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Online Home of The Barton Child Law and Policy Center of the Emory University School of Law

2010 Emory Summer Child Advocacy Program
Participating Organizations
Atlanta Area Internship Listings

Read more about our summer internship program here. Thanks.

Atlanta area internships:

Title: Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation
Contact Person: Lila Newberry Bradley
Address: 235 Peachtree Street; Suite 1750
Atlanta, GA  30303
Phone: 678-681-6001
Fax: 404-521-3434
Email: lnbradley@avlf.org
Type Of Student: Placement gives preference to law students.
Job Description: The intern assists the Program Director with all aspects of representing deprived children whose parents are participating in Fulton County Drug Court Program. Tasks include observing hearings, documenting and managing case files, conducting case investigations and discovery, communicating with and advising volunteer attorneys who represent the children, and interviewing children.
Qualities: It is not necessary for the intern to have previous experience in child welfare law. It is necessary that the intern have a willingness to believe that parents can overcome drug addiction and safely parent their children.
Other: The Program Director works part time, so the intern will have one day each week when (s)he will be required to work without direct supervision. Therefore, the intern must be self-motivated and able to manage his or her time independently.
Research Project: This placement is willing to supervise a research project.
Title: Barton Child Law & Policy Clinic at Emory University
Contact Person: Kirsten Widner
Address: Emory School of Law
1301 Clifton Rd.
Gambrell Hall
Atlanta, GA 30322
Phone: 404-712-1233
Fax: 404-727-7851
Email: kwidner@emory.edu
Type Of Student: Placement gives preference to law students.
Job Description: The summer intern will assist the staff of the Barton Clinic with legal research, writing, and advocacy related to the clinic's ongoing public policy activities. The clinic operates as a student legal clinic, accepting students from law schools and graduate schools in fields related to child advocacy. Students in the clinic do not provide direct representation of children but instead focus on research and advocacy projects that affect how Georgia courts and agencies handle child welfare cases.
Qualities: Strong legal research and writing skills; the ability to work independently with minimal supervision; previous experience with child welfare systems; rising third year preferred but not required.
Other: This position focuses on policy related to the child welfare system in Georgia. It would not be a good match for students seeking direct client contact or a court-based position.
Research Project: Yes.
Title: Children's Advocacy Centers of Georgia
Contact Person: Cynthia D. Howell
Address: 3355 Lenox Road, Suite 600
Atlanta, GA 30326
Phone: 770-319-6888
Fax: 404-250-3221
Email: chowell@cacga.org
Type Of Student: This placement requires a law student.
Job Description: Children's Advocacy Centers of Georgia, Inc. (CACGA) is a private, ononprofit 501(c)3 whose mission is to promote, assist, and support the development, growth, and continuation of children's advocacy centers in the state of Georgia.

PROBLEM(S) TO BE ADDRESSED

(1) CACGA's vision is that when abuse is reported, every child in Georgia will have access to the services provided by a children's advocacy center. In order to make our vision become a reality, CACGA needs to develop a growth plan to ensure comprehensive and quality CAC services in all judicial circuits in Georgia;
(2)In preparation for the 2011 legislative session, CACGA desires to review current mandated reporter laws throughout the U.S. and make recommendations based on best practices research; and,
(3) CACGA desires to review the legal implications of its recently deployed web-based case tracking system and develop a state-wide protocol. The system contains both alleged victim and offender data.

TASKS TO BE PERFORMED

(1) Research laws and legal practice in other states that are viewed as successful in reducing risks to Child Advocacy Centers as well as the trauma (during prosecution) to children of alleged sexaul abuse and in fostering better prosecution of alleged perpetrators including mandated reporting laws;
(2) Research laws and practices related to the deployment and use of technology systmes used for case management of alleged child abuse victims and non-offending caregivers.
(3) Develop a protocol for the use of CACGA's web-based child abuse case tracking system.
Qualities: The ideal candidate will possess a general knowledge of the mission and function of children's advocacy centers, possess a general knowledge of the role and responsibilities of multidisciplinary teams, have excellent research and writing skills, have excellent phone and communication skills, have the ability to interact with and collect information from a host of professionals from varying disciplines, and have the ability to work independently without supervision.
Other: A Children's Advocacy Center (CAC) is a safe place for the evaluation of alleged child sexual abuse. CAC's enhance the response to suspected child abuse cases by combining the wisdom and professional knowledge of various investigative agencies and other professionals. These coordinated efforts can provide the knowledge, skills, and resources to assist suspected child abuse victims and their families.
Research Project: Yes
Title: Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Child Protection Center
Contact Person: Mary Joyce Bacon
Address: 1655 Tullie Circle, NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
Phone: 404-785-3826
Fax: 404-785-9171
Email: maryjoyce.bacon@choa.org
Type Of Student: Placement requires a public health or social work student.
Job Description: The student will be primarily responsible for research and policy analysis on the use of a Child Protection Telemedicine Network and Child Protection Health Teams as a statewide model for assessing child maltreatment. (S)he will be responsible for examining policy and processes in other states and make a recommendation on telemedicine and child protection health teams as a statewide model for Georgia.
Qualities:
Other: In January 2009 we launched a demonstration phase of using telemedicine in suspected cases of child maltreatment. In December 2009 we will incorporate Child Protection Health Teams into the telemedicine network, and see if using CPMTs works to evaluate suspected child maltreatment in Georgia.
Research Project: Yes.
Title: DeKalb County Child Advocacy Center
Contact Person: Temika Murry
Address:

4309 Memorial Drive
Decatur, GA  30032
Phone: 404-294-2646
Fax: 404-294-2658
Email: twmurry@co.dekalb.ga.us
Type Of Student: This placement requires a law student.
Job Description: Interns will be assisting with case investigation by accompanying investigators and attorneys on field interviews of child clients and other relevant witnesses; preparing comprehensive child advocate reports for submissions into the court record; writing factual summaries of pending court cases; interacting with juvenile court personnel, social workers, therapists, educators, and other service providers; observing deprivation proceedings at DeKalb County Juvenile Court; researching topics pertaining to an active case or developing issue in child advocacy law.
Qualities: Ideal summer interns should be critical thinkers who are detail-oriented and creative problem solvers. Previous experience working with children in some capacity is preferred but not required.
Other: The DCCAC is a fast-paced, non-traditional legal office in which no two days are likely to be the same. Ideal summer interns should be flexible and adaptable to an evolving work environment.
Research Project: No research project is available for this program.
Title: Fulton County Office of the Child Advocate Attorney
Contact Person: Chandra Wilson
Address:

395 Pryor Street, SW
Suite 4000
Atlanta, GA  30312
Phone: 404-224-4499
Fax: 404-332-0468
Email: chandra.wilson@fultoncountyga.gov
Type Of Student: This placement requires a law student.
Job Description: Legal interns will assist attorneys with legal research, conduct home visits and interview children, make contact with partnering agencies, attend mediations, and participate in all areas of in-court deprivation proceedings.
Qualities: We are looking for interns who have experience in legal research and writing. The ideal candidates will have experience working with children and be able to relate to them. Any level of law student is acceptable, however, rising 3l's may be eligible to represent clients in court. We are also looking for interns who show initiative and leadership skills.
Other:
Research Project: Yes.
Title: Georgia Advocacy Office
Contact Person: Joshua Norris
Address:

150 E. Ponce de Leon Ave.,
Suite 430
Decatur, GA  30030
Phone: 404-885-1234
Fax: 404-378-0031
Email: jnorris@thegao.org
Type Of Student: This placement requires a law student.
Job Description: The intern will support GAO's individual and systemic advocacy on behalf of children with disabilities who are subject to abuse or neglect, who are institutionalized or at risk of institutionalization. The focus of this work will be advocating for appropriate community-based supports and services so that children may live in permanent homes. Specifically, the intern will support GAO's ongoing effort to enforce the rights of children who are Medicaid-eligible to all necessary care and treatment under the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) provision of the Medicaid Act. The intern will work on individual cases under the supervision of attorneys, conduct legal and policy research, visit children in institutions and facilities, draft pleadings, and attend presentations, meetings, and court hearings.
Qualities: Sense of identification with people with disabilities; commitment to the enforcement of civil rights; strong writing skills; some familiarity with federal or state laws related to disability rights; ability to work and communicate with diverse groups of people.
Other: The Georgia Advocacy Office (GAO) is the designated Protection and Advocacy System for people with disabilities in Georgia. Protection and Advocacy Systems (P & A) are mandated under federal law to protect people with disabilities from abuse and neglect and to advocate for the human and legal rights of people with disabilities. GAO employs a broad range of advocacy strategies from supporting self-advocacy to legal advocacy to fulfill this mandate.
Research Project: Yes.
Title: Georgia CASA
Contact Person: Angela Tyner
Address:

1776 Peachtree Road NW
Suite 219, South Tower
Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: 404-660-3736
Fax: 404-874-2889
Email: atanzella@gacasa.org
Type Of Student: This placement requires a law student.
Job Description: Georgia CASA develops and supports community-based programs that recruit, screen, train, and supervise volunteers who advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in juvenile court deprivation proceedings. The legal intern will have the opportunity to contribute to a number of projects and initiatives, including but not limited to, conducting courtroom advocacy training for staff and volunteers, assisting in the development of affiliate CASA programs in un-served areas, observing in juvenile courts across the state, participating in Quality Assurance Site Visits of local programs, and attending meetings and events that will ultimately provide a variety of experiences in the child welfare system.
Qualities: 1L or 2L with an interest in child advocacy and nonprofit management. Good oral and written commmunication skills.
Other: This position will be based in Macon and Atlanta. Willingness to work from both locations in addition to traveling around the state is a must.
Research Project: No
Title: JUSTGeorgia
Contact Person: Julia Neighbors
Address:

100 Edgewood Avenue

Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-521-03116
Fax: 404-521-0287
Email: jneighbors@justga.org
Type Of Student: This placement requires a law student.
Job Description: An intern with JUSTGeorgia will be engaged in all of the work related to the comprehensive revision of Georgia's juvenile code, SB 292, the Child Protection and Public Safety Act. Specifically, the intern will conduct an analysis of national legal juvenile justice trends to inform JUSTGeorgia's next steps beyond SB 292 and will be involved in next steps research and strategy development for SB 292 that develop from the conclusion of the 2010 legislative session.
Qualities: Interns should have strong research and writing skills, the ability to work independently and follow through on projects. An interest in child welfare and juvenile justice reform efforts is encouraged.
Other: JUSTGeorgia is a statewide coalition of community organizations and individuals committed to making Georgia's justice and social service systems more fair to children and youth. Our primary objective is to improve the health, education, child protection, and other services available to children in order to keep them safe, out of trouble and out of the courtroom. JUSTGeorgia is a partnership between the Barton Child Law and Policy Clinic, Georgia Applesee, and Voices for Georgia's Children.
Research Project: Yes
Title: Office of the Child Advocate for the Protection of Children
Contact Person: Melissa Carter
Address: 55 Park Place, Suite 410
Atlanta, Georgia  30303
Phone: 404-656-4244
Fax: 404-656-5200
Email: mcarter@oca.ga.gov
Type Of Student: This placement requires a law student.
Job Description: Legal research and writing (white papers), child welfare policy development, legislative drafting, attendance at various meetings and trainings, investigation of foster care cases referred to OCA.
Qualities: 1L or 2L, demonstrated legal research and writing competencies, independent, self-starter, professional in interactions with others, interest in or commitment to juvenile law and/or child welfare polic, eagerness to learn.
Other: Two potential placement locations (Macon or Atlanta), some travel between offices required (max 1x/week; carpooling w/ other staff available), opportunity for exposure to law, policy and practice/casework but limited (if any) direct client representation in court.
Research Project: Yes.
Title: Supreme Court of Georgia Committee on Justice for Children
Contact Person: Christopher E. Church
Address: 244 Washington St. SW, Suite 300
Atlanta, GA  30334
Phone: 404-563-5227
Fax: 404-656-2253
Email: christopher.church@gaaoc.us
Type Of Student: This position requires a law student.
Job Description: The intern will assist with research and special projects related to child welfare practice in Georgia, particularly in the juvenile court system.  See http://www.georgiacourts.org/agencies/cpp/index.html for more information on the work of the Committee on Justice for Children.  Some time in juvenile court can be arranged.
Qualities: Good writing and reading comprehension skills, self-starter, patience, desire to work in children's issues, able to work without close supervision, must be very comfortable with the web and e-mail communication.
Other:
Research Project: Yes
Title: Voices for Georgia's Children
Contact Person: Beth Locker
Address: 100 Edgewood Ave., NE
Suite 1580
Atlanta, GA  30303
Phone: 404-521-0311
Fax: 404-521-0287
Email: blocker@georgiavoices.org
Type Of Student: This position requires a graduate level student, law, MSW or MPP/MPA.
Job Description: An intern with Voices for Georgia's Children will be engaged in all the child welfare related policy and advocacy work of the organization. Specifically the intern will assist with revision to the proposed rewrite of Georgia's juvenile code (possibly in conjunction with another ESCAP intern if one is placed with JUSTGeorgia), with some research/education pieces related to the education and health of youth in foster care and with a series of pieces geared toward voters in anticipation of the fall 2010 state elections (op-eds, questions for candidate forums, letters to the editor, letters to candidates, etc.) all designed to make children's issues a priority for voters and those seeking elected office.
Qualities: Interns must have strong research and writing skills, the ability to work independently and follow through on projects. An interest in broad-based child advocacy and policy reform are encouraged. Comfort with outcomes measurement is a plus. A law, MSW or MPP/MPA student may all be appropriate.
Other: Voices for Georgia's Children is an independent, non-profit organization whose mission is ot substantially improve outcomes for Georgia's children by engaging lawmakers and the public in building a sustained, comprehensive, long-term agenda to impact hte lives of our kids in five distinct areas: health, safety, education, connectedness and employability. Through advocacy, original research and analysis, Voices assists leaders and citizens of Georgia in making sound decisions on policy, investment, and systems that serve children and youth.
Research Project:
No

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Emory University School of Law, Gambrell Hall, Atlanta, GA 30322, (404) 727-6664.