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.
Key Responsibilities
- 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.
Qualifications
- 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*
Other Requirements
- 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
Benefits
- 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.
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