Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home.

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.

 

• Assists with data entry, preparing case files and resources for caseworkers, and obtaining missing case file documentation.
• Conducts telephonic follow-ups after providing referrals to families.
• Accompanies caseworkers to home visits, as needed for learning purposes only.
• Identifies resources in the local community and in communities where clients reside.
• Contributes to the local resource directory and ensures it is organized and resources are current.
• Assists in scheduling home visits and interpretation services, as needed.
• Supports the local team in data tracking and reporting as assigned.
• Research and centralized psychoeducation material that is relevant to unaccompanied immigrant children and Sponsor.
• Serve as a mandated reporter and work with child welfare as needed.
• Provides support to caseworkers to enroll children in school, accessing mental health and medical services, securing legal representation, etc.
• Support case managers in their in-person home visits with children and caregivers.
• Coordinate referrals in relevant service need areas such as legal, education, medical, mental health.
• Support immigrant children and sponsor with enrollment and access of services in community.
• Serve as a mandated reporter and work with child welfare as needed.
• Network and develop partnerships within the local community to educate providers on children’s needs and to reinforce/increase partnerships in relevant areas.
• Adhere to CWS policies, particularly those related to confidentiality and client privacy.
• Administrative tasks as assigned.
• Resource and program development duties 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.

CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes:    
- 403 (b) Retirement Plan                                               
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance                                                  
- Generous Paid Time Off (18 Paid Days Off; 24 Days Off after 2 Years)  
- 14 Official Holidays  
- 12 Sick Days Off (Accrued monthly)                                      
- Life Insurance and AD&D                                             
- Long Term and Short-Term Disability                                                  
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)                                                 
- Health Savings Account                                               
- Flexible Spending Accounts      
- Commuter Benefits