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.
Amelia Alfano
Criminal Justice, 2026
My favorite part of your blog is this sentence – “the diversity of support and services that each individual needs.” It’s amazing to see that you’ve learned that helping others is not a copy/paste process, and every person/family needs individualized help. I know you are going to be good mark on this world!
Amelia, This sounds like such a meaningful experience! It’s awesome that you not only got to work directly with families in crisis but also created resources that will continue to benefit both staff and clients. Best of luck in your future.
It sounds like you had such a meaningful internship! I love how much you got to see the impact of your work firsthand, from helping families stabilize to improving communication and resources for the department. It’s impressive how you turned challenges like detailed documentation into growth opportunities, and it’s clear you made a lasting difference. Excited to see where you take these experiences next!
Amelia, I’m glad you were able to build such a personal relationship with this career path and make it your own. Not a lot of people can say that they emotionally resonate with their careers, but it seems like this is definitely your path. I wish nothing but the best in your future endeavors!
This work is so important and meaningful, and I’m glad you contributed in a very significant way. You learned a lot and experienced a lot. Great job!
It seemed like you helped a lot of people with this internship (something that does not happen at many internships). It sounds like you care a lot about this specific part of the criminal justice field and have a passion for helping others. It looks like you chose the right internship for you this summer! Good job!
Amelia, your internship sounds like it was an amazing experience. Being part of a project that benefits both staff and families must have been incredibly rewarding. Experiences like this will definitely make a lasting impact both professionally and personally. Great job!