BSW Nicole Avila 2022 Agency Name: Council on Chemical Abuse (COCA) Profile: Council on Chemical Abuse (COCA) is a non-profit organization that provides Berks County with resources and information to prevent substance abuse. COCA works with many organizations within the community to raise awareness regarding addiction. They also support individuals and their loved ones navigating addiction. Field Placement Responsibilities: At COCA I will be attending health fairs throughout Berks County to provide resources such as Narcan, medication lock boxes, and drug deactivation disposal bags. I will also be helping the agency reorganize their resources and compiling lists of the resources COCA needs more of. I will be working alongside of my field instructor to prepare materials for community outreach for diverse populations. Future Goals: After I graduate with my BSW from Kutztown, I would like to further my education by getting my MSW. I hope to work in the substance abuse field after graduation. Department of Social Work
BSW Deneisha Baldwin 2022 Agency Name: Berks County Children & Youth Services Profile: Berks County Children and Youth Services is et in place to protect children and assure their physical and emotional well- being as provided by law, and to preserve, strengthen, and empower their families. Field Placement Responsibilities: To assess risk of family situations and make service recommendations if needed. I am responsible for collaborating with community professionals to meet the individual service needs of families. Future Goals: My future goals are to use my knowledge to advocate for the most vulnerable and seek social justice for all. Department of Social Work
BSW Corrine Bovo 2022 Agency Name: PATHS Profile: Paths is an 8-bed community-based group treatment home for boys ages 10 to 15 who have engaged in problematic sexual behaviors. Field Placement Responsibilities: At PATHS I will be helping residents with daily tasks, helping the residents develop goals, and also guiding them to complete their goals, I will assist in taking the residents into the community for court hearings and medical appointments. I will also be shadowing the Case Manager and Youth Counselors on their every task. Future Goals: After completion of my BSW, I plan to complete my MSW while also obtaining my school social work certification. I hope to work as a school social worker after completing my education. Department of Social Work
BSW Lia Boyd 2022 Agency Name: Lehigh County Aging and Adult Services Profile: Lehigh County Aging and Adult Services is committed to supporting and empowering adults of all ages, residing in Lehigh County. The office advocates for the residents of Lehigh County and provides a wide range of services and information to help adults to be well informed. Field Placement Responsibilities: My field placement responsibilities include getting to know the different programs and services that the County provides. Helping at the different senior centers and helping the Center Managers with tasks throughout the day. Understanding how the centers work and what they provide during the time I am there. Eventually, I’ll be advocating for the clients and linking them to the resources they need. Future Goals: After school I want to either work for Lehigh county or work in a hospital setting. I still plan on working with the older population but also am interested in working with adults 21+. Once I get experience in the field I plan to go back and get my Masters. Department of Social Work
BSW Rose Dudzinski 2022 Agency Name: Concern Profile: Concern’s main focus is to help youth that need foster care and to help with the adoption process. They seek appropriate families to foster/adopt and provide a variety of support and services to families such as training, counseling, and assisting them throughout the whole process. The needs of the children are put first and they do everything they can to match them with a forever home. Field Placement Responsibilities: For my internship, I am a part of Recruitment as I work alongside someone who assists families in completing all the necessary paperwork needed to foster and help them with any concerns about the process. I keep track and work on their documents to make sure they have everything to get approved for adoption. I attend many events to engage with communities and educate people on fostering/adoption as well as advocate for Concern and the youth population in need of a forever family. This position is responsible for contacting families and presenting information wherever and whenever I can about the organization. Future Goals: My future goal is to work with children and youth as I support their mental and physical well-being. Department of Social Work
BSW Hannah Ferenchick 2022 Agency Name: PATHS Profile: My name is Hannah Ferenchick, and I am a senior in the BSW program at Kutztown University. My field placement this year is at PATHS in Breinigsville, PA. Field Placement Responsibilities: PATHS is an 8-bed community specialized group treatment home for boys between the age of 10 and 15 that have engaged in problematic sexual behaviors. At PATHS I will be assisting the residents with day-to-day activities, helping the residents set goals/helping them reach their goals, and will assist in taking the residents into the community for medical appointments and court dates. I will also be shadowing the Case Manager and Youth Counselors throughout their everyday activities at the agency. Future Goals: After completing my BSW, I plan to complete my MSW at Kutztown University and eventually obtain my LSW. Department of Social Work
BSW Sierra Lewis 2022 Agency Name: St. Barnabas Center Profile: The St. Barnabas Center is new to the Kutztown University internship opportunities. It was once a church that was vibrant with a steady congregation but sadly fell in the wake of COVID-19. It is now being used for something good instead of letting it sit or tearing it down. The center will bring in all types of people from the community with the many programs that are to come within the facility. Field Placement Responsibilities: At the St. Barnabas Center, my job is to take on the position of program development and outreach for a vibrant and emerging community focused programming center located in Kutztown, Pennsylvania and working under the auspices of the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem. I will assist in the development of the Center’s regular programming, assist in the design and distribution of on-line communication and marketing materials, meet with prospective program organizers, and routinely engage with the Center’s combining groups and collaborative partners. I will be working with the Center’s regular clients and incoming facilities users to develop and market programs scheduled to occur in the facility. It will require developing an understanding of the acceptable use of event and worship space. Future Goals: After graduation, I plan to get my master’s in social work, and eventually become a social worker in the juvenile justice system. Department of Social Work
BSW Glendaliz Lora 2022 Agency Name: Downtown St Joseph Family Practice Clinic Profile: At the Downtown St. Joseph Family Practice Clinic, the agency focus is to support and advocate for our patients. We understand the importance of achieving quality patient care outcomes for our patients and commit to the appropriate use of resources for them. At the Downtown St. Joseph Family Practice Clinic, a case manager works with providers to assist patients with their needs and assess treatment needs for better care. We coordinate insured services with any available community services in the area and coordinate claims with other benefit plans in network. Field Placement Responsibilities: My field placement responsibility is the following: working in collaboration with the social worker (SW) to continue helping our patients population assist healthcare providers, coordinate care and help patients with resources by coordinating home care referrals, durable medical equipment (DME) coordination, wheelchair evaluation, related services (PT evaluation), palliative care services, hospice services, and office of aging referrals. I am also responsible for providing social services to patients. I research and document new patients or clients social history and complete the documentation process. I provide direct services to patients and their families, including social assessment, casework services, meetings, and discharge planning. Future Goals: My future goals are to continue my education and obtain my MSW. I want to be a school social worker or a mental health social worker. Department of Social Work
BSW Yokasta C. Estrella Lucas 2022 Agency Name: The Valley Against Sex Trafficking (VAST) Profile: By collaborating, educating, and advocating, VAST works to end sex trafficking. Changing injustices and hindering community formation means changing systems. At VAST we work with all marginalized groups regardless of their socioeconomic status. It is our duty to promote equality and justice for all members of the human race and to appreciate and respect their diversity. Field Placement Responsibilities: As an intern, my duties include providing hygiene products, computer access, and assistance in finding the resources the victims may need, as well as documenting the services or resources provided to them. Assisting clients in finding available resources they may need like, getting a replacement of their credentials, social security, state identification, and birth certificate is still something our field supervisor does but I get to learn while observing her. Providing the victims with what we have available at the office, such as basic needs items, underwear, bras, socks, a bathroom for them to take a shower, a cup of coffee, and most importantly listening ears who they can trust without judgment. Future Goals: Be able to offer the acquired knowledge to those in need within the organization, I will work for. Utilize and apply social work skills, standards, and values appropriately. Department of Social Work
BSW Gianna Maier 2022 Agency Name: Concern Profile: Concern is a foster care agency. There focus is to inspire change. Field Placement Responsibilities: My field placement responsibilities is to be an intake coordinator. Future Goals: My future goal is to be a clinical social worker. Department of Social Work
BSW Sabine Maldonado 2022 Agency Name: The Northampton Juvenile Detention Center Profile: I am learning the inner working of the juvenile criminal system within the Northampton County Juvenile Justice Center: the purpose of detention is to protect the child or community, prevent the child's runaway, and provide secure housing pending a court appearance or other placement. which teaches leadership and instills positive changes for adolescents to learn and adhere to by developing coping skills. Field Placement Responsibilities: Comprehend the standard issues affecting youth and adolescent. Familiarity of mental health symptoms and associated interventions and understanding of child age appropriate development. Problem-solving and crisis management skills and the ability to apply youth addiction intervention. Future Goals: To become a Probation Officer for Juveniles in the Criminal Justice System. Department of Social Work
BSW Samantha McKenney 2022 Agency Name: Berks County Children and Youth Services Profile: The mission of this agency is to protect children and assure their physical and emotional well-being as provided by law, and to preserve, strengthen and empower their families. I have been placed in the In- Home Department in which their main goal is to provide and implement resources so the family may remain intact. Field Placement Responsibilities: As an intern caseworker, I will work with families to develop Family Service Plans which are recommended services to assure that even high-risk situations receive proper services and monitoring to avoid placement or further abuse of the children in the home. My responsibility is to empower families to make positive changes to improve their overall level of functioning. Future Goals: My future goal is to work at a CYS agency to help families stay together. I also would like to work within the Criminal Justice prison system to help inmates access programs within the prison. Department of Social Work
BSW Deborah McKyer 2022 Agency Name: St. Barnabas Center Profile: St. Barnabas is a community center looking to bring new members into the center and rebuild its organizational design to fit the needs of the community. Field Placement Responsibilities: My field placement responsibilities are organization building, creating surveys, and collaborating with BSW interns and outside organizations to bring services to enhance the community. Another responsibility I have would be to promote the community programs available to the community. Future Goals: My future goals would be to create my own community engagement center for children in Philadelphia. My center would have resources and things to mean the needs of my client population. Department of Social Work
BSW Brianna Nolan 2022 Agency Name: Kutztown University's Social Work Department Profile: The Department of Social Work provides high quality, nationally accredited curricula and program activities. Undergraduate Social Work students will be prepared to provide generalist practice; MSW graduates will be prepared for advanced generalist practice and doctoral level graduates will be prepared for organizational leadership and teaching in higher education. Field Placement Responsibilities: My field placement responsibilities are conference coordinator where I plan and organize all conferences and events hosted by the department. I will be researching potential presenters, contacting and networking with various groups through phone calls, emails, and announcements, as well as taking minutes at all meetings pertaining to the event. I am also liaison to the Social Work Advocates of Kutztown (SWAK) where I will assist the intern of the club in any endeavors I am needed for such as running preparatory meetings for junior BSW students, and making announcements in MSW students Professional Development Meetings in their absence. I also will cover for the secretary of the department and take calls, messages, and direct students if needed. Future Goals: My future goals are to continue my learning and earn both my MSW and DSW. Later on, I hope to gain some experience in either a hospital, foster care. I am also interested in teaching at a college level. Department of Social Work
BSW Xavier Oliver 2022 Agency Name: Concern Profile: The agency provides many services and has programs which work with the different foster children, foster families and the biological families as well. Field Placement Responsibilities: My Internship responsibilities will be primarily focused on the cases that my Field instructor is currently assigned and the cases that he will assign to myself down the journey of my internship. The task I will be completing the duration of my two semesters interning at the agency include shadowing home visits and meetings, Completing any necessary reports or paperwork I am assigned by my task instructor, and mainly using my experience at the agency to implicate what I have learned frommy previous social work courses at Kutztown University. Future Goals: My future goal in The field of social work is to first obtain a MSW in Social work then work in a agency for child welfare that focuses on foster care and juveniles. Department of Social Work
BSW Shakira Ramos 2022 Agency Name: Empowerment Behavioral Health LLC Profile: Empowerment Behavioral Health is an agency that provides counseling and behavioral services in Berks County. The agency offers services such as psycho-sexual evaluations, mental health evaluations, individual and group therapy and school based counseling services. Field Placement Responsibilities: At Empowerment, I am placed in the school-based counseling program which allows me to shadow client's sessions and evaluations at the schools within the Wilson School District. I am also responsible for receiving and verifying referrals, verifying client's insurance, and reaching out to clients or contact provided by the referral source for any additional information needed. I also transcribe the psychiatrist's client evaluations and serve as a translator for Spanish speaking clients and/or families. Future Goals: As future goals I would like to gain experience in the mental health field and obtain an MSW. I would like to eventually get licensed as a clinical social worker and become a therapist. Department of Social Work
BSW Isaiah Rivas 2022 Agency Name: Social Workers And Advocates At Kutztown Profile: Social Workers And Advocates At Kutztown is an organization for social work students who major in social work who are interested in collaborating with other students, faculty, and community members. SWAK does events that give back to the community and events that are similar to advocacy work. Field Placement Responsibilities: My field placement responsibilities include working with the E-Board of SWAK, overseeing them and assisting them when working with them. In my field I oversee the PIMs study sessions, office hours, and just being a resource for the students and faculty. Future Goals: My future goals consist of getting my master’s degree in social work and a form of education. I eventually want to work with students in the school districts and work with lower income families in my community. Department of Social Work
BSW Elisa Rivera 2022 Agency Name: Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services Profile: The Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services oversees a variety of programs for older adults in Lehigh County, as well as providing information and referral services to connect clients with resources outside of the agency. Their focus is on supporting the well-being of older adults residing within Lehigh County. Field Placement Responsibilities: My responsibilities at my field placement are to provide information and referral services to clients who call the Lehigh County Office of Aging, to collect and input client intake information in the agency's system, and to assist clients with benefit program applications. Future Goals: My future goals are to pursue my MSW and become a licensed clinical social worker so that I can work as a counselor in a behavioral health practice setting. Department of Social Work
BSW Victoria Rivera 2022 Agency Name: Kutztown University Women's Center Profile: The Kutztown University Women's Center is a resource center where all students and staff in the community are welcome. It is a safe space for all students to go when they need support or a place to hang out. They also offer books, DVDs, and other resources to check out. The Women's Center hosts and attends many of the events that exemplify diversity on our campus. Field Placement Responsibilities: As an intern at the Women's Center I work on projects and events that the center hosts and attends. I help advocate for the center and for what it stands for by helping advertise and bring new ideas to the table. I am able to join the groups run through the center and learn more about different clubs and which ones interest me. They allow me to take a leadership role by collaborating with other organizations and schools to get feedback, work together on projects, and make it easier to get the whole campus involved. Future Goals: My future goal is to get my MSW and my school social work certificate. I would like to work as a school social worker in the future. Department of Social Work
BSW Jenna Robinson 2022 Agency Name: Concern Profile: Concern is a private non-profit human service organization. They are dedicated to providing child welfare, juvenile justice, and behavioral services to children and their families. Other services include adoption and foster care. Field Placement Responsibilities: I am currently interning as a foster care recruiter. My responsibilities include attending recruitment events, recruitment of foster parents, and talking to families about becoming foster parents. Other responsibilities include helping to approve foster families. I help do this by writing family approval documents, making sure families have their clearances, running clearances, and participating in family interviews. Future Goals: In the future I hope to work with children. I want to work as a school social worker or work in child services. Department of Social Work
BSW Rachel Saienni 2022 Agency Name: Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Profile: The Trinity Lutheran Church is a church that provides worship, events, and services to those within the community. Worship is held weekly, in person, and by Zoom. Music, arts, and written and spoken words are incorporated in the worship to bring the community together. Field Placement Responsibilities: I am working as an event coordinator with Trinity staff to help execute communal meals at the Kutztown Kitchen on the fourth Sunday of every month. I facilitate and participate in on-campus and community organizations to help prepare to serve the meals and assist with the clean up. I work to create small group opportunities for Kutztown community members and deliver services to the community. Future Goals: At my internship, I hope to gain experience that will be useful for future jobs I may obtain. This Spring, I plan on graduating with my BSW. A year from now, I plan to begin the path to my MSW. Department of Social Work
BSW Madison Schnur 2022 Agency Name: Diakon Foster Care and Permanency Profile: Diakon Foster Care and Permanency is a non-profit Christian ministry which serves children across eastern Pennsylvania whose lives are impacted by the foster care system. Their goal is to provide the best fit for each child and family that is served by the agency. Diakons responsibility to support to the relationship and connection between children and families that come through the agency. Field Placement Responsibilities: My responsibilities within Diakon include tracking and logging every child referral that comes to our agency. I also conduct home visits under the supervision of my instructor and attend court hearings for cases I am involved with. This includes completing home visit forms or receiving resource parent signatures to be included in children's files. Future Goals: In the future I would like to peruse a career in child welfare. Specifically working in a placement agency such as Daikon with the goal of eventual continued education. Department of Social Work
BSW Morgan Slowik 2022 Agency Name: Frederick Living Profile: Frederick Living is a non-profit continuing care retirement community located in Zieglerville, Pennsylvania. Frederick Living's mission is to care for and enrich the lives of older adults while valuing the staff, volunteers, and the surrounding community. Field Placement Responsibilities: As a social service intern, I am responsible for evaluating residents using the BIMS and PHQ- 9 assessments, entering MDS, as well as interacting with residents and their family members regarding change of care. During my internship, I work with an interdisciplinary team to provide safe and effective interventions for residents' plans of care. Different interventions include referring residents to PT, OT, ST, Doctors who specialize in particular care, Hospice, and referrals to treatment outside of the agency. This allows the interdisciplinary team to provide information and offer services and support. Overall, my role as an intern at Frederick Living is to advocate for residents' right to bodily autonomy. Future Goals: My goal is to finish my BSW at Kutztown University. Furthering my education means earning my MSW degree. I would like to pursue a career in either mental health services or hospital social work. Department of Social Work
BSW Abby Thorius 2022 Agency Name: CONCERN Profile: CONCERN is an adoptive and foster care facility that provides family counseling services as well. They bring hope, offer opportunity, and inspire change. They encourage growth and promote positive healthy lives. Field Placement Responsibilities: As an intern I work with the intake coordinator to receive referrals for possible foster children. Once received we enter the child's information into a computer application. When receiving referrals, we look at which parents have availability in their home, and if a child may be a good match for that given parent. We also receive referrals from parents and/or CYS workers. Future Goals: My future goals are to become a mental health counselor for young adults. I want to incorporate animal assistance into my practice because I am very passionate about animal therapy. Department of Social Work
BSW Najee Williams 2022 Agency Name: Berks County Children and Youth Services Profile: The Berks County Children and Youth Services dedicates its funds and resources to protecting children. This is accomplished through assuring their physical and emotional well-being as provided by law, and to preserve, strengthen, and empower families. Field Placement Responsibilities: I am in the permanency department which is more commonly known as the adoption unit. My responsibility includes identifying adoptive homes and possible placements. Educating clients on post placement services such as counseling and financial subsidies. If needed, court testimonies and completing parental rights terminations. Future Goals: My goals are to complete the BSW program and further my education in hopes of continuing in the child welfare field. Department of Social Work
BSW Marley M. Reedy 2022 Agency Name: Concern Profile: The agency is a multi service non-profit that offers services to help children and families with foster care and adoption and they also provide behavioral health services. Their main focus is to encourage growth and promote positive lives in the children and families that they help. The connect clients to resources such as therapy and counseling for any child with a behavioral problem. Field Placement Responsibilities: My field placement responsibilities are broad, I am supervised the director of quality insurance, which means that I get to learn all about following the agencies policies, ensuring competency, and making sure that the workplace is safe for all the workers. I have also had the opportunity to learn about the foster care and adoption departments and partake in trainings to prepare to go out with caseworkers on home visits. I am also responsible for learning all about child and family profiles and working on filling them out on my own. Overall, my experiences at Concern are well-rounded by gaining important information from the different departments. Future Goals: My future goals after obtaining my BSW is to work for a few years, gain experience and then go back to school for my Master's and become certified to work as a school social worker. Department of Social Work
BSW McKenna Wychunas 2022 Agency Name: Valley Youth House Profile: The Valley Youth House is a catalyst for youth to achieve their desired future through genuine relationships that support families, ensure safe places, and build community connections. Field Placement Responsibilities: As an intern, I do entry intake and follow-up, assist with childcare, recreation and groups, drive clients to appointments, and observe individual and family counseling sessions. Future Goals: My goal is to attend graduate school at Kutztown University to receive my MSW and school social work certificate. Department of Social Work
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