Social Services Intern

If you want to make a living by making a difference, join Acenda as an

Job Title: Social Services Intern

Program: Functional Family Therapy 

Reports to: Program Director/Supervisor 

Part-Time 15-20 hours per week.  Flexible hours, 3-5 days/week

Non-Exempt

Compensation: $20.00/hour paid weekly

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Program Overview:

Functional Family Therapy (FFT) is an evidence-based intervention for youth and their families. This high-quality, strength-focused family counseling model is designed primarily for at-risk youth who have been referred by the juvenile justice, mental health, school, or child welfare systems. Services are short-term and conducted in community settings. 

Position Summary:

A culturally competent and compassionate Counselor who participates in evidence-informed treatment to build positive interactions, enhance child, parent, and family well-being and stabilize the home and family. The counselor will shadow multiple weekly one-hour, home-based family therapy sessions to youth and their families. The counselor engages each family with specific goals designed to develop and strengthen the unique characteristics of that family; taking a relational approach.  As an integrated health organization, Acenda values the use of evidence-based practice or EBP's.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participates in daily shadowing of culturally competent FFT therapists providing in-home FFT sessions to youth and their families

• Assists in ongoing assessment of problems, strengths, and needs with trained FFT therapists

• Participates in FFT weekly clinical consultation group/staff meetings 

• Seeks supervision/FFT consultation once per week to ensure appropriate provision of effective services and to adhere to the FFT model 

• Addresses safety concerns and enhances functioning and well-being of children and families 

• Conducts self in a professional manner that positively reflects the agency culture 

• Ability to establish a mutually respectful relationship, in which the family is a full partner, empowered to solve their own problems 

• Attends agency and program meetings and trainings within established time frames 

• Works collaboratively with coworkers and agency staff to effectively communicate and problem solve 

• Ensures quality and accuracy of written and verbal communications 

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Interpersonal Communication
• Collaboration and Teamwork
• Cultural Competence & Adaptation
• Screening & Assessment
• Care Planning & Care Coordination
• Intervention
• Systems Oriented Practice
• Practice-Based Learning & Quality Improvement
• Informatics

Learning Objectives:

Throughout the duration of the internship, the intern will learn how to:

• Provide culturally competent, in-home therapy to youth and their families
• Build positive interactions, enhance child, parent, and family well-being and stabilize the home and family
• Uphold ethical standards in an evidenced-based program
• Develop treatment plans specific to families’ strengths and needs
• Adhere to an evidenced-based model

Education, Work Experience and/or Skills Requirements:

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master’s level program at a NJ Institute of Higher Learning
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record
• Must be able to exercise independent thinking and good judgment under all circumstances.
• Must be able to analyze work, set goals, develop plans and utilize time effectively and efficiently.

Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to remain in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.   
• Repeated motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers
• The employee must occasionally move about to accomplish tasks, adjust or move objects up to 20 pounds.
• Must be able to communicate with others to exchange information
• Ability to drive a vehicle

Acenda Integrated Health is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. 

Department/Program