Social Work Internship Program
Miami-Dade Public Library System
Innovation Synopsis
The Miami-Dade Public Library System (Library) Social Services at the Library Program, in partnership with Miami-Dade County Juvenile Services Department (JSD), and Florida International University (FIU), serves as an internship placement for Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) students from FIU. BSW interns complete two semesters at the library while receiving clinical supervision from a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) from JSD. The Social Work Interns are integral to the successful operation of the Social Work Program by maintaining the level of service by assisting with case load. Additionally, it provides a unique placement for interns to learn about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through hands-on experience and clinical supervision, the interns develop their assessment and intervention skills while earning their degree and working with diverse populations and addressing various social issues.
Challenge/Opportunity
In 2020, the Library began offering social worker services at its Main Library in downtown Miami with our local library consortium, the Southeast Florida Library Information Network (SEFLIN), which initially provided a social worker to serve as Field Instructor, guiding interns from the FIU Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work. The Library added full-time social workers of its own, but staff members were not Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW), required by FIU for student interns. Miami-Dade County’s Juvenile Services Department stepped in as a partner for the Library and agreed to provide the required guidance and assessment for interns. This partnership enables the Library to provide valuable experience through internships that place social work interns in a real-world setting interacting regularly with clients seeking services. The internship program is currently being co-administered by Field Instructor Elena Angulo, LCSW, from JSD.
Key Elements of Innovation
- The Main Library acts as a central hub for local social services resources: housing, food, clothing, and healthcare. Social workers assist clients navigating resource applications, advocating for their needs, and offering guidance to access services.
- Structured internship cycles with students from FIU provide hands-on library social work experience.
- The primary objective is to provide comprehensive support to patrons in need of assistance by addressing immediate needs and facilitating access to long-term solutions such as stable housing and wellness opportunities.
- Key partners are FIU, JSD, and the Homeless Trust.
- Establishing trust and rapport with clients is emphasized, and crucial given challenges serving a population resistant to assistance due to addiction and mental health issues.
- Embedding social work in the library, the initiative extends the institution's role from information provider to critical community service facilitator, addressing societal challenges at the
Achieved Outcomes
Over 10 interns from FIU have participated in the program and reported positive experiences. They value the team’s encouragement, support, flexibility, and direct client interaction. Alumni have pursued careers serving unhoused or low-income populations after impactful internships. One intern praised the opportunity to apply classroom social work skills, learn about community resources, and support housing initiatives. Another intern working with us in partnership with the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, found her internship so rewarding that she decided to apply for a social work position with Miami-Dade County. In 2023, the social work team and interns, connected clients with services 3,135 times, a 46% increase over the previous year. The Social Work Internship Program continues to act as a catalyst in connecting patrons to library services and programs while also providing interns with valuable work experience and insights into essential county resources.
