Youth Development Intern

Summary Job Description:

The Residential Youth Development Intern supports the residential team in supervising and engaging youth residing in an agency-operated facility. Under close supervision, the intern assists with structured activities, daily routines, and documentation while gaining hands-on experience in residential child welfare services.

This internship is designed to provide exposure to trauma-informed care, group supervision strategies, and residential programming within a nonprofit human services setting.

About Little Flower

Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York is a human services nonprofit supporting the well-being of children, youth, families, and individuals across New York City and Long Island since 1929. Our staff of more than 500 builds well-being by providing prevention services, foster care, residential treatment care, adoption services, programs and services for individuals with developmental disabilities, and medical and mental health services.

Principle Responsibilities

• Assist staff in supervising youth during recreational, educational, and daily living activities
• Support implementation of structured group activities and programming
• Help reinforce cottage rules and daily routines under staff direction
• Assist with meal preparation or activity setup as appropriate
• Observe and learn behavior management strategies used by residential staff
• Support documentation by assisting with activity logs or incident documentation under supervision
• Participate in team meetings and supervision sessions
• Engage youth in pro-social skill building and positive relationship development
• Complete assigned professional development and training activities
• Interns will not be responsible for sole supervision, crisis intervention, or physical restraint.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this internship, the intern will:

• Demonstrate basic group supervision and youth engagement skills under supervision.
• Apply trauma-informed care principles in residential or community-based settings.
• Develop awareness of safety protocols and crisis response procedures.
• Strengthen professional boundaries and relationship-building skills with youth.
• Gain experience documenting daily interactions and incidents appropriately.
• Understand career progression within residential and youth development services.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Currently enrolled in a college program related to Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Education, or a related field
• Strong interpersonal skills and interest in working with youth
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Reliable and punctual

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior volunteer or internship experience working with children or adolescents
• Interest in residential treatment, child welfare, or youth development

Travel Requirements

This position offers an in-person work schedule and is based in Wading River, NY.

Occasional local travel with supervisory staff may occur.

Training

Interns may participate in selected agency trainings appropriate to their role. Participation in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) training may be offered for learning purposes but is not a requirement for internship completion.

Disclaimer

This internship is unpaid and credit-bearing, in accordance with each participating school’s academic requirements.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the incumbent in this position.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of a person in this position.

Internship Structure and Supervision: 
This position is a structured educational internship. Interns are not assigned independent caseloads, are not counted toward staff-to-youth ratios, and do not provide independent clinical, supervisory, or crisis intervention services. All activities are conducted under the supervision of designated staff in accordance with agency policy and regulatory requirements.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Statement

With more than 250 years of combined experience, Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York and St. John’s Residence for Boys have a long-standing history of serving children, youth, adults and families of color. Our mission, vision and values are grounded in elevating the shared humanity of every staff member, community partner and those with whom we engage. We recognize that our DEIB work is continuously evolving as we strive for equity and inclusion for individuals of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexualities, ages, abilities, religions and lived experiences.