Spring 2027 Unpaid Social Work Internship (Newton)

State of Iowa•Newton - 50208 - Jasper County, IA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a non-merit internship position. The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of Family Well-Being & Protection (FWB&P), Child Protective Services, is seeking a Social Work Intern for the Cedar Rapids Service Area based out of the Jasper County HHS (315 W 3rd St N, Newton, IA 50208) covering Newton and surrounding areas. The internship period is for Spring 2027. The application period is until filled, with a closing date of October 15th. The schedule is to be determined with a supervisor and school, typically Monday-Friday between 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, with flexibility approved by the supervisor. Opportunities for after-hours experience may be available. Mileage reimbursement of $0.50/mile is provided if your own vehicle is used. A background check is required. Interns will work alongside Case Managers and potentially Child Protective Workers, assisting families in navigating challenges and building stronger, safer futures. The primary focus will be on ongoing case management and support services after the initial assessment phase, helping children and families be successful and connecting them to community resources. Interns may also have opportunities to observe parts of the Child Protection Worker role, which involves conducting initial assessments for child abuse or neglect, requiring multitasking, evidence gathering, and information analysis.

Requirements

Currently enrolled as a student at a college or university.
Ability to work in the United States.
A valid driver’s license is required.
Pass a level 1 background check (Criminal History, Child and Adult Abuse Registry, Sex Offender Registry and National Criminal History) if offered the internship.
Applicants must be currently enrolled students in a degree program at an accredited educational institution.

Nice To Haves

Critical thinking skills and plan development
Strong observational and analytical skills
Exceptional customer service including de-escalation of conflictual or adversarial situations
Ability to respectfully engage families as partners in planning for safety and establish a working relationship with families
Excellent oral and written communication and report composition
Teamwork, collaboration, and consultation
Integrity
Strong work ethic
Ability to multi-task
Ability to manage multiple deadlines
Ability to speak more than one language

Responsibilities

Manage a diverse caseload of children and families requiring ongoing service provision to ensure safety.
Address the needs of children and families including safety, basic needs (food, hygiene, education, health, mental health).
Evaluate the ongoing safety and risk of children by conducting home visits and providing timely professional documentation.
Upload/e-file timely, accurate, and detailed documentation for court-involved cases and manage schedules.
Respond to situations decisively and effectively as family needs change, with supervisory consultation.
Engage the family in creating a family-centered plan that analyzes strengths and needs and addresses danger and risk concerns.
Assess ongoing risk to children, develop safety plans, and make recommendations to county attorneys and courts.
Collaborate with medical/mental health partners, schools, legal partners, law enforcement, and community resources.
Provide professional and timely documentation of referred and provided services.
Attend court hearings.
Attend and participate in training sessions.
Understand and use multiple computer programs and data systems.
Assess risk to children, develop safety plans, assess strengths and needs, and make recommendations to county attorneys and courts (for Child Protection Worker observation).
Interact with law enforcement, medical/mental health partners, schools, etc. (for Child Protection Worker observation).
Apply Iowa Code, agency policy, and professional judgment to complex crisis or chronic abuse/neglect situations (for Child Protection Worker observation).
Conduct home visits, detailed interviews, and thorough narrative documentation (for Child Protection Worker observation).
Confront crisis and high-stress situations calmly and orderly (for Child Protection Worker observation).
Maintain confidential information and assure safety is a top priority (for Child Protection Worker observation).
Obtain information from various sources, read and interpret data (for Child Protection Worker observation).
Interact in a team environment to manage group processes, facilitate cooperation, and achieve goals (for Child Protection Worker observation).
Interact with employees and customers in a positive customer service manner to resolve problems and answer inquiries (for Child Protection Worker observation).