Bridge to Safety Intern

BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a leading, non-sectarian, non-profit organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict.Domestically, our 26 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency.

The Bridge to Safety (B2S) Program is a domestic violence and sexual assault screening and case management program that builds off of the evidence base that informs IRC’s GBV prevention and response work with refugees and vulnerable populations across the globe. The program is designed to provide a safe space for clients to disclose experiences of violence and to support those clients in accessing available resources.

SCOPE OF INTERN WORK: With oversight from the Gender Equity and Safety Coordinator the position will provide direct support to the B2S program by conducting screenings, creating safety plans, checking in regularly with clients, and assisting clients in accessing community resources. The intern will also provide occasional support for other Health Program needs.

COMMITMENT:  August 30^th 2021 – December 17^th 2021, 15-20 hours a week

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct B2S screenings with new clients 4-6 weeks after arrival.

• Respond to disclosures of violence in a trauma-informed and client-centered way.

• Administer the LAP screening when indicated.

• Create safety plans with clients.

• Assist clients in accessing appropriate resources (DV shelters, legal aid, victim advocates, etc.), and ensure that community partners are offering culturally appropriate services.

• Attend organizational meetings.

• Case Note/Document Client services in various databases.

• Support overall functioning of Health Program, projects and initiatives.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. The intern will gain professional experience in domestic violence case management, risk assessment, and crisis intervention.

2. The intern will deepen understanding of the refugee resettlement process, refugee health topics, the social determinants of health, and risk factors for domestic violence in refugee populations.

3. The intern will gain experience with navigating community services and systems, including the DV services system, homeless services system, and family legal system.

4. The intern will gain direct experience with working with people from different background than their own and will develop inter-personal and professional development skills.

5. The intern will deepen their knowledge of the psychological impacts of trauma and the principles of trauma-informed care through hands-on experience and practice.