Child Welfare Division Intern
D.A. Blodgett - St. John's, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
Mission Statement
To help children and empower families by providing safety, advocacy, and support.
Vision A safe, nurturing home for every child, a supportive community for every family.
Values
Exceptional Service: Client-focused and teaming at the center of our work.
Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion: All are welcomed, valued, and belong.
Excellence: Ongoing commitment to learning and improvement.
Integrity: Responsibility and ownership of our actions and results.
Creativity: Imagination, innovation, and intelligent risk taking.
Passion: Relentless positive energy toward our mission and vision.
Sanctuary Commitments
Nonviolence: Maintaining safety for all members of the community.
Emotional Intelligence: Managing emotions so we don’t hurt ourselves or others.
Social Learning: Together we accomplish more, we care for one another.
Democracy: Everyone has a voice, not necessarily a vote.
Open communication: Respecting and sharing ideas of our team.
Social Responsibility: Say what you mean, don’t be mean when you say it.
Growth & Change: Creating hope for ourselves and the people we serve.
Job Description Position Summary : The Child Welfare Division Intern observes, gains insight, and participates in serving children and parents and works with a collaborative team to ensure the child’s ongoing safety and well‑being. The goal is child permanency, which may include a safe return home, adoption, guardianship, or independent living. This role requires compassion, organization, communication, perseverance, and the ability to adapt creatively to diverse situations. The intern is expected to engage in consultation and collaborative teaming across the division and to flex schedules to meet children and families at times convenient for them.
Essential Responsibilities
Gain familiarity with MDHHS Policy Manuals.
Strengthen foster care case management skills and provide clinical services to parents, responsible parties, and children during Foster Care and aftercare supervision.
Observe court testimony and modeling of placement and supervision of children in Foster Care.
Learn comprehensive services for parents whose children are in Foster Care.
Assess strengths and needs, completing timely service referrals.
Provide support to foster parents and relative caregivers.
Participate in the transition to adoption for children in Foster Care.
Complete paperwork relating to MDHHS, initiatives, licensing rules, and agency expectations.
Coordinate parenting times, sibling connection, and relative connections for children in Foster Care.
Observe and assist in crisis management and development of service plans.
Engage in required case-related activities such as court hearings, pre‑hearing conferences, Family Team Meetings, and client meetings.
Engage in Family Finding and Relative Engagement for children and families involved with the child welfare system.
Participate actively in monthly supervision with coordinator, group supervision, and team meetings.
Document according to established protocols, reflecting assistance, training, or teaching a skill.
Complete and submit PQI and other data sheets.
Follow all agency policies, procedures, and applicable traffic and driving laws, including safe transport of children.
Performance Expectations
Respect individual differences and clients’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills.
Engage clients and families and establish effective relationships.
Demonstrate sound decision‑making skills.
Show appropriate assertiveness, flexibility, judgment, self‑organization, and self‑direction.
Manage high frustration and stress levels.
Maintain a positive, accepting attitude.
Collaborate with a variety of people internally and externally, promoting a positive image of the agency.
Supervision Received Specific Direction – follows established work procedures, receives periodic performance checks, and refers unique questions to immediate supervisor.
Supervisory Responsibilities No supervisory responsibilities.
Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma and enrollment in a bachelor’s program in a human service‑related field (psychology, social work, etc.).
Acceptance of supervision to improve engagement and teaching of new skillsets with children in the foster care system and case‑management skills.
Demonstrated ability to learn and commitment to growth in working with children and families within the foster care system.
Basic knowledge of the foster care system and experience of how children and families navigate it, or commitment to growth.
Valid driver’s license, good driving record, adequate insurance, and a car available at all times.
Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Outlook and other software.
Ability to articulate ideas and prepare written reports and correspondence of a high professional standard, grammatically correct, and timely.
Collaborate with school, Department of Health & Human Services, behavioral health, and medical personnel.
Familiarity with, and agreement to abide by, related agency policies.
Self‑directed and autonomous while functioning as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Capacity to work with a variety of clients and staff across socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
Personal qualities of warmth, sensitivity, and ability to establish meaningful therapeutic relationships.
Personal commitment to the agency’s mission and values, demonstrated in service delivery.
Core Competencies
Working Under Pressure – maintain composure when exposed to stress.
Team Work – effectively interact with people, sharing and receiving information that supports team goals.
Planning and Organizing – set priorities and allocate resources to achieve responsibilities and objectives.
Decision Making – select and commit to an effective course of action by understanding issues, comparing solutions, and drawing conclusions.
Detail Orientation – pay attention to accuracy, detail, and completeness.
Initiative – act promptly and solve issues proactively.
Integrity – adhere to organization policies and procedures, act fairly, maintain confidentiality.
Reliability – dependable, trustworthy, and committed to timely, consistent work.
Customer Service – serve others by listening, responding to questions, providing services, and evaluating satisfaction.
Physical Requirements None.
Environmental Conditions Office environment: No exposure to extreme heat, cold, noise, chemicals, or hazardous equipment.
EEO Statement At DABSJ we are actively pursuing an inclusive and diverse workplace. We work to create an inclusive workplace free of discrimination where all are welcomed and belong. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation/identity, height, weight, marital status, veteran status, disability, or other legally protected characteristics as required by law.
Additional Information This job description does not list all duties of the job. Employees may be asked by management to perform other duties as needed. The company reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. This job description is not a contract for employment and does not infringe upon the company’s at‑will employment status.
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Vision A safe, nurturing home for every child, a supportive community for every family.
Values
Exceptional Service: Client-focused and teaming at the center of our work.
Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion: All are welcomed, valued, and belong.
Excellence: Ongoing commitment to learning and improvement.
Integrity: Responsibility and ownership of our actions and results.
Creativity: Imagination, innovation, and intelligent risk taking.
Passion: Relentless positive energy toward our mission and vision.
Sanctuary Commitments
Nonviolence: Maintaining safety for all members of the community.
Emotional Intelligence: Managing emotions so we don’t hurt ourselves or others.
Social Learning: Together we accomplish more, we care for one another.
Democracy: Everyone has a voice, not necessarily a vote.
Open communication: Respecting and sharing ideas of our team.
Social Responsibility: Say what you mean, don’t be mean when you say it.
Growth & Change: Creating hope for ourselves and the people we serve.
Job Description Position Summary : The Child Welfare Division Intern observes, gains insight, and participates in serving children and parents and works with a collaborative team to ensure the child’s ongoing safety and well‑being. The goal is child permanency, which may include a safe return home, adoption, guardianship, or independent living. This role requires compassion, organization, communication, perseverance, and the ability to adapt creatively to diverse situations. The intern is expected to engage in consultation and collaborative teaming across the division and to flex schedules to meet children and families at times convenient for them.
Essential Responsibilities
Gain familiarity with MDHHS Policy Manuals.
Strengthen foster care case management skills and provide clinical services to parents, responsible parties, and children during Foster Care and aftercare supervision.
Observe court testimony and modeling of placement and supervision of children in Foster Care.
Learn comprehensive services for parents whose children are in Foster Care.
Assess strengths and needs, completing timely service referrals.
Provide support to foster parents and relative caregivers.
Participate in the transition to adoption for children in Foster Care.
Complete paperwork relating to MDHHS, initiatives, licensing rules, and agency expectations.
Coordinate parenting times, sibling connection, and relative connections for children in Foster Care.
Observe and assist in crisis management and development of service plans.
Engage in required case-related activities such as court hearings, pre‑hearing conferences, Family Team Meetings, and client meetings.
Engage in Family Finding and Relative Engagement for children and families involved with the child welfare system.
Participate actively in monthly supervision with coordinator, group supervision, and team meetings.
Document according to established protocols, reflecting assistance, training, or teaching a skill.
Complete and submit PQI and other data sheets.
Follow all agency policies, procedures, and applicable traffic and driving laws, including safe transport of children.
Performance Expectations
Respect individual differences and clients’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills.
Engage clients and families and establish effective relationships.
Demonstrate sound decision‑making skills.
Show appropriate assertiveness, flexibility, judgment, self‑organization, and self‑direction.
Manage high frustration and stress levels.
Maintain a positive, accepting attitude.
Collaborate with a variety of people internally and externally, promoting a positive image of the agency.
Supervision Received Specific Direction – follows established work procedures, receives periodic performance checks, and refers unique questions to immediate supervisor.
Supervisory Responsibilities No supervisory responsibilities.
Minimum Qualifications
High school diploma and enrollment in a bachelor’s program in a human service‑related field (psychology, social work, etc.).
Acceptance of supervision to improve engagement and teaching of new skillsets with children in the foster care system and case‑management skills.
Demonstrated ability to learn and commitment to growth in working with children and families within the foster care system.
Basic knowledge of the foster care system and experience of how children and families navigate it, or commitment to growth.
Valid driver’s license, good driving record, adequate insurance, and a car available at all times.
Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Outlook and other software.
Ability to articulate ideas and prepare written reports and correspondence of a high professional standard, grammatically correct, and timely.
Collaborate with school, Department of Health & Human Services, behavioral health, and medical personnel.
Familiarity with, and agreement to abide by, related agency policies.
Self‑directed and autonomous while functioning as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Capacity to work with a variety of clients and staff across socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
Personal qualities of warmth, sensitivity, and ability to establish meaningful therapeutic relationships.
Personal commitment to the agency’s mission and values, demonstrated in service delivery.
Core Competencies
Working Under Pressure – maintain composure when exposed to stress.
Team Work – effectively interact with people, sharing and receiving information that supports team goals.
Planning and Organizing – set priorities and allocate resources to achieve responsibilities and objectives.
Decision Making – select and commit to an effective course of action by understanding issues, comparing solutions, and drawing conclusions.
Detail Orientation – pay attention to accuracy, detail, and completeness.
Initiative – act promptly and solve issues proactively.
Integrity – adhere to organization policies and procedures, act fairly, maintain confidentiality.
Reliability – dependable, trustworthy, and committed to timely, consistent work.
Customer Service – serve others by listening, responding to questions, providing services, and evaluating satisfaction.
Physical Requirements None.
Environmental Conditions Office environment: No exposure to extreme heat, cold, noise, chemicals, or hazardous equipment.
EEO Statement At DABSJ we are actively pursuing an inclusive and diverse workplace. We work to create an inclusive workplace free of discrimination where all are welcomed and belong. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation/identity, height, weight, marital status, veteran status, disability, or other legally protected characteristics as required by law.
Additional Information This job description does not list all duties of the job. Employees may be asked by management to perform other duties as needed. The company reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. This job description is not a contract for employment and does not infringe upon the company’s at‑will employment status.
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