Chatham Health Alliance

Childcare Food Assessment Intern

The Chatham Health Alliance (Alliance) is a collaborative of local professionals and residents
working together to improve health in Chatham County with a focus on the three health priorities
identified in the 2014 Community Health Assessment- Obesity, Access to Mental Health Services, and
Access to Healthcare. In January 2016, the Alliance received a three-year grant through the Duke
Endowment Healthy People, Healthy Carolinas (HPHC) to increase the number of Chatham residents
positively affected by health promoting policies, environmental changes, and evidence based
programs. For more information visit www.chathamnc.org/chathamhealthalliance. This position is
funded through the HPHC program.

General Duties & Responsibilities: Early childhood is a critical time in childrens physical,
emotional, and social development, and childcare centers present an ideal environment to promote
healthy food and establish healthy eating habits for life. The Alliance sees engaging childcare centers
as a critical part of the Alliances work to impact obesity in Chatham County. This position will work
closely with the obesity subcommittee of the Alliance, Health Department, and childcare providers to
conduct an assessment of childcare food environments in Chatham County in order to identify the best
way for the Alliance to work with childcare centers.

Specific responsibilities of this position include the following:

Co-lead, with Health Department staff, the childcare food environments working group of the
Obesity Subcommittee
Work collaboratively with the childcare food environments working group to develop
relevant research questions and identify data needed
Determine appropriate means of primary data collection
Develop and collect primary data, this may include surveys, interviews, and/or focus groups
with stakeholder in Chatham County and neighboring counties
Review secondary data, including the Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for
Child Care (NAPSACC) data
Review evidence-based programs, environmental and policy solutions to improve childcare
food environments in Chatham County
Compile and create recommendations based on needs assessment and program review
Present assessment results and recommendations to appropriate stakeholders

Deliverables:
Research questions
Data collection instruments (surveys, interview guides, and/or focus group guides)
Summary of assessment findings
List of programs, environmental, and policy solutions reviewed
Recommendations
Presentation for stakeholders

Time Commitment: 240 total hours between May and August 2017. The Chatham County Public
Health Department office is open Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm. This position may provide an
opportunity for flexible scheduling.

Compensation: $20/hour
Qualifications:
Masters student or recent graduate.
Ability to design and conduct community-based data collection and evaluation.
Ability to interpret and evaluate data.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
Ability to take initiative and work independently.
Interest in early childhood health, rural health and health disparities.

To apply submit cover letter and CV/resume to

Sarah Weller Pegna (sarah.weller@chathamnc.org) by February 28th.