Interning with the Mobile Response Stabilization Services was truly an amazing opportunity. Between going on dispatches and court cases, completing various typed documentation, filling information into databases, and completing follow up calls to track the progress of families, I am grateful to have learned so much and gained these type of professional experiences. Interacting with families in crisis provided a new perspective on the diversity of support and services that each individual needs. While I feel that all the work that I did benefitted me in some way, whether it be strengthening my skills or expanding my knowledge on social services, I have to say that the most rewarding part was getting the opportunity to see clients progress and stabilize. Attending a dispatch for a youth in crisis and later receiving a follow-up call that they are doing better is a meaningful reminder of why this work is so important.
One of the most challenging parts of this internship was the amount of detail that goes into documentation and databases. The procedures can be extremely tedious, and I often found myself with case-specific information that I would have to ask questions about. Over time, I was able to find confidence in my work. I would develop strategies, such as making notes inputting specific details so I could refer back to if I encountered it again.
Following this, I am proud to say that I was also given the opportunity to collaborate with other interns on a project that would benefit both the staff and the families they work with. The first part of the project was a detailed handout for families to understand certain terms or acronyms commonly used in crisis intervention. We not only wanted to improve the effectiveness of communication between families and staff, but increase the trust and confidence that clients have in our services. The second part of the project was a log of outpatient services in Morris and Sussex counties. We made it extremely thorough, providing details relating to location, specific specialties, what insurance was taken, if they provide virtual treatment, and more. Our goal was to provide a faster and more effective way for staff to locate a suitable therapist or behavioral assistant for the families they serve. I am extremely grateful to have been given the opportunity to have a lasting impact on the department. This internship benefitted my professional, academic, and personal developments, and I deeply appreciate the experiences I’ve gained and staff and supervisors who supported me.