Program Information Generalist Placement: Training and Internship offered to be a Volunteer Advocate Peer Counselor to work with survivors of domestic violence. This internship position is a 12 month commitment once training is complete and offers the opportunity to volunteer on our crisis hotline, facilitate support groups, help with intake and legal advocacy. We have 30 positions open for this program. Interns in this program are supervised by Staff Advocates in our Services for Survivors of Domestic Violence Department.
Advanced Placement: Training and Internship to provide counseling to our participants. For the Advanced Placement the Intern will have the opportunity to provide one on one and support group facilitation to adult survivors and teens. This internship program does not have a minimum time commitment and can be tailored to fit the MSW students academic/practicum hours requirements. We are looking for an MSW student interested in providing one on one counseling to children, teens and adults. The position will be supervised by an MSW professional who is volunteering their time to support this program.
Clinical/MSW Intern job description
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Walnut Avenue Family & Women's Center (Walnut Avenue) is a strength-based family center.
We strive to support children, youth and survivors of domestic violence in a strength-based
and trauma-informed way. Through education, information and advocacy, participants have the opportunity to gain skills for empowerment and emotional, mental and physical safety.
Clinical/MSW Intern Role
Provide one-on-one counseling to children, youth and adults who have experienced/witnessed domestic violence. There will be an opportunity to also co-facilitate support groups for adults and/or youth. Our agency will provide you with the following support/training;
Certification to provide support to survivors of domestic violence in the state of California (must complete training in Spring/prior to placement)
Supervision meetings with a qualified practicum supervisor
Opportunity to provide counseling to children, youth and adults
Opportunity to co-facilitate support groups for adults and/or youth
Monthly Professional Development meetings with fellow interns
Weekly case management meetings with staff advocates
Weekly meetings with supervisors
Requirements & Qualifications
Certified to provide individual/practicum hours of support to children, youth and adults
Complete Walnut Avenue's General Volunteer Orientation
Complete Walnut Avenue's Advocate for Survivors of Domestic Violence Certification Training
Be available to provide counseling on a weekly basis during office hours (Office hours are Monday _ Friday from 9am to 1pm and/or 2pm to 5pm)
Attend monthly professional development trainings for on-going training and supervision
Meet with your internship supervisor and the Director of Domestic Violence & Youth Services on a regular basis
Pass Fingerprint/background check
Access to email
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Ability to implement the empowerment model to provide strength based and trauma informed support within the context of one-on-one counseling
Understand the dynamics of DV, risk factors, danger assessment, and dimensions of safety planning to promote emotional, behavioral and physical well-being
A strong understanding of the intersection of PTSD, substance abuse, a history of sexual abuse, poverty, homelessness, oppression, additional factors such as the internalized effects of racism, sexism, heterosexism, and other marginalizing issues on a survivors experience of DV
Knowledge of and ability to adhere to agency, program and component protocols
High level of self-awareness
Ability to professionally represent the agency through appropriate demeanor and attire
Ability to provide culturally competent support: communicate effectively with participants from diverse socio-economic, cultural and educational backgrounds to gain rapport, maintain confidence, and obtain confidential information in a tactful and courteous manner
Manage priorities to meet participant needs/goals and agency expectations ~prioritize and respond to needs/goals of participants in a prompt and efficient manner; recognize and analyze complex issues, gather relevant information, establish facts, draw valid conclusions, respond to details of circumstances promptly, and communicate clearly and concisely ~ orally and in writing
Strong professional communication skills: ability to respond to program communications within 24-hours
Effective organizational skills: efficient and timely
Capacity to assess, prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously in a time-sensitive, emotionally stressful, fast paced and ever changing environment with minimal supervision
Capable of working well both collaboratively and independently
Strong interpersonal skills: commitment to uphold agency Code of Conduct to maintain a mutually respectful & supportive work environment that values and empowers team members to collectively accomplish program goals
It is the policy of Walnut Avenue Women's Center to provide equal employment and volunteer opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, physical disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.