OBJECTIVES: Reporting to the Program Director of Family Connections, the Master of Social Work Intern (ACS) will serve as the MSW Intern Case Aide for the Fall 26 and Spring 27 semesters and will provide essential support to the Case Planner in managing and coordinating services for children, youth, and families involved with ACS. In this role, the intern Case Aide will assist with completing assessments, help to develop and update case plans, provide referrals to community-based services, and track each client’s progress toward agreed-upon goals. This individual will work closely with the Case Planner to maintain regular communication with clients and service providers as well as collaborating with professionals. This includes helping ensure that families receive comprehensive support, advocacy, and access to needed resources. By supporting the Case Planner, this role directly supports Northside’s mission and the overall success of the Clinic programs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Enhance family stability and safety by supporting Case Planners with assigned families, including participating in home visits to observe, assess, and reinforce progress toward case goals.
2. Increase client access to critical support by identifying community resources and assisting families in navigating and utilizing those services effectively.
3. Promote educational and developmental well-being by conducting school visits for children involved in the program and helping families secure essential services such as medical care, food assistance, public benefits, and housing-related support.
4. Ensure continuity of care during Case Planner absences by conducting home visits, assessing safety and risk, and documenting findings when the Case Planner is unavailable due to illness or vacation.
5. Strengthen collaboration and service planning by actively participating in Family Team Conferences (FTCs) and ACS meetings, contributing insights that support family progress and service coordination.
6. Maintain compliance with program and regulatory standards by documenting all services provided in the NYS CONNECTIONS system within required timeframes.
7. Support accurate case tracking and ACS reporting by entering all family contacts into the PROMIS database promptly and accurately.
8. Advance professional competency by completing ACS Workforce Institute training and other required courses to build skills essential to the Case Aide role.

SPECIFIC SKILLS:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Cultural competence and cultural humility, with sensitivity to diverse family backgrounds.
• Ability to build rapport and relate well to families, colleagues, and supervisors.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to engage with families using empathy, professionalism, and strength-based approaches.
• Solid problem-solving skills and the ability to navigate complex family needs.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Excellent work ethic
• Commitment to working in a mission-driven organization.
• Demonstrated personal ethics and values.
• Cross-team collaboration and cooperation
• Team player who works well with a diverse group of people

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Enrolled in an accredited graduate program in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, or Psychology (minimum first-year)
• Prior experience working with children and families preferred.
• Able to travel to client homes in Harlem, Washington Heights, and Inwood, and provide services in both home and community settings.
• Skilled in engaging children and families with prior or current ACS involvement, including those who may be hesitant or resistant to services.
• Able to assess child safety and risk, learn and use CONNECTIONS/PROMIS systems, and complete documentation within required timeframes.
• Knowledgeable about community resources or able to research and connect families to needed supports; bilingual Spanish preferred.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

UNPAID Intern, this position is FOR-CREDIT.

ABOUT NORTHSIDE

Northside Center for Child Development serves more than 5,500 children and families across New York City each year through high-quality, outcome-driven behavioral health, early childhood education, and enrichment services. With over $34 million in annual funding, Northside provides the comprehensive support children and families need to overcome adversity, build resilience, and pursue their dreams.

Founded in 1946 in Harlem, Northside has been a cornerstone of the community for eight decades, leading the way in integrating education and mental health to support children’s development. Several of Northside’s innovative programs were the first of their kind in Harlem, setting standards of care that continue to influence social service agencies throughout the United States today.

Northside’s founders, Drs. Kenneth B. and Mamie Phipps Clark, were renowned, pioneering psychologists whose groundbreaking research was instrumental in the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education landmark Supreme Court decision that declared school segregation unconstitutional. Their belief in the worth, dignity, and potential of every child continues to guide Northside’s mission and inspire its work today. Northside is driven by its vision and principle, “Each Child…First Chance.”

For more information on Northside Center for Child Development, please visit www.northsidecenter.org.