Internship Opportunities

Juvenile Court has many internship opportunities for a variety of disciplines throughout the school year (see below for brief descriptions).  ACJCS staff determines the placement of an intern in an area or program of the court, and there may not be opportunities at all times of the school year for every intern seeking a placement with the court.   All interns must pass reference and criminal background checks.

Attendance Court

Attendance Court is a program at ACJCS that addresses truancy problems in the elementary schools in Ada County.  Children with attendance problems are referred to the court by the school.  The students and their families are then summonsed to an informal court to address the issue.  It is hoped that the families and the school can resolve the attendance problems during this process so that formal charges are not recommended.  Interns are utilized to manage inidivual cases referred to the program.  The program has been in place since 2000 and services all three school districts in Ada County.

Counseling Unit - MSW Internship

The Counseling Unit provides MSW Interns the opportunity to work with at-risk juvenile offenders who may also be victims of child abuse, have exposure to domestic violence, or have drug/alcohol issues.  Hours are generally between 8:00AM and 7:00PM.  Opportunities in this placement include:

• Client Assessment
• Case Management
• Group Facilitation
• Crisis Intervention
• Individual and Family Counseling

Detention

Our Detention Center has the capacity to manage interns on a daily basis and they are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  If a student needs flexible hours, this is a good location to request.  There is usually some tutoring and group work on the weekdays that an intern can be involved in.

Drug Court

Juvenile Drug Court provides interns the opportunity to work with juvenile probationers who have an extensive background with alcohol and/or drug abuse.  Interns may participate in client assessments, case management, treatment planning, and group facilitation.

Prevention Program

Our Prevention Program has two components, intervention and prevention.  The primary purpose of the intervention component is to provide first-time, low-risk offenders with education and additional skills to help them make better decisions, hold them accountable for their actions, and provide reparation to the community for what they have done.  The intervention component consists of a diversion program where clients and their families resolve their cases out of COurt under the managemtn of an Intern Diversion Officer.  Interns receive training in case management at the diversion level and have the title Intern Diversion Officer.

The prevention component primarily consists of educational presentations and small group curriculum that is taught at local middle or junior high schools.  Interns are trained in Small Group Process and partner with participating school counselors and a fellow intern to facilitate groups.

Probation Officer

The Probation Officer Intern assignment provides overall exposure to the juvenile court system by working directly with juvenile offenders and their families.  Field, home, and office visits are expected and flexible hours are required.  There are a variety of opportunities available to probation officer interns that support professional development and growth in the following areas:

• Assessment skills
• Interview skills
• Contracts
• Problem solving
• Program familiarity
• Balanced Approach to Juvenile Probation
• Juvenile Corrections Act
• Crisis intervention
• Group facilitation or co-facilitation

Supervision and training of interns will be assigned to a Probation Officer requesting support.  Duties and opportunities may vary based on the placement needs of our Probation Division.

Victim Services

Interns placed in this program will conduct case management and advocacy for victims of juvenile crime. Those with special mediation emphasis in their educational program shall assist in victim/offender mediation sessions.  Duties assigned to interns may include:

• Filing
• Contacting victims by phone, mail, or in person
• Monitoring case status for victims
• Escorting victims to court
• Assisting with Victim and Community Impact Panels
• Preparing Victim Impact Reports
• Contacting probation officers, attorneys, court officers, and other court personnel
• Assisting victim advocates and mediators with other duties, as needed.

Work and Learn Program

This is a collaborative alternative education program between the Boise School District and Juvenile Court. Students are on probation and have a commitment to pursue their education in this program.  Interns shall provide tutoring to the students and shall assist in the classroom.

For more information on internship opportunities, please contact:

Nancy Duncanson
Intern Coordinator
Ph: 208.287.5604
Email: jvduncan@adaweb.net

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