Category: CEL Position

This opportunity is available during the Fall 2022 semester. This is an in person opportunity. 

Family Services brings people together to find the support they need, improving their lives and communities, and building a stronger, safer Hudson Valley.

Location: Majority of time will be spent at the Children’s Center at the Dutchess County Family Court, working with children and families who are under stress and dealing with difficult situations, and occasionally on program sites, in the community, and travel to offsite meetings and events.

Dutchess County Family Court: 50 Market Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Family Services: 29 N Hamilton St, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

Position Description:

The Children’s Center Intern assists the Lead Teacher and Assistant Teacher at the Children’s Center at the Dutchess County Family Court in compliance with all NYS Office of Court Administration Children’s Center Program agreements. The Intern provides a safe and creative curriculum for children while their families attend to court business and offers consultation to families for resources within the community. The position enthusiastically supports, practices, and communicates the agency’s Mission and Statement of Values. Under the supervision of program staff, interns may facilitate activities with children and offer supportive counseling to parents. In addition to direct-services, interns will assist with administrative and clerical duties. Intern responsibilities will be inclusive of areas identified in their respective college/university learning plan. Children Center Interns enthusiastically support, practice, and communicate the agency’s mission and statement of values. We welcome the unique contributions from our team when it comes to culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity, and expression, nation of origin, languages spoken, color, religion, sexual orientation, and beliefs.

• Responsible for assisting with the direct care and safety of the children left in the center under the supervision of program staff.
• Implements and maintains the health and safety protocol/procedures and maintains visible instructive printouts of these procedures.
• Will assure center is in compliance with all program safety and confidentiality
  guidelines.
• As a representative of the Agency, shares our values, knowledge, and skills with other organizations, community groups, regulatory bodies, and key stakeholders. Maintains good relationships with stakeholders and partners to advocate for clients and those working in the field of human services.
• Participate in program outreach to the community and expand service reach by researching community organizations and providing community outreach through presentations.
• Under the supervision of program staff, assisting with required intakes and reports.
• Prepares and submits information for monthly reports to appropriate entities.
• Secures the intake paperwork in proper location.
• Maintains statistical records necessary for reports and research.
• Planning, development and evaluation of program activities.
• Designs and carries out curriculum and activities based on the needs and development of children in center at any given time.
• Develops and implements monthly/seasonal themes and constructive activities in a long-range plan
• Will implement the established curriculum guidelines
• Assisting with the distribution of referral and resource information to caregivers based on their and their children’s needs.
• Remains informed on current local resources and services.
• Assesses the needs of the caregiver and will respond to them through referrals to appropriate agency/program.
• Assisting the Lead Teacher and Assistant Teacher in the planning and coordinating the Children’s Center/Supervised Visitation Advisory Committee in conjunction with the Associate Director and Director of Family Support Services
• Completion of all required training for staff.
• Providing appropriate, creative, supportive interactions with the children in the center in group and individual activities.
• Develop creative “in-class” programs based on age and present teachable

Desired Skills:

• This position requires knowledge about, understanding of, and an ability to work with children and families, preferably with experience in early childhood development.
• Must be enrolled in an accredited higher education institution, with a field of study in social work, psychology, sociology, education, or related field.
• Openness to a wide scope of human services experiences
• The successful candidate ideally will have experience in children’s programming for mixed ages, crisis management, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and community resources.
• Computer literacy
• Strategic thinking
• Organizational skills
• Client focus
• Time management
• Communication and public speaking skills
• Innovative thinker and solution-oriented
• Sound judgement
• Positive attitude
• Problem-solving abilities

COVID-19 Requirements:

• All Statewide Children’s Centers in the Courts staff, substitutes, and volunteers must provide proof of their full vaccination status. Full vaccination is defined as two COVID vaccinations along with a booster. Exemptions for a medical or religious reason will be accepted if proof is provided Family Services and the exemption is granted in writing.
• Anyone with an exemption must continue to comply with all masking regulations at all times.
• New York State Unified Court System policy requires facemasks be worn in all public spaces of the courthouse. Although Children’s Centers are locked, secured settings within the courthouse are still considered public spaces. All Children’s Center staff, no matter their vaccination status, must wear facemasks in the Children’s Center when any other person is present.