Policy Intern

This is a part-time internship (approximately 20 hours per week, depending on intern availability) with the opportunity to work from anywhere in the USA. The hours can be flexible to accommodate school schedules and other commitments. Candidates should be able to begin in July 2026 (flexible start date) and commit to a 5-month internship. Do your best work here. As part of our Strategic Communications and Policy Team, Hopelab’s policy strategy leverages our 20-plus years of experience supporting equity-centered solutions for the mental health and well-being of young people. We seek to influence how evidence-based policy is created, the elevation of youth voice and participation in policymaking, and the issue areas that impact the young people Hopelab serves. Our focus includes policies with implications for young people’s well-being that may go beyond policy directly focusing on mental health, including assessing our role at the state and federal levels. Our multi-year approach leans into our expertise in research and translational science, investments in young leaders, partnerships, convening power, and financial support. Focusing on policymaker education rooted in the lived experience and expertise of young people, we envision a policy landscape rooted in evidence and co-created with young people. For 2026-27, Hopelab has identified four opportunity areas in policy: State-level focus on opportunities for growth within the Medicaid system, both in YMH digital innovation