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Agency Responsibility
Agencies whose social work goals, services and policies are
compatible with the values of social work, who demonstrate
an interest in and commitment to student education, and who
have licensed social workers with degrees in the field, are
selected as placement sites for social work interns.
This assumes a willingness to work closely with interns and
the faculty liaison to develop learning practice experiences
and to provide, at a minimum, weekly supervision. It is important
that helping professionals with degrees in social work provide
supervision for social work interns. The process for this
selection includes completion of an agency
data form by a representative of the agency
(Appendix J) and discussions between the internship coordinator
and a representative of the prospective placement agency.
The overall responsibility of the agency is to provide a
climate in which the intern can integrate theoretical concepts
with beginning practice experience. The following detail this: (see Student and Field Instructor Internship Manual 2007-2008 For details and appendices)
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To establish a process to interview and select prospective
interns
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To demonstrate an interest in and commitment to student
education, demonstrated by a willingness to assign staff
time and energy to intern supervision, attendance at workshops
for field instructors and consultation with the faculty
liaison.
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To assign one specific agency worker, a licensed MSW,
known as a field instructor, to supervise the intern.
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In conjunction with the prospective intern and Internship
Coordinator develop an internship contract, to guide students
to the internship.
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To complete, sign and return the Agency
Data form (Appendix J) and the Placement
Agreement (Appendix K).
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To provide the student with a detailed orientation to
the agency - policies, services, goals, purposes and clientele
during the early weeks of the internship that includes:
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Orientation schedule
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"Nitty-gritty" info: parking, bathrooms,
eating facilities, dress requirements, break
times, holidays, telephone instructions, signing
in and out, introductions to staff, how intern
should identify herself/himself.
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Specific recording instructions.
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Access to intra-agency and community phone
directories, procedure manuals, human resources
within the community, any special reference
books, i.e., DSM IV, federal privacy act and
any other reference material that is likely
used on a regular basis.
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Information on any special security precautions.
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Discuss the human elements to the work, stress,
fears, anxieties, frustrations, failures and
the need to process with someone. What can be
processed with persons outside of the agency.
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Describe supervisory approach. What agency
expects from the student.
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Provide the student with a glossary of acronyms,
symbols, jargon and technical terms unique to
the agency.
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Review the student's coursework and discuss
the knowledge and skills acquired in consideration
of that required to perform the social work
duties within the agency. Note the emphasis
on systems approach.
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To provide a minimum of one hour per week of scheduled
individual supervision that includes review of the intern's
assignments with constructive feedback and creates an
opportunity to integrate theory with practice experience.
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To allow the student to attend and participate in staff
meetings as well as in team meetings, if the agency normally
provides group supervision.
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To provide the student with opportunities to work with
various client systems; individuals, families, groups,
etc.- receiving service from the agency.
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To provide opportunities for the intern to become familiar
with community resources and services and to have the
experience of coordinating these services within the scope
of the student's agency based assignments
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To allow the student space in which to work.
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To provide reimbursement for agency-related travel.
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To provide the student with meals, lodging and / or stipend
when these are available.
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To complete a faculty liaison evaluation form. (Appendix
L)
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To complete with the intern, a midterm and final evaluation
of the intern's performance
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