Program Information Description updated: June 16, 2014
Program Approved for: MSW 1st Year [X ] MSW 2nd Year [ X ]
Parent Agency Name: Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD)
Agency Phone Number: (650) 329-3700
Fax: (650) 329-3798
Website: www.pausd.org
Agency/Program Address: 25 Churchill Ave Palo Alto, CA 94306
Name of Internship Contact Person: Soula Nikolakopoulos, MSW
Phone Number(s): (650) 329-3986 x8018
Contact‘s E-mail:snikolakopoulos@pausd.org
Contact’s Phone Number: (650) 329-3986 x8018
County Agency is in: Santa Clara County
Program Description:
Palo Alto Unified School District (PAUSD) strives to support student academic success, social and emotional development, creativity and lifelong learning and respect for self and others. PAUSD Student Services promotes school settings in which students, staff, parents and the community work collaboratively to ensure that each student is emotionally and physically healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged.
Palo Alto Unified School District is well known for its rich tradition of educational excellence and is listed among the top school districts in the state of California. The District strives to support student academic success, social and emotional development, creativity and lifelong learning and respect for self and others.
Clientele Served:
PAUSD students are culturally diverse across K-12 grades. Students reflect various SES, ethnicities, and cultures. Student interns would be working with students who are struggling to develop their academic and social emotional potential.
Students in Palo Alto Unified School District reflect various SES, ethnicities and cultures, and further include families struggling with homelessness, foster care youth, at-risk youth, and students struggling with a spectrum of mental health and health concerns.
Issues Program Addresses:
The internship opportunity at Palo Alto Unified School District includes working with families and students affected by poor attendance, homelessness, mental health issues and overall limited academic success. Some of this work will occur at the district level, and other work will occur at the K-12 sites.
Intern Assignments: Palo Alto High School Henry Gunn High School
Intern Training & Educational Opportunities: Students will acquire the following skills during internship: interviewing students and families, assessment, planning and evaluation, information and referral practices, development of curriculum and programs to support students, community partnerships, case management, and crisis intervention.
Monthly intern training, weekly team consultation, Project Safety Net Suicide Prevention Training (QPR)
Intern Benefits: (Include stipend, conferences, car, food, etc.) Stipend for 1st year MSW students
TBD/semester 2nd year MSW students TBD/semester
Other Special Placement Procedures or Requirements (Including Dates of Internship, Special Application Forms and Deadlines):
Dates of Internship: PAUSD School Year (August 18, 2014-May 29, 2015)
Background check and fingerprinting required before start of internship TB clearance/immunizations Automobile and clean driving record
10. If students are assigned to different departments or divisions, please indicate:
Students will be placed at 1 of 2 high schools, Palo Alto High School or Gunn High School.
Student Compensation: a. Are there stipends currently available for students? Yes X__ No _____
b. If such stipends are available, please indicate amount/frequency Range $500-1000/semester TBD
c. What are the prerequisites/conditions for students to receive stipends at your agency? Fulfillment of attendance, learning standards for internship
d. Other benefits offered by your agency? Learning opportunities at the middle school, high school and district level, work within interdisciplinary teams, including teachers, guidance, administration, and Palo Alto Police Department
a. Public transportation available and possible: Yes _____ No __X__
b. Agency car available for students: Yes _____ No __X_
c. Agency pays mileage for use of personal cars: Yes _____ No __X_
d. Personal car required: Yes _X__ No _____ If yes, any specific insurance requirements:
5. Please indicate any specials skills that you desire in a student, such as fluency in a foreign language, sign language, computer literacy, etc. Spanish or Mandarin speaker_
6. How many students do you feel your agency can adequately supervise? Up to 4 student interns
7. What attitudes/aptitudes/characteristics do you consider desirable for students placed in your agency? Critical thinking skills, relationship building skills, knowledge of developmental psychology and theory, ability to talk and present to groups, strong desire to navigate complicated systems with various stakeholders, diplomacy, curiosity, patience Desire to work with youth and families