings and events with staff, residents, volunteer and the pubic. Other duties include assisting with volunteer services department, public relations work and promoting the Elim and Eden Alternative.

Site: English Language Learner Program K-12 or Adult - Fargo Public Schools

Address: Fargo

Responsibilities: Assist teacher with classroom assignments designed to assist in learning English as a second language.

Site: Fargo Head Start - (several locations)

Responsibilities:Head Start is a Federal program for preschool aged children (3-5) and their families from low-income households. Children who attend Head Start participate in a variety of educational activities. Parent involvement is one of the requirements of Head Start. Families receive free medical and dental care, have healthy meals and snacks and enjoy playing indoors and outdoors in a safe setting. Plan, implement and evaluate developmentally appropriate activities for children. Set-up and maintain a developmentally appropriate environment that ensures children's safety and hands-on experience. Implement room management skills through head or team teaching weeks. Based upon your observation and/or assessment of a child, write a child case study and conduct or sit-in on a minimum of one (1) parent conference. Develop a parent bulletin board or write/contribute to the Parent Newsletter. Organize and implement one field trip for the children, if developmentally appropriate for ages of children served. Develop parent partnerships through open communication, home visits, and attending parent involvement opportunities.

Site: Fargo Parks and Recreation

Several program placements available through parks and recreation with playground activities, disabled adults and community activities.

Site: Fargo Public Schools - Teacher Assistant

Responsibilities: The Fargo Public schools have many programs throughout the city serving children in regular and special education classrooms. Students work with the classroom teacher to provide care and education to 3-8 year old children. Typically students work in classrooms with special needs children and/or kindergarten through second grade classrooms. It is important for students to understand that this experience is not the same as an elementary education degree student teaching. This placement helps prepare students to work with 3-8 year old children using a developmentally appropriate curriculum and environment.

Site: FirstLink Hotline

Responsibilities: CDFS interns provide listening and support, information and referral, and crisis intervention to callers. Interns also assist HotLine staff in programming and volunteer management duties, such as discussing caller needs, special event planning, etc. Opportunities for personal and professional development are offered.

Site: Fraser, Ltd. (Independent Living Services)

Responsibilities: Assist with assessments of individuals with developmental disabilities. Coordinate and monitor client activities.

Site: Girl Scouts

Agency's Mission: To inspire in all girls the highest ideals of character, conduct, patriotism and service, that they may become happy and resourceful citizens.

Responsibilities:To work with girls between the ages of 4-17, promoting the values set forth by Girl Scouts Organization. Duties could include: lesson planning and implementing, writing newsletters, reviewing Girls Scout curriculum, developing brochures and serving as a leader and role model for girls.

Site: Good Samaritan Society

Supervisor: Jane Strommen

The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society is the nation's largest not-for-profit provider of senior care, service and housing options, operating in more than 240 centers in 24 states. The Good Samaritan Society was founded in Cass County, North Dakota and continues to provide services to seniors and others in need in Arthur, Casselton, and Fargo. The types of services offered in these locations include nursing home care, assisted living and basic care, independent apartments, home and community-based services, and child day care.

Site: HeartSprings

HeartSprings offers holistic ministries and services to those in the community. This years focus is on chronic illnesses and caregiving. Special topics include Movement group for Parkinson's, and Yoga for MS. Art and music therapists are being researched and integrated programming is being trialed. An early Alzheimer's group is being discussed (join us for this discussion). Exciting and innovative work at the cutting edge.

Site:Hospice of the Red River Valley

Responsibilities: Direct patient care during respite care, shopping, errands, including office work, computer entry, filing.

Site: Make a Sound Choice

If interested in this site, the CDFS Field Experience coordinator will contact the organization.

Make a Sound Choice, is a character-based 'abstinence until marriage' program and an educational outreach arm of FirstChoice Clinic (formerly AAA Pregnancy Clinic), a Christian non-profit organization that offers free services to young women and men facing an unplanned pregnancy.

Make a Sound Choice targets young people, parents, educational, medical and church professionals within a 125-mile radius of Fargo-Moorhead. Presentations are made both in secular and faith based schools and organizations by trained speakers who encourage abstinence from sexual expression until marriage, and from other risk behaviors, such as drugs and alcohol. Conferences and seminars are provided for educational and medical professionals.

Responsibilities: Providing assistance with various programs and events sponsored by MSC, and other office duties. There may also be an opportunity to work with the nurses of the clinic and clients facing unplanned pregnancies.

Site: Make-A-Wish Foundation

Responsibilities:Grant writing, coordinating wishes for children with terminal illnesses, organizing fund raising events, etc.

Site: Moorhead Parks and Recreation

Responsibilities: Fall/Spring: After school program attendance, accident forms, plan activities and lesson plans, work with school age children.

Summer: Field trips, group activities, games for elementary age children.

Site: NDSU Extension (CDFS)

Responsibilities: Research, developing education materials, delivery of education programs, designing educational programs. Topics include: fathering, divorce education, marriage and couple education, family enrichment program, parent education.

Site:Nokomis - Child Care Center

Nokomis is a private, non-profit organization providing affordable educational child care to children whose families need support due to special circumstances. Nokomis is accredited by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs. Hours of operation: 7:00 - 5:30 - M-F.

Site: Parenting Resource Center - Cass County Extension

Responsibilities:Participation in extension programs including parent education, youth development, lesson planning, attending workshops, making presentations, developing display and handout materials. (birth-18 yrs of age)

Site: Rainbow Bridge

Responsibilities: Transfer of children between custodial and non-custodial parent, monitoring visits for non-custodial parent. Assist in exchanges and supervised visitations, gathering statistics, assist in survey undertakings, scheduling and paperwork, help with volunteer program, intakes and newsletter, attend meetings. Fundraising activities, prepare and submit grant applications.

Site: Rape & Abuse Crisis Center

Responsibilities: Observe and document domestic violence and sexual assault cases in the court system. Advocacy and answering crisis calls.

Site: Right Track Program

Responsibilities; Development tracking program for children, birth to 2 years. Right Track provides developmental screenings, ideas on promoting child development. Etc.

Site: Riverview Place

Responsibilities: Participate in programming for elderly residents. Variety of other responsibilities as determined by supervisor and student.

Site: Ronald McDonald House

Address: 1234 Broadway - Fargo

Supervisor: Ruth Hagel

Description: "The Ronald McDonald House mission is to provide lodging and emotional support to families with sick children" . Focus areas include families registering families, limited interaction with children; house and office operations assist in the office, errands, house maintenance, guest room preparation; outreach give tours , participate in special events; volunteer program assist with any related needs

Site: RSVP

"RSVP" invites individuals 55+ to engage in meaningful volunteer service that meets critical community needs and enhances the lives of the volunteers themselves. Interns with a gerontology focus might explore the changing nature of older adults, particularly as the Baby Boomers begin retiring. North Dakota is graying at a pace faster than the national average, and there are important implications for the public sector, the private sector, and the service sector. Also, the depopulating of rural areas of the state will have consequences for our older residents. Service needs and service inclinations of older adults can and should be investigated to understand their evolving characteristics and evaluate the range of choices available to them.

Interns with a general nonprofit agency focus might work with RSVP Southern Valley to understand how organizations function. The intern will participate in daily operations of a service/volunteer placement organization with increasing levels of involvement and responsibility. Tasks include recruitment of volunteers, marketing, resource development, advisory council activities, volunteer recognition activities, interaction with other service agencies, and linkages to RSVP operations across North Dakota.

Site: SENDCAA Head Start/Early Head Start Family Advocate

Responsibilities: Work with the Family Advocate at several Head Start sites. The Family Advocate empowers families through personal and professional development, partnership and advocacy. The student will assist with recruitment, learn resources available in the community and share information with families as needed. Participate in development of programs and classes for parents/guardians. Encourage parent involvement and community involvement in Head Start/Early Head Start.

Site: Skills Development Program (Skills and Technology Center)

The Skills Development Project was developed to help New Americans, for whom English is a second language, prepare for skills training and certified nursing assistant courses. Office duties, computer knowledge are a part of this field experience.

Site: Sister's Path/ShareHouse

A non-profit organization in partnership with Fargo Housing Authority that provides housing and supportive chemical dependency related services for homeless single parent families. The mission of ShareHouse is to provide chemical treatment and recovery services to those in need and the prevention of abuse through education. The purpose of Sister's Path is to provide a sustainable safe and nurturing environment; with evidence-based services to promote the recovery of homeless single parenting families; helping them achieve a happy, healthy, self-sufficient life.

Responsibilities:Assist in the provision of childcare and/or structured child activities. Provide direct childcare or plan, implement and supervise structured activities for the children. Requires direct interaction with children ages birth to 18.

Site: Small Wonders Child Care Center

Responsibilities: Assisting in administration, parent education, and other director/manager activities.

Site: Southeast Human Service Center- Right Track Program

Responsibilities: Development tracking program for children, birth - two years. Right track provides developmental screenings, ideas on promoting child development, etc.

Required: Students much have a name tag before starting work. Name tag should say student's first name in Big Bold letters and next line say Student Teacher.

Site: Southeast KIDS (formerly Infant Development Program)

Administered by Northern Plains Special Education; Keith Gustafson, director

Early Intervention home based services for children ages birth to three years with developmental disabilities and delays and their families.

Site: Village Family Service Center - Family Group Decision Making

FGDM is strength based decision making process that brings together family members, friends, service providers, and others to create an action plan, care plan and/or protection plan for the well-being, permanency and/or reunification of children. Trained FGDM facilitators and case aides make all the arrangements, do extensive preparation, maintain neutrality, and guide the process during the family conference.

Responsibilities: would be to assist FGDM facilitaor with arranging family conferences and during the family conferences. Must have a comfort level with families displaying and addressing conflict. Light lifting and standing requirements. Site: Village Family Service Center - Financial Resource Center

Site: YMCA - several locations and opportunities for director placements

YMCA AmeriCorp- tutoring and mentoring youth

Site: YMCA - Calvary

At YMCA Calvary you will get onsite, hands-on training. The daily tasks will include assisting the director in new or upcoming events, assisting in the food program documentation, staff scheduling, child care enrollment, licensing regulations, accreditation and various other daily tasks that go along with being a childcare director.

Site: YWCA Shelter

Racial Justice: Responsibilities include researching activities and trainings to incorporate into our current racial justice programming, assist with developing age appropriate curriculum for Pre-K - Middle School students, contacting community groups to host unlearning racism, dialogues, compiling a monthly calendar of social/racial justice events, and involvement in YWCA Racial Justice Committee, and anti-racism trainings hosted by the YWCA.

Administrative: Responsibilities include updating our donor database, serving as a backup for front desk, duties, and special projects: Courtyard to Women, special mailings, assisting with development research.

Responsibilities: with the Children's Service Program (including child care and study buddies), enrolling families and providing basic case management to families. Assist the children's service coordinator with paperwork, filing, creating posters, assisting in enrolling student into school. May also work with the shelter's Parent Educator in planning events for the families, providing classes for children and mothers.