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.
“The culture and atmosphere at RISE is very supportive.”
At times the individuals who intern at RISE find the experiences so extraordinary that they join our team to continue to do the work they started as an intern. Jennifer Bunney, who interned with RISE last spring, joined RISE as an Adult Care Manager after graduating from SUNY Empire State with a Bachelors in Community and Human Services in May 2022.
Jen shares, “The culture, the climate, and atmosphere at RISE is very supportive and encouraging. The Care Management team is so amazing, which makes such a big difference and makes me want to be here. I think Care Management suites me. The work we do is so important because it empowers people to live the best life they can – which is the reason why I went into this field. As a Care Manager, I enjoy being the “hub of a wheel” by connecting people to community resources.”
While interning at RISE, Jen shadowed Liz McFarren, Adult Care Manager, which allowed her to observe the entire Care Management process from intake to care coordination, follow up, and offering continued support to clients. Liz says, “I had the joy of working with Jen while she was doing her internship program through SUNY Empire. Early into her internship it was clear that Jen had a huge heart, and a call to help others. Getting to watch Jen grow through her internship, and then as a new Care Manager, has been very fulfilling. Jen is going to be a wonderful Care Manager, and RISE is so lucky she decided to join our team.”
“I like that the Care Managers use a person centered approach”
Jen shares why she decided to join the RISE Care Management Team, “I like that the Care Managers use a person centered approach where the person directs the course of the services and determines the goals and the things that they want to work on. I like that approach because it empowers people to identify their needs and achieve their goals which helps them with their continued success.”
Interns at RISE are provided the opportunity to put into practice the principals they learn in their coursework. “One of the major principles I learned in my classes was empathy – being accepting and open minded towards people of all backgrounds,” Jen says. “While shadowing Liz, I observed this. She has compassion for where the person is at and addresses them where they are at and honors it. Everyone she works with is treated as a whole individual and they are all met on an even plane and treated with respect. Liz demonstrated a genuine care and concern for the clients to be sure they have what they need to meet their goals.”
Another principle that Jen saw put into practice is self-determination. “People are given the tools to achieve what they want to achieve,” she explains. “To assist them, Care Managers connect them to services – financial assistance, housing, mental health, substance use, and medical services. Care Managers then stay in contact with the client to verify if the services are helping them and are appropriate for their needs and to give them the opportunity to determine if further services are needed.”
“Care Managers are encouraged to utilize self-care.”
Self-care is another important principle that Jennifer learned through her courses. “It is very important to be aware for the potential for compassion fatigue and burn out,” she says. “At RISE I saw that Care Managers are encouraged take steps to recognize the need for utilizing self-care. To help me relax, I like to run. So much so that I ran a half marathon last October.”
Jen is married to a Navy Veteran who served for 23 years. She has two children – a son who is 19 years-old and daughter who is 16. As a family they enjoy hiking, camping, and spending time outdoors.
Jen’s career has always centered upon helping others. She worked as a direct care professional for people with Cerebral Palsy, Cystic Fibrosis, and blindness. She also worked as an activities assistant where she coordinated activities for residents at a long term care facility, including planning holiday parties, BINGO nights, arts crafts, baking, chair yoga, and manicures, and outings. She explains that she went to college off and on over the years, and last year she started attending SUNY Empire State full time to compete her degree.
Now that she has graduated, Jen looks forward to this change in her professional career – working as a Care Manager at RISE! “As a Care Manager, I feel it is amazing gift to be the person to help the individuals we serve reach their goals,” she says.
RISE Administration is happy to welcome Jen as a Care Manager and are proud that the intern experience she had at RISE encouraged her to continue with RISE in her career.