Family Support InternshipAt — New Alternatives Inc.

New Alternatives is a non profit organization working with children and families who have experienced childhood abuse. Our office is in Santa Ana and we serve approx. 200 families per month.

The internship involves working directly with parents & children who are part of Social Services and currently in the process of reunifying with their child and creating healthy relationships that will begin the healing process.

Supervised Visitation Internship- This internship takes place at the Santa Ana office working directly with parent and child during court ordered visitation.  Only 4 days are available and interns can choose full days or partial days.  

Mon 12-8:30pm

Tues 12-8:30pm

Wed 12-8:30pm

Thurs 12-8:30pm

Sat 9-5pm

Sun 9-5pm

 Additional duties

Interns will be assisting employees with things that always need to be done as a part of non profit work. Common tasks are included below however we are open to suggestion and we absolutely encourage a student who has an idea or passion that they would like to bring to life.

-working with donations
-setting up games, activities and resources for families while they are in our building.
-filing case notes into client files

Interns will be supervised by Jennifer Galvan and will meet weekly for individual or group supervision throughout the semester.  This weekly meeting will be scheduled around the intern's schedule and will focus on skill building, trauma informed care training and a wide array of topics designed to benefit the learning process. Interns will be required to go through a livescan fingerprint clearance and an orientation before they begin their internship.  

Interns will gain hands-on skills with clients, case note documentation, staying connected and learning communication skills. This ground level work is the first step that can lead to additional experience in the field.  

Internships can be done in a single semester however interns are welcome to return for additional semesters in the same program or branch out and try another program.   

Skills gained:

Provide direct services to children and families during court ordered visitation.
Case documentation
Communication with Orange County Social Services

Training:

Interns are required to pass a livescan fingerprint clearance and complete orientation before beginning their internship. Interns will meet weekly with Supervisor in individual or group setting. All case documentation will be reviewed by New Alternatives before being placed in client files.

Learning Outcomes:

Use a well developed observational strategy to assess needs and services for clients.
Write concise reports about observed interactions and interventions used during weekly sessions
Effectively identify potential crisis intervention and conflict resolution techniques.

Note:

The Santa Ana office is considered to be a high crime area. Employees and interns are never left alone on campus during evening hours. Lights surround the building and parking lot.