Opportunities for Social Work Internships at the Fairfield Police Department are open to students who are enrolled in an accredited social work program, either on the Baccalaureate or Masters level.
Internship Context:
The FPD internship setting is a fast-paced environment, requiring the intern to pivot at a moment’s notice. Multi-tasking, being organized and proficient in technology will be an asset for the intern. Demonstration of professionalism, ethical standards and behaviors aligned with the social work profession’s core principles is expected. Notably, the emerging field of police social work will provide interns with the opportunity to contribute to the field’s growth and direction.
Expectations and Opportunities:
The intern will see and learn ethical and professional behavior in action, both in the office and the field alongside police officers. The same will be expected of them.
The intern will have the opportunity to advocate for the rights of all with whom they interact. Offering support and resources to a wide variety of people is at the core of the police social worker’s practice.
Networking and becoming familiar with resources are a vital part of the internship. Understanding the experience of all whom the police social worker interacts with is vital as is the role of intersectionality. The police social worker works hard to meet her clients wherever they are at.
There is the opportunity to do some research in this emerging field as is the opportunity to see how policy practice informs this field. The intern cannot help but see how policies in the State of Connecticut have impacted people on the most basic of levels.
Engaging with individuals and their families is at the heart of this job and developing relationships the foundation. The police social worker does that in a variety of settings including, but not limited to in the police department, in the field, at various off-site locations such as the library, a client’s home, the hospital, and so on.
The intern will grow their interpersonal skills by interacting with everyone ranging from clients to police officers.
Assessment is another vital competency and this internship offer numerous opportunities to hone one’s skills, both slowly and during a crisis, but always thoroughly.
The intern will see that interventions can and do change things and the police social worker is oftentimes the catalyst for positive and impactful change. Interns are expected to apply theoretical knowledge and concepts, such as systems theory and ecological perspective to provide the community with clinical interventions that guide and drive them to address their unmet needs.
Supervision:
Jessica Bloomberg, LCSW completed her SIFI training through Fairfield University in February of 2024. Along with the Department’s Field Services Bureau, Jessica has established a social work internship program that encompasses learning opportunities across all nine core competencies as discerned by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) to ensure a well-rounded experience. Jessica’s role includes the provision of direct and indirect services to individuals, groups, families, and the community of Fairfield, CT. Jessica has developed substantial community networking and programming to address behavioral health needs and integration of behavioral health and police communities. Jessica has grown the Fairfield Police Behavioral Health Network from 20 to over 60 participants who come from a variety of different agencies and provider and all of whom are committed to sharing resources. The Network meets quarterly, and it is Jessica’s responsibility to develop the agenda. Past meetings have included trainings, networking exercises, and speakers. She has also established the Fairfield Collaborative for Youth Mental Health alongside the Fairfield Public Schools and the Town Department of Human and Social Services. The Collaborative’s programming includes a father’s group, a group for middle school students who struggle with executive functioning, and a speaker series aimed at educating parents and providing them with resources.
Requirements:
- All students must be enrolled in an accredited university and in good academic standing.
- All applicants will be required to submit to and pass a background investigation, including fingerprints.
The following information is required before an applicant will be considered. If your application packet is not complete, it will not be reviewed.
- Fairfield Police Social Work Internship Application (.pdf)
- An updated resume
- A cover letter introducing yourself to us and explaining why you are interested in this internship, and during which semester/school year you are seeking placement.
- A letter of verification from the Coordinator of Field Work Placements at your University
After your application is received and, if it is accepted, the student will be scheduled for an interview. If the interview is successful, the next step is a thorough background investigation.
All applications and inquiries should be directed to:Jessica Bloomberg, LCSW
100 Reef Road, Fairfield, CT 06824
jbloomberg@fairfieldct.org
(203) 254-4845