Child Welfare Intern

Job Description

Child Welfare Intern – Spring ’26 | Oklahoma Department of Human Services

The Tone:
This is an unpaid internship opportunity at the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, with a flexible location within Oklahoma. As a state agency, the department is dedicated to promoting the well-being and safety of children across the state. This role is crucial for students seeking to gain a foundational understanding of child welfare policy, practice standards, and the diverse needs of the populations served.

The TL;DR
• Role: Internship
• Type: Temporary/Seasonal, flexible hours, for college credit
• Location: Hybrid, Oklahoma, US

• Mission: To provide essential support to Child Welfare operations, while enabling the intern to develop a comprehensive understanding of policies, ethics, and practices within the state’s child welfare system.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Research: Review and understand critical topics such as DHS/Child Welfare mission statements, policies related to the Child Welfare Program, and Child Welfare Practice Standards.
• Document: Maintain thorough documentation of all internship activities and experiences to track learning and contributions.
• Assist Casework: Shadow, assist, and support Child Welfare specialists with essential casework activities, including interviews, court proceedings, and documentation.
• Co-facilitate Processes: Assist, support, and co-facilitate with assigned Child Welfare workers in processes such as interviews, court proceedings, and documentation.
• Support Specialists: Provide assistance to Child Welfare specialists with various tasks, including facilitating family time, performing data entry, making referrals for services, and creating individualized service plans.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Currently enrolled student pursuing an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree at an accredited institution, with the program requiring internship or practicum hours.
• Experience: Participation in an academic program that mandates practical field experience.
• Skills: Ability to research and assimilate complex information, strong organizational capabilities for maintaining documentation, and effective communication and interpersonal skills for supporting casework activities.