The Core Program* serves senior and executive-level international professionals in the non-profit and government sectors.
This program supports non-profits and government agencies by enhancing staff development and building cultural competency. SFIP partners with hundreds of non-profits and government agencies to place international professionals for training programs in various fields such as: non-profit management, marketing, development, public administration, social work and special education. Many participants do specialized training programs focused on HIV/AIDS prevention, services for the aging and disabled populations, curriculum development, public administration, and social work.
SFIP works with local partners and international professionals to match them with training programs. Through the Core Program, international professionals are placed in organizations and agencies, provided home-stay accommodations, and participate in SFIP's cross-cultural exchange activities and events. In addition, participants are paired with a mentor from their training site who provides ongoing support and evaluation of the participant's performance.
*Please note: Candidates must have at least a masters degree and non-profit, public sectors and/or social services professional experience.
Training Site Benefits
- Recruit a high caliber international professional, reducing human resource and over-head costs.
- Fill a full-time (30-40 hours/week) position at subsidized rate.
- Build a diverse workforce and increase capacity to deliver cultural competent services.
- Capitalize on the specialized skills and international expertise to develop new strategies and build international partnerships.
- Create career development opportunities for people from developing countries.
- Enhance management skills and practices by instituting a mentor-supervisory relationship.
Participant Benefits
- Tailored professional training program to develop new skills and knowledge.
- Mentorship from training site and SFIP board member.
- Education and cross-cultural exchange program to cultivate leadership skills and expand professional networks.
- Accommodations with host family.
- J-1 visa, logistical support and cultural orientation.
2008 Core Program Participants
Rene Grummt, German Social Worker
Rene will train for four-months at the Institute for the Study of Community-Based Services at Edgewood Center for Children and Families under the mentorship of Dr. Cohen the Institute Director. Rene has eight years of experience in the areas of youth services and child psychiatry. In his previous positions he directed a children's home and was a social worker and case manager for mentally ill populations. In addition, Rene lectures at a university of applied sciences, works for the European Social Work Association, and as a lay assessor at a county court. He has a German diploma in social pedagogy, a degree in social management and a master's degree in social services administration. His goal is to return to Germany to open a residential care facility to serve youth with mental illnesses.