This internship is designed to meet practicum requirements of a student in a Social Work or related human service field. This goal is accomplished by providing exposure to ECFA as a whole, thus enhancing understanding of the world of domestic and international adoption, as well as the field of child welfare.
I. Exposure to ECFA’s functioning as an agency:
- Meet individually with other program supervisors for general orientation to each program
- Review the Standards of Services as set by the Council on Accreditation
- Review DCFS licensing requirements for foster and adoptive homes
- To provide the student with an understanding of the structure and functioning of a faith-based social service agency
II. Education in the Adoption Program
- Review Adoption Policies and Procedures Manual
- Integrate current research related to issues in pregnancy counseling and adoption
- Attend Adoption team meetings and joint meetings with the Pregnancy Program
- Identify community referrals and resources for adoptive parents
- Participate in clinical consultations, when applicable, regarding client and program issues
III. Clinical Experience in Adoption Program
- Be assigned a caseload of one to three families for the purpose of conducting home studies
- Conduct bio-psycho-social assessments to clients during home study interviews with individuals. Couples, and families.
- Provide case management, referrals, and advocacy according to client’s needs
- Coordinate outreach and marketing opportunities to the community
- Receive weekly supervision from an LCSW
IV. Option to attend agency-sponsored functions (i.e. inservices, workshops, fundraising events)
If you are interested in the Adoption Program Master’s Level Internship, please contact Barb Hellmer at barbh@evancfa.org