Natalia Ostaszewski

Responsibilities

During my time at the Jasper County Health Department, I attended numerous meetings and completed a variety of projects. I was able to see the in's and out's of a county health department. The Jasper County Health Department has 4 departments (Environmental Health, Home Care, Parents as Teachers and Public Health). JCHD works together as a team and I was able to work with each department at some point during my internship. This opportunity allowed me to be exposed to as much as I could during these short 11 weeks. A lot of my work was completed on my computer creating brochures and flyers, social media posts and grant writing. In between all of my own projects, I assisted the new Parents as Teachers program, attended numerous meetings and participated in a few interviews.

Accomplishments

• Attend Board of Health & Board of Supervisors meetings • Attend coalition meetings o Substance Abuse and Mental Health • Assist with Parents as Teachers o Create activities for educators to bring to home visits • Grant writing • Assist with planning of fairs and events within Jasper County o Ragbrai, Senior Health & Fitness Fair, Child Abuse Prevention Month • Social media o Twitter, Facebook & Instagram o Health promotion, job postings & health updates • Create brochures o Parents as Teachers, Home Care Aide, Pre-teens & Teenagers • Assist during interviews for current job postings • Create activities for students and teachers o Do not tan before prom pledge o Coloring contests for elementary students

What advice would you give?

My biggest advice for future students is to expose yourself to as much as you can during your internship. This is your time to learn as much as you can and create connections that you can use in the future. Your internship is a learning experience and as much as you put into it is what you will get out of it! Also, don't be scared to ask questions! Your internship coordinator wants to see you succeed just as much as you do!