The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) - Internships

CCAI is a leading non-profit organization that makes a national impact on adoption, foster care, and child welfare policy and advocacy on Capitol Hill and across the country. CCAI interns have the opportunity to work on projects that positively affect children and families. Whether through researching legislation and policy, engaging Members of Congress and their staff, organizing fundraising efforts, planning advocacy events, or leading social media campaigns, our interns leave CCAI knowing they were able to make a difference in furthering CCAI’s mission of children belonging in safe and nurturing families.

Applications for all semesters are accepted on a rolling basis, until the positions are filled.

Please note only the Programs and Policy departments are accepting applications for Spring 2023 as the Communications & Development position has been filled.

To apply, submit the CCAI Internship Application Form and upload a (1) résumé, (2) cover letter, and (3) academic writing sample of two-to-three pages. Please direct any questions to Sara Schleicher at sara@ccainstitute.org.

We currently offer internships during the following three semesters:

• Spring: January – April
• Summer: May – August  
• Fall: September – December                 

CCAI can assist in arranging academic credit for your internship. CCAI also hosts fellows and graduate students and coordinates with schools for externship credits. 

Internship Positions Available

Internship Department Positions: Please note that while the organization has three departments, CCAI is highly collaborative and team-oriented; therefore, interns will have frequent opportunities to work with all departments throughout the internship.  

• Policy: Policy interns research and stay informed of the current adoption and foster care legislation, reports and studies; correspond with and support congressional staff; and assist CCAI’s Policy Director in planning, outreach and logistics for policy events and legislative briefings on Capitol Hill. Policy interns will have the opportunity to help the CCAI policy team engage with the 118th Congress and advocate for CCAI’s mission of children in families on Capitol Hill. NOTE: This position may work remotely and does not need to be based in D.C.
• Programs: Programs interns help CCAI's Programs Coordinator facilitate the advocacy and programmatic details of our four core programs: Angels in Adoption® Leadership Program and Foster Youth Internship (FYI) Program® in addition to various other projects and initiatives including National Foster Care Month and National Adoption Day. Responsibilities include communicating with congressional offices, assisting with program design and preparation, research, event coordination, and social media. NOTE: This position may work remotely and does not need to be based in D.C.
• Development & Communications: Development and Communications interns work alongside the Executive Director on donor development and outreach, grant writing, fundraising, social media, research, and supporting the staff with special campaigns and events. Development interns will help craft and facilitate fundraising strategies for the organization at-large with special emphasis on the Foster Youth Internship Program® and the Angels in Adoption® Leadership Program. Interns also help facilitate the communications details of our core programs, Angels in Adoption®, the Foster Youth Internship Program®, National Adoption Day, and other various projects. Responsibilities include assisting with graphic design and preparation, communicating with congressional offices, event coordination, live social media updates, crafting posts for all internet platforms, managing a social media calendar, and research. NOTE: This position may work remotely and does not need to be based in D.C.

About us

The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that was founded in 2001 by advocates of children in the U.S. and around the world in need of families. These advocates sought to match the commitment of members of Congress' Adoption Caucus, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, with the information and resources needed to make the dream of a family a reality for every child.

DID YOU KNOW?

• The Timely Mental Health Act for Foster Youth (2015-2016) was inspired by a CCAI Foster Youth Internship Program® intern.
• CCAI is one of the original National Adoption Day founding organizations.
• There are over 150 Members of Congress in the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, Congress' largest bicameral, bipartisan caucus.