We are thrilled to offer paid internship opportunities to passionate and dedicated individuals ready to gain hands-on experience.
HopeWell’s internship program is designed to provide students studying social work, mental health counseling, and/or marriage and family therapy with a comprehensive understanding of the various facets of foster care and family preservation work — while providing opportunities for them to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve.
As an intern at HopeWell, you will work alongside experienced professionals, engage in meaningful projects, and contribute to the well-being of the communities we support.
We are committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders and look forward to welcoming you to our team!
Questions about our internship program?
Contact Us
Dominique Cadet
Executive Assistant & Project Manager
(617) 629-2710
dcadet@hopewellinc.org
Internship Opportunities
To be eligible for an internship at HopeWell, candidates must be currently enrolled in an accredited social work, mental health counseling, marriage & family therapy, or related program at the undergraduate or graduate level. We seek individuals who are passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of others and are committed to upholding the highest ethical standards. Prospective interns should also demonstrate a genuine interest in learning more about youth who experience foster care, supporting families who are multi-stressed, and a willingness to engage with diverse populations.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage those with a desire to learn and grow in a dynamic, supportive environment to apply.
Note: We are no longer accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year. Please check back in Spring 2025 for updates on our 2025-2026 internship positions.
Social Work Intern
ABOUT THE JOB
Social work interns apply a child-centered, family-focused, trauma-informed approach to working with children and families. Social work interns do this by providing therapeutic interventions, advocacy, counseling, guidance, and community connections. Social work interns carry caseloads of children and/or foster families based on the needs of the program. Individuals and families served include children, foster families, birth families, kinship caregivers. Social work interns are responsible for ensuring child safety and well-being, as well as quality foster care in accordance with out-of-home placement practices, DCF policies and EEC regulations.
VIEW JOB DESCRIPTION
- Conduct ongoing clinical assessments and evaluations of children’s and foster parents’ progress and needs.
- In conjunction with the treatment team, develop a written treatment plan for each child outlining specific goals and when/how these goals will be met.
- Maintain case files and documentation for children, foster families, and biological families in accordance with state regulations and agency policies.
- Visit with children weekly and foster parents monthly or as needed based on policy and/or demands.
- In conjunction with the DCF, provide support and consultation to the biological families of foster children to enhance the child’s relationship with family members. Encourage regular contact and visitation between children and family members as indicated in the case plan. Seek to involve family members in plans and decisions regarding the child.
- Collaborate with DCF, community organizations and service providers as appropriate.
- Recruit, screen, study, approve and monitor foster homes to ensure safe, quality care and compliance with policies.
- Attend all necessary meetings including Foster Care Reviews, treatment planning meetings, intake and discharge planning meetings.
- Assist with recruitment events, appreciation celebrations, group activities, and any other HopeWell events.
- Maintain and submit required reporting logs as requested by Central Office.
- Facilitate support groups and training for foster parents as needed.
- Provide all pertinent paperwork, receipts, and necessary information to ensure timely and accurate processing of billing, reimbursements, client support expenses, purchases, etc.
- Attend weekly group and individual supervision meetings.
- Enrollment in a social work program from an accredited college or university.
- Experience with children and families preferred.
- High level accuracy and personal accountability for the quality and impact of work
- Excellent communication skills, professional demeanor, sound judgment, and strong organizational skills.
- A high level of professionalism in work and interpersonal interactions with both internal and external contacts, organized, informed, and approachable.
- Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well.
- Reliable and dependable.
- Team Player: Works well as a member of a group.
- Ability to work with diverse populations.
- Proficient in basic computer skills and Microsoft Office. Ability to navigate and document in clinical computerized patient care records.
- Bilingual in Spanish/bicultural candidates are encouraged to apply.
- This role involves predominantly home based and community-based work with occasional remote work opportunities. During home and community visits there are possible environmental exposures including pets.
- Daily access to an automobile is required.
- Driving is required in and out of the catchment area.
- A valid MA State Driver’s License
- Remain current in all DCF required training during the internship.
- Other duties as assigned to support quality care.
- Clearing of background checks as required by state and federal law.
- Commitment to our organizational vision, missions, and program values including Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity work
- While interning at HopeWell, compensation will be provided
- Milage reimbursement
- Interns at HopeWell are provided a login to Relias: E-Academy, which provides access to thousands of online training courses in the human services sector.
- Access to monthly virtual training program organized by HopeWell.
- Interns are invited to attend HopeWell staff engagement events throughout the year. Previous events have included virtual paint nights, Level 99, Apple picking, and virtual charcuterie board workshops.
Social Work Intern
ABOUT THE JOB
MA Level Intern will be responsible for maintaining a caseload that meets their client contact hours requirement. The MA intern will provide individual and family counseling and advocacy services to each client. In addition, interns will make referrals to community services for each child/adolescent/family. Master’s level interns will report to the program’s Clinical Supervisor.
VIEW JOB DESCRIPTION
- Provide clinical counseling services for children/ adolescents/families.
- Develop a working knowledge of community resources and make appropriate referrals.
- Advocate on behalf of child/adolescent/family with other community programs.
- Provide ongoing support for family members when a referral has been made to an outside agency.
- Provide clinical counseling services.
- Provide a minimum of two weekly individual/family counseling sessions for each child/adolescent/family.
- Develop a working knowledge of community resources and make appropriate referrals.
- Advocate on behalf of child/adolescent/family with other community programs.
- Participate in co-leading time-limited groups, as needed.
- Make referrals to other community agencies such as clinics, employment/vocational centers, etc.
- Provide ongoing support for family members when a referral has been made to an outside agency.
- Submit weekly case notes and monthly reports to supervisor.
- Attend weekly group and individual supervision meetings.
- Other duties as required by director and immediate supervisor
- Enrollment in a mental health counseling, social work, or marriage and family counseling master’s level program within an accredited college or university.
- Experience working with children, adolescents and families with severe behavioral, social, and emotional challenges preferred.
- Nonjudgmental ability to foster self-sufficiency in families using problem-solving and practical skills.
- Ability to establish trusting relationships through compassion, empathy, and insight.
- Knowledge of and training in child development and children’s mental health experience.
- Demonstrated sensitivity to the needs of families from diverse cultural or linguistic backgrounds.
- Computer proficiency including ability to work with email and word processing software
- Effective teamwork skills
- Scheduling flexibility
- Good listening skills
- Bilingual in Spanish/bicultural candidates are encouraged to apply.
- This role involves predominantly home based and community-based work with occasional remote work opportunities. During home and community visits there are possible environmental exposures including pets.
- Daily access to an automobile is required.
- Driving is required in and out of the catchment area.
- A valid MA State Driver’s License
- Remain current in all DCF required training during the internship.
- Other duties as assigned to support quality care.
- Clearing of background checks as required by state and federal law.
- Commitment to our organizational vision, missions, and program values including a commitment to Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity work.
- While interning at HopeWell, compensation will be provided
- Milage reimbursement
- Interns at HopeWell are provided a login to Relias: E-Academy, which provides access to thousands of online training courses in the human services sector.
- Access to monthly virtual training program organized by HopeWell.
- Interns are invited to attend HopeWell staff engagement events throughout the year. Previous events have included virtual paint nights, Level 99, Apple picking, and virtual charcuterie board workshops.
Internship FAQs
Do HopeWell interns receive compensation or benefits?
Yes, interns are paid an hourly wage. Interns are entitled to sick time, as required by law. However, they are not eligible for employee benefits, such as vacation time or health, dental, or vision insurance.
How much do interns get paid?
- Undergraduate interns: $18 per hour
- Graduate interns: $20 per hour
Is there an option to work remotely as an intern?
The ability to work remotely during an internship can vary. While direct client-facing work must be done in person (as it requires face-to-face interactions with clients), there may be opportunities for interns to complete certain administrative tasks remotely.
The option for remote work is program- and contract-specific, and the details would need to be discussed and agreed upon prior to the start of the internship.