- Assist and advocate for defendants/offenders/juveniles.
- Work for federal & local correctional agencies, pretrial services agencies, and community programs that provide services.
Want practical experience and to provide a service to the community? ACES is the program through which you can do both. It is American University’s outreach program to assist defendants/offenders/juveniles make a successful adjustment to the community in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
HOW AND WHERE
The student will work at various community-based agencies with defendants/offenders/juveniles in the District of Columbia, Virginia, and Maryland. Students will also meet with their fellow students in class at AU to discuss and analyze their work experiences at the agency.
WHAT WILL I GAIN?
- You will have the opportunity to interact with professionals working in the government, in business, and in community agencies.
- You will gain professional work experience and learn new skills.
- You will have a better understanding of the DC metropolitan community.
- You will experience a feeling of involvement, and you will know that you have made a difference.
- You will increase your understanding of the dynamics of working with clients who are under correctional or court supervision and assist with their adjustment to the community.
PURPOSE
Agencies in Cooperation for Effective Services (“ACES”) is a multi-disciplined clinical program designed to train students to become effective advocates for defendants /offenders /juveniles who are attempting to make a successful adjustment to the community. During the clinical program, the student will work with community correctional agencies, treatment specialists, and community resource agencies to assure effective delivery of community services to the defendant/offender/juvenile.
STUDENT WILL REVIEW AND LEARN
- Interviewing, assessment, counseling, and community advocacy skills while working with defendants/offenders/juveniles and community agencies;
- The daily operations of community correctional agencies, organizational dynamics, and problem solving mechanisms used by governmental agencies; and,
- Clinical techniques and gain practical experience by working with defendants/offenders/juveniles.
COURSE & INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
There are two parts to the program:
1. Academic component: (a) students will receive training from experienced professionals in each area of their work, such as substance abuse, mental illness, interviewing, advocacy, and professional writing; (b) students will explore the major issues in reintegrating offenders through lectures, training videos, and seminar sessions.
2. Practical Component: (a) students will work closely with officials in community correctional agencies in identifying defendant/offender/juvenile needs and assessing their adjustment progress; (b) students will identify community resources to meet those needs; and (c) they will work with defendants/offenders/juveniles to assist them with referral and advocate for their access to needed services and programs
CLASS ROOM AND WORK HOURS
- Classroom: Meet once a week on Wednesday night for 2˝ hours. (three credits)
- Practicum: Fifteen hours of work per week for three credits or thirty hours for a six credit course. [A limited number of one-credit practicums are available for eight hours of work per week.]
Total credits for both course components: three to nine for the semester.
QUALIFICATIONS
- All American University students, both graduate and undergraduate, who are at least 18 years of age, at least a second semester sophomore and maintaining a B average are eligible for the program.
- Must be able to pass security clearance.
- Must be registered for the course for both the academic and internship components.
- Student must demonstrate that he/she is a responsible, dependable, and mature individual and pass a personal post-application interview with the instructor.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Application: Need to submit the following:
- Application
- Resume & Transcripts
- Letter of interest
- At least three references
Download an application (you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view)
Applications may be obtained from the Department of Justice, Law and Society or the Office of Justice Programs.
Due Dates:
Fall Term: submit by August 15.
Spring Term: submit by December 15.
Clearances will begin prior to acceptance in the program.
STUDENT EVALUATIONS
Attached you will find the student evaluation. Students who have already completed the ACES program, please mail the evaluation to Professor Gregory Hunt care of Justice Programs Office at the address listed on the bottom of the form.
Download the evaluation form (you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Please contact Professor Gregory Hunt at ghunt@american.edu or Professor Aaron Lucas III at aaronlucas3@aol.com, or call: 202-885-2875
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