Undergraduate Social Work Internship

A BSW clinical intern is an undergraduate-level student who requires specialized supervision by a licensed Social Work professional, who will support the student in gaining hands-on experience in providing case management services, identifying resources, therapeutic interventions, identifying needs and strengths, working effectively with diverse client populations, and developing and implementing treatment plans. 

 

Catholic Charities employs over 200 licensed social workers in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings. Our seasoned and licensed social workers support over 25 MSW clinical interns every year to help students complete their field education requirements and gain relevant experience to last a lifetime.  

 

The most successful candidates will have a working knowledge of strength-based approaches to engaging with clients, as well as a familiarity and dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Candidates should feel comfortable engaging with colleagues and clients from diverse backgrounds. 

 

At Catholic Charities, we believe academic interns are integral to our team and bring fresh perspectives and energy to fulfilling our mission of inspiring hope and building futures for all communities in the greater Washington D.C. area. Our goal is to provide you opportunities for meaningful engagement where you will integrate classroom knowledge with practice and develop clinical social work skills. 

 

Catholic Charities offers BSW and MSW interns a weekly 3-hour clinical practice symposium during the school year. This cohort experience is designed to support students' field placement learning. The symposium is conducted by an interdisciplinary team of Catholic Charities senior staff who lead lively discussions and interactive group projects to apply social work principles to solve case studies of CC clients. This opportunity differentiates a Catholic Charities internship placement from those at other social service agencies.

 

In previous years, we have had social work interns placed in a wide spectrum of programs and roles.  Programs who engage interns change on a yearly basis, although examples of programs who take clinical interns include, but are not limited to: 

  • Counseling and Intake Program: The Counseling and Assessment program at Anchor Behavioral Health has a competitive rotation of three internship positions. Candidates should be 2nd year students in a graduate program working toward an MSW or graduate degree in Clinical Psychology. Students will be working in a counseling and assessment role with clients managing their chronic mental illness. Click here to learn more: Anchor Mental Health! 

  • School Based Mental Health (SBMH): The School Based Mental Health program provides mental health support to teachers, staff, and students across 25 public and charter schools in Washington D.C. 2nd year MSW students will work alongside licensed clinicians to promote students’ mental health needs and provide access to resources across three tiers of support: promotion and primary prevention, focused interventions, and intensive individualized therapy. Click here to learn more: School Based Mental Health!  

  • Assertive Community Treatment (ACT): The Assertive Community Treatment program works out in the community to reach individuals experiencing chronic mental health challenges. The ACT team is a multidisciplinary one comprised of mental health professionals, nurses, and social workers, who work directly with clients to set goals towards progress and independent living. Spanish-speaking applicants are highly encouraged to apply for this program internship placement. Click here to learn more: Assertive Community Treatment! 

  • Children and Adolescent Mobile Psychiatric Service (CHAMPS): The Children and Adolescent Mobile Psychiatric Service is an emergency response service for youth and adolescent adults who are experiencing a mental health or behavioral health crisis. The CHAMPS team works in close partnerships with DC hospitals and the police to provide on-site help to those in need. Click here to learn more: Children and Adolescent Mobile Psychiatric Service! 

  • Youth Care Coordination Program: The Youth Care Coordination (YCC) program serves as an after-care service for the family and child following a hospitalization or CHAMPS Intervention. YCC provides stabilization programming and support for a child’s mental and emotional health for up to 30 days following a discharge. The program will also link the consumer to community resources, such as individual or family counseling, healthcare, transportation, and rental assistance. YCC strives to provide children and families with the resources and tools to support the transitioning and healing process. Spanish-speaking applicants are highly encouraged to apply for this program internship placement.  

  • Community Support Program: The Community Support program provides Mental Health Rehabilitation Services to adults who are diagnosed with a serious and persistent mental illness, many of whom have co-occurring substance abuse disorders or health conditions. Community Support uses a strengths-based recovery model to provide services that are both client directed and community oriented, helping people with mental illness live healthy, productive, and independent lives. The Community Support Program provides mental health and life skills education, Crisis Intervention, relapse prevention resources, Management of Chronic Health Issues, and much more. Spanish-speaking applicants are highly encouraged to apply for this program internship placement. 

  • Newcomer Network Navigator Program and Immigration Legal Services: These programs recognize the importance to people who recently arrived in our country of the connection between strong social outcomes and strong legal outcomes. Changing the legal status of an immigrant can have long-lasting positive effects — better jobs, increased access to public benefits, security and the ability to participate in the community without fear. The Newcomer Network includes immigration legal services and case-management services. Navigator Program case managers work with newcomers to set goals, access resources, and overcome barriers to achieving goals.

If interested in becoming a 2024-25 academic intern with Catholic Charities, please consider applying. Programs who engage BSW or MSW academic interns will consider applicant’s preferred choice of program for internship, however we cannot guarantee it. Catholic Charities employees are welcome to apply for internship placements with the consent and collaboration of their department executive director. After submission, you will be contacted by the Volunteer Office with information on what to expect for next steps.

 

Questions? Contact volunteer@cc-dc.org