Program Information Internship students will be assigned learning opportunities within Student Support Services and/or Alternative Education Departments.
The Student Support Services Department brings a variety of academic and other supportive services students of Santa Cruz County. More details about this department can be found at https://santacruzcoe.org/student-services/student-support-services/. Currently, MSW interns can expect to be part of a service delivery team, The Companion Project (TCP), funded by a large Mental Health Services Act (MHSSA) grant which targets interventions for identified youth from high risk categories of excessive truancy/suspensions/expelled, high acuity behavioral health needs, LGBTQ+, homelessness, and substance dependance. More information regarding this grant and TCP can be found at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H2cW96mRpTp1PpuGGjYF-yEZ-5GMc_3T1lZ9IOZs30E/edit?usp=sharing (opens in new tab). Depending on the intern's interests and program needs, possibilities for participation with other projects within this department may be possible.
The Alternative Education Department provides unique educational programs for youth seeking an alternative to the traditional school setting. Interns assigned to this department can expect to provide direct social-emotional counseling to identified students and family system, as well as potential for a variety of supportive roles in helping with school program development. More about this department can be found at: https://santacruzcoe.org/student-services/alternative-education-programs/
Social work interns will be supervised weekly and provided learning opportunities built around the individual's current skill level and experience in schools. The goal will be to move from generalist level school practice to more advanced service delivery to educational settings in the areas of direct practice in social-emotional counseling, case management and program supports for collaborative practice with community agencies.