Organization Started in 1974, CICOA is a not-for-profit agency that helps seniors and people of any age with a disability remain comfortably and safely at home and out of institutional care. CICOA became the state administrator for the Dementia Friends Indiana initiative in 2017. The mission of Dementia Friends Indiana is to advance awareness and understanding of dementia, reduce the stigma, and empower community members to create more conducive and welcoming environments for people living with dementia and their care partners. CICOA currently partners with other Area Agencies on Aging throughout Indiana to disseminate this initiative statewide.

https://cicoa.org/

Job/Project Overview

The MSHM Intern will work directly with CICOA’s Dementia Programs Supervisor as the Dementia Friendly Indianapolis Community Coordinator/Liaison. The community coordinator/liaison will be responsible for convening an action team of capable and willing volunteers who represent a broad spectrum of community stakeholders. The community coordinator/liaison will serve as the primary point of contact for Dementia Friendly Indianapolis efforts and will be responsible for coordinating ongoing action team meetings, goal setting, program implementation, and community engagement opportunities. Ideally, the MSHM Intern will host a community-wide kickoff event to introduce the greater community of Indianapolis to dementia-friendly initiatives and apply for Dementia Friendly America recognition as a dementia-friendly city.

Qualifications

• Strong partnership development experience and all-around project management skills. You find joy in building partnerships, networks, and relationships with a clear understanding of the challenges in doing so.

• Experience working with and/or caring for people living with dementia is strongly preferred. Overall awareness of the needs of older adults and people living with disabilities and the barriers they face in our communities.

• Highly proactive, self-motivated, creative, and flexible approach, with excellent time management and organizational skills.

• Experience in collecting, recording, and presenting data and information clearly and concisely.

• Strong knowledge of commonly used technology platforms (Microsoft Office, customer relationship management databases, Zoom, Teams, etc.).

Preceptor

Melinda Winnie is a certified dementia practitioner and dementia programs supervisor for CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions where she leads the statewide Dementia Friends Indiana initiative. She also serves as the project site coordinator for an Alzheimer’s Disease Programs Initiative grant. Drawing on insights gleaned from her personal and professional experience of caregiving, Melinda has made it her mission to bring awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias to Hoosiers and to help those impacted by it to remain included, accepted, and connected with the community.