University of Southern Maine School of Social Work
Agency Profile for Undergraduate/Graduate Student Placements
Name of agency:
Community Concepts, Inc.
Date: 4/25/11
Agency address:
240 Bates St., Lewiston; 17-19 Market Sq., South Paris; 24 Falcon Dr.,
Auburn (we have more, also!)
Agency telephone phone number: Joan: (207) 739-6535
In arranging for field placements, whom should student contact? For Big Brothers/Big
Sisters, please contact Joan Churchill, MS, CADC jchurchill@community-concepts.org
(best), or (207) 739-6535; our HR specialist assigned to internships and field placements is
Julia Herrick, jherrick@community-concepts.org or 743-7716.
Name of Field Instructor:
Joan Churchill, MS, CADC and as assigned
Field Instructor telephone number:
Field Instructor email address:
(207) 739-6364
jchurchill@community-concepts.org
Name of agency director and/or key administrative personnel:
Name
Position
We have many LSW’s, and a few LMSW’s and or/LCSW’s, as well as several LADC, CCS
positions. We also have many Head Start teachers, and bachelor’s level home visitation
staff/managers. I am a good place to start at Community Concepts in terms of inquiring
because I have a good understanding of internships/field placements (Joan).
Agency is able to handle:
BSW student__X__
MSW foundation year student__X___
MSW concentration year student ___
How many students can your agency accommodate?
This will always vary depending upon many variables. Please always inquire! Currently,
we have two LCPC interns, a 2nd year MSW interning with us. We are hoping to recruit 2
or more BSW interns for one or two semester (preferred) placements with our Big
Brothers Big Sisters program. We are also recruiting interns for an inner-Lewiston
“community development” planning/evaluation/community-building project. We would
like to develop stronger ties with colleges and universities as we do have many valuable
placement opportunities.
Briefly describe the basic services/programs of the agency, client population served, and
the size of your staff.
Please go to: www.community-concepts.org for full descriptions – please note our website is
being updated and will be much more customer friendly. Programs we operate include:
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Head Start – Oxford & Franklin Counties
Big Brothers Big Sisters – Androscoggin & Oxford Counties
Community-based child welfare intervention program in Androscoggin, Oxford &
Franklin
Targeted case management
School based substance use counseling at high schools and middle schools
(Lewiston, Auburn; Topsham, Turner, Poland, South Paris)
School social work Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School
Homeownership programs including Self-Help homebuilding and renovation,
homeownership counseling, foreclosure counseling, non-traditional homeownership
financing, etc.
Parenting education
Home based parenting education and support (“home visitation”)
Community development
Business loans and business attraction services
Weatherization/energy auditing/lead inspections, etc., etc.
Fuel assistance and other assistance programs;
Emergency shelter
Affordable rental housing
Other
When (day and time) are agency staff and other important meetings held?
program
Varies by
What characteristics or qualities would be helpful for a student to have to best utilize the
placement as a learning opportunity?
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Strong understanding of professional ethics (confidentiality, boundaries) This is the
most important piece, we cannot take on interns who do not have an understanding of
confidentiality or boundaries;
Understanding of value of supervision component
Commitment to placement;
Time management skills i.e. be on time and when you commit to something, do it!
Positive attitude
Energy and enthusiasm
Interest in learning
Would a student who needs a highly structured learning environment do well in this
placement? ____Yes __X__No Other comments:
Almost all of Community Concepts placements will likely be in domains where students
have to work fairly independently once they are oriented. We will provide quality
professional supervision and need staff who understand their role and its limits and
opportunities.
List the learning opportunities available for the student in your setting:
Big Brothers Big Sisters:
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How to work in a position that “requires” a bachelor’s degree (national standard)
Honing confidentiality skills
Honing professional demeanor
Honing professional ethics
Experience and learn from the clinical/supportive supervision process
Learning program level process and procedures and practice on implementing
them
Learning how to help people mentor Little Brothers and Sisters
Learning how to recruit Big Brothers and Big Sisters including conducting
interviews, background checks, etc.
Learning how to monitor site-based BBBS
Learning how to document work according to standards
Learning how the Bowl For Kids Sake fundraising campaign works and helping
with this project
Learning how programs demand staff to work together as they independently
conduct their own particular job functions
List is not inclusive
Community Development:
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Learning how organizations use evaluation tools to conduct baseline and evaluative
data in the context of neighborhoods and residents;
Learn how to conduct house to house resident surveys with team members;
Learn how to conduct visual inspections of exterior of houses;
Learning how organizations use this data for planning programs and making
positive changes;
Learning how to input data in various computer programs and what the results
suggest;
Learning how to conduct oneself in public meetings
Learning how to be a team member
Able to learn how to facilitate meetings, document “action” steps
Learn what kinds of jobs are interesting and may be available in the community
development/helping fields;
List is not inclusive
Other positions would have other learning opportunities
Is there adequate physical space for the student(s)? Yes, we have (parts of) office spaces in
our Lewiston, Auburn, Oxford, South Paris offices, would be determined dependent upon
scope, etc.
Does the student need a car? In some cases yes, not a determining factor in all cases,
however.
Is mileage reimbursable? Could be
Can your agency provide an opportunity for students to fulfill part of their required
placement hours on evenings or weekends? Could be for some specific things such as
BFKS event, monthly BBBS events; and would be determined during placement
negotiation;
Does your agency require any formal training for interns? Would need to do preliminary
agency orientation, then program specific orientation.
If yes, how many training hours are required? Depending upon program; would be
provided.
When is the training offered? We would arrange.
Can the training be completed online? Yes for part
Is the agency handicapped accessible? We would make as much accommodation as
possible; our Lewiston office is fully accessible;
Agency Requirements:
Background check (SBI)
Yes__X_
No___
Physical Exam
Yes___
No_X__
Immunizations
placements
Yes___
No___
may be for some
(If yes, please name
immunizations required)
Other pertinent information: Interns must be up for challenge of working in environment
of high ethics and confidentiality.