Monroe County Department of Human Services can serve as a field agency for social work students pursuing BSW degrees. If you are interested in being considered for a field placement at Human Services, please reach out to Human Services Director, Tracy Thorsen via email at Tracy.Thorsen@co.monroe.wi.us or phone at 608-269-8629.
Below are potential program areas that can offer a focused internship or practicum experience at Human Services provided that an appropriate professional is available to serve as the agency field instructor to provide on-site supervision, instruction, and guidance. In addition to the program specific experience, intern/practicum students will receive orientation to the overall county human services agency and its operations as well as related functions of county government and community partner organizations.
AGING AND DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTER
The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Monroe County provides information on a broad range of programs and services for adults, helps individuals and families understand the various long term care options available, helps individuals apply for programs and benefits, and serves as the access point for publicly funded adult long-term care. Interns can receive experience providing information and assistance regarding local services, resources and supports as well as Long Term Care Options Counseling. In addition, interns complete training to conduct the Adult Long-Term Care Functional Screen and gain exposure to Dementia Care and Benefit Specialist Services.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
The Behavioral Health Unit supports individuals experiencing acute emotional crises, recovering from addiction or short-term mental health issues, and coping with persistent mental illnesses, substance use disorders, or dementia. There are two service areas in which an internship experience can be provided in the Behavioral Health Unit: Crisis Intervention Services and Adult Protective Services. Within Crisis Intervention Services, interns can receive experience in suicide risk assessment; developing crisis plans for individuals who may be at risk of a crisis; conducting linkage and follow up services with individuals who have experienced a recent crisis situation; and providing short-term case management with individuals who have an active crisis plan. Within Adult Protective Services, interns will receive experience providing short term case management, conducting WATTS reviews, and participating in the court system for guardianship and/or protective placement court process. In addition to these primary programs, interns may also have the opportunity to observe or gain exposure to Outpatient Clinic services including Intoxicated Drivers Program Assessment, OWI and Drug Treatment Court Team Meetings and Court Sessions, and mental health therapy or psychiatric appointments.
CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
The Children and Family Services Unit supports families to help them function and thrive in their communities and to keep children safe. Programs and services include Child Protective Services, Youth Justice, Foster Care/Kinship Care and Permanency Resources. Interns can receive experience with Access (receiving, analyzing, and documenting reports of alleged child maltreatment and unborn child abuse), Initial Assessment (assessing danger threats to child safety, developing protective and safety plans, determining need for CPS ongoing services, making determinations of maltreatment, and assisting families in identifying community resources), and Ongoing Services (providing and arranging for services based on the needs, strengths and goals of the family and establish goals that achieve measurable outcomes to build a safe, stable home for children). Interns will also observe various court hearings, and get exposure to Foster Care, Kinship Care, and the Family Find Program
COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES
The Community Based Services Unit provides programing and service coordination for adults and children to help them develop skills and strategies to live as independently as they are able. Programs include Birth to 3 (B-3), Children’s Long Term Support (CLTS), Children’s Community Options Program (CCOP), Comprehensive Community Services (CCS), and Coordinated Services Team (CST) Initiative. Interns can receive experience gathering information from individuals and families who are referred to services, completing training to conduct the Mental Health and the Children’s Long-Term Support Functional Screens, conducting comprehensive assessments, developing service plans, participating in team meetings and clinical staffings, collaborating with community partners, and attending community/consortia meetings.
