Child and Family Services Internship (Spring 2027)

Hiring Agency: Health & Human Services - Agency 25

Location: Lincoln, NE, Statewide, NE
Hiring Rate: $15.000

About the role

Our Child and Family Services Internship offers students the opportunity to learn how Child and Family Services Specialists serve some of Nebraska’s most vulnerable populations. This internship is ideal for those currently enrolled in a college or university who require an internship to complete coursework. Opportunities are available at many local DHHS offices across the state.

Onsite locations include: Omaha, Lincoln, Scottsbluff, Chadron, Nebraska City, Norfolk, South Sioux City, Hastings, Grand Island, Kearney, York, Seward, Fremont, Ogallala, and more.

Interns will shadow Child and Family Services Specialists to gain hands-on experience. These roles are rewarding yet challenging, focusing on providing opportunities, services, and programs that promote a healthy, safe, and stable environment for children and youth in their communities with their caregivers. Specialists work closely with families requiring child welfare intervention due to abuse and/or neglect and may collaborate with the legal system to achieve permanency goals. Case managers are trained on resources to help children and families heal from trauma while promoting community safety.

In Children & Family Services, the goal is to provide the least disruptive services for only the necessary amount of time, giving children the opportunity to succeed, live with dignity and respect, and helping families care for themselves. This results in healthier families and safer, more prosperous communities.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for families.
• Respect the individuality of each child and family served.
• Respect each child’s family and culture.
• Implement family-centered practice principles into case management to ensure the inclusion of children and families in decision-making processes.
• Promote normalcy in the lives of children in care.
• Adhere to principles and procedures of Structured Decision Making as a tool to support keeping children and families safe.
• Utilize evidence-based practices that focus on least-restrictive and family-centered approaches.
• Identify and make appropriate referrals for formal and informal interventions based on the family’s needs.
• Write clear, concise, and descriptive reports in a timely manner for legal entities and the court system.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an accredited college or university (two-to-four-year institution) OR recently graduated (within one year) from an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an accredited college or university (two-to-four-year institution).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Coursework in social work, psychology, sociology, counseling, human services, mental healthcare, criminal justice, education, or any other closely related field.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement, and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency, and employment status.

For more information on benefits, visit: State of Nebraska Benefits.