THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL BE OFFERED AN HOURLY RATE OF $26.73.
The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of children and families through child welfare and juvenile justice services and community supports. ACS manages community-based supports and foster care services and provides subsidized childcare vouchers. ACS child protection staff respond to allegations of child maltreatment. In juvenile justice, ACS oversees detention, placement, and programs for youth in the community.
ACS' Office of Child & Family Health delivers direct medical services to children entering foster care and ensures the health care provided is comprehensive and appropriate. OCFH also offers individualized case consultations and training to ACS staff and foster care agencies on a variety of health-related topics, and provides clinical expertise in developing medical and mental health policies, programs, and initiatives that support best case practice agency-wide.
Within OCFH, the Mental Health Coordination Unit (MHCU) is responsible for tracking acute in-patient psychiatric hospitalizations of children (under 18) in ACS custody, and coordinating related case planning activities. The team also provides assistance, guidance, advocacy, and support to case planners and provider agency staff. In addition, MHCU responds to the needs of partners in the mental health system, hospitals, and other stakeholders.
OCFH is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Mental Health Coordination Graduate Intern to join our team.
As a Mental Health Coordination Graduate Intern, you will support our team in day-to-day operations and contribute to long-term projects aimed at improving health care issues throughout ACS and providing expert technical assistance to our child welfare, juvenile justice, and child care programs. This internship offers an excellent opportunity to gain exposure to delivering direct medical services to children in foster care and ensuring the health care provided is comprehensive and appropriate.
Additionally, as a member of the 2026 ACS Summer Internship Program cohort, you will participate in an enrichment program designed to fully engage students into the ACS and NYC government experience. Internship programming includes professional development workshops, lunch and learns, speaker events, NYC government tours, and networking opportunities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with MCHU staff to design electronic case records
- Create and update excel spreadsheets for children who have aged-out of MHCU care, and those who will be approaching 18 years old by December 2026
- Support case quality-assurance reviews, and follow-up with agencies/hospitals regarding pending documents (e.g. MHCU forms, hospital discharge summaries, etc.)
- Work alongside MHCU team on special projects and conduct child/teen mental health research, as needed
- Shadow child welfare professionals to learn about the scope of their practice
- Serve as an MHCU thought partner at meetings, and assist with tracking attendance, taking notes, and distributing follow-ups
- Provide administrative support to the MCHU team, as needed
Learning Outcomes:
- Gain comprehensive knowledge of ACS operations in a high-level setting
- Develop project management skills and an understanding of policy compliance
- Enhance abilities in coordinating and executing organizational tasks
The selected candidate must be currently pursuing a law degree or graduate degree in social work, psychology, mental health counseling, public health or a related field.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Section 424-A of the New York Social Services Law requires an authorized agency to inquire whether a candidate for employment with child-caring responsibilities has been the subject of a child abuse and maltreatment report.
TO APPLY:
- To apply for the internship, you must be a graduate student and must be currently enrolled or accepted in a graduate program.
- Interested candidates should submit their resume by visiting: https://cityjobs.nyc.gov and search for Job ID# 771883.
- NO PHONE CALLS, FAXES OR PERSONAL INQUIRIES PERMITTED
- NOTE: ONLY CANDIDATES UNDER CONSIDERATION WILL BE CONTACTED
SUMMER GRADUATE INTERN - 10232
Candidates must be currently enrolled in a graduate degree program in an accredited college, university or law school.
The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.
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