RISE Housing and Support Services offers an internship program for undergraduate and graduate students majoring in social work, social science, human services, or psychology. The internship program offers students clinical and administrative rotations for a macro and micro view of the philosophies of harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and person-centered planning.
Sophia Nicastro, a Master of Social Work student at UAlbany, did her first-year field work with RISE Youth Care Management. Sophia shares her intern experience and about a project she worked on at the Saratoga Children’s Literacy League.
I feel lucky to have been placed at RISE Housing & Support Services for my first year of field instruction. Working with kids is one of my passions, and I was pleased that RISE honored my request to work with kids by placing me with the Youth Care Management Team.
Throughout my field placement, I worked with/shadowed the various members of the team. Morgan Murzda, Program Director, Sarah Tobias, Youth Care Manger, have been amazing teachers and role models for me. The entire Youth Care Management Team has been incredibly welcoming and have taken me under their wing as an intern.
“One of my favorite aspects of care management is how rewarding the job is.”
One of my favorite aspects of care management is how rewarding the job is. While shadowing Sarah Tobias, Youth Care Manager, I learned how to advocate for clients and see firsthand how care managers can make a positive impact on an individual’s life. Being a voice for those who aren’t always heard has taught me how important and valued the work of a care manager is. Words cannot explain the fulfillment care managers feel when they are able to see a client thrive, especially when a client is discharged – the ultimate goal – because they no longer need care management services. It is very fulfilling to be able to witness progress with a client’s plan of care and goals reflects how we, as care managers, were able to empower and support our clients.
As part of my social work coursework, I had to complete a macro project that addresses a need within our community – which RISE allowed me to work on as part of my internship. I decided to focus my project on youth literacy after discovering that children are not reading enough, or do not have access to books appropriate for their age and reading level. I collaborate with a local non-profit called Saratoga Children’s Literacy League (SCLL) to support the growth of children’s home libraries to build a culture of reading for enjoyment and to promote academic and personal growth.
While shadowing Sarah, I noticed that many of the youth we serve struggle academically and have 504 Education Plan and/or Individualized Education Plan (IEP). And some of the youths are not even in school because they are on waitlists for specialized programs, online tutoring, or to transfer schools. Additionally, due to the increase in technology, children and adolescents spend much of their time at home on electronics. It is rare that kids willingly decide to pick up a book and read these days.
“There are so many benefits to reading.”
There are so many benefits to reading which include an increase in academic performance and cognitive development, so I was excited to work on this project. SCLL serves the children of Saratoga County by providing them with free books regardless of income level. In my collaboration with them, I placed a bookshelf in the Care Management lobby, holding donated books. Any clients that come in for face-to-face visits at the office are encouraged to take books off the shelf and bring them home. I also created an individualized book package program for Youth Care Managers to gift children books tailored to their interests, age, and reading level.
“I hope to continue to follow my passion and continue to work with children.”
In May of 2022, I graduated from the University of Vermont with a bachelor’s degree in health and society with minors in psychological sciences and human development and family studies. After graduation, I worked as a mental health worker on an adolescent unit at Four Winds Psychiatric Hospital in Saratoga. While there, I was inspired to go back to school to obtain a master’s degree in social work. Once I obtain my master’s degree, I hope to continue to follow my passion and continue to work with children.
I am a very outdoorsy person. One of my favorite things to do during the winter months is downhill skiing. I also have a huge passion for hiking and traveling. I have driven across the country and back – twice! I love exploring nature, new places, and trying different types of food. I am also a dog person and I have two pups at home, a chihuahua named Ollie and a golden doodle name Oakley.