Volunteer and Intern Paperwork for Community Care Services

Taunton Youth Court Intern Position Description

Taunton Youth Court is a new and innovative juvenile delinquency prevention program offered by Community Care Services. The program is offered at Taunton High School as an alternative to suspension for students committing certain minor, non-violent offenses. Students are trained in all the traditional roles of a Court, i.e. (attorneys, jurors, clerk, and bailiff). An adult judge monitors the proceeding as student jurors decide on sanctions for student defendants based on the principles of restorative justice. Please visit the web site, www.youthcourt.net to learn about how youth courts are the fast growing juvenile delinquency prevention program in the United States.

Some of the learning and growth opportunities in Taunton Youth Court that an intern would experience are:

Learn case management techniques of at-risk adolescents and their families.
Learn to develop intervention plans with youth and families.
Learn short-term and long term counseling techniques and behavior intervention planning with adolescents and families.
Assist in training of youth and adults in Youth Court operations and procedures.
Learn about the Macro-Social work perspective and the community collaboration efforts involved in maintaining a Federal grant program.
Assist in recruitment efforts for adult and student volunteers.
Interact with criminal justice professionals and agencies.
Learn program evaluation methods, data collection, and maintenance of case files.

Interns should be able to commit to 16-24 hours per week. If you wish, time may be split between the Taunton Youth Court and Peer Mediation programs at Taunton High School. Programs can be flexible with your schedule.

Qualifications: Interns should have an interest in – and sensitivity toward - the population that this program serves. Community Care Services requires a Criminal Offender Record Investigation (CORI) which may take 2 weeks for some programs. Other requirements include Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training, as well as tuberculosis screening at some programs. We will arrange for completion of all your requirements.

To learn more about Community Care Services, the local sponsor of Taunton Youth Court, visit our web site, www.communitycareservices.org.

Potential interns may contact:
Lisa J. DaPonte, Director
Phone: 508.821.1306 – This number works during the school term.
ldaponte@tauntonschools.org

Deborah Smusz, Vice-President for Education Services
70 Main Street
Taunton, MA 02780
Phone: 508.821.7777x252
dsmusz@communitycareservices.org