Social Work Internship

• Participate in the interview and selection process
• Complete full-time hours on assigned internship days
• Pass APS fingerprinting and background check
• Have reliable transportation
• Have access to a laptop or computer
• Manage an assigned caseload, duties, and responsibilities under supervision
• Participate in group internship activities, field trips, assignments, and presentations
• Provide a copy of an Accommodation/Disability Plan (ADP) if internship site accommodations are requested

By the end of the internship, students will have opportunities to:

• Understand the Role of the School Social Worker

  • Learn core responsibilities, including assessing social/emotional needs, providing counseling and support, and serving as a liaison between home, school, and community.

• Develop Assessment & Intervention Skills

  • Conduct biopsychosocial assessments, provide individual and group support, respond to crises, and help create student support plans.

• Collaborate with Multidisciplinary Teams

  • Work with teachers, administrators, counselors, nurses, and other staff to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

• Advocate for Students and Families

  • Help connect students and families to school-based and community resources that promote academic success and overall well-being.

• Strengthen Crisis Management Skills

  • Learn the Suicide Behavior Toolkit, child protective services reporting procedures, school-wide crisis supports, and crisis prevention techniques.

• Build Cultural Competence

  • Work effectively with diverse students and families while recognizing and respecting cultural differences.

• Understand Legal & Ethical Frameworks

  • Apply NASW ethics, confidentiality standards, mandated reporting laws, and policies related to DFCS, juvenile justice, and family court.

• Practice Documentation & Record Keeping

  • Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation of services.

• Engage in Professional Development

  • Explore networking opportunities, professional identity formation, and next steps in school social work or related fields.

Interns participate in structured training experiences that may include:

• CSWE core competency review in a school-based context

• School Social Work (SSW) referral process

• Interviewing and engagement skills

• Biopsychosocial / developmental history interviewing and write-up

• S.O.A.P. / case note review and documentation

• Crisis intervention training

• Suicidal/Homicidal ideation protocol

• Mental health checklist and screening tools

• Child abuse and educational neglect reporting

• Attendance protocol and truancy court reporting

• Home visit protocol and safety tips

These trainings are designed to connect classroom learning with real-world school social work practice.

Upon successful completion of the internship, students should be able to:

• Apply NASW ethics and CSWE competencies in a school setting or workplace

• Manage a personal caseload with appropriate supervision

• Understand and help compile the components of a social/developmental history

• Conduct assessments and make appropriate recommendations (e.g., mobile crisis, CPS/DFCS intake reports, suicide behavior checklist, referrals to mental health providers)

• Identify and report child abuse and educational neglect

• Recognize, assess, and refer students with suicidal or homicidal ideation

• Link students and families to community resources

• Provide support during school-wide crises

• Collaborate effectively with teachers, administrators, and support staff

• Conduct home visits using safety and engagement best practices

• Prepare truancy cases and support school social workers in court-related processes

Overall, interns should be able to perform the core duties and responsibilities of a school social worker using a generalist practice model, under appropriate supervision.