The Andrus Center for Learning and Innovation pursues a core principle that optimum levels of service are delivered by the best-trained staff. The Center delivers on and off site consultation and training on topics essential for premier organizational performance.

Social Work Internship Program
Our social work internship program has evolved considerably since its inception in 1992. The Andrus Children's Center is committed to being a teaching and learning organization. Our social work internship program provides a rich and fulfilling learning experience in our residential-based treatment center and out-patient mental health clinics located throughout Westchester County . Our partnerships with Hunter College, New York University, Columbia University , Fordham University , Yeshiva University , and Smith College provide our interns a unique opportunity to work and learn with peers from other institutions.

Our social work internship program accepts first, second, and advanced placement students. We specialize in group therapy, individual and family therapy, while providing our interns with some administrative experience, necessary for the real world. With the broad scope of services provided by our organization, interns can benefit from a range of experiences, including out-patient services, early childhood development, community services, residential treatment, day treatment, and diagnostic services. The responsibilities of the social work intern focus on the conceptualization of treatment for the child and family. The intern is also responsible for presenting their concept to a treatment team and developing from that, a treatment plan. Treatment can consist of individual therapy, family therapy, medication monitoring; and in residential and day programs, groups, special education services, and milieu treatment provided throughout the programs. The social work intern is also responsible for providing individual and family treatment, group therapy, and crisis intervention as needed, along with working within a multi disciplinary team.

The Sanctuary Model® provides our trauma informed treatment philosophy. We are committed to creating a non-violent, democratic and productive community to restore children's sense of safety and self-efficacy. Sanctuary has been effective with both children and adults across a range of human service organizations, including residential treatment centers and public and private schools. Our interns become well versed in this philosophy, which has been identified by SAMHSA as a promising practice. In addition, our treatment models include TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Trauma Art, Dance Therapy, Drama Therapy, and groups that can be topic specific, such as adoption, adolescence, sexuality, psychoeducation and social skills.

Clinical Social Workers, who completed the SIFI curriculum, provide weekly individual supervision sessions with our interns. Our social work intern's experience is augmented with weekly seminars that enrich their practice and theoretical knowledge.

Andrus values the training provided to our social work interns. In some cases, there may be opportunities to gain summer employment or permanent employment after the completion of the Master's level program. Some of our social work interns have gone on to work in the fields of child welfare, outpatient services, hospital programs, residential programs and school settings. A number of former interns have even returned after several years, to full employment with Andrus.

School of Social Work Administrators interested in placement opportunities for their students or current Master's level students in social work considering placement options should contact Martin O'Connell at 914.965.3700 or by email.

Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI)
Registration is now available for this exciting training experience. These four full days of highly dynamic and interactive classes prepare staff for working with crisis behaviors in children and families. Developed by Cornell University's Family Development Center, the TCI certification program equips care workers in proven methods of de-escalation techniques and violence prevention or intervention. While this training teaches safe ways to physically contain out of control individuals, its primary aim is to create the kind of therapeutic support which precludes the need for restraints or seclusion. Participants will complete this course with a theoretical mastery of the "Stress Model of Crisis" and will be able to conduct effective "Life Space Interviews".
TCI Training Dates:
(1) October 17, 18, 20 & 21, 2005
(2) January 23, 24, 26 & 27, 2006
(3) March 20, 21, 23 & 24, 2006
(4) May 15, 16, 18 & 19, 2006
(5) June 19, 20, 22 & 23, 2006
Note: Training takes place Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. There is no training on Wednesday.

Click here for registration information.

Psychology Internship Program
The Internship offers two separate tracks - an "Outpatient" clinic based track and a "Campus" track which involves the provision of therapeutic services (individual, family and group) to children in either the Residential Program or the Day Treatment Program on the Andrus campus. For the applicant interested in work with pre-school children the “Outpatient” track offers unique training in Greenspan’s Floortime/DIR model. The "Campus" track offers unique training with a population of children having a variety of psychiatric as well as learning and developmental disorders and the opportunity to consult and collaborate with personnel at the campus-based Orchard School. Interns from both tracks take seminars together.

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Staff Development
Our staff development trainings focus on strengthening the performance management of an organization by building skills in teamwork, communication, conflict resolution and stress management. Each training has been developed "on the ground" at Andrus Children's Center where it has moved us towards the achievement of an optimum level of performance throughout various levels of staff and management. Our training coordinator will work with your organization to develop a customized training program for your organizations needs.

Technology for Business
As non-for-profit organizations become more reliant on technology, the need for a technologically literate workforce is eminent. The Andrus Center for Learning and Innovation can provide training programs on the use of technology for important operative functions such as billing, data collection, program evaluation and performance improvement. Our training coordinator will meet with your staff to assess the technological needs of your organization and help your organization develop a training program that will build on the strengths of current staff and facilitate daily operations through the enhanced use of technology.

Organizational Strategic Management
This on-site consultation will facilitate an intensive three-dimensional evaluation of the organization as a whole. Key leaders from governance and operations will be guided through an assisted self-assessment and programmatic review. Successful consultations have resulted in the development of capacity building plans, clarification of mission, vision and values, strategic alignments of program with mission, and programmatic gap analysis.

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