About the role
About the Social Work Internship Program AACS Atlanta social work internship program offers supervised, real-world field training for MSW and BSW students across Georgia. Interns work directly with individuals and families connected to the criminal justice system, including current and former inmates, individuals on probation or parole, and family members affected by incarceration. This program is designed to give social work students practical experience beyond the classroom.
Interns apply academic theory to real cases, build clinical skills, and become effective advocates for Georgia’s most underserved populations. People We Serve Through This Program The people we serve across Georgia face complex, overlapping challenges. Interns gain experience working with: Individuals currently incarcerated or recently released from Georgia correctional facilities Adults on probation or parole navigating reintegration into Georgia communities Family members of offenders dealing with trauma, instability, and financial hardship Individuals struggling with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions Low-income Georgians facing housing instability, unemployment, or food insecurity Clients referred by Georgia DFCS, courts, or community organisations What Interns Do: Three Levels of Practice The internship is structured around the three recognised levels of social work practice: micro, mezzo, and macro, giving Georgia interns a comprehensive, well-rounded training experience.
Micro-Level Practice: Individual and Family Work At the micro level, interns work one-on-one with clients and individual families throughout Georgia. This includes conducting needs assessments, identifying barriers to recovery and reintegration, and connecting clients to available local resources. Interns assist with individual and family therapy sessions, substance abuse counseling, and crisis support — developing the direct service skills essential to any social work career.
Mezzo-Level Practice Group and Organisational Work At the mezzo level, interns facilitate and co-facilitate group counseling sessions, including substance abuse treatment groups and behavioural intervention programs. Interns also work alongside Georgia nonprofit and community organisations to develop service delivery plans, improve program outcomes, and strengthen agency operations that benefit the clients they serve. Macro-Level Practice Policy, Advocacy, and Systems Change At the macro level, interns engage with the broader social systems that impact their clients’ lives.
This includes research, community advocacy, program development, and understanding how Georgia state policies and legislation affect criminal justice-involved individuals. Macro-level experience equips interns to drive systemic change not just assist individuals, but reform the conditions that create vulnerability. Core
Responsibilities of Social Work Interns in Georgia During the internship, students are expected to: Assess client needs and develop individualised support plans Identify rehabilitative services not available through Georgia correctional facilities Connect clients to community resources addressing poverty, addiction, and mental health Provide case management support and advocacy for clients navigating the justice system Document client progress and maintain accurate case records Collaborate with nonprofit organisations, government agencies, and grassroots groups across Georgia Support family members of incarcerated individuals with counseling and resource referrals Participate in individual and group supervision with licensed clinical supervisors Why This Internship Matters in Georgia Individuals involved in the criminal justice system represent one of the most vulnerable populations in Georgia. They face a combination of poverty, untreated addiction, and mental health challenges that few other populations experience at the same scale. Georgia’s correctional system processes tens of thousands of individuals each year yet access to rehabilitative services, case management, and family support remains limited.
Social work interns serve as a critical bridge. By working across nonprofit organisations, grassroots community groups, and government agencies, interns help close the gap between what corrections systems provide and what clients actually need to successfully reintegrate into Georgia communities. This is not abstract work.
Interns build real relationships with real people — helping individuals in Georgia find stable housing, access addiction treatment, rebuild family ties, and stay out of the justice system for good. Academic Integration and Skill Development This Georgia internship is designed to complement and reinforce your MSW or BSW coursework. Interns translate what they’ve learned in class into applied, supervised practice.
Core competencies developed include: Clinical assessment and intake interviewing Evidence-based case planning and goal setting Crisis intervention and de-escalation Motivational interviewing and counseling techniques Group facilitation and psychoeducation delivery Cultural competency and trauma-informed care Ethics in criminal justice social work practice Navigating Georgia's social services and legal systems Service Locations Across Georgia Internship placements are available throughout the greater Georgia region, including Atlanta, Decatur, and Marietta, as well as surrounding communities. Interns may be placed in outpatient counseling centers, correctional facility partnerships, community mental health organisations, or court-affiliated programs — depending on program availability and the intern’s field of concentration.
How to Apply for the Georgia Social Work Internship Students currently enrolled in an accredited social work program in Georgia are encouraged to apply. Applicants should be i