Mt. Diablo Unified School District: Foster Youth Services
Description and contact updated: 01/13/17
Program approved for: 1st-Year MSW [x] 2nd-Year MSW [x] Title IV-E [X]
Mt. Diablo Unified School District
MSW Internship Program
About The MDUSD:
Mt. Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) MSW Internship Program offers a challenging internship providing school-based clinical social work and mental health services for children and families from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds. In accordance with the NASW Code of Ethics, the internship gives particular attention to the needs and the empowerment of individuals who are vulnerable, oppressed, or living in poverty. Interns will provide individual child and adolescent therapy, group counseling, and case management services as part of multi-disciplinary teams.
Placement locations include:
- Mt. Diablo High School in Concord, CA, Diablo Community Center
- Foster Youth Services (MDUSD FYS, offices located at Olympic High School in Concord)
- Homeless Outreach Program for Education (MDUSD HOPE)
- Youth Employment Services (YES) Program
- Various elementary, middle and high school site locations throughout M.D.U.S.D
Interns will become exposed to and gain skills related to:
- Working with children in foster care
- Working with homeless children and families
- Working families facing multiple stressors with unmet mental health needs
- Crisis intervention related to child abuse and suicide risk assessments
- Intake interviewing skills
- School and district based resources and supports (IEP, SST, 504, SARB, SART, PBT)
- Working with school/district personnel such as Child Welfare Attendance Liaisons, school administrators, school counselors, teachers, school psychologists
- Working with and referral to community partners including, but not limited to,
- Group homes
- Rainbow Community Center supporting LGBTQ community
- Contracted mental health providers
- Department of Public Health
- Fred Finch Youth Services
- Graduate-level students from local universities providing mental health services
- Weekly individual supervision, weekly group supervision, monthly didactic trainings
- Navigation of public systems (i.e. education, child welfare, county mental health department, juvenile probation)
- Strength-based approaches emphasizing youth resiliency
- Clinical/therapy related skills needed for individual, family and group counseling
- Assessment of community needs and strengths, including scheduled visits to local community centers, health centers, local government/stakeholder meetings
MDUSD is committed to equitable educational opportunities for all students. Interns will also become familiar with Response to Intervention model to ensure a effective continuum of care for students. Skills and knowledge that relate to cultural competency will be a primary focus of the internship, vital to our work with students, families, and local communities.
The Internship Sites
Foster Youth Services (FYS)
MDUSD Foster Youth Services provides individual child and adolescent therapy, group and family counseling, and case management services with clients from diverse economic and cultural backgrounds. MSW Interns are assigned to elementary, middle, or high schools as a primary internship placement and carry a caseload of foster youth and non-foster youth. MSW Interns provide mental health and support services for children and adolescents who have experienced physical or sexual abuse or neglect and, as a result, have been placed in group homes or with a foster family. The foster youth whom we serve demonstrate a range of mental health, social, emotional, and educational concerns. Our program combines professional services (i.e. therapy & tutoring) with strength-based enrichment opportunities (i.e. dance, music, athletics, etc.) to form “packages of support” for individual youth. Interns often provide the coordination and case management of intervention plans made in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team at the school site.
The Diablo Community Center (DCC)
Located on the campus of Mt. Diablo High School, the DCC offers mental health, case management, referral services, and strength-based programs to Mt. Diablo High students and families. MSW Interns provide individual, group, and family therapy, crisis intervention, case management, advocacy, and referrals to community based service providers. Interns also participate in DCC events and activities, positively interacting with students and staff. Interns work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team to address school-wide concerns and develop interventions. Students are referred to the DCC for a variety of issues, including but not limited to: depression, anxiety, school adjustment and truancy, behavior and academic problems, family discord and separation, substance abuse, post-traumatic stress, abuse/neglect, homelessness, teen pregnancy, acculturation issues, grief and loss, and gang involvement.
Homeless Outreach Program for Education (HOPE)
MDUSD established the Homeless Outreach Program for Education (HOPE) to provide educational and related services for homeless students in Pre-School – 12th grade. HOPE helps to provide meals for students, transportation to school if needed, and referrals to resources in the community. Interns will assist students and their families facing housing instability and related stressors. Services provided by interns include school-based counseling, case management, collaborating with agencies that serve homeless populations, and working with caregiver and parents. Interns will also become familiar with laws and policies that protect the rights of homeless students including McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act and AB 1806.
Training & Support
Interns participate in weekly individual supervision with their assigned Field Instructor, and bi-weekly group supervision. Interns may also consult with their Field Instructor regarding urgent matters as needed. Interns are required to attend monthly trainings designed to improve one’s knowledge of school social work practice, and clinical skills for working with children, youth, and families. Training topics have included education laws and policies (e.g. the Special Education process), suicide assessment and crisis response, self-injurious behavior, empathic listening, case-management, Solution-Focused Therapy, eating disorders, group therapy, substance abuse, termination, and more.
Compensation, Pre-Placement Requirements, Special Conditions
- Second year Interns receive a $3,000 stipend. First year Interns receive a $2,000 stipend.
- Interns placed with MDUSD must provide proof of Negative TB test, and complete a Fingerprint (Livescan) Clearance at the District office (DOJ and CAI clearances).
- Interns must agree to continue in placement through the natural end of the school year (early June, although exact end date is negotiable).
Internship contact person:
Foster Youth Services
Derek Wang, LCSW, PPSC, Social Work Specialist
Foster Youth Services
Contact's phone number: 925-682-8000 ext. 3094
Contact's e-mail: fosteryouth@mdusd.org
Diablo Community Center (school based health center)
Lynnea Hughes, ACSW, PPSC, Social Work Specialist
Mt. Diablo High School, Diablo Community Center
2450 Grant St.
Concord, CA 94520
(925) 682-4030 ext. 3477
MDUSD Homeless Outreach Program for Education ( HOPE)
Vivica Taylor, ACSW, PPSC, Social Work Specialist
HOPE Services
Contact's phone number: 925-682-8000 ext. 3054
Contact's e-mail: Taylorv@mdusd.org
Site Details:
Address:
1936 Carlotta Drive
Concord, CA 94519
United States
General Phone:
(925) 682-8000
Website:
Name
Derek Wang &Lynnea Hughes
Job Title
Social Work Specialist
Phone
(925) 682-8000 Ext. 3054
fosteryouth@mdusd.org&hughesl@mdusd.org
Additional site tags:
1st-Year MSW, 2nd-Year MSW, psychotherapy, case management, group work, mental health, substance abuse, school based, foster care, Stipend, Contra Costa, Wellness, school social work, therapist, counseling,