Internships



ECFA welcomes interns in our different programs. Click on the names of the internships you are interested in and read the descriptions carefully before contacting the office.

  Program Type of Internship Availability  
  Counseling Master's Level Internship contact in January 2009  
  Counseling Doctoral Level - Clerkship accepting resumes  
  Foster Care Bachelor's Level Internship accepting resumes  
  Intact Family Services Master's Level Internship accepting resumes  
  Adoption Master's Level Internship accepting resumes  
  Pregnancy Support Master's Level Internship accepting resumes  
  Development Bachelor's Level Internship accepting resumes  
         


Counseling Program - Master's Level Internship

ECFA will provide a limited number of internships to students who are in a Master's level program in Social Work, Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, or related fields.

Evangelical Child and Family Agency's counseling program is designed to help children, adults, couples, and families who are faced with problems of personal, interpersonal, marital, social, or spiritual adjustment. The program addresses parent/child conflicts, adolescent and teen issues, adoption issues, child abuse, depression, grief, marital conflict, communication problems, etc.

  The objectives of the internship program are:  
  To offer the opportunity for students to apply theory to practice
  To aid the student in learning how to establish and sustain therapeutic relationships with clients
  To assist the student in learning to think critically and analytically; break down complex issues into manageable parts; and to prioritize issues in problem solving
  To practice integration of Christian theology with psychologically-based theories and techniques
  To help the student learn appropriate use of supervision and consultation
  To provide the student with an understanding of the structure and functioning of a social service agency
These objectives will be accomplished through the following means.
The student will:
  Be provided the opportunity to meet with selected administrative and professional personnel to learn the Agency's structure and service delivery
  Attend the staff in-service training, as available
  Review program and agency manuals and procedures
  Participate in staffings and consultations of cases
  Carry a selected caseload of clients
  Complete written process recordings weekly and do progress notes and reports
  Meet with the supervisor on a weekly basis
  Participate in an evaluation of the field work experience
  Participate in counseling team meetings and teach at one of the meetings
  Conduct individual, family, couple, and/or group therapy
  Become familiar with counseling resources such as books and videos
  Do other duties as assigned


If you are interested in the Counseling Master's Level Internship, please contact:

David A. Lundberg, MSW, LSW
Director of Clinical Services
Evangelical Child and Family Agency
1530 N. Main
Wheaton, IL 60187
630-653-6400

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Counseling - Doctoral Level Clerkship

ECFA will offer one clerkship per year to students who are in a Psy. D. Clinical Psychology program who have completed their Master level work.

Evangelical Child and Family Agency's counseling program is designed to help children, adults, couples, and families who are faced with problems of personal, interpersonal, marital, social, or spiritual adjustment. The program addresses parent/child conflicts, adolescent and teen issues, adoption issues, child abuse, depression, grief, marital conflict, communication problems, foster care issues, etc.

  The objectives of the clerkship program are:  
  To offer the opportunity for students to apply theory to practice
  To aid the student in learning how to establish and sustain therapeutic relationships with clients
  To assist the student in learning to think critically and analytically; break down complex issues into manageable parts; and to prioritize issues in problem solving
  To provide the student with the opportunity to practice integration of Christian theology with psychological theories and techniques
  To help the student learn appropriate use of supervision and consultation
  To provide the student with an understanding of the structure and functioning of a social service agency
  To provide opportunity to complete 1-2 batteries of psychological testing, if available
These objectives will be accomplished through the following means.
The student will:
  Serve a selected caseload of clients
  Process psycho-social and diagnostic assessments of clients referred to ECFA
  Interview clients and individuals closely related to clients, such as family members
  Evaluate assessment results; plan counseling sessions
  Conduct individual, couple, family, and/or group work
  Write reports, evaluations, and closing summaries, and two process recordings per week
  Participate in staffings and consultations of cases
  Participate in Team meetings and teach at one of the meetings
  Attend the staff in-service training, as available
  Conduct psychological testing dependent upon client need and student's level of competence
  Meet with primary supervisor on a weekly basis
  Meet with Clinical Supervisor twice per month (1 group consultation; 1 individual)
  Meet with selected administrative and professional personnel to learn the ECFAÕs structure and service delivery
  Participate in an evaluation of the field work experience
  Become familiar with counseling resources such as books and videos
  Other unique assigned duties
Working Relationships:
  Contact other social service agencies, schools, hospitals, courts, and public mental health organizations; make referrals or obtain case-related information
  Contact and consult with ECFA caseworker assigned to client or client's family; discuss progress of clients and obtain case-related information
  Consult with supervisor and consulting psychologist on details of case planning
  Make client referrals to appropriate self-help groups
  Provide networking with treatment facilities to establish a continuum of services, including referrals to inpatient alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs, halfway houses, and outpatient treatment centers


If you are interested in the Counseling Doctoral Level Clerkship, please contact:

David A. Lundberg, MSW, LSW
Director of Clinical Services
Evangelical Child and Family Agency
1530 N. Main
Wheaton, IL 60187
630-653-6400

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Foster Care - Bachelor's Level Internship

  Goal: To provide the intern with a comprehensive experience of a social worker's role in the child welfare system  
Objective: Intern to experience different facets of casework practice in Foster Care.  
  Strategy: 1. Attend DCFS Administrative Case Reviews with caseworker(s)  
    2. Attend Juvenile Court hearing with caseworker(s)  
    3. Visit biological home(s) with caseworker(s)  
    4. Visit foster home(s) with caseworker(s)  
         
Objective: Integrate academic knowledge, professional skills and responsibilities  
  Strategy: 1.Attend ongoing in-service training at ECFA (if available)  
    2. Attend 2-3 Foster Care specific related training sponsored by ECFA, DCFS or other child welfare agencies  
         
Objective: Demonstrate increased awareness/knowledge of the child welfare system.  
  Strategy: 1. Write at least one Progress Report  
    2. Write a least on Client Service Plan  
    3. Supervise a minimum of three parent-child visits/month, and write a visitation summary of each visit  
    4. Show assertiveness and initiative in the learning process (i.e., ask questions of intern trainer and field instructor)  
    5. Become familiar with DCFS Foster Care Standards and the Illinois Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act  
    6. Meet with Adoption Coordinator to discuss adoption issues  
    7. Meet with Pregnancy Support Service Supervisor to discuss Agency services to those experiencing unplanned pregnancies  
         
Objective: Gain insight into his/her interest and/or skill level for social work in the child welfare system.  
  Strategy: 1. Communicate with intern trainer and field instructor his/her feelings regarding the internship experience  
    2. Periodically volunteer for an assignment of interest  
    3. Accept specific skill building assignments  
    4. Work an occasional evening/weekend when appropriate  
         
Evaluation: The intern will be evaluated on his/her demonstrated ability in the following areas:  
  Writing skills, enthusiasm, professional intuitiveness, tolerance for stress, ability to ask for assistance, and to accept direction when given, Ability to relate and adapt to the foster care system, punctuality, self awareness.  


If you are interested in the Foster Care Bachelor's Level Internship, please contact:

Chicago-Pilsen Office                                                    Rockford Office
Victor Lasko, Supervisor                                               Mark Schuth, Supervisor
773-523-6200                                                               815-229-3255

Wheaton Office                                                             Wheaton Office
Terri Pinder, Licensing Supervisor                                  Jaida Nagengast, Supervisor
630-653-6400                                                                630-653-6400

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Intact Family Services - Master's Level Internship

ECFA will offer a limited number of internships to students who are in a Master's level program in Social Work.

ECFA's Intact Family Services program is designed to help parents address the issue(s) that brought their family to the attention of DCFS. ECFA provides intensive home-based services to families living in DuPage County, who are referred to the program by DCFS. ECFA is responsible for monitoring the home, the safety and well-being of the children, the progress made by parents in specific services they are referred to by ECFA and/or DCFS, assessing the parents on a regular basis, making appropriate referrals for both parents and children, and determining when families are ready to have their cases closed.

Families are referred to ECFA for a variety of reasons including but not limited to: physical abuse, substance abuse, risk of harm, sexual abuse and environmental neglect.

ECFA works with families from various socio-economic and racial backgrounds.

An internship in the Intact Family Services program is designed to expose individuals to families who are involved with DCFS and the case management that is involved in helping parents keep their families intact.

  The objectives of the internship program are:  
  To learn about private agencies as well as DCFS and how they function together and separately to meet the needs of families
  To aid students in learning how to work with individuals, families, as well as communities and organizations
  Assist individuals in increasing their knowledge of how to work with families through the stages of Engagement, Assessment, Service Planning and Implementation, Evaluation and Termination
  Interns will learn a variety of roles such as facilitator, planner, teacher, educator and case manager
  To assist students in learning how to best help parents learn how to meet the basic needs of their family in a healthy and positive manner and how to stop the cycle of abuse and/or neglect
  Assist students in increasing their knowledge of how to work with families from a variety cultural and economical backgrounds
  To help students learn how to appropriately use supervision and consultation
  Gain an understanding of the DCFS procedures for intact families
Interns will accomplish the above objectives through the flowing means:
  Meet with the Director ECFA
  Read through and discuss with supervisor various manuals/procedures used by the program
  Assist workers on weekly home visits
  Meet weekly with supervisor
  Carry a case load of 1-2 families and conduct all the tasks expected of a caseworker: assess the families, obtain social history information, create service plan, write treatment summaries, make appropriate referrals and monitor progress in services, visit each family and meet with the children individually during visits, conduct family meetings, etc.
  Attend Intact Family Services Team meetings and at least one agency wide staff meeting
  Provide education to parents: teach basic parenting skills and child development, teach about how to make healthy relationship decisions, teach about domestic violence prevention, etc.
  Participate in case consultations
  Help supervisor with tasks such as creating resource directories, a training manual, and other materials


If you are interested in the Intact Familiy Services Master's Level Internship, please contact:

Wendy Payne, Supervisor
630-653-4340

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Adoption Program - Master's Level Internship
 
This internship is designed to meet practicum requirements of a student in a Social Work or related human service field. This goal is accomplished by providing exposure to ECFA as a whole, thus enhancing understanding of the field of child welfare and specific involvement with clients in the Adoption Program.
Exposure to the Agency
  Meet individually with the Executive Director and the Director of Clinical Services for orientation to the Agency and the field of child welfare
  Meet individually with program supervisors (Foster Care, Pregnancy Support Services, Counseling, and Post Legal Adoption Services) for general orientation to each of the programs
  Attend and participate in Agency staff meetings and in-service training
  Attend Agency sponsored functions such as retreats and fund raising and public relations events
Understanding the Adoption Program
  Review and study the Adoption Manual
  Review Licensing Standards set up by DCFS for Foster/Adoptive homes
  Review Child Care and Adoption Acts
  Attend regular and special needs adoption orientation meetings
  Attend Adoption Information Service meeting
  Become familiar with Adoption Listing and Adoption Information Center
  Participate in Adoption Team meeting and psychological consultation
  Attend outside seminars and workshops related to adoption
Clinical Experience
  Depending upon the level of the placement (undergraduate or graduate) and the individual's clinical skill, the intern may be assigned home study cases. Through this assignment, the intern will learn the technique of interviewing to gather psycho-social history, assess motivation, personality, marriage, parenting skills, and other factors relevant to adoption and parenting. The intern will also be assigned post placement cases, which will help the student learn to assess parent/child adjustment and the legal aspect of adoption.
  The intern will be given Master's level supervision, or at the level expected by the school. The intern will be expected to turn in to the supervisor process recording and other assignments designated by the supervisor for supervisory purposes.
Relationship With The School
  The designated supervisor from the Agency will maintain contact with the appropriate official at the school and will perform all the tasks required to satisfy the internship experience for the student
   

If you are interested in the Adoption Program Master's Level Internship, please contact:

Cristina Cook, Adoption Supervisor
Wheaton Office
630-653-6400

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Pregnancy Support Services - Master's Level Internship

  Exposure to ECFA's functioning as an agency:  
  Meet individually with program supervisors (Pregnancy Support Services, Foster Care, Counseling) for general orientation to each program
  Review the Standards of Services as set by the Child Welfare League
  Review DCFS licensing requirements for foster and adoptive homes
  Observe juvenile court procedures for child abuse and/or neglect cases
  To provide the student with an understanding of the structure and functioning of a social service agency
Education in the Pregnancy Support Program:
  Review Agency Policies and Procedures Manual
  Read literature related to issues in pregnancy counseling and adoption
  Attend Pregnancy Support Services team meetings
  Learn referral resources for birth parents
Clinical Experience in Pregnancy Support Services:
  Provide pregnancy counseling to clients, with exposure to individual, couple, and family interventions
  Co-lead a support group for birth parents
  Conduct a home study assessment on a PSS or adoptive family
  Receive weekly supervision from an LSW
Opportunity to attend agency-sponsored functions (i.e., fall retreat, workshops, fund-raising events)
Opportunity to attend community sponsored meetings and seminars (e.g., DuPage County, ADAPT, COPT)
 

If you are interested in the Pregnancy Support Services' Master's Level Internship, please contact:

Prudence Rowe, Supervisor
630/653-6400

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Development - Bachelor's Level Internship

  This internship is designed to meet the requirements of a student in communications or related fields. This goal is accomplished by providing exposure to the Agency as a whole, and providing the intern with a comprehensive experience in our Development Department.  
Exposure to ECFA:
  Meet with the Executive Director and the Volunteer and Development Coordinator for orientation to the Agency and the Development Department
  Meet individually with program supervisors (Child Welfare, Pregnancy Support Services, Counseling, and Adoption) for program orientation
  Attend and participate in Agency staff meetings
  Attend Agency sponsored fund raising events
  Meet with possible donors and supporting churches
Understanding the Development Department:
  Work with the Volunteer and Development Coordinator
  Work with the Agency Representative in contacting donors and churches
  Work with the Development Associate in developing, planning, coordinating, and evaluating special events
  Work with establishing budgets and maintaining files, records, databases, and media contact lists for the Development Department
  Represent the Agency with public and private groups
Evaluation and Supervision:
  The designated supervisor from the Agency will maintain contact with the appropriate official at the school and will perform all the required responsibilities to satisfy the internship experience for the student.
   

If you are interested in the Development Department's Bachelor's Level Internship, please contact:

Jennie Tietjen, Volunteer and Development Coordinator
630-653-6400



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