Child Welfare Policy Intern

Position Summary

The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s paid, twelve-week summer program is designed to provide interns with engaging, challenging project-based assignments, cross-team exposure and learning opportunities in a mission-driven environment, working to support their assigned team as well as on a group project with each other. The program will run from June 1–Aug. 21, 2026.

The Foundation is offering an internship to work with its Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Policy team, offering exposure to philanthropy’s role in policy reform and opportunities to contribute to research and resource development that inform advocates and decision-makers. The intern will report to a program associate or senior associate.

Responsibilities

Policy Research and Analysis

• Conduct background research on federal and state child welfare policy trends, including kinship care, prevention, permanency and supports for older youth.
• Track and summarize legislative, regulatory and administrative developments.
• Draft research memos and policy summaries for internal learning and strategy discussions.
• Analyze publicly available child welfare data to identify disparities and emerging trends.

Advocacy Infrastructure and Resource Development

• Support development of research briefs, annotated bibliographies and issue summaries to inform state and national advocates.
• Assist in background research for the Child Welfare Advocacy Hub and State of Child Welfare Data.
• Identify promising practices across states aligned with the Foundation’s priorities.

Field and Stakeholder Learning

• Map stakeholders, advocacy networks and philanthropic partners engaged in child welfare reform.
• Participate in Foundation meetings and document key insights.
• Monitor reports and publications from advocacy organizations and research institutions

The duties listed above are intended as illustrations of the types of work that may be performed. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Qualifications

• Qualified candidates should be enrolled in a post-secondary associate or bachelor’s program.
• Preferred majors include public policy, political science, economics, social work or related fields.
• Demonstrated interest in public systems reform, equity and child and family well-being.

Essential Skills and Abilities

• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, concise writing.
• Basic quantitative literacy and comfort reviewing data.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively across diverse perspectives and experiences.
• Commitment to nonpartisan, objective policy analysis.

Tools and Equipment Used

Telephone, copiers, computer with Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Zoom

Physical Demands/Workplace Environment

The work will be performed in a hybrid setting based in Baltimore, MD.

Compensation

This is a temporary position compensated at a rate of $19 to $25 hourly, up to 40 hours per week.

Please apply online at www.aecf.org/about/jobs.