Internship Programs

In cooperation with Florida Atlantic University, Barry University and Palm Beach Atlantic University, Hearts and Hope offers a structured internship program for students seeking bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work and counseling. During internships, students may participate in the assessment process; contribute to pre- and post-group work; interact with families; develop activities/handouts, and co-facilitate a group.

During the internship period, students will receive a placement with an opportunity to grow and flourish personally and professionally. Students will be given the opportunity to be part of grieving process as they experience the heartbreaking and heartwarming moments from the families that Hearts and Hope support. Students are given a structured curriculum to follow, appropriate to their academic level. As they walk through their responsibilities and tasks they are guided with ongoing supervision.

The progression of a student’s tasks and responsibilities is a joint decision between Hearts and Hope staff and the student.  Here are standard student learning objectives that are followed:

Bachelor Level/ First Year Master Level
As skills are developed and a comfort level by all has been achieved, each Bachelor Level or First Year Master Level student will have the opportunity to:

  • Learn about grief and loss
  • Learn about the group process
  • Gain exposure to children and families
  • Become a co-facilitator for children’s support groups
  • Learn about general not-for-profit agency functioning
  • Create activities for children’s support groups
  • Acquire general social service skills
  • Grow personally


Master Level - 2nd Year/Concentration Level
In addition to the above, a Master Level student in his/her concentration year will be given the opportunity to:

  • Complete individual assessments for children and adults
  • Co-facilitate children and adult support groups
  • Work closely with a selected family to provide extra support


Supervision
Every student will receive weekly individual supervision. In addition, all students will be given the opportunity to receive monthly group supervision with Hearts and Hope staff.

Eligibility
Spaces become limited as the semester approaches. We encourage all interviews to take place approximately 2 ½ - 3 months prior to the semester.