Mental Health Specialist InternAt — Waymakers

Students will get hands on experience in a short term crisis residential program for homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth ages 11 to 17. Learn how to answer crisis calls, mandated reporting, active listening and help therapists to facilitate therapeutic groups. Students will work with mental health specialists in team setting learning to problem solve, de-escalation strategies, and the use of coping skills. Students will assist and eventually lead life skills and coping skills groups. Flexible hours, weekends and weekdays.

Description of Tasks
\uf0b7 Assist therapists in therapeutic groups
\uf0b7 Mentor at-risk, runaway, homeless youth
\uf0b7 Assist in preparing meals and maintaining facility (teaching youth cooking strategies, cleaning, and other life skills)
\uf0b7 Mandated reporting
\uf0b7 Shadow Mental Health Specialists in paperwork/intake process
\uf0b7 Engage youth in recreational activities and other non-therapeutic groups
\uf0b7 Lead a life skills/coping skills/communication/college prep/job-career readiness group

Training:

Student will have at least 20 hours of training which include CPR/First Aid, mandated reporter training, and reading materials specific to the agency. Student will work with supervisor one on one during training period and then shadow and assist Mental Health Specialists for the rest of the internship.

Learning Outcomes:

Student participating in the internship will learn:
\uf0b7 active listening
\uf0b7 empathy
\uf0b7 leadership skills
\uf0b7 crisis intervention strategies
\uf0b7 experience with diverse populations
\uf0b7 experience in a non-profit setting
\uf0b7 working with at-risk, homeless, runaway youth
\uf0b7 mandated reporting
\uf0b7 resources for at-risk, runaway, homeless population and their families