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Social Work Internship Program

2022-2023 SW Intern Experience

Task Description Percentage Hours per Week
Referral Triage DEC routinely receives referrals that can more appropriately be served by other providers or systems, including Regional Center, the School District, and First 5-funded programs such as Healthy Development Services. Under the direction of a psychologist, the intern will clinically triage new referrals to final disposition as follows:

  1. Conduct chart review to determine age, existing diagnoses, and additional clinical information.
  2. Contact referring party (typically the PCP) for additional clinical or diagnostic information as needed.
  3. Follow DEC guidelines to either redirect referral to the appropriate program, or place on DEC’s referral list.
  4. If referral is redirected, contact referring party to inform them.
 40%
Case Management/ Care Coordination Caregivers may be overwhelmed after their child receives a new diagnosis and require support in connecting with recommended services and navigating various service systems. The Intern will participate in “Patient Rounding” with a specific focus on families who were given a new diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder with care coordination needs identified during that contact.  Other referrals for care coordination may come from the psychologist on the DEC team. Support will be provided after the evaluation during scheduled appointments over the phone or in person according to the following schedule:

  1. The intern will contact caregivers to ask specific questions about their experience at DEC, to discuss their immediate questions or concerns and review their success in following up on recommendations.
  2. Families identified as needing further care coordination will be reviewed during supervision with the psychologist. A service plan and timeline for care will be developed and tracked weekly.  The SW will then meet with the family to provide ongoing care navigation and reduce any existing barriers to accessing services through motivational interviewing, parent education, care navigation, and advocacy.
 25%
Macro Activities TBD Macro activities will be selected collaboratively by the intern and field instructor, taking into account the student’s background, interests, and learning needs. Examples of macro activities include, but are not limited to:

  1. DEC’s annual Quality Process Improvement (QAPI) team
  2. Program outcome analysis
  3. Grant-writing
 15%
Other Learning Activities TBD Additional learning opportunities will be assigned per the intern’s learning plan. These activities will be selected collaboratively by the intern and field instructor taking into account the student’s background, interests, and learning needs. Examples of other learning activities include, but are not limited to:

  1. Shadowing staff at preschool program Alexa’s PLAYC, medical social workers, KidSTART care coordinators/SWs.
  2. Learning to administer an evidenced-based measure such as the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales 3rd edition.
  3. Depression screenings/safety assessments of adolescents in partnership with Rady’s physical therapy department.
 20%