Intern Adult Protective Services Program

About Us

At Metropolitan Family Services (MFS), we describe our culture in one word: COMMUNITY! Reflected in both our internal culture and the services we provide, community is at the heart of all we do. Since 1857, MFS has empowered families to learn, to earn, to heal, and to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, we are the engine of change that helps families reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities.

Metropolitan is Illinois' first comprehensive human services agency, serving over 122,970 individuals and families in Chicago, Evanston/Skokie, the southwest suburbs, and DuPage County. Our services promote education, economic stability, emotional wellness, and empowerment.

About the Role

We are seeking a part-time Intern to join our Midway Adult Protective Services team for the Fall 2026 semester. This role offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact beyond a company’s bottom line.

Responsibilities

Intake Responsibility Intern (Bachelor's Level)

• Provide client-centered, welcoming, responsive, and helpful intake and referral services to individuals and families, connecting them to appropriate services and resources.
• Gather and process pertinent information to provide referrals for services and resources clients may be eligible for.
• Work with community resources to expand needed external referrals.
• Triage and de-escalate persons in crisis seeking services or resources.
• Work effectively with diverse staff and service populations.
• File reports for abuse, neglect, exploitation, abandonment, and/or self-neglect.
• Other duties as assigned.

Case Management Intern (Master's Level)

• Learn and support comprehensive client assessments.
• Assist in developing written service plans with clients to meet their needs, specifying goals and services to be pursued.
• Learn and support advocacy, case management, and supportive counseling for individuals, families, and groups coping with environmental and interpersonal relationship issues.
• Use expanded knowledge of resources to help clients utilize them.
• Work collaboratively with community resources.
• Operate within contract, grant, and program requirements, including meeting timelines and reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with program staff in planning and implementing service plans.
• Identify system issues and report them to the Program Director as appropriate.
• Engage in community groups and special community assignments as needed.
• Take increasing responsibility for professional development through supervision and other opportunities.
• Address the complexities of abuse, neglect, and exploitation (ANE) and collaborate with community resources to reduce risk.
• Work with supervisors, staff, and support teams to meet program goals.
• Assist in emergency and crisis situations, including appropriate use of financial assistance and engagement of first responders.
• Cover the APS Intake Line and APS Afterhours Line on a rotating basis, taking intakes, addressing inquiries, and providing referrals.
• Conduct community outreach activities to raise awareness of the APS program.
• Up to 10% of other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's level social work or related program (administrative, human services, psychology, etc.) at an accredited college or university.
• Demonstrated ability to provide adequate service to clients and manage tasks efficiently.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
• Mobility to work with a community-based caseload.

Additional Requirements

• Must satisfactorily pass all relevant screening and criminal background checks.
• Ability to reach the Midway site is required; personal vehicle is not required.

Physical Demands

• Sitting and standing for sustained periods of time.
• Frequent talking, hearing, and use of hands/fingers to operate objects or controls.
• Occasional standing, bending, stretching, stooping, kneeling, and crouching.
• Close visual acuity for tasks such as preparing data, transcribing, and viewing a computer terminal.
• Occasional lifting and/or moving of up to 25 pounds.