Internship Program
Address: 1836 Grant Street Denver, Colorado 80203 (office) – field sites in Southwest Denver & Far Northeast Denver
Agency Description
Colorado “I Have a Dream” Foundation is partnering with graduate school programs in the fields of Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, and other Mental Health areas to serve as a field placement site for students who are seeking experiential opportunities working with youth and families in communities throughout the Denver Metro area. Colorado “I Have A Dream” Foundation works to ensure that all children have the opportunity to pursue higher education, fulfill their potential, and achieve their dreams. We empower youth to graduate from college by equipping them with the skills and knowledge to succeed in life.
Treatment Methods
Our treatment methods use a holistic approach to enhance the development of social-emotional learning and therapeutic practices. The clinicians are able to consider the whole person and therefore are able to meet each child’s unique and individualized needs. We are committed that each youth who receives our services will go from surviving to thriving. We emphasize the use of best practice methods for social and emotional learning and therapeutic interventions that are rooted in trauma-informed care to create an avenue to improve overall success in the classroom from kindergarten through early adulthood, at home, in the community, and beyond. We believe that it is vital for the success of the program that we form a trusting relationship with each student and their families as well as the other stakeholders who support them.
Intern Experience
We provide opportunities to approximately 10 trainees who are working on their advanced degrees in the mental health field. Combined, our interns have provided nearly 5,000 hours of service to support the social and emotional health, mental health, and overall well-being of the youth we work alongside youth and families in the southwest and far northeast of Denver. This placement is unpaid from our organization; however, we have served as a work-study site for some students. The internship program is divided into two parts. The first is the Social and Emotional Learning Track which will be available to first-year graduate students in the field of social work or bachelor level social work students. The second is the Behavioral Health Track and will be available to second-year graduate students in the field of social work or graduate students in the field of counseling.
Supervision
Interns in Colorado “I Have A Dream” Foundation’s program will receive weekly one on one supervision from a licensed professional in the mental health field, regular larger group training throughout the year on therapeutic strategies and methods, ethics, etc., quarterly session observations from the Senior Director of Clinical Services, and participate in team meetings where case conceptualization is discussed.
Candidate Requirements
Minimum of beginner level knowledge on child development and behavior
Experience working with youth from a diverse and underrepresented background
Understanding of systems
2nd Year students must have at least one year of experience working in a clinical setting in order to participate in the Behavioral Health track. Consideration will be given to 2nd-year interns who would like to participate in the Social and Emotional Learning track.
The unwavering belief that all students can be successful
Record of accomplishment contributing to an organizational culture that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion
Strong team player
Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop strong relationships across a diverse spectrum of stakeholders
Great communication skills (written, verbal, non-verbal)
There is no minimum or maximum requirement for hours; however, we ask that Interns are available to work the same schedule week after week
Fluency in reading, writing, and speaking Spanish is highly preferred
Occasional evening or weekend hours
Must be fingerprinted and pass a background check before the start of the internship.
Social and Emotional Learning
The intern will:
Participate in the educational opportunities to families and caregivers on developmentally appropriate milestones – specifically in the area of healthy expression of emotions and needs.
Secure resources to address food insecurity, housing, medical needs, etc.
Manage a small caseload of children between the grades of kindergarten – fifth.
Provide 1:1 and small group sessions addressing social and emotional skills via a curriculum.
Participate in case conceptualization opportunities with the larger team
Emotional Wellness & Therapeutic Services
The intern will:
Manage a small caseload of children between grades six through post-college.
Work alongside the youth and their families providing therapeutic services using the methods of play-based therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral (among others, if necessary) all with a strengths-based perspective and a trauma-informed approach.
Facilitate small therapeutic groups for youth and families within the community and those enrolled in the Colorado “I Have A Dream” Foundation’s program.
Application Process:
Opportunities for Spring 2022 are currently full. Accepting applications for Summer 2022 placements and field placements to start in Fall 2022.
To apply please visit this link. Applicants will be asked to submit a resume as well as answer questions related to their experience.
Timeline of Fall 2022 Field Placements:
Applications will be open between February 1, 2022, and February 28, 2022.
Interviews will be conducted between March 1st and March 25th. All applicants will be notified by April 1, 2022.
If you have any questions please email Aimee Alcorn, LCSW, CCTP (Senior Director of Clinical Services) at aalcorn@cihadf.org or 303-861-5005 x116
