Internship sites
HDFS program has partnered with nearly 100 local organizations to provide our students with the opportunity to apply what they have learned, in a professional setting, under the guidance and supervision of a qualified professional. Students are assigned a site supervisor with whom they work closely and communicate with often. Students can intern at any of the sites below or work with their internship coordinator to identify a site outside of this list, when appropriate.
Are you a prospective site interested in being a placement for our students? Let us know!
Current sites, please request changes by contacting Jenna Dewar.
Current internship sites
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada
BBBSNN is a youth mentoring program serving the Reno, Sparks, and Carson City areas. We serve at-risk youth by pairing them with an adult volunteer mentor. Our professional staff screen and train potential youth and mentors and support the mentoring relationships.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada internship site information sheet
Child Assault Prevention Project of Washoe County
The Child Assault Prevention office is located in downtown Reno a block away from the Nevada Museum of Art. This is where all of the office work is done as well as the training and preparation for our Child Abuse Awareness/Child Self-Protection Workshops. The Workshops are presented in all of the Elementary Schools in Washoe, Storey, Lyon and Churchill Counties.
Child Assault Prevention Project of Washoe County internship site information sheet
Dr. Pinocchio Pediatric Wellness Center
We provide services to children from newborn through teenage years with a variety of strengths and differences. Specific to the HDFS internship, we have a program called "Playcare" which is a group for 3-5-year-olds focused on social-emotional and sensory learning as a preparatory experience prior to transitioning to a more traditional classroom setting such as kindergarten. Our staff includes occupational therapists and speech therapists.
Dr. Pinocchio Pediatric Wellness Center internship site information sheet
Family Respite Care of Nevada
Family Respite Care of Nevada delivers center and community-based programs designed to offer essential respite care to families tending to children, youth, and young adults with developmental and physical disabilities. This includes individuals with autism, mental and behavioral challenges, as well as those in foster or adoptive care.
Family Respite Care of Nevada HDFS internship site information sheet
Nevada Early Intervention Services
NEIS provides children from birth to three and their families with developmental services in their natural environment at no cost to the families.
Nevada Early Intervention Services HDFS internship site information sheet
Spread the Word Nevada
Spread the Word Nevada is the state’s largest childhood literacy nonprofit, dedicated to advancing early literacy and language development in under-resourced communities. Through its innovative programs and community partnerships, the organization provides children with access to books, reading support, and educational mentorship, helping pave the way for long-term academic and economic success.
Spread the Word Nevada HDFS internship site information sheet
The Solace Tree for Grieving Children, Teens, and Families
The Solace Tree is a non-profit organization that provides grief support to children, teens, and adults coping with loss.
The Solace Tree for Grieving Children, Teens, and Families HDFS internship site information sheet
Urban Roots
Urban Roots is an urban teaching farm that strives to change the way communities eat and learn through garden education.
Urban Roots internship site information sheet
Eddy House
Eddy House is a daytime drop-in center and overnight shelter for homeless, runaway, foster, and other at-risk youth. Eddy House works with youth to develop life and job skills necessary for sustainable independence with the goal of ending youth homelessness in Northern Nevada. From outreach to aftercare, Eddy House meets youth where they are and will help youth reach their success through individualized case plans.
The Eddy House HDFS internship site information sheet
Our Center
We are the LGBTQIA2S+ community center for northern Nevada. Our mission is to maintain a safe, empowering, and supportive center for the LGBTQ+ community and allies that addresses advocacy, education, and services. We seek to build, connect, and strengthen the LGBTQ+ community through community building, arts and culture programming and inclusive activities.
Our Center site information sheet
Western Nevada Regional Youth Center
WNRYC achieves its mission through the provision of evidence-based and coordinated substance use and behavioral health services while partnering with Nevada's Juvenile Court system, the youth and their families. WNRYC values comprehensive integrated treatment through developmentally informed programming in a Person First culture.
Western Nevada Regional Youth Center HDFS internship site information sheet
Northern Nevada Literacy Council
The Northern Nevada Literacy Council is a community-based, non-profit organization that provides free classes to adults who 1) dropped out of high school and now wish to obtain their high school equivalency, or 2) are foreign-born and wish to learn English.
NNLC HDFS internship site information sheet
Aleph Academy
Aleph Academy is a premiere center for early childhood education. Inspired by the Reggio approach, our school combines the arts, nature, Jewish values, and academic excellence to create a culture of learning and exploration.
Aleph Academy HDFS internship site information sheet
Child and Family Research Center
The Child and Family Research Center provides a developmental, child-centered approach to early education. Sites are both on and off the University campus and serve Infants through Pre-K children. Some sites are Early Head Start sites that provide free of cost for low-income families with children under the age of 3. In addition to quality child care, Early Head Start provides referrals for parents, conducts developmental, nutrition, and health screenings to monitor the development of children, holds monthly parent engagement activities, and provides meals and diapers for children while at the center.
Child and Family Research Center internship site information sheet
Doral Academy of Northern Nevada
Doral Academy of Northern Nevada (DANN) is a K-8 state-funded charter school dedicated to creating an enhanced and engaging whole-child educational experience. DANN will provide an academically rigorous learning environment with a strong emphasis on problem-based learning, arts integration, and social and emotional development. A collaborative effort, with all students, parents, and staff, will be devoted to establishing, achieving, and celebrating individual goals to prepare every student for college, career, and civic life.
Doral Academy of Northern Nevada internship site information sheet
Honors Academy of Literature
K-8 Charter school serving 230 Northern Nevada students since 2012.
Honors Academy of Literature internship site information sheet
Newton Northern NV
The Newton Northern NV serves children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and aims to create an individualized, high-quality academic and social approach to achieve a dynamic level of success in every child's future. This is accomplished by partnering with families and the community to provide a safe, fun, and supportive learning environment.
Newton Northern NV HDFS internship site information sheet
Purple Door Preschool
Purple Door Preschool is a school serving 3-5-year-olds. We are a true preschool open from 8:45 a.m. to p.m. We do provide after-school care for a small group of children including some elementary school students.
Purple Door Preschool HDFS internship site information sheet
Sierra Nevada Journeys
Sierra Nevada Journeys is a local education non-profit based out of Northern Nevada and the Sacramento area whose mission is to deliver innovative outdoor, science-based education programs for elementary youth to develop critical thinking skills and inspire natural resource stewardship.
Sierra Nevada Journeys HDFS internship site information sheet
WCSD Signature Academy and Career and Technical Education
The Reed and Hug High School Human Services programs are a part of the Enterprise Project Signature Academy. Students in these high school Career and Technical Education programs take 4 years of Human & Social Services courses and earn articulated credit and dual credit in Human Development Family Science. Students in the Human Services program prepare for careers in Counseling and Mental Health Services, Family and Community Services, Early Childhood Development Services, Personal Care Services, Consumer Services, and Human Services Careers related to Food, Nutrition, Clothing, and Housing. The program focuses on building empathetic community leaders through various service-learning projects like a student-run school food pantry, the annual free trick-or-treating event for children in our community, a holiday giving tree, and much more.
Proctor R Hug High School internship site information sheet
Reed High School internship site information sheet
Wonder and Unwind
We are a Developmental Play Center for children ages 0-6. We have sectioned areas depending on age to ensure safe and age-appropriate learning are heavily focused on unstructured play to encourage child-led learning and discovery closely following a Montessori style. We also feature a parent lounge area for parents and caregivers to be able to relax and take a breather.
Wonder and Unwind HDFS internship site information sheet
Boys and Girls Club of Truckee Meadows
The Boys & Girls Club of Truckee Meadows is a nonprofit organization that is focused on providing a safe place for kids to go before and after school, during school breaks, and during the summer to grow beyond the classroom. We serve youth in 38+ locations across Northern Nevada ranging from 6 weeks of age to 18 years old.
Boys and Girls Club HDFS internship site information sheet
Child and Family Research Center – Home Visiting
The Child and Family Research Center home visiting program consists of weekly home visits conducted by a certified parent-child educator. Home visitors use the Parents As Teachers curriculum, and home-based services include referrals, developmental screenings, nutrition assessments, health screenings, parent engagement activities, and much more to highlight the importance of parents as a child's first educator.
Child and Family Research Center - home visiting internship site information sheet
Community Services Agency (CSA) Head Start
Community Services Agency (CSA) is a non-profit social service organization that was established in 1965. The Education Department of CSA provides comprehensive early care and education services to over 600 low-income children from birth to 5 years through Head Start, Early Head Start, and State Pre-K programs.
CSA HDFS internship site information sheet
Division of Child and Family Services/Wraparound in Nevada
Wraparound in Nevada (WIN) offers to models designed to help identify and address the why behind what behaviors, and what those and other life challenges are communicating. WIN sits within the Division of Child and Family Services/State of Nevada, and is a voluntary youth mental health program. FOCUS, an evidenced promising model, is designed to support youth and families seeking initial mental health diagnoses or those who are beginning to access those services. High-Fidelity Wraparound is designed to support youth and families that have tried multiple services and supports that have not addressed needs, or those youth at risk for residential placements, or those who are returning from residential placements.
Division of Child and Family Services/Wraparound in Nevada internship site information sheet
IIRS (Intersecting Identities and Relationship Study) Research Lab - Government, Public Policy, and Research
Dr. Mitchell heads the IIRS ( Intersecting Identities and Relationship Study) Research Lab. Her research broadly focuses on the experiences of individuals and families with one or more marginalized and minoritized identities, with a particular focus on the impact of intersectionality within larger societal, educational, and familial contexts. The lab utilizes mixed methods; however, Dr. Mitchell's expertise is in qualitative methods. She is particularly interested in mentoring undergraduate and graduate students interested in conducting qualitative intersectional research.
IIRS HDFS internship site information sheet
Ron Wood Family Resource Center
The Ron Wood Family Resource Center, located in Carson City, connects individuals, families, and the community with assistance and resources; a community-wide cooperative effort between the private sector and governmental agencies promoting healthy family relationships through education and support services.
Ron Wood HDFS internship site information sheet
Volunteers of America
Volunteers of America/ReStart PATH program provides vital outreach services to people who are homeless and have serious mental illness in order to connect individuals to needed emergency shelter and food services, as well as to provide case management to assist people in obtaining appropriate housing, mental health services, increase income benefits, mental health benefits, medical health benefits, assess to employment opportunities, and access to medical care.
Volunteers of America HDFS internship site information sheet
IIRS (Intersecting Identities and Relationship Study) Research Lab
Dr. Mitchell heads the IIRS ( Intersecting Identities and Relationship Study) Research Lab. Her research broadly focuses on the experiences of individuals and families with one or more marginalized and minoritized identities, with a particular focus on the impact of intersectionality within larger societal, educational, and familial contexts. The lab utilizes mixed methods; however, Dr. Mitchell's expertise is in qualitative methods. She is particularly interested in mentoring undergraduate and graduate students interested in conducting qualitative intersectional research.
IIRS HDFS internship site information sheet
National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges
The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges serves professionals in the juvenile and family justice system. They provide national training, technical assistance, research, and policy development to professionals to improve outcomes for children, families, and victims within the justice system.
NCJFCJ HDFS internship site information sheet
Northern Nevada International Center
Leading Nevada's Global Engagement: Fostering better understanding between people through our public diplomacy programs, language and culture projects, and foreign policy forums.
Northern Nevada International Center HDFS internship site information sheet
Reno Police Department Victim Services Unit
The Reno Police Department Victim Services Unit is a unit dedicated to assisting victims of violent crime. Our team, as well as the rest of the department, continues to work towards integrating a victim-centered and trauma-informed approach when assisting people who have experienced traumatic events.
RPD HDFS internship site information sheet
Washoe County Alternate Public Defender
We are the alternate public defender's office for Washoe County, providing representation to indigent criminal defendants, parents of children removed from the home and juvenile participants.
Washoe County Alternate Public Defender internship site information sheet
Washoe County Human Services Agency (WCHSA)
WCHSA promotes the health, safety, and well-being of children, adults, and seniors who are vulnerable to abuse, neglect, and exploitation. We provide an array of protective and supportive services to families and individuals to enhance their quality of life by ensuring they are optimizing their self-reliance and self-sufficiency, as we strive to have a strengthened, safe, and thriving community. We have the following divisions that have multiple programs/areas: Children's Services, Adult Services, Senior Services, and Housing & Homeless Services.
Washoe County Human Services Agency Information Sheet
Washoe County Sheriff's Office
The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) provides law enforcement services to the unincorporated areas of Washoe County. It operates the county’s sole adult detention facility, which houses both pretrial detainees and sentenced misdemeanants. The Bridge @ WCSO delivers pre-release, rehabilitative programming and support services within the detention facility to inmates who are eligible and willing to participate.
Washoe County Sheriff's Office internship site information sheet
Awaken
Awaken is a local faith-based non-profit organization whose mission is to increase awareness and education surrounding the issue of commercial sexual exploitation and to provide housing and restoration to victims.
Awaken HDFS internship site information sheet
Biggest Little Baby
We partner with local nonprofits in the birth community and provide education, fitness/yoga classes, and support from pregnancy through preschool.
Biggest Little Baby HDFS internship site information sheet
1Care Hospice & 1Care Kids Palliative Program
1Care Hospice & 1Care Kids offers in-home medical support services for adults and children in the greater Reno, NV area. 1Care provides in-home nursing, social work, child life specialist, and chaplain services to our clients in a compassionate, individualized, and supportive way.
1Care Hospice & 1Care Kids Palliative Internship site information sheet
Crisis Support Services of Nevada
Crisis Support Services of Nevada is a 24/7/365 crisis and suicide intervention hotline. Any HDFS intern would answer phone/text lines and help with other projects around the office as needed.
Crisis Support Services of Nevada HDFS internship site information sheet
Disability Resource Center
The Disability Resource Center's institutional charge is to serve students with disabilities, providing academic accommodations and access to an equitable learning environment.
DRC internship site information sheet
Join Together Northern Nevada
Join Together Northern Nevada is a nonprofit substance abuse prevention coalition. We bring citizens, agencies, businesses, and government together toward the common goal of building a healthy, drug-free community.
Join Together Northern Nevada HDFS internship site information sheet
kiddOTherapy
kiddOTherapy, LLC, provides occupational therapy services to children ages birth to 22, using an individualized approach to pediatric occupational therapy, focusing on the primary role of families as partners.
kiddOTherapy HDFS internship site information sheet
Koinonia Day Treatment Program
Koinonia’s Day Treatment is a therapeutic milieu serving children ages 6 to 18 who have experienced chronic interpersonal trauma. Its purpose is to nurture children who suffer from PTSD and other mental health diagnoses back to a healthy mental state as well as help integrate their youth back into the community as independent and successful members of society. The youth receive therapeutic services in a therapeutic milieu and feedback throughout their day.
Koinonia Day Treatment Program internship site information sheet
Planned Parenthood Mar Monte
Planned Parenthood Mar Monte serves the community with affordable and accessible general health and reproductive services, education programs, and advocacy initiatives.
Planned Parenthood Mar Monte HDFS internship site information sheet
Quest Counseling & Consulting
Quest Counseling & Consulting is a full-service behavioral health, mental health, and rehabilitation outpatient facility.
Quest Counseling & Consulting HDFS internship site information sheet
Safe Embrace
Safe Embrace is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to educating our community and providing services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. For over 17 years, we have been committed to ending the cycle of intimate partner violence with innovative intervention and prevention services in Reno, Nevada.
Safe Embrace HDFS internship site information sheet
Soulful Seeds
Soulful Seeds builds and manages neighborhood gardens to teach people to plant, grow, and harvest their own food and help them move into a more sustainable life.
Soulful Seeds HDFS internship site information sheet
STEP2
STEP2 offers an internship program that touches all 10 content areas of Family Life Education. Interns are able to work directly with clients, as well as with each department of a non-profit, ultimately understanding how all areas work in concert to drive the agency in achieving goals.
STEP2 HDFS internship site information sheet
First-Generation Student Center (Previously TRIO Scholars)
The First-Generation Student Center is comprised of four federally-funded TRIO programs (TRIO Scholars, TRIO STEM Scholars, McNair Scholars, CCAMPIS) and two outside funded programs (First in the Pack, Fostering the Pack) on campus of the University of Nevada, Reno. Our mission is to assist low-income, first generation, and underrepresented collect students to overcome the cultural, academic, class, and social barriers to succeed in higher education.
First-Generation Student Center internship site information sheet
Nevada Football
Nevada Football is looking for interns interested in operations, administration, recruiting, and player development.
Nevada Football HDFS internship site information sheet
Nevada's Recovery and Prevention (NRAP)
NRAP is a student community at the University of Nevada, Reno that centers recovery, resilience, and wellness. We create a space of belonging where students in recovery, seeking recovery, living substance-free, and supportive allies can connect, grow, and thrive.
NRAP HDFS internship site information sheet
Path to Independence
Path to Independence offers a two-year, non-degree certificate program for students with intellectual/developmental disabilities, emphasizing academics and campus activities, employment, and independent living.
Path to Independence HDFS internship site information sheet
The Multicultural Center
The Multicultural Center is a critical hub of cultural, LGBTQIA, gender-focused services, programs, and social justice initiatives that support student success and increase graduation rates of students at the University of Nevada, Reno. The Multicultural Center empowers students to be innovative colleagues in creating a better-integrated community at the University and beyond.
The Multicultural Center HDFS internship site information sheet
University Center of Autism and Neurodevelopment
We provide initial referrals, diagnostic evaluations for autism and follow-up case management.
The University Center of Autism and Neurodevelopment internship site information sheet