Field Sites For PCPS Students
Each semester, the Counseling and Human Services program places at least one intern with The NEPA Youth Shelter. This field site provides quality emergency shelter and related services to at-risk youth ages 14 through high school graduation from all counties in NEPA. With its drop-in center and rapid rehousing program, the NEPA Youth Shelter provides essentials such as food, clothing, and bathrooms, as well as services such as educational support, counseling, family reunification, preparation for independent living, and/or housing for those 18 and older. With a focus on social justice and advocacy, the Shelter is welcoming to youth from all backgrounds and especially affirming to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth, as this population constitutes a high percentage of homeless youth in our area. Click here to learn more about the NEPA Youth Shelter.
The United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA is a field site frequently used by the Community Health Education/Health Promotion program. The UNC is a nonprofit agency dedicated to meeting the needs of local low-income families, seniors, youth, and new immigrants while also empowering them to attain self-sufficiency. One program within UNC is Community Health. This program is a bridge to connect health care and social services, with the goal of improving health outcomes for at-risk individuals. These supportive services assist clients by helping them navigate through the process of accessing quality and affordable health care, as well as to help them take an active role in managing their own challenging health conditions. Examples of work completed by students assigned to UNC include developing a healthy recipe and nutrition education program for food pantry clients, building an older adult health resource website and creating a multi-language guide to help staff refer community members to community resources. Click here to learn more about the United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA.
The Health Administration and Human Resources program places students each semester at Geisinger Community Medical Center. Geisinger CMC provides support in the community by establishing relationships and building trust. They promote community health and advocacy through engagement and providing patient education and information about preventive services. Their goal is to increase access to care in both clinical and community settings, identifying services needed to reduce health disparities. Geisinger has a dedicated leadership team who provide HAHR students with the opportunity to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-life experiences, such as attending leadership meetings and learning the operations of a health care organization. They also have the opportunity to work on special projects and learn the importance of teamwork. Click here to learn more about Geisinger CMC.
