Child Welfare, Mental

Health, & Special Education

Catholic Charities of Baltimore

Child Welfare and Mental Health—Villa Maria Schools | St. Vincent’s Villa Residential

Treatment Center | Villa Maria Community Resources | Center for Family Services

Last revision: 9/6/2016

Undergraduate

Internship Overview

2

Our Mission

Inspired by the Gospel mandates to love, serve and teach, Catholic Charities

provides care and services to improve the lives of Marylanders in need.

Who We Are

Family Services is a division of Catholic Charities of Baltimore, which includes nearly

half of the agency's 80 programs. This packet covers internship opportunities in

our child welfare and mental health programs: St. Vincent’s Villa, Villa Maria Schools,

Center for Family Services, and Villa Maria Community Resources.

What We Do

We provide three categories of service:

1. St. Vincent's Villa, Villa Maria Schools, Center for Family Services, and Villa Maria

Community Resources provide state-of-the-art behavioral health, child welfare,

special education, early childhood and family-development services. Known for

creativity, innovation, excellence, and our nationally-recognized Family-Provider

Partnership, our programs focus on building and unifying families and helping

families and individuals of all ages to achieve healthier lives.

2. Gallagher Services provides an array of excellent services, care, training, and

therapy for adults with intellectual disabilities.

3. Safe Streets Baltimore - Sandtown-Winchester provides evidence-based violence

prevention and interruption services in West Baltimore.

For

Spring 2017

Summer 2017

Fall 2018

3

Overview & requirements | p. 3

Application & screening process | p. 5

Dates & deadlines | p. 7

Types of internship roles | p. 7

Checklist | p. 13

Have questions?

Please contact Mikael

Kristiansen, Volunteer

Coordinator:

volunteercfs@cc-md.org

or 410-252-4000 x1606

4

Requirements

Enrollment as a student at an

institution of higher education.

100 hours served minimum per fall

or spring semester; 75 minimum for

summer internships. On-site at least

twice per week.

Formal learning contract or own

learning goals.

Timely completion of the application

and background screening

processes.

Attending a quarterly Pre-Service

Training session and any other pre-

requisite training. Abiding by the Program Policies and

Procedures.

Responsibilities

Interns’ on-site responsibilities

vary by program and supervisor.

Regularly reporting valuable

feedback about your service

experience to Volunteer Services –

i.e. your hours, location, and any

qualitative feedback.

Completing an exit interview or

evaluation.

Submitting any evaluations or

reports produced as part of your

study requirements to Volunteer

Services.

OVERVIEW

The basics

Undergraduate interns assist in the operation of a Family Services program to which they are

assigned for a period of one semester or a summer intersession. Interns report directly to a

staff supervisor within their program, with additional oversight from Volunteer Services. In

compliance with Catholic Charity policies, undergraduates cannot serve clients in a clinical

capacity; however, interns may be closely involved in other therapeutic aspects of a program,

including directly with clients.

5

How to apply

1. Make a note of our application and screening deadlines (p. 7).

2. Fill out our online application at http://bit.ly/ccfsvolapp.

Make sure to upload a resume/CV with the application and complete all required

fields. In your cover letter, indicate what your program or role preferences are.

Contact volunteercfs@cc-md.org with any questions.

3. After you submit your application, we will reach out to your references by email. Based

upon your interests, skills, requirements, references, and availability, we will make a

decision about whether to continue your application and schedule an interview.

Screening process

We will need to photocopy a government issued photo ID of you— e.g. Driver’s License

or Learner’s Permit, State ID, passport, Green Card. This can usually be done at the

interview.

Child Protective Services background

clearance. Maryland DHR Form 1279A: We

provide you a form with Part I completed by

us. You will need to fill out Part II and sign Part

III in front of a notary public, then return the

original form to us. We then submit the form

to your local Child Protective Services

jurisdiction.

Part II must be filled out on a computer

and printed out.

Please use a Maryland address. If you

do not have a Maryland address (i.e.

you live exclusively out of state), please

let us know and do not complete Form 1279A, which is solely for Maryland.

Continued on next page.

APPLICATION & SCREENING

Form 1279A.

6

Screening process (continued)

Online background check through

Verified Volunteers. Initiated after the

interview.

Diagnostic Programs and Center for Family

Services interns only: fingerprints checked

against MD and FBI Criminal Justice

Information Systems (CJIS) database.

Initiated after the interview, if necessary.

Review Noncriminal Justice Privacy

Rights disclosure and return signed

to Volunteer Services.

Bring completed Pre-Registration

Form to our CJIS vendor and get

printed. You may use another CJIS

vendor but at your own expense.

Tuberculosis screening. Interns 21+ years of age must provide negative results of a

PPD test administered within six months of your proposed starting date. Interns under 21

may complete a short health questionnaire instead.

Seasonal flu vaccine. Interns working any time during flu season (Nov.—Mar.) need to

get a flu shot. If you’re not already planning to get one, we can provide one upon starting.

If offered a placement…

Please log in to MyVolunteerPage.com and sign up for any requisite training and

orientation sessions.

Contact your direct supervisor (Catholic Charities program staff) to organize your

schedule and your learning goals. Please provide them with a copy of any formal learning

contracts from your school.

APPLICATION & SCREENING

7

* Note: If all positions are filled in the Early Bird intake, we will not be able to accept any later applications.

Application deadline: date by which your application and resume are submitted to

Volunteer Services.

Screening deadline: date by which your references have responded, interview and

background check are completed, Child Protective Services (CPS) form is notarized and

submitted, and photo ID is presented. Health and fingerprint screening due before start date.

Pre-Service Training (PST): Orientation session only offered quarterly; please plan ahead!

You must complete PST before your first day. PST may be attended remotely via internet if you

are out of state. PST for Spring 2016 may be attended early, November 10, 2016, only if necessary.

Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI): Mandatory for residential (St. Vincent’s Villa) and

school (Villa Maria School, Villa Maria Diagnostic School) interns only. Three hours.

Spring 2017 Summer 2017 Fall 2017—

early bird Fall 2017

Application

deadline Monday, Sep. 26,

2016

Monday,

Mar. 20, 2017

Monday, Apr. 17,

2017

Monday, Jul. 3,

2017*

Screening

deadline

Monday, Oct. 10,

2016

Monday,

Apr. 10, 2017

Monday,

May 8, 2017

Monday,

Jul. 17, 2017*

Placement

decisions

announced by:

End of October. Third week of

April. Mid-May End of July.

Mandatory training dates

Pre-Service

Training

(orientation)

Wednesday,

Jan.18, 2017

5:30-8:30pm

Thursday,

Apr. 27, 2016

5:30-8:30pm

Wednesday,

Aug. 23, 2017

5:30-8:30pm

Therapeutic

Crisis

Intervention

Late January

2017

Mid-May

2017 Early September 2017

DATES & DEADLINES

8

Educational Treatment Intern

Degree paths: Special Education, Education, Psychology or related fields with education

experience.

Description: The intern is assigned to a class setting where he/she will assist with the

preparation and implementation of lesson plans under the direction of the Psychoeducator

(teacher), as well as maintaining the therapeutic milieu of children with severe behavioral and

emotional challenges. Weekday mornings and early afternoons.

Programs: Villa Maria School, Maura Pre-Vocational Center.

Marketing Intern

Degree paths: Marketing, PR, Communications, or related fields. Communication-savvy

Social Work students will also be considered.

Description: The intern works with a social worker in our Treatment Foster Care program

to help develop initiatives to recruit and retain foster parents for children with behavioral and

emotional challenges or medically fragile children. May also work closely with marketing and

PR specialists from our vendor (an external agency) in Towson, depending on skill-set.

Candidates seeking two-semester internships strongly preferred.

Programs: Treatment Foster Care (TFC) at Center for Family Services (Baltimore).

Outpatient Clinic Intern

Degree paths: Psychology, Human Services, Mental Health, Social Work, and related fields.

Description: Duties vary and can include helping with family support groups, psychiatric

rehabilitation programs (PRP), off-site visits, and clerical case management. Interns are often

supervised by a therapist but may not take clients or cases of their own. Number of placements

very limited.

Programs: VMCR of Anne Arundel Co. (Millersville), VMCR of Harford Co. (Abingdon).

Psychology School Intern

Degree paths: Psychology or related fields (clinical focus or education experience a plus).

Description: A) The intern works in the diagnostic program classroom under the supervision

of the Diagnostic School Program Coordinator. They may help both with behavior

management and lesson plans. They will also observe the diagnostic process and may also

Continued on page 9

INTERNSHIP ROLES: OVERVIEW

9

intern in the residential diagnostic unit. B) Alternately, the intern may work with a therapist at

the main school observing therapy and assisting with alternative learning. Weekday mornings

and early afternoon.

Programs: A) Villa Maria Diagnostic School at St. Vincent’s Villa, B) Villa Maria School

Residential Treatment Intern

Degree paths: Psychology, Human Services, Mental Health, Social Work, and related fields.

Description: The intern helps develop and maintain a therapeutic environment for the

children in the residential unit to which they are assigned. Usually supervised by Milieu

Supervisor who oversees Residential Treatment Counselors or Senior Residential Treatment

Counselor. Weekday afternoons and evenings; sometimes weekends.

Programs: St. Vincent’s Villa Residential Treatment Center, St. Vincent’s Villa Diagnostic Unit

(Genesis).

Therapeutic Recreation Intern

Degree paths: Therapeutic Recreation or related fields.

Description: The intern assists the recreational therapist in recreational and leisure activities

provided to children aged 5-13 in residential care, as well as having the opportunity to observe

assessments and the documentation process of groups. Schedule must be flexible to be

available for holiday and some weekend events. Final year students strongly preferred.

Programs: St. Vincent’s Villa Residential Treatment Center

INTERNSHIP ROLES: OVERVIEW

Please specify the primary role to which you are applying in your cover letter.

10

Educational Treatment Assistant Intern (Villa Maria School & Pre-Voc)

Immediate supervisor: Psychoeducator (teacher) or school therapist

PURPOSE: The primary function of the ETA Intern is to help develop and maintain a therapeutic

environment in the classroom. The intern is assigned to a class setting where he/she will assist with

the preparation and implementation of lesson plans under the direction of the Psychoeducator.

QUALIFICATIONS: Must be a college junior or senior; preferably special education major or

completed courses in both psychology and education; capacity to relate to severely emotionally

disturbed children in a sensitive, understanding and clinically insightful manner; must possess

independence, initiative, and good interpersonal skills.

WORK HOURS: Monday – Friday; any day between 8:45 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. (Pre-Voc: Mon., Tue., Thu.

9:00-2:30) At least twice per week.

POSITION DUTIES:

Maintain structure and organization within the classroom setting in accordance with the

therapeutic goals of the child’s Individual Treatment Plan (ITP) and Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Actively interacts and nurtures groups and/or individuals in the school setting.

Serve as a role model for the children by encouraging and reinforcing appropriate behavior and

discouraging destructive behaviors through the constructive use of the behavior treatment

protocols; will also exercise sound judgement and common sense in interpretations.

Teach children to assume responsibility for their own behaviors as they learn to recognize their

need for alternative, more effective and appropriate ways of expressing themselves.

Make accurate and specific observations of children’s behavior and communicate same in a timely

manner to appropriate staff.

Participate in the planning and implementation of classroom programming (academic, behavioral,

social, recreational, etc.) which will include preparation and implementation of academic lesson

plans which are in keeping with the student’s IEP and have been approved by the Psychoeducator.

Attend and participate in staff training, conferences and meetings as required or assigned.

Perform additional duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor.

Role description last updated: July 2015.

SAMPLE FULL ROLE DESCRIPTIONS

11

Residential Treatment Intern (St. Vincent’s Villa)

Immediate Supervisor: Milieu Supervisor or Senior RTC

PURPOSE: The primary function of the Residential Treatment Intern is to help develop and maintain

a therapeutic environment for the children in their care. This involves creating opportunities for

corrective emotional experiences and socialization as well as fostering relationships which promote

development and growth.

QUALIFICATIONS: Must be a college junior or senior majoring in psychology or related field;

capacity to relate to severally emotionally disturbed children in a sensitive, understanding and clinically

insightful manner; independence and initiative; good interpersonal skills which allow relating well with

co-workers.

WORK HOURS: Depends on the unit; usually Monday – Friday, between 3 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. At

least twice per week.

POSITION DUTIES:

Actively interact with, nurture, and assist staff in supervising a group of ten children.

Use milieu therapy and other suggested treatment modalities to address the particular needs of

each child as outlined in their Individual Treatment Plan (ITP).

Make accurate and specific observations of children’s behavior and communicate same in a timely

manner to appropriate staff.

Provide for the physical care of each child.

Maintain structure and organization within the apartment setting by following schedules and

carrying out routines with consistency.

Serve as a role model for the children by encouraging and reinforcing appropriate behavior and

discouraging destructive behaviors through the use of the Behavior Treatment System (BTS); will

also exercise sound judgement and common sense in interpretations.

Teach children to assume responsibility for their own behaviors as they learn to recognize their

need for alternative, more effective and appropriate ways of expressing themselves.

Exhibit awareness and understanding of policies, guidelines, and procedures in the Department of

Residential Services and, as appropriate, those of the overall treatment center.

Attend and participate in staff training and conference as required and/or assigned.

Perform other duties as assigned.

SAMPLE FULL ROLE DESCRIPTIONS

12

Therapeutic Recreation Intern (St. Vincent’s Villa)

Supervisor: Recreational Therapy Coordinator (recreational therapist)

SUMMARY:

Therapeutic Recreation’s goal is to utilize a wide range of activity and community based interventions

and techniques to improve the physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and leisure needs of the clients.

The clients will develop skills that will allow them to display appropriate behaviors for daily living skills

and community involvement. A Therapeutic Recreation intern would assist the recreational therapist in

recreational and leisure activities provided to our children, as well as have the opportunity to observe

assessments and the documentation process of groups.

WORK HOURS: May vary with recreational therapy event schedule.

POSITION DUTIES:

Oversees activities with small and larger group of students, helping maintain structure and

organization.

Works one on one with a student who may need additional help.

Reports observations regarding the child’s skills, behavior and other pertinent information to the

recreational therapist or psychoeducators.

Serves as a role model for the children by encouraging and reinforcing appropriate behavior and

discouraging destructive behaviors through the use of the Behavior Treatment System.

Teach children to assume responsibility for their own behaviors as they learn to recognize their

need for alternative, more effective and appropriate ways of expressing themselves.

Attend and participate in training as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Junior or Senior in undergraduate related major. Recreational Therapy students strongly preferred.

Patience to work with emotionally disabled children. Ability to function effectively as a member of a

team. Ability to carry out duties without continual close supervision.

Role description last updated: July 2015.

SAMPLE FULL ROLE DESCRIPTIONS

13

Read this really great and interesting packet.

Submitted application, with email and day-time phone number for reference contacts.

Submitted my resume or CV.

Got confirmation that application was received.

Notified reference contacts that they will be receiving a request for a reference for you

from us.

Scheduled interview (usually after references returned).

Attended interview.

CPS form notarized and submitted to Volunteer Services.

Verified Volunteers background check initiated (after interview).

Photo ID shown to Volunteer Services.

Health Questionnaire or PPD tuberculosis test results sent to Volunteer Services before

starting placement (see p. 6).

Fingerprinting done, if applicable (see p.6).

Sent RSVP for Pre-Service Training (if accepting offered placement) and other training.

Please contact with any questions:

Mikael Kristiansen, Volunteer Coordinator

volunteercfs@cc-md.org

410-252-4000 x1606

Thank you!

This packet can be found online at: http://www.catholiccharities-md.org/fsvolunteers/pdfs/

fsvolunteer-undergraduate.pdf

INTERN APPLICATION CHECKLIST