Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-252-5400

You can be part of the team at the Children's Advocacy Center while working toward your educational goals.

Students from area universities majoring in related fields are welcome to contact the Executive Director about our practicum program for college seniors or our internship program for master's and doctoral graduate students in a counseling field. Students must request an interview with the Executive Director and must fill out required paperwork. Students must also agree to and pass a criminal background check and CPS Registry check.

The Children's Advocacy Center's structured practicum and intern programs allow the student the opportunity to work directly with the strongest child protection team staff to learn this nationally accredited program.  

You will observe and learn from forensic interviewers who are all members of the Professional Society of Forensic Interviewers with a total of over 25 combined years of child-friendly, child-focused interview experience.  

Practicum students will learn how to become effective family advocates. You will learn how to work with the children and the families from their first step into the center; through the interview process; therapy referrals; and the importance of follow-up calls to the families. 

Students will learn first-hand how to recognized the signs of child abuse and how to report abuse. You will learn how to talk to children and families and how to interact with child protection team partner agencies.

Internship students will be trained and supervised by a licensed, approved supervisor trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. There may also be opportunities for other training depending on funds availability.

This practicum and internship program will afford you the opportunity to learn the working operation of an advocacy center from greeting clients to hands-on experience in proper documentation as well as the fundraising and community education needs and responsibilities of advocacy centers.

To visit with us about this program, contact Mary Infante, Associate Director, at 806-740-0251 or email her at minfantel@safeplace4kids.org.