Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Seaton Foundation Internship Program?
The Seaton Foundation Internship Program is an immersive program for college students interested in the field of cognitive disabilities and long-term care. The Seaton Foundation places interns at LiveOak Living Community. LiveOak was started in 2002 as an innovative assisted living facility for adults with cognitive disabilities including mental illness, brain injury, developmental disabilities and autism.
What are cognitive disabilities?
-
Traumatic Brain Injuries
-
Mental Illness
-
Intellectual development disabilities
-
Aging related cognitive disabilities such as Alzheimer's and dementia
2. How do I become an intern with the Seaton Foundation?
The Seaton Foundation Internship Program has established six internship opportunities within Texas State University. Programs currently offering internships through the Seaton Foundation include; Healthcare Administration, Psychology, Sociology, Exercise and Sports Science, and Professional Health Development. We are also affiliated with the Texas State Service-Learning Department. Click Here for more information.
We are constantly looking for new internship opportunities. If you would like to see if your internship would qualify, please contact us here.
3. What will I learn as an intern?
The Seaton Foundation Internship Program is focused on providing education and direction to the next generation of professionals in cognitive disabilities and long-term care. This mission allows the internship program to be very broad in scope and allows us to shape internships to meet each students individual educational goals. The internship program focuses on three distinct areas:
-
Direct Care for Adults with Cognitive Disabilities: Interns learn how to provide daily care and support to individuals with cognitive disabilities such as mental illness, traumatic brain injury, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and dementia.
-
Long-term Care Business and Administration: Interns learn about the inner workings of assisted living communities. Interns attend company meetings, attend training sessions, observe admissions, and assist with marketing.
-
Research: The Seaton Foundation wishes to further research in improving long-term care through research. We provide stipends to students interested in completing research in this area. Past interns have researched turnover for Direct Support Professionals in long-term care and university students perceptions of careers in long-term care.
4. Which areas of study best fit for this internship program?
The skills gained and principles learned in this internship span numerous disciplines. The Seaton Foundation Internship Program has offered internship opportunities to students studying Psychology, Healthcare Administration, Social Work, Recreational Therapy, Professional Health Development,Exercise and Sports Science, Marketing, and Research.
We are constantly looking for new internship opportunities. If you would like to see if your internship would qualify, please contact us here.
5. How do I know if this internship is right for me?
The Seaton Foundation seeks to expose students to several different facets of long-term care and cognitive disabilities. Students with a passion for working with adults with cognitive disabilities such as mental illness, traumatic brain injury, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and dementia are best suited for this internship program.
6. What criteria will I have to meet to become an intern?
The Seaton Foundation requires that every intern pass a background check, drug test, and TB test. Outside of those requirements, the Seaton Foundation follows the hours and requirements outlined by the professor teaching the internship course.
7. Describe a day in the shoes of a Seaton Foundation Intern:
Each internship is designed to meet student’s personal educational goals. As a result, no two internship programs are exactly alike. However, common denominators include; shadowing Direct-Support Professionals in providing support to the residents of the assisted living community, meeting with administrative staff to learn more about long-term care, attending staff meetings and trainings, and leading clubs and classes for residents to participate in.