Harper Congressional Internship Program for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
About the Program
Established by Rep. Gregg Harper in 2010, the Congressional Internship Program for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities is a unique program designed to give students with varying intellectual disabilities an opportunity to gain congressional work experience. On Tuesday, December 11, 2018, the program was renamed the Gregg and Livingston Harper Congressional Internship Program for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities in honor of its founder, Gregg Harper, and his son Livingston.
Working in conjunction with George Mason University's LIFE Program – a postsecondary education program for young adults with intellectual disabilities – Harper launched the internship program with three Mason LIFE students and six House offices. To date, nearly 200 congressional offices from the House and Senate have participated.
Today, Harper continues to expand the program to accommodate additional students so that they are given the same exciting educational and enrichment opportunities typically afforded to congressional interns working here in the nation's capital.
How the Program Works
The Spring 2025 Harper Intern Program
Each participating office will be asked to host an intern for one two-hour session each week. During the weekly two-hour session, the intern will be accompanied by a job coach specifically trained to assist each student and will work to complete a variety of office tasks assigned to them by their congressional office.
In addition to fulfilling their weekly office responsibilities, the interns will have an opportunity to enjoy various enrichment activities coordinated by the program administrators. Some of the prior enrichment activities have included Capitol tours and trips to one of the many Smithsonian museums nearby.
The Spring 2025 semester will run from January 31 – May 2 2025. The deadline to sign-up will be January 17.
To sign your office up to participate in the spring semester of the Harper Intern Program, please click here.
The Committee on House Administration Republican Office, along with the staff of George Mason University's Mason Life Program will be hosting an informational briefing detailing The Gregg and Livingston Harper Congressional Internship Program for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, also referred to as the Harper Intern Program. The Harper Intern Program gives individuals with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to intern part-time in a congressional office, once a week for a two-hour period each semester. During this informational briefing, new offices will be provided with opportunities to learn about this important internship program and ways to get involved. Returning offices will hear more about best practices to optimize their intern's experience over the course of the semester.
Questions may be directed to marissa.mullen@mail.house.gov