Family Advocate Internship
Family Advocate interns support the Family Advocate team in providing wrap-around services to all clients. Interns will gain a basic knowledge of the inner workings of a multi-disciplinary team under a CAC model and the impact of child abuse on a family. Interns will have the opportunity to enhance their case management, time management, and crisis management skills while working with families.
Internship Requirements
- Complete application, pass background checks and participate in interview process.
- Commit to one semester or summer semester at DCAC.
- Commit to 15 hours per week.
- Commit to at least one evening shift a week (until 8 pm).
- Must be a student completing coursework in human development, family studies, social work or other fields related to working with children and families.
- Attend bi-weekly group supervision.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Conduct follow-up calls to caregivers after the client’s forensic interview.
- Provide supportive case management to caregivers (Crime Victim’s Compensation, resources, referrals, ongoing support etc).
- Provide comfort, safety and theme-related engaging activities to children in the Activity Center.
- Contact families within the Long Term Follow-up Program, assess ongoing needs, provide an update regarding the criminal case pending in the justice system, and complete criminal case tracking in DCAC database.
- Participate in special events, such as Champ Camp, Back to School, Holiday of Hope, and various Drive Thru events for families.
- Facilitate life skills groups for clients and siblings during evening program.
How to Apply
To apply for a Family Advocate internship at DCAC, please email your résumé to FAinternship@dcac.org.
Please make sure to indicate the semester/date you plan to begin your internship, any experience you have working with children, and if you are fluent in Spanish.
Therapy Internships
Doctoral Psychology Internship Program
Masters-level internship and doctoral-level external practicum (see below)
Student Internship Selection Criteria
- Students must be working toward a master’s degree or higher in counseling, social work, psychology, or other related field at an accredited university.
- Students from CACREP approved or APA accredited programs, and those DCAC has a working relationship with, will be given preference.
- Eligible students should have completed a graduate-level practicum type course in which actual counseling experience is provided to clients. Coursework in counseling theories, ethics, multicultural counseling, diagnosis, group counseling, assessment, statistics, and/or research methods are required prior to beginning an internship at DCAC.
- Students who have experience working with children and adolescents will be given preference. Students should also be comfortable facilitating directive therapy (e.g., TF-CBT, PCIT) as a primary mode of therapy. TF-CBT training and support will be provided. PCIT training and supervision is available.
- Bilingual candidates will be given preference.
Student Internship Requirements
- Students must commit to two semesters at DCAC (minimum nine months).
- Students must pass criminal and CPS background checks, as well as a drug screening.
- Students must be available to see clients at least one evening (until 8 p.m.) to accommodate the children’s and families’ schedules.
- Students must be available Fridays 9 a.m.-noon for team meetings/group supervision.
- Master’s students are required to spend a minimum of 18 hours per week at DCAC during their internship (including Friday morning meetings/group supervision); Doctoral students are required to spend a minimum of 13 hours (including Friday morning meetings/group supervision).
- Students are required to participate in one hour per week of individual supervision with their assigned supervisor.
- Students must be willing and able to see adults and children of all ages in individual, family, and group treatment. Students must be comfortable involving caregivers in treatment for all cases.
- Students are required to work three full days at the beginning of the internship to meet training requirements.
How to Apply
To apply for a therapy internship at DCAC, please email your résumé to Nicholas La Mere.
Children’s Program Internship
Children’s Program interns support the Family Advocate team in providing wrap-around services to all clients. Interns will gain a basic knowledge of the inner workings of a multi-disciplinary team under a CAC model and the impact of child abuse on a family. Interns will have the opportunity to enhance their creativity while working with children in the Activity Center.
Internship Requirements
- Complete application, pass background checks and participate in interview process.
- Commit to one semester or summer semester at DCAC.
- Commit to 15 hours per week.
- Commit to at least one evening shift a week (until 8 pm).
- Must be a student completing coursework in human development, family studies, social work or other fields related to working with children and families.
- Attend bi-weekly group supervision.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Provide safety, comfort, and theme-related engaging activities for all children in the Activity Center.
- Manage and engage with 5-8 children at a time in the Activity Center, depending on ages.
- Enhance current activities and curriculum by utilizing creativity and innovation.
- Observe and conduct Get To Know You and increase coping skills with children at DCAC.
- Facilitate Children’s Programming in the evenings, including facilitating life skills groups with clients and siblings.
- Participate in special events, such as Champ Camp, Back to School, Holiday of Hope, and various Drive Thru events for families.
How to Apply
To apply for a Children’s Program internship at DCAC, please email your résumé to FAinternship@dcac.org.
Please make sure to indicate the semester/date you plan to begin your internship, any experience you have working with children, and if you are fluent in Spanish.
