MSW Social Work Intern

MSW Social Work Intern

At Ability First, we are dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities achieve their personal best. Our mission is to look beyond disabilities, focus on capabilities, and expand possibilities. We provide a wide range of programs designed to support individuals with developmental and physical disabilities across their lifespan.

As a MSW Social Work Intern, you will be providing coaching, training, and guidance to individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in skills needed for successful post-secondary education or other community integration experiences. Assisting individuals to complete college-level or vocational training with the goal of transitioning into community employment.

What You'll Do:

• Support volunteerism, access, inclusion, transportation skills, and relationship building.
• Establish positive, supportive, respectful relationships/interactions with students.
• Become knowledgeable about the students' interests, unique abilities and support needs, and use the insights gained to help students develop plans, set goals and create solutions.
• Demonstrate motivation and enthusiasm in all interactions with students.
• Encourage active participation of students in all activities with a strong emphasis on promoting independence (allow them to do as much for themselves as possible).
• Interact with community members in a way that encourages respectful, age-appropriate treatment of students, and the building of mutually respectful relationships.
• Maintain a calm, supportive and professional presence when interacting with students, co-workers, and community members.
• Clearly communicate with supervisors/co-workers, and pro-actively address questions/concerns.
• Develop positive/respectful relationships with families, and outside agency staff. This includes the ability to be empathetic and sensitive to issues, stressors and external factors, which may impede the parent and care provider's ability to support students in a way which matches Ability First's philosophy. This also includes the ability to be assertive and strongly advocate for student needs/rights without being aggressive or unprofessional.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the big picture and long-term outcomes for students, with an understanding that an intensive intervention process may need to be implemented, rather than settling for a quick fix.
• Demonstrate an ability to assess and problem-solve a situation in the moment, using good judgment, common sense and respect for individual rights and preferences, without having to rely on immediate guidance/advice.
• Accept, and effectively process directions, constructive feedback, and training from any leadership/mentor staff, then demonstrate in action and by written product that this was internalized.
• Assist in the development/implementation of an Individual Service Plan for each student based on information gathered through Person Centered Planning meetings.
• Plan, implement, and support activities/routines with students, which will assist them in achieving their Individual Service Plan objectives.
• Document student progress through assessment/data collection instruments.
• Maintain and turn in complete, accurate and timely data, progress notes, schedules, and student attendance.
• Maintain conscientious, responsible level of supervision for students to ensure their safety.
• Respond appropriately and within Ability First's policies and procedures to medical, behavioral, and other student emergencies.
• Respectfully assist students with personal care/mobility/toileting/feeding needs as applicable.
• Encourage age-appropriate dress, grooming, and hygiene, including coaching on how to meet community employment standards.
• Facilitate student self-advocacy and choice-making opportunities, including appropriate risk-taking.
• Assist students in safely accessing a variety of school, volunteer and community locations using public transportation or company vehicles.
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support program operations.
• Uphold our commitment as a Mandated Reporter, ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the…