Field Directory
2016-2017
This field directory consists of approved agencies that may serve as field placements for social work students. This directory will be updated on a continual basis. Each agency summary includes the agency name, website, and contact information, whether they are accepting juniors, seniors or both, a brief summary of the services provided, a list of potential student intern tasks, and other pertinent information that students should consider during the selection process. Students should not reach out to any of the agencies prior to receiving approval from the Social Work Department to move forward with agency interviews.
Table of Contents
Child Protective Services/Adoption and Foster Care...
Bedford Department of Social Services: Family Service Unit.
Bethany Christian Services......
DePaul Community Resources......
Lynchburg Department of Human Services: Foster Care and Adoptions Unit
Adult Protective Services......
Bedford Department of Social Services: Family Service Unit.
Lynchburg Department of Human Services: Adult Services Unit
Employment & Training Services......
Total Action for Progress......
Refugee Services......
Commonwealth Catholic Charities: Refugee Resettlement Office
Youth Development Services......
Family Service of Roanoke Valley Youth Development Program
Domestic Violence Services......
Bedford County Department of Social Services: Domestic Violence Services
Services for Homeless Population......
Miriam's House......
Behavioral/Mental Health Services......
Centra Bridges Treatment Center......
Centra PACE: A Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly
Horizon Behavioral Health: Admissions and Intake......
Horizon Behavioral Health: Amherst Wellness Center Outpatient Services
Horizon Behavioral Health: Wellness Center Case Management Services
Support Systems, Inc......
School-Based Services......
Lyn-CAG Head Start......
Hempfield School District
Lynchburg City School District......
Out-of-State Internship Programs......
Chicago Semester......
Liberty University Washington Fellowship......
International Placements......
Best Semester International Program......
Child Protective Services/Adoption and Foster Care
Bedford Department of Social Services:Family Service Unit
(Juniors only)
119 East Main Street, Bedford VA 24523
(540)586-7750 x2266
Agency Field Coordinator: Denise
Field Instructors: Timothy Heck, BSW and Tammy Venables, BSW
Services: The Family Services Unit is supervised by the Family Services Manager and has four (4) Family Services Supervisors. The unit is responsible for Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Prevention, Foster Care/Adoption, and Community Resource Services/Service Intake.
Job Description: Student tasks could includeshadowing Family Service Workers in each of the units on home visits, interviews, court and hospital visits. Students may also assist workers with dictating interviews onto the computer, filing cases, shredding case files, filing court orders, returning phone calls.
Other: Students are required to submit to criminal and child abuse background checks as well as a DMV check, which are all completed through the agency.
Bethany Christian Services
(Juniors only)1639 Shady Knoll Ave Bedford, VA 24523
(757) 323-3532
Field Instructor: Paige Brumfield,
Services: Bethany Christian Services provides a variety of services including free pregnancy counseling, domestic infant adoption, international adoption, foster care adoption, refugee resettlement and child specific recruitment services for children waiting in the foster care system.
Job Description: Student tasks could include community outreach and community education on adoption and child welfare, file set-up and review, assistance with home study and post-adoption home visits, referrals for supports and services for birth parents, assistance with creating service plans for adoptive families and birth parents, and assistance with child-specific recruitment of adoptive families for children waiting in foster care (i.e. attending match events, reviewing home studies, interviewing children and families). Students may also observe and complete various tasks for pregnancy counselor.
Other:Students may need a personal car for community outreach or to meet staff at a match event, but otherwise would typically be travelling with the staff person.
DePaul Community Resources
(Juniors and Seniors)
4859 Waterlick Road Suite A through D Forest, VA 24551 (434) 455-3727
Agency Field Coordinator:Elizabeth
Field Instructor: Sherry Gearheart, MSW
Services: DePaul Community Resources provides adoption preparation and recruitment, post-adoptive support, foster care, and developmental disabilities support, including day support, group homes, and host homes.
Job Description:Students will engage in the following: attendance at agency/community professional training; transport of children to visits, counseling, and other appointments; case management; supervision of family visits (birth family); home visits; attendance at IEP, family planning, and treatment planning; development of treatment plans and other paperwork; Pre- and post-adoption preparation and support for child and family and; completion of paperwork to expedite adoption finalization process.
Other: Students are required to submit to criminal and child abuse background checks and DMV checks, which are completed through the agency.Students also must provide proof of car insurance. Interns have access to agency cars, but may use personal vehicles at times (rare).
Lynchburg Department of Human Services:Foster Care and Adoptions Unit
(Juniors and Seniors)
99 9th Street Lynchburg, VA 24504
(434)455-5850
Field Instructor: April Watson, MSW
Services: The Department of Human Services is apublic social services agency providing a variety of financial benefits and mandated services to the public. Services include foster care/adoption and ancillary services (foster and adoptive home recruitment, training, and licensure, independent living services to older foster youth), adult protective and ongoing services, and child protective services/family preservation and foster care prevention (including parenting classes, support groups), and self-sufficiency programs including child care subsidy, employment and work readiness classes. Benefits programs include Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, and Energy Assistance Programs.
Job Description: Job tasks will vary greatly depending on which unit the internship is in and the needs at the time, as well as the aptitude and experience level of the student intern. Student will learn the foster care timeline and case management skills. Student will complete home visits that focus on safety, permanency, and well-being of the child. Additionally, student will learn about the different placements available to foster children and determine which placement best suits the child. Student will learn about services provided in the area and will learn how to make appropriate referrals for services. Students will attend Family Assessment and Planning Team (FAPT) meetings, Family Partnership Meetings, foster-care reviews, permanency planning, court staffing and court trials, and Individualized Education Plans (IEP) meetings. Students may also receive their own caseload and will travel monthly to visit a child and foster family on their caseload. Students may also learn to write services plans, file paperwork, document monthly visits and team meetings, write transitional living plans, and request grant funding. Students will work closely with various professionals including Guardian Ad Litems (GALs) and Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs). Finally, the student will become knowledgeable about the Online Automated Services Information System (OASIS) and case documentation.
Other: Students are required to submit to criminal and child abuse background checks, which are completed through the agency.
Adult Protective Services
Bedford Department of Social Services: Family Service Unit
(Juniors and Seniors)
119 East Main Street, Bedford VA 24523
(540)586-7750 x2266
Agency Field Coordinator: Denise
Field Instructor: Noelle Guill, BSW, Timothy Heck, BSW, and Andrew Crawford, LCSW
Services: The Family Services Unit is supervised by the Family Services Manager and has four (4) Family Services Supervisors. The unit is responsible for Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Prevention, Foster Care/Adoption, and Community Resource Services/Service Intake.
Job Description: Student tasks could includeshadowing Family Service Workers in each of the units on home visits, interviews, court and hospital visits. Students may also assist workers with dictating interviews onto the computer, filing cases, shredding case files, filing court orders, returning phone calls.
Other: Students are required to submit to criminal and child abuse background checks as well as a DMV check, which are all completed through the agency.
Lynchburg Department of Human Services: Adult Services Unit
(Juniors only)
99 9th Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504
(434) 455-5850
Field Instructor: Amy Hatcher, MSW
Services: The Department of Human Services is apublic social services agency providing a variety of financial benefits and mandated services to the public. Services include foster care/adoption and ancillary services (foster and adoptive home recruitment, training, and licensure, independent living services to older foster youth), adult protective and ongoing services, and child protective services/family preservation and foster care prevention (including parenting classes, support groups), and self-sufficiency programs including child care subsidy, employment and work readiness classes. Benefits programs include Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, and Energy Assistance Programs.
Job Description: Adult protective Services/Adult Services provide both the elderly and adults with disabilities with needed assistance, outreach and case management services. The work involves obtaining information and investigating complaints of alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation of adults with disabilities and the elderly; and participating in taking corrective action. Types of tasks completed include: accompanying caseworkers on home visits, assessing client needs for degree and priority of services and development of service plans, monitoring service plans to ensure the needs of the elderly or adults with disabilities are being met, and preparing and maintaining documentation. Job Tasks may vary depending on the aptitude and experience level of the student intern.
Other: Students are required to submit to criminal and child abuse background checks, which are completed through the agency.
Feedback from Past Interns: “At almost any internship, there are tasks that are changing, and at my time at APS, there were things that were constantly being shifted around. So be prepared for this. All the workers there are friendly, and they are willing to answer questions. So don’t be afraid to dive in quickly to get to know everyone.”
Employment & Training Services
Total Action for Progress
(Juniors and Seniors)
Roanoke Higher Education Center
108 N. Jefferson St., Suite 509, Roanoke, VA 24016
540-767-6222
Field Instructor: Nick Kline, MSW
Services: Total Action for Progress is a 50-year-old community action organization providing a range of services to low-income individuals in Southwestern Virginia. TAP helps individuals and families achieve economic and personal independence through education, employment, affordable housing, and safe and healthy environments.
Job Description:Students will assist in creating and delivering workshops and mini-lessons for clients, assisting staff in organizing and chaperoning field trips and community service learning opportunities, maintaining client files, assisting clients in completing required paperwork, assist clients with GED and SOL preparation, mentoring clients, assisting staff with group counseling sessions, clerical support. The tasks are similar for both juniors and seniors, though typically the more substantive tasks are led by a senior.
Other: Students are required to submit to criminal and child abuse background checks, which are completed through the agency. Any transportation to out of the office locations will be provided by staff.
Refugee Services
Commonwealth Catholic Charities: Refugee Resettlement Office
(Juniors and Seniors)
820 Campbell Avenue SW Roanoke, VA 24016
(540) 342-7561
Agency Field Coordinator: Laura
Please note that there is no social worker at this agency. Students will need to identify an external social worker to serve as their field instructor.
Services: Commonwealth Catholic Charities has worked to alleviate human suffering and restore hope, dignity, and opportunities to Virginia’s residents since 1923. The mission for CCC is to provide quality, compassionate human services to all people, especially the most vulnerable, regardless of faith. CCC’s offices in Richmond, Roanoke, Hampton Roads, Charlottesville, Petersburg and Norton serve their communities and much of the Commonwealth. It served over 36,000 people in programs last year. More than sixteen different programs serve people in various locations.
Job Description: The student will participate in the preparation for newly arrived refugees which includes: interviewing clients, conducting needs assessments, completing cultural orientations, and documenting all activities in case notes. In addition, the student will assist staff with case file/case note documentation, research community resources and work with different parts of the resettlement team. The student will spend the majority of the time assisting Case Managers, but may also assist the medical, employment and school staff if necessary.
Other: Students are required to submit to criminal and child abuse background checks, a DMV check, and substance abuse testing, which are completed through the agency.
If students have a personal car, they can transport clients, only if they were comfortable doing so. Otherwise, they will ride with a staff member to outside appointments.
Youth Development Services
Family Service of Roanoke Valley Youth Development Program
(Juniors and Seniors)
360 Campbell Ave., SW Roanoke, VA 24016
(540)563-5316 ext. 3030
Agency Field Coordinator: Karen Pillis (Director of Youth Development)
Field Instructor: Sharon Jarrett Thacker, MSW (Director and CEO)
Services: Family Service of Roanoke Valley is a private, not-for-profit organization that has served Roanoke Valley residents since 1901.Our mission is to improve life and restore hope to the most vulnerable of our neighbors, from the youngest children to the oldest adults, through prevention, counseling and support services.Family Service is a dynamic, multi-service agency helping a diverse population of clients that spans the area's economic, ethnic, and cultural divisions.We serve the Cities ofRoanoke and Salem, Counties of Bedford, Botetourt, Franklin and Roanoke, and Town of Vinton.Youth Development services are offered in schools, after-schools, and community sites throughout the valley.
Job Description: The job tasks would include supporting the prevention programs offered and the lead facilitators at the selected sites in providing two evidence based curricula, building rapport with students and offering assistance on service learning trips. Also, the student would be able to complete paperwork required in these jobs and maintain all applicable records. Additionally, they would shadow the staff including the Director of Youth Development as they attend partnership meetings, planning meetings and community groups. Interviews with other key personnel within the agency who work in social work jobs are expected. Shadowing of the professionals who work in our intervention programs including day treatment, intensive in home and community counseling and opportunities to work with the children and teens will be provided. Lesson planning and co-facilitating groups and session planning for individuals will also be expected. Juniors would be exposed to each of the job tasks but would have a more general experience but approximately the same tasks.
Domestic Violence Services
Bedford County Department of Social Services:Domestic Violence Services
(Juniors and Seniors)
P.O. Box 783, Bedford, Virginia 24523
Field Instructor: Heather A. Jones, MSW (540) 587-0970
Services: Domestic Violence Services provides shelter for victims of domestic violence; free, confidential 24-hour access to safety, information and referral, crisis intervention and advocacy to support individual decisions; court advocate that is available to accompany victims of domestic abuse who are requesting Protective Orders in the Bedford Court Systems; follow-up services to victims involved in domestic disputes referred through the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office, the Town of Bedford Police Department or Bedford Department of Social Services; a Healthy Relationship Teen Prevention Program; education on the dynamics of domestic violence, supportive counseling surrounding domestic violence relationships and case management services to victims; and community education and public awareness that fosters access to domestic violence crisis services for all community members and which expresses a zero tolerance for domestic violence. Services are provided free of charge to victims of domestic violence and their children without regard to race, ethnicity, age, national origin, religion, physical disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, and parental or birth status.
Job Description: Students would work the court advocate and the DV counselor and assist with providing case management, crisis intervention and services for shelter residents. Students will also be involved in co-leading a group, assisting with fundraising activities as appropriate, assisting with needs assessments and development of case plans, assisting with offering education, referrals and supportive counseling to shelter residents, assisting with documenting case notes in the case management system, and participating in the agency’s community education and public awareness efforts as appropriate.
Other: This internship may require evening hours asgroups are only offered during the evening.Students will need to complete a criminal/child abuse background check and a DMV check, the costs of which the agency will cover. Students will also need a car to drive to the court house for court accompaniment/advocacy.