Understanding the Child Welfare System in Santa Clara County

This summer, I had the privilege to intern with Dependency Advocacy Center in San Jose, California. Dependency Advocacy Center (DAC) provides interdisciplinary legal, social work, and mentorship services to parents and children involved in the child welfare system in Santa Clara County. Fun fact, Santa Clara County has a population 1.5 times as large as the state of Maine!

As an intern at DAC, I worked with the social work and legal teams to establish opportunities for youth mentorship. I collaborated with four community organizations, met with program managers, and communicated with attorneys regarding the specific needs of their youth clients. I also had the opportunity to attend court hearings weekly and learn about the ways that the dependency system intersects with poverty, mental health, substance abuse, and criminal justice. Lastly, I worked with the communications team at DAC to write an article on the most recent policy updates to the child welfare system in California legislature.

This internship experience helped to inform my interest in a career in law and policy, gave me the opportunity to practice using my skills in writing and communication, and enhanced my understanding of the ways that child welfare systems interact with communities and other aspects of the justice system.​

​Internship funded by the Alumni Council Internship Fund in memory of Maurice Littlefield '41.​