Program Information Paradise Unified School District (PUSD) offers practicum students the opportunity to develop professional-level social work skills in a dynamic educational environment. Practicum students will gain experiences working directly with children, adolescents, and families in both elementary and secondary school settings. Students will learn to apply evidence-based social work practices within the context of education, wellness, and community support.
Key learning opportunities include:
- Assessment & intervention: conducting needs assessments, identifying barriers to student success, and developing appropriate support strategies.
- Case Management: Coordinating services between schools, families, and community partners to address academic, social-emotional, and behavioral needs.
- Counseling skills: building rapport with students and practicing individual and small-group interventions focused on social-emotional learning, conflict resolution, attendance, and engagement.
- Collaboration & teamwork: working alongside teachers, administrators, and wellness staff as part of a multidisciplinary team to support student achievement and well-being.
- Systems navigation: Gaining an understanding of school systems, policies, and resources, and how they intersect with social services and mental health providers.
- Program development & prevention: assisting with the planning and implementation of school-based wellness initiatives, attendance supports, and family engagement programs.
- Professional practice skills: Developing cultural competence, ethical decision-making, and professional communication within a public education setting.
By the end of the practicum, students will have strengthened their ability to translate classroom knowledge into real-world practice, preparing them to enter the profession with confidence and a deeper understanding of the role of social work in schools and communities.
The student intern should have empathy & compassion, a nonjudgmenal attitude, strong communication skills, knowledge of confidentiality and ethical awareness, resilience and self-awareness, professionalism, problem solving and critical thinking skills, an advocacy mindset and able to work effectively with a team.