Child Welfare Division Intern

D A Blodgett-St Johns•Grand Rapids, MI

About The Position

The Child Welfare Division Intern’s work includes observing, gaining insight and knowledge related to, and participating in serving children and parents and participating in a collaborative team to ensure the child’s ongoing safety and well-being. The end goal is for the child to reach permanency, which can include the child’s safe return home to a parent, adoption, guardianship, or independent living. This highly impactful role requires people with a unique blend of strengths including compassion, organization, communication, and perseverance. And while the Child Welfare Division Intern has access to frequent supervisory support, the role requires that the Intern is able to engage in consultation and collaborative teaming across the division as the role requires the intern to creatively adapt to a diverse array of situations. Additionally, this role requires a candidate who is committed to flexing their schedules to meet children and families in the community at times that are best for them.

Requirements

High School Diploma but enrolled in Bachelor’s program in human service-related field (psychology, social work, etc).
Acceptance of supervision in order to improve engagement, teaching, guiding of new skillsets with children in the foster care system and case management skills.
Demonstrate an ability to learn and a commitment to growth in working with children and families within the foster care system.
Basic knowledge of the foster care system and experience children and families have within the system. Or commitment to growth in this area.
Valid driver's license, good driving record and adequate insurance with a car available at all times.
Basic computer skills with knowledge of Microsoft Outlook (i.e. keeping Outlook calendar up to date) and other software programs.
The ability to articulate ideas and prepare written reports and correspondence that are of a high professional standard, are grammatically correct and are timely.
Ability to collaborate with school, department of health & human service, behavioral health and medical health personnel.
Become familiar with and agree to abide by the related agency policies.
Ability to be self-directed and autonomous while also operating as an interdisciplinary team.
The ability to work with a variety of clients and staff of differing socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
Personal qualities of warmth, sensitivity, and ability to establish meaningful therapeutic relationships.
A personal commitment to the Agency’s mission and values as demonstrated in service delivery.

Responsibilities

Gain familiarity with MDHHS Policy Manuals.
Participate in strengthening and demonstrating foster care case management skills and clinical services to parents, or those legally responsible, and the child(ren) both while the children are in Foster Care and to the family once the child(ren) is/are returned home (aftercare supervision).
Observe court testimony
Gain knowledge of and observe modeling related to the placement and supervision of children in Foster Care.
Gain knowledge of comprehensive services provided to parents whose children are in Foster Care.
Gain knowledge of how to assess for strengths and needs, and how to complete timely service referrals.
Provide foster parent and relative care giver support.
Observe and participate in the transition to adoption for those children who have been in Foster Care.
Complete paperwork pertaining to the MDHHS and initiatives, licensing rules, and agency expectations.
Coordinate parenting times, sibling connection, and relative connections for children in Foster Care
Observe management of crisis situations
Observe and practice skills related to the development of service plans.
Participate in required case-related activities such as court hearings, pre-hearing conferences, Family Team Meetings, and client meetings.
Participate in Family Finding and Relative Engagement for children and families involved with the child welfare system.
Participate actively in monthly supervision with Coordinator and group supervision and team meetings
Document according to established protocols, reflecting assisting, training, or teaching a skill
Complete and submit PQI and other data sheets according to established protocols
Follow all agency policies and procedures.
Follow all established local, state and federal traffic and driving laws, including safe transport of children.