Learning Agreement
CMAS 493 Learning Agreement (click here for a downloadable copy)
The student listed below is enrolled at Penn State University and is working to complete his or her minor in Child Maltreatment and Advocacy Studies. To earn their degree, students must complete an 100-hour internship. This document is designed to help students and internship supervisors work together to create a supervised learning experience for the student. Then, the student and internship supervisor are asked to outline the terms of that arrangement in this Internship Proposal.
The internship proposal should be completed through discussion between the student and the internship supervisor. The proposal should be completed in full signed by the internship supervisor and the student.
Because students are not being supervised on-site by a university staff person, internship sites take on full responsibility for the student during the internship. In other words, the university bears no responsibility for the student while the student is on internship. The Child Maltreatment Solutions Network reviews all Internship Proposals prior to the internship start date and reserves the right to withhold credit if the duties, supervision, or other terms of the internship proposal are not appropriate.
Learning agreements are due in-full (completion and signed) per the below:
Fall – April 1
Spring – November 1
When the completed contract is returned to the Education Coordinator, per deadlines listed above, the student will be registered for CMAS 493.
For more information about the CMAS minor, please visit our website at https://www.solutionsnetwork.psu.edu/education/education-child-maltreatment-and-advocacy-studies-minor-overview.
If there are any questions about the internship requirements or process, please contact:
Cheri L. Hillard
Education Coordinator, cln3@psu.edu
BASIC INFORMATION (if any of the below information changes – notify Cheri immediately)
Student:
Name
_____________________________________________________
PSU e-mail
_____________________________________________________
Phone number
_____________________________________________________
Internship site:
Organization
_____________________________________________________
Address
_____________________________________________________
City, State, Zip
_____________________________________________________
Internship supervisor:
Name
_____________________________________________________
Title
_____________________________________________________
Program/Dept.
_____________________________________________________
Address
_____________________________________________________
City, State, Zip
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Phone number
_____________________________________________________
Internship schedule:
Start date
_____________________________________________________
End date
_____________________________________________________
Or
_________ hours per week for __________ weeks
Or
Other options:
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
CLEARANCES, Insurance, & Training
Internship sites should follow their organization’s rules about clearances and may dismiss a student or not allow them to work if their clearance and insurance requirements are not met.
CLEARANCES:
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
INSURANCE: ________ (yes/no)
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
DUTIES & SUPERVISION
Below are the duties and tasks the student will be responsible for learning and/or performing?
Interns may be given additional supervised responsibilities as they develop skills and experience. The internship site is responsible for ensuring that interns are doing duties that are appropriate given their level of education and experience. Significant changes in duties must be submitted in writing to the internship office for approval to ensure the internship is still eligible for academic credit.
1.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
2.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
3.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
4. Network topics:
- Familiarity with ethical, legal, and professional obligations pertinent to child advocacy and maltreatment
- Understanding how cultural diversity influences child advocacy and maltreatment
- Professional self-care
Please provide a brief description of how supervision will be conducted and how often it will occur (e.g., weekly 1:1 meetings, group supervision, chart reviews, case consultation, daily telephone reporting). Internship supervisors are responsible for providing frequent supervision of interns. Interns should always have someone they can ask questions to as they are learning new tasks and they should have weekly opportunities for discussion and feedback.
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
You will be asked to complete an end of semester evaluation
1) Please ensure that the student will have multiple opportunities to implement all of the stated goals and activities throughout the semester
2) Please immediately notify the course instructor of any changes in goals or activities
3) If at any point in time the site supervisor has concerns regarding the student’s performance, please contact the course instructor so the concern can be addressed.
4) A phone evaluation will happen at the end of the semester between the course instructor and the site supervisor. The course instructor will then share feedback with the student regarding that evaluation.
INTERNSHIP SUPERVISOR ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The internship supervisor acknowledges that he/she must:
- Have Bachelor’s degree and 1-year of experience in the field or at least 5-years of experience in the field, with a minimum of 1-year in a supervisory capacity
- Hold a position of responsibility in the organization (e.g., director/assistant director, caseworker, head teacher) and be in a position to observe the intern’s work and provide constructive feedback on his/her performance
- Be willing to carry out the following site supervisor’s duties without financial compensation from Penn State:
- Submit one written evaluations of the student (end of semester)
- Provide the intern with supervision, training, and regular performance feedback
- Assign tasks that a bachelor’s level intern is allowed to do, according to the laws and codes of ethics governing this type of work.
- Provide the instructor with other updates, as needed
- Verify the completion of the intern’s required 100 hours
- Read, write, and speak English well enough to fluently communicate in English with the university, including completing this document and evaluating the student
I have worked with the intern to prepare this Internship Proposal and agree to all of the terms listed. I am qualified to serve as an internship supervisor based on the criteria above. I have read the Program Overview for Supervisors and I agree to undertake the responsibilities of an Onsite Internship Supervisor for the above named student.
_____________________________________________________
Signature
_____________________________________________________
Date
STUDENT INTERN ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- The intern acknowledges responsibility under applicable Federal law to keep confidential any information regarding individuals receiving services, as well as all confidential information on the Agency. The intern agrees not to reveal to any person(s) except authorized clinical staff and associated personnel, any specific information regarding any individuals receiving services and further agrees not to reveal to any third party any confidential information of the Agency, except as required by law or as authorized.
- The intern understands that there is no guarantee of employment by the Agency now or at any time in the future.
- If unusual circumstances should prevent the completion of any of the commitments in this document, the intern understands that it is his/her responsibility to discuss any changes with the internship supervisor and the Penn State internship coordinator. If the intern defaults, he/she understands that he/she may have to forfeit all credits or receive a devalued grade.
- The Agency may revoke the intern’s right to receive training at the internship site if, in the Agency’s sole discretion: (a) the intern’s performance is unsatisfactory; (b) the intern’s health status is or becomes a detriment to the successful completion of the training; or (c) the intern fails to fully comply with the statements in this Acknowledgment. The internship supervisor must inform the Penn State internship coordinator of any changes to the student’s status.
- It is the responsibility of the intern to check with the site supervisor regarding the appropriate dress code for the site as well as cell phone usage during working hours.
- It is the responsibility of the intern that if the schedule changes or the supervisor changes, that they contact the Education Coordinator and provide the new information.
To be completed by the student intern:
I understand the requirements and expectations for the internship and will abide by these terms.
_____________________________________________________
Signature
_____________________________________________________
Date
Information on Liability Insurance
Some sites might require you to have Professional Liability insurance, though it is not a Penn State requirement and they do not offer it. Alternatively, some sites may not require the coverage, however you may still choose to purchase the coverage. Below is some information to help you make that decision.
Why should a student consider Professional Liability insurance: Even as a student, you can be sued for malpractice while performing duties in field placement as part of your school curriculum. Whether the charges are justified or not, you will have to defend yourself.
Professional liability insurance will protect both you and your facility against a potential lawsuit. The minimum limits typically available for this coverage is a 1M/3M coverage plan. This covers you up to 1 million dollars against a single claim or lawsuit, but up to a 3 million aggregate for other claims within the same coverage term. If you are a student from a more affluent background in terms of financial status, it is suggested to procure a 2M/4M or higher coverage plan for more protection.
Penn State University does not offer Professional Liability coverage. The two most common sites to obtain Professional Liability insurance are proliability.com and hpso.com. Note: these are independent providers, not affiliated with the university. You may wish to compare these two companies to determine which best suits your needs.
The quickest way to obtain the Professional Liability insurance certificate is to go to the company’s website, create an account, complete the insurance application, submit credit card information, and go return to your account later (e.g., it may take an hour or more to process) to retrieve your certificate of coverage.
Both websites require that you make payment via a credit card. The average cost of professional liability insurance, via the above-mentioned sites, is around $45. This covers you for one calendar year from the date in which you purchased the professional liability insurance. If you have questions regarding either company their phone numbers are 800-982-9491 HPSO, and 800-375-2764 Proliability