DCYF is a cabinet-level agency focused on the well-being of children. Our vision is to ensure that "Washington state's children and youth grow up safe and health — thriving physically, emotionally, and academically, nurtured by family and community."
DCYF welcomes student interns and volunteers to help support this mission, making sure that every child, youth, and family gets the support they need.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to apply to volunteer or for a student internship?
For Child Welfare Opportunities:
- Review FAQs
- Complete online application/questionnaire
For DCYF Opportunities other than Child Welfare
- Review FAQs
- Email dcyf.jobs@dcyf.wa.gov.
What is the role of a DCYF intern or volunteer?
All DCYF programs can benefit from the participation of interns/volunteers and community organizations. Interns/volunteers can increase the Agency's capacity to serve their clients.
By making intern/volunteer involvement a critical part of the Agency, DCYF can promote understanding of their priorities at a local level, make sure that intern/volunteer tasks are meaningful to the individual and the Agency as well as assist with staff objectives.
What is a student intern/volunteer?
A DCYF student intern/volunteer completes any assigned or approved duties for the agency of their own free choice, receives no pay, and is registered as a student intern/volunteer with the goal of supporting DCYF.
The student intern/volunteer is not a replacement or substitute for paid staff but enhances the services of the agency and symbolizes community participation. The student intern/volunteer may be reimbursed for any expenses that were necessary for them to complete their tasks.
What are the different types of child welfare programs I can support as an intern or volunteer?
DCYF Child Welfare has a number of programs to help children, youth, and families. These programs include:
- Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigation: Conduct investigations into when intakes are screened in with allegations of child abuse or neglect or when children or youth are believed to be at imminent risk of harm.
- CPS Family Assessment Response (FAR): FAR is a CPS alternative response to a screened-in allegation of abuse or neglect. FAR focuses on children and youth safety along with the integrity and preservation of families when lower-risk allegations of maltreatment have been screened in for intervention.
- Family Voluntary Services (FVS): Allows parents and guardians to engage voluntarily in services that improve their protective capacities to meet the safety, health, and well-being needs of children and youth.
- Child Family Welfare Services (CFWS): Children or youth that have been removed by the court and now are dependent on DCYF through a court “dependency” action.
- CFWS Adoptions: The adoption program focuses on meeting the permanency needs of children who are in the care and custody of DCYF. DCYF strives to find safe and stable families that can best meet the needs of the child or youth who are in the foster care system.
- CFWS Extended Foster Care: Engaging and supporting youth 18 to 21 in the Extended Foster Care Program.
- CFWS Missing from Care: Engagement and recovery of youth under 18 that are on the run from foster care or relative care.
Do I need to complete and pass a background check to be an intern or volunteer?
Yes, every intern or volunteer is required to submit and pass a background check to have authorized unsupervised access to vulnerable clients.
Once we have identified where you will intern or volunteer you will be asked to submit an online background check, this can take up to two weeks to get the results. Your local child welfare supervisor will keep you informed. You will need to have PASS on your background check prior to starting your internship or volunteering service.
Who supervises interns/volunteers?
A paid DCYF staff person will supervise student interns/volunteers. This staff person will have all of the important background information and skills needed to guide and support the intern/volunteer so they can complete their assignment or learning opportunity.
What is the role of a volunteer driver?
Volunteer drivers are trusted with transporting children to family time visits and other places for treatment related needs. They are responsible for having a safe driving record, for following agency policies, and reporting directly to the regional or local office volunteer coordinator.
Who should I contact if I have questions?
For child welfare internships or volunteer opportunities, email cwinternsandvolunteers@dcyf.wa.gov.
For all other DCYF internships, email dcyf.jobs@dcyf.wa.gov.