CYF Internships

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Internships with the Office of Children, Youth and Families (CYF) give students direct exposure to child welfare practice in Allegheny County through hands-on, field-based experience. Interns learn from experienced caseworkers while supporting real cases, including shadowing staff, assisting with documentation, and participating in day-to-day case activities. Interns will also see how CYF makes child welfare decisions and partners with schools, courts, and service providers to support children and families.

Program Options

Casework Support Internship

A paid internship for undergraduate and graduate students in human services related fields. 

  • $15/hour  
  • Up to 29 hours per week  
  • Placement in a CYF regional office  
  • Shadowing, documentation support, and case-related tasks  

975-Hour Child Welfare Internship (Senior-Year Track)

An intensive pathway for undergraduate students entering their senior year. 

  • Begins with two months of state-required training in summer  
  • Continues part-time through fall and spring  
  • Includes a small supervised caseload  
  • Leads to eligibility for full-time Caseworker II positions after graduation 

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in a human services related field
  • For the 975-hour track: apply between January and March of junior year
  • Have a valid driver’s license, insurance, and reliable transportation
  • Complete required background clearances
  • Meet any university requirements for academic credit

How to Apply

  1. Email CYFinternships@alleghenycounty.us to express interest. 
  2. Complete the Allegheny County application and submit your resume and cover letter. 
  3. For the 975-hour program, plan for full-time training during July and August before the senior year begins. 

Testimonials

Your rewards will be significant and enduring.

“Being an intern provided me the opportunity to put my education into practice in addition to learning about myself. I discovered my passion and it contributed to my overall personal and professional growth and development.”
Mitchell Hortert, CYF CWEB intern

“This experience has definitely helped me become more self-aware. I have learned better communication skills and I continue to learn from families every day.”
Casey Winters, CYF CWEB intern

"My internship allowed me to work one-on-one with a diverse group of people dealing with many of life's challenges. Although tough, it is the most rewarding and humbling work I believe one will ever do."
Vanessa T., CYF CWEB intern

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