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Foster Care - Bachelor's Level Internship

Goal: To provide the intern with a comprehensive experience of a social worker's role in the child welfare system

Objective: Intern to experience different facets of casework practice in Foster Care.

Strategy:

  1. Attend DCFS Administrative Case Reviews with caseworker(s)
  2. Attend Juvenile Court hearing with caseworker(s)
  3. Visit biological home(s) with caseworker(s)
  4. Visit foster home(s) with caseworker(s)

Objective: Integrate academic knowledge, professional skills and responsibilities

Strategy:

  1. Attend ongoing in-service training at ECFA (if available)
  2. Attend 2-3 Foster Care specific related training sponsored by ECFA, DCFS or other child welfare agencies

Objective: Demonstrate increased awareness/knowledge of the child welfare system

Strategy:

  1. Write at least one Progress Report
  2. Write a least on Client Service Plan
  3. Supervise a minimum of three parent-child visits/month, and write a visitation summary of each visit
  4. Show assertiveness and initiative in the learning process (i.e., ask questions of intern trainer and field instructor)
  5. Become familiar with DCFS Foster Care Standards and the Illinois Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
  6. Meet with Adoption Coordinator to discuss adoption issues
  7. Meet with Pregnancy Support Service Supervisor to discuss Agency services to those experiencing unplanned pregnancies

Objective: Gain insight into his/her interest and/or skill level for social work in the child welfare system

Strategy:

  1. Communicate with intern trainer and field instructor his/her feelings regarding the internship experience
  2. Periodically volunteer for an assignment of interest
  3. Accept specific skill building assignments
  4. Work an occasional evening/weekend when appropriate

Evaluation: The intern will be evaluated on his/her demonstrated ability in the following areas: Writing skills, enthusiasm, professional intuitiveness, tolerance for stress, ability to ask for assistance, and to accept direction when given, Ability to relate and adapt to the foster care system, punctuality, self awareness.

If you are interested in the Foster Care Bachelor's Level Internship, please contact: