We are looking for energetic students who are eager to learn to join our team of interns!

Internships with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) give students work experience and an opportunity to connect with other professionals in a real work environment. DFPS offers internships state-wide across all programs. The type of opportunities might vary based on the region.

Types of Internships

There are two types of internships at DFPS:

  • Client-focused internships, where students work side-by-side with Adult Protective Services (APS) , Child Protective Investigations (CPI), or Child Protective Services (CPS) caseworkers as they interact with families, investigate cases, and provide services. Youth and Parent Helpline interns provide one-time support to youth and parents seeking assistance.
  • Support internships, where students work alongside office staff across different programs to complete high-level project-based assignments and research.

Internship Type by Program

Adult Protective Services (APS)
  • Client-focused internships, where students work side-by-side with APS, caseworkers as they interact with families, investigate cases, and provide services.
  • Support internships, where students work alongside office staff for APS to complete high-level project-based assignments and research.
Child Protective Services (CPS)
  • Client-focused internships, where students work side-by-side with CPS, caseworkers as they interact with families, investigate cases, and provide services.
  • Support internships, where students work alongside office staff for CPS to complete high-level project-based assignments and research.
Child Protective Investigations (CPI)
  • Client-focused internships, where students work side-by-side with CPI, caseworkers as they interact with families, investigate cases, and provide services.
  • Support internships, where students work alongside office staff for CPI to complete high-level project-based assignments and research.
Statewide Intake
  • Statewide Intake, where interns can help with policy related projects.
  • Youth and Parent Helplines, where interns are able to help at-risk youth and their parents by helping with answering phone calls, texts and chats.
State Office
  • Human Trafficking,  where students can help support the DFPS mission to protect children and vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation through the development of policy, practices, and prevention efforts.
  • Office for Data and Systems Support, where students can work to ensure effective coordination, communication, and consistency throughout the agency through data reporting and how it’s used to improve performance and outcomes.
  • Government Relations, where students can collaborate with staff and government at all levels, while providing accurate and consistent external communications with Texas Legislature and other stakeholders.
  • Faith-Based and Community Engagement, where students can help engage faith-based community partners and individuals, while working on projects and tasks aimed at assisting vulnerable children, adults, and families.
  • Communications, where interns are able to help establish agency-wide communication policies, standards, and guidelines to assure consistent, accurate and effective communications.

Required Skills

Interns need to exhibit the following skills:

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work with a diverse population.
  • Ability to work independently.
  • Good reading and writing skills.
  • Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information.

Additional Requirements and Information

  • Some internships at DFPS are paid and others are not. Please read the internship posting closely for this information.
  • Applicants must allow DFPS to conduct a criminal history and DFPS Central Registry Check.
  • Student interns who will have access to client’s criminal history information are required to be fingerprinted for an FBI check. This costs around $15, and DFPS does not cover the cost.
  • Student interns who will have contact with children in care must be screened for tuberculosis as provided in §749.1417. To schedule a tuberculosis screening contact your local clinic. Once you have received the results, please share them with your DFPS main point of contact.
  • Some positions require a valid Texas driver’s license.
  • Client-focused interns must be at least 18 years of age.

DFPS Internship Information:
Overview| Types of Internships (this page) | How to Apply | Internship FAQ