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  • School Social Workers in the Duval County Public School System (DCPS) strive to enhance the lives of school-aged youth through positive, yet practical empowerment practices. A thriving component of the DCPS Social Work department is that of the collegiate internship program. For those earning a Bachelor’s (BSW) or Master’s (MSW) of Social Work Degree, and are required to complete internship hours, this is a potential option. The DCPS internship program offers a training opportunity based on the execution of the Generalist Intervention Model. This involves interns being directly immersed in situations where they are tasked to Engage, Assess, Plan, Implement, Evaluate, Terminate, and Followup.

    Before students actively take part in the internship program, however, the steps (outlined below) must be executed:

    1. Contact your School Social Work liaison or Field Placement Instructor.

    2. Contact the DCPS Supervisor of School Social Work Services – Laura Chiarello (chiarellol@duvalschools.org) or the Internship Coordinator – Carla Flowers (flowersc@duvalschools.org)

    3. Complete an affiliation agreement with the DCPS internship liaison.

    Duval County Public Schools has affiliation agreements with several universities. It is through these affiliations that Bachelor’s and Master’s level social work interns are considered for placements. Prior to acceptance, however, interns must be dually approved by the Duval County School District as well as the School Social Work Internship Screening Committee. This process ensures that all students are informed of DCPS social work-related policies, procedures and guidelines. If interested in an internship within DCPS, students should contact their School of Social Work university liaison. In turn, the liaison will contact our department to facilitate the plans for intern contact placements (which includes a screening process).

    If your university is interested in establishing an affiliation agreement with DCPS for an internship, please contact our district personnel representative, Sonya Russell at (904) 390-2177 or via email Russells@duvalschools.org. Please note that completing the affiliation agreement does not guarantee placement.