Fostering Healthy Futures for Teens - Interns/Mentor
Position: Fostering Healthy Futures for Teens (FHF-T) Program Interns - Mentor
Employment Status: Unpaid Intern
Hours: 16-20 hours/week, evening and weekend hours required
Reports To: Fostering Healthy Futures Program Manager
To Apply: Submit cover letter and resume to Tess Mascitelli (Fostering Healthy Futures Program Manager) by completing the form below
Employment Status: Unpaid Intern
Hours: 16-20 hours/week, evening and weekend hours required
Reports To: Fostering Healthy Futures Program Manager
To Apply: Submit cover letter and resume to Tess Mascitelli (Fostering Healthy Futures Program Manager) by completing the form below
Mission & Culture:
Adoption Options is an inclusive, non-profit adoption agency dedicated to enriching the lives of children, youth and families. We provide education, placement services, counseling and support for all members of the adoption community. The staff and Board of Directors at Adoption Options is actively working as a team to uphold the company’s stated values of Integrity, Compassion, Respect, Inclusion, Education, and Professionalism in all aspects of the organization. Within Adoption Options, the Fostering Healthy Futures® (FHF-T) Program is an evidence-based, intensive preventive intervention for 8th and 9th graders with current or previous child welfare involvement due to one or more adverse childhood experiences, which may include maltreatment, out-of-home placement, housing instability, violence exposure and/or parental substance use, mental illness, or incarceration. FHF-T provides individualized mentoring for teens to ensure they have the skills, knowledge and drive to forge their own healthy futures. The FHF-T program involves teens, their families, and communities in efforts to foster healthy futures for these adolescents. This role requires a high degree of flexibility, creative thinking, collaboration, and communication with all stakeholders to ensure ongoing success and program growth.
Position Responsibilities:
Position Qualifications
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and physical demands. Adoption Options management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and agency needs as necessary.
To provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at Adoption Options will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Adoption Options does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Adoption Options will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.
Adoption Options is a recognized leader in supporting and serving LGBT families through the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's - All Children All Families.
Adoption Options is an inclusive, non-profit adoption agency dedicated to enriching the lives of children, youth and families. We provide education, placement services, counseling and support for all members of the adoption community. The staff and Board of Directors at Adoption Options is actively working as a team to uphold the company’s stated values of Integrity, Compassion, Respect, Inclusion, Education, and Professionalism in all aspects of the organization. Within Adoption Options, the Fostering Healthy Futures® (FHF-T) Program is an evidence-based, intensive preventive intervention for 8th and 9th graders with current or previous child welfare involvement due to one or more adverse childhood experiences, which may include maltreatment, out-of-home placement, housing instability, violence exposure and/or parental substance use, mental illness, or incarceration. FHF-T provides individualized mentoring for teens to ensure they have the skills, knowledge and drive to forge their own healthy futures. The FHF-T program involves teens, their families, and communities in efforts to foster healthy futures for these adolescents. This role requires a high degree of flexibility, creative thinking, collaboration, and communication with all stakeholders to ensure ongoing success and program growth.
Position Responsibilities:
- Meet with 3 teens/mentees individually in the community for 2-3 hours per week to teach psychosocial skills covered in seminars, including emotion regulation, communication, goal setting, and more (6-9 hours per week)
- Attend in-person or virtual group supervision with other field placement interns (1 hour per week)
- Attend virtual or in-person individual supervision with the intern supervisor (1 hour per week)
- Attend in-person or virtual intern seminar and administrative meetings facilitated by the intern supervisor or other AO staff (1.5 hour per week)
- Transport youth to 6 evening workshops throughout the program year. These workshops will cover topics of interest to youth such as communication skills, problem solving skills, and sexual health. (3-4 hours each workshop, 18-24 hours total throughout the entire internship)
- Spend remaining time advocating for teens within all systems in which a teen may be involved (including but not limited to schools, social services, mental health, and families), collaborating with mentees, their families, and other collateral adults to: (1) foster positive youth development through goal-oriented activities and (2) connect teens with extracurricular activities that building on their strengths and interests.
Position Qualifications
- Open to all graduate students in social work, psychology, or related programs. A good fit for 2nd year graduate students or 1st year students with prior experience working with teens
- Students who are looking to enhance or gain clinical skills working with youth and families are a good fit for this program. Students should also be open to and excited about working with teens and families outside of a traditional therapy setting.
- Much of the therapeutic work is community-based with a limited amount of office time. Applicants must demonstrate good judgment and be able to recognize learning opportunities in unconventional settings.
- Position requires flexibility, comfort working independently, and ability to make independent decisions in the community.
- Work schedules are variable and require evening and weekend hours. Planned time off will need to be taken during scheduled program breaks.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and physical demands. Adoption Options management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and agency needs as necessary.
To provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at Adoption Options will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Adoption Options does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetics, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Adoption Options will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination, and access to benefits and training.
Adoption Options is a recognized leader in supporting and serving LGBT families through the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's - All Children All Families.