Foster Care Services Intern

Job Description

About Company:

Applewood Centers is a private, nonprofit agency providing mental health services, social services, and education to children, adolescents, and families living in Cuyahoga and Lorain counties. They are dedicated to addressing a variety of behavioral, emotional, and learning problems, offering a continuum of care from outpatient counseling to residential treatment.

Job Description:

This is an unpaid internship position for a Foster Care Services Intern at Applewood Centers in Cleveland, OH. The intern will work under the administrative/clinical supervision of the Foster Care Supervisor/ Field Instructor, providing services to clients, their families, and significant others within the Foster Care Services Program.

The Foster Care Services Program provides placement services and compassionate, comprehensive care and support to clients and their families, offering homes to youth of all ages who have behavioral and/or mental health issues, often stemming from neglect, abuse, and unsafe environments. They also offer a Respite Foster Care program, which takes part-time and emergency placements.

Essential Duties:

• Incorporate clinical values and ethics into all aspects of learning and preparation for advanced professional practice.
• Provide behavioral health counseling, TBS (Therapeutic Behavioral Services) and consultation services based on client assessed needs.
• Coordinate the delivery of services identified on client treatment plans (ITP) or consultation plans.
• Close cases in a timely manner, accurately completing aftercare plans and related paperwork based on goal achievement and/or agency policy/procedure.
• Advocate for social justice and possess the knowledge, skills, and values needed to be an effective advocate.
• Develop knowledge, skills, and values at foundation and advanced levels in the areas of professional development, work values, and leadership development.
• Think critically about practice and its knowledge base and about the social problems and situations encountered.
• Integrate advanced methods skills with individuals, couples, families, groups, organizations and/or communities.
• Demonstrate awareness of self, ability to use self professionally in achieving clinical goals and capacity to gauge the impact of self on practice.
• Increase knowledge of the relationship and impact of social policies in the functioning of individuals, groups and organizations.
• Develop skills in evaluating direct practice/program evaluation.
• Analyze and apply relevant theories to the field setting.
• Adhere to Agency/ ACA/ NASW codes of conduct and ethics.
• Adhere to Learning Contract as designed by Student and Field Instructor.
• Meet with their field instructor regularly.
• Meet the goals and objectives of the learning contract.
• Document the field time log accurately.

Other Duties:

• Maintain awareness of industry trends and professional knowledge by attending agency training, maintaining continuing education standards and reviewing professional publications.
• Attend scheduled staff meetings, supervision, and on-going training as required
• Maintain trainings, certifications and licensure must be kept current in accordance with applicable licensing and accreditation regulations and standards
• Maintain necessary documentation and oversight of client clinical record
• Respect the privacy of clients and hold in confidence all information obtained during the client’s treatment. All client-related documents should be handled in accordance with Agency guidelines on confidential material.
• Maintain high standards of ethical and professional conduct and adhere to Agency policies and procedures.
• Other duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications:

• Education: Minimum Bachelor’s degree required. Must be enrolled in an accredited Master of Social Work, Counseling, or Marriage and Family Therapy program.
• Licensure: Valid Ohio Trainee license (Social Work Trainee, Counselor Trainee, Marriage and Family Therapy Trainee), or higher, must be in process before billing services for the Agency.
• Skills/Competencies:
• Core Expertise: Possesses skill, knowledge and abilities to perform the essential duties of their role; keeps knowledge up to date.
• Cultural Awareness: Demonstrates attentiveness, sensitivity and skills in working professionally with diverse individuals, groups and communities who represent various cultural and personal background and characteristics.
• Interpersonal Communication: Communicates clearly using verbal, nonverbal, and written skills in a professional context; demonstrates clear understanding and use of professional language.
• Professional & Ethical Conduct: Adheres to professional values such as honesty, personal responsibility, and accountability; applies ethical concepts within scope of work and adheres to Agency policies and procedures.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Functions effectively as a member of a professional team that includes employees, clients and family members.
• Problem-Solving & Decision-Making: Recognizes problems and responds appropriately; gathers information and sorts through it to identify and address root cause issues; makes timely decisions.
• Experience: Experience in working with children, adolescents and their families.

Location: Travel is required for this role. Services will take place in the home and the community.

Hours: Field hours are flexible. Evening work should be expected.