Program InternAt — Building Futures and Friends

Building Futures & Friends (BFF) Summer Program Staff Intern

Community-Based Summer Internship

Position Summary

Building Futures & Friends (BFF) is seeking enthusiastic, compassionate, and dependable Summer Program Staff Interns who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This internship provides hands-on experience supporting children, teens, and young adults in inclusive community settings while connecting classroom knowledge with real-world practice.

Interns will work alongside experienced professionals to facilitate social, recreational, vocational, and life skills activities that promote independence, confidence, and meaningful community participation.

Responsibilities

• Support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities during daily community outings and activities.
• Assist with social skills development, communication, and positive peer interactions.
• Encourage independence with daily living and recreational activities.
• Help facilitate arts and crafts, games, fitness, sports, cooking, and community-based learning experiences.
• Assist participants with volunteer opportunities and vocational readiness activities.
• Provide positive behavioral support under the direction of supervising staff.
• Help monitor participant safety during transportation and community outings.
• Model professionalism, inclusion, patience, and respect at all times.
• Collaborate with BFF staff and families to create a fun, safe, and engaging environment.
• Complete any required documentation or reflection assignments for your university program.

Preferred Qualifications

Applicants pursuing degrees in:

• Child & Adolescent Studies
• Human Development
• Psychology
• Social Work
• Education
• Special Education
• Family & Human Services
• Recreation Therapy
• Related human services fields

Internship Qualifications

Based on university practicum expectations, interns should:

• Be interested in working directly with children, adolescents, young adults, and/or families in community-based settings.
• Demonstrate an interest in applying theory to real-life practice.
• Be comfortable supporting individuals in recreational, educational, and community environments.
• Possess strong communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.
• Be dependable, professional, and eager to learn.
• Receive supervision from qualified BFF professionals throughout the internship.
• Please note: This internship is community-based and does not take place in a traditional classroom setting.

What You'll Gain

• Hands-on experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Experience implementing inclusive recreation and community integration programs.
• Training in positive behavior support, communication strategies, and community inclusion.
• Professional mentorship from experienced educators and program staff.
• Experience valuable for careers in education, psychology, counseling, social work, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, behavior analysis, recreation therapy, and nonprofit leadership.

About Building Futures & Friends

Building Futures & Friends (BFF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through community-based day programs, social recreation, vocational experiences, and life skills development. Our mission is to empower every participant to build confidence, independence, friendships, and a meaningful future through inclusive community experiences.

Schedule: Summer (flexible based on university requirements)
Location: Community-based throughout Orange County, California
Supervision: Provided by experienced BFF leadership and qualified professionals.

Training:

Student Training and Supervision

Building Futures & Friends (BFF) provides a comprehensive onboarding and hands-on training experience designed to help interns successfully achieve their academic learning outcomes. Training emphasizes experiential learning, mentorship, and direct application of classroom knowledge in community-based settings.

Students will receive training in the following areas:

1. New Intern Orientation
Introduction to BFF's mission, values, policies, and expectations
Review of confidentiality, professionalism, ethics, and participant rights
Emergency procedures, safety protocols, and transportation guidelines
2. Hands-On Shadowing
Observe experienced Program Staff and supervisors before independently assisting participants
Learn effective communication techniques and best practices through modeling and guided practice
3. Community-Based Programming
Training on facilitating social, recreational, vocational, and life skills activities
Supporting participants during community outings, volunteer opportunities, fitness activities, and social events
4. Positive Behavior Support
Instruction and coaching on positive behavior supports, redirection strategies, conflict resolution, and promoting participant independence
Understanding person-centered supports and inclusive practices
5. Working with Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Disability awareness and inclusion
Communication strategies
Promoting self-advocacy, dignity, and independence
5. Weekly Supervision Meetings
Individual or small-group meetings with the internship supervisor
Review progress toward learning objectives
Reflection, feedback, goal setting, and discussion of challenges and successes
6. Team Meetings
Participation in regular staff meetings to discuss participant progress, upcoming activities, scheduling, and collaborative problem-solving
7. Professional Development Workshops
Opportunities to attend trainings related to behavior support, community inclusion, employment readiness, life skills instruction, safety, and nonprofit operations (as available)
8. Hands-On Leadership Opportunities
Gradual responsibility for planning and leading activities with supervision
Assisting with social skills groups, community outings, vocational experiences, and special events
9. Ongoing Coaching and Feedback
Daily guidance from experienced staff
Continuous observation, mentoring, and constructive feedback to encourage professional growth and confidence
Supervision

Interns are supervised by experienced BFF professionals with backgrounds in special education, child development, psychology, behavior support, and community-based programming. Supervision is provided continuously throughout the internship to ensure a supportive learning environment and successful integration of academic theory into professional practice.

This combination of orientation, hands-on experience, mentorship, weekly supervision, and professional development provides interns with meaningful opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed for careers in education, human services, psychology, social work, nonprofit leadership, and related fields.

Learning Outcome:

By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to:

1.Demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills by building positive, respectful relationships with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and fellow staff.
2. Plan and facilitate community-based activities that promote socialization, independence, life skills, and community inclusion while meeting the diverse needs of participants.
3. Apply positive behavior support strategies to encourage appropriate social interactions, foster independence, and maintain a safe, supportive environment.
4. Demonstrate professionalism by exhibiting reliability, ethical decision-making, teamwork, punctuality, confidentiality, and effective communication in a nonprofit community setting.
5. Integrate academic knowledge with practical experience by reflecting on internship experiences and applying theories from child development, psychology, education, family studies, or related fields to support individuals and families in community settings.