Home Study and Post Release Services Internship - Church World Service

Church World Service (CWS) is a not-for-profit, international humanitarian assistance organization comprised of 37 protestant denominations. The CWS Home Study and Post Release Services (HSPRS) Program provides assistance to unaccompanied children and their families and works closely with the Office of Refugee Resettlement, CWS local offices, and affiliates across the United States.

Church World Service (CWS) is seeking an intern to support our Home Study and Post Release Services (HSPRS) Program. The HSPRS intern will assist the HSPRS team of case workers / social workers with the provision of services to recently arrived unaccompanied children who have been reunited with a relative or family friend. An unaccompanied child is defined as anyone under the age of eighteen who has arrived in the United States without legal status, and not in the company of a parent or legal guardian. The HSPRS intern will receive training on unaccompanied children, working with children who have experienced trauma, human trafficking, among other topics. The intern will play a key role in providing organizational support to staff and will advance efforts to build robust networks of community service providers. This internship offers valuable real-world experience in social work, advocacy, and social justice. Interns must commit to 1 or 2 days a week (full workday) for two semesters.  This is an unpaid position but expenses related to the daily commute to and from the office may be reimbursed.

• Assist HSPRS Case Managers with building and maintaining case files to ensure all requirements for documentation are met throughout the duration of post release services.
• Support and refer unaccompanied children and families to resources and services, as well as scheduling any appointments through follow-up calls as instructed by case management staff.
• Assist families in addressing barriers to accessing resources and support families in successfully enrolling their child in school, obtaining connection with legal support and establishing connection w/ medical providers.
• Assist HSPRS Case Managers in creating a strong network with local service providers who can offer needed resources and services with unaccompanied children through research and outreach.
• Create client-facing materials such as resources for clients and sponsors.
• Shadow CWS Case Managers conducting visits to unaccompanied children and families, as appropriate.
• Support Caseworkers and families in meeting goals as established in the child/sponsor families service plan.
• Adhere to CWS policies, particularly those related to confidentiality and client privacy.
• Administrative tasks as assigned.

Learning Objectives:

1. Intern will understand the push and full factors for children in patterns of forced migration.
2. Intern will understand best practices for providing child-centered, trauma-informed, culturally responsive services.
3. Intern will develop skills such as problem solving, client services, and intercultural social work.
4. Intern will learn how to manage direct service with documentation requirements.

Requirements:

• Pass required background checks (PREA, FBI, CA/N, Criminal background Check)
• At minimum, an equivalent degree in education, psychology, sociology, or other behavioral science is required.
• Languages: Fluency or highly conversational in Spanish Preferred.
• Excellent communication and writing skills, including writing and grammar.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Mandated reporter responsibility and must participate in ongoing supervision activities.
• Able to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Passionate and committed to learning about the broader CWS mission, global work, and local efforts.
• Willing to adhere to CWS volunteer and workplace policies.
• Cultural humility and sensitivity to this vulnerable immigrant population with a strong commitment to immigrant rights, social justice, and a strong desire to help unaccompanied children adjust to life in the U.S.