The purpose of the Monterey County Behavioral Health Bureau is to enhance the social, emotional, and spiritual well-being of the residents of Monterey County. The behavioral health bureau provides an array of mental health, wellness, and substance abuse services throughout the county for both children and adults who are Medi-Cal eligible. Specific services include mental health assessments, medication evaluation/support, individual, group, and family therapy, case management, prevention and early intervention services and partnerships with many non-profits to help further the county's mission
Program Information General Description of what students will be doing at this Site: The internship opportunity with Marina Adult Systems Of Care (ASOC) will include being part of a multidisciplinary team providing mental health treatment services to adults with mental health conditions and co-occurring substance use disorders. Interns will have the opportunity to provide case management support to help address social determinants of health and mental health rehabilitation support to assist clients with developing skills to manage and improve mental health symptoms. Interns will work within a larger team and can collaborate with professionals from other agencies and disciplines including medical providers, mental health inpatient unit staff, social services administration staff and community homeless services providers.
Key Responsibilities: Providing person centered interventions, collaborating with internal and external providers, supporting linkage to community resources, learning about new resources, networking with community agencies to improve services to Marina ASOC clients, referring clients to partner agencies and following up on referrals, supporting clients to address financial hardship by accessing benefits, providing advocacy support, and transporting and supporting clients during appointments.
Desired Intern Characteristics: To have a strength focused approach to working with individuals receiving care and to acknowledge individuals as the experts in their lives. To be able to engage and develop rapport with individuals and have good communication skills both while working with individuals and when collaborating with the team.
Special Considerations: Good communication skills are a requirement due to the need to ensure client and team safety. Interns are not expected to know how to address or manage all issues that may arise but are expected to communicate these issues to their mentor and/or clinic supervisors.
Interprofessional opportunities available for the student: Interns will have the opportunity to successfully intern under LCSW, ASW and AMFTs, supervisors, psychiatric providers, social worker III’s and behavioral health aides. Interns will gain an immense knowledge of community services and pathways to mental health field in Monterey County.
the following CHHS Competencies that the student will be exposed to:
- Collaboration
- Conflic Resolution, Negotiation, & Mediation
- Cross Cultural Competency
- Information Management
- Knowledge of Health & Human Services (SW or CH)
- Personal & Professional Communication
- Professional Development
trainings/ staff meetings offered or required: Trainings appropriate for level of education will be offered including documentation, case management, and client centered work.