ABSTRACT

Upon completion of her senior year, social work student Amanda Bail obtained experience in the field of social work. She completed 200 hours through taking on the role of an intern. She completed her internship at Bethany Christian Services, a worldwide non-profit adoption agency. Established in 1944, this organization supports vulnerable kids in the United States, refugees and immigrants, and global families. At the Madison Heights location, the student performed internship duties alongside the Domestic Infant Adoption (DIA) team. The DIA team at Bethany works with birth families and adoptive families to provide a loving environment for the child. In the following presentation, she will provide an overview of what she accomplished as well as what was learned through the process. The student helped with various daily activities such as writing reports and accompanying caseworkers on required home visits. As an intern on the DIA team, she was able to help advocate for vulnerable children and families. Adoption is a lifelong process that includes birth family, adoptive family, and adoptee. The student showcases her most enjoyable parts of the experience as well as what she gained from it.