MFT/MSW Graduate Student Trainee (School Aged Services)

Description of Population Served

Para Los Niños' Mental Health Services Program works to address the mental health needs of children, ages 0-21, and their families in Service Planning Area 4 of Los Angeles (Skid Row, Downtown, Pico-Union, Boyle Heights, and Ramona Gardens Projects). We are the area's only mental health services provider for children in this area. 100% percent of the children and families we serve come from very low-income households, with the majority of them living 250% below federal poverty guidelines. The current median income of our families is $11, 500 for an average household size of 3-6 people, less than five times the California average. 95% of our clients are Latino; 5% are African-American. 87.5% of the children's caretakers read little to no English. Of the children we serve, 18.2% are five years old or under; 52.2% are 6-10 years old; 25.2% are 11-15 years old; 4.4% are 16-20 years old.

Position Overview

Mental Health: This is a clinical track that entails placement within the Mental Health Department, primarily working with children from the ages of 6 - 18 years old. Students will receive training in Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health documentation and obtain certification in a specific evidence informed practice. Students will provide the following services: intake assessment (an extensive bio-psychosocial history, diagnosis and treatment plan); individual, collateral, family and group psychotherapy; crisis intervention when needed; targeted case management (i.e. linkage to additional support services) as clinically indicated. Students will also participate in a multi-disciplinary team aimed at integration and collaboration; consultation with board certified pediatric psychiatrist; consultations with teachers, administrators, after school staff and other natural supports for their assigned clients. Students will have the opportunity to co-facilitate groups in the schools on topics such as bullying, social skills, etc.


Available Internship Days and Times


This internship is a 20 hours a week commitment. Internship days and times are flexible. However, Wednesdays are a mandatory training day as this is the day of the week in which staff meetings, trainings and group supervision take place on a weekly basis (9am-3pm).


The primary start date for training is the first Wednesday after Labor Day. However, there are several slots available to start in June for the Mental Health track. There will be a 2-day orientation that will take place at the end of August in order to help the students with onboarding activities. This 2-day orientation is necessary in order to ensure students have completed activities that will support their beginning their clinical training. It should also be noted that the first two weeks of training in September, most trainings are scheduled to take place on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Attendance to these training days is required unless prior arrangements have been discussed with the respective training supervisor.


Special Requirements

We require that all students pass a livescan, drug screening and TB test. Agency wide trainings are also required (topics on trauma informed treatment, child abuse reporting, CPR / First Aide, etc.).

• Supervision and Training Plan: (describe format and delivery: individual, group, time, day of training and training topics).
• Supervision: Students receive 1 hour of individual and 2 hours of group supervision weekly. Both individual and group supervision is done in person. Group supervision consists of no more than 8 students. Students present cases each week in a structured presentation format to facilitate this area of their professional development.
• Meetings with Preceptors / Mentors: Students are assigned a preceptor / mentor at the beginning of the training year. This preceptor / mentor is a seasoned clinician who will essentially be available to support the student as they learn their role in providing services. For the students who are in the Mental Health Track, this preceptor / mentor will have the student shadow them in doing an intake assessment of the student's first client. The preceptor / mentor will then shadow the student as they administer the intake assessment of their second client.
• Trainings: Students participate in weekly and bi-monthly trainings. Trainings take place on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm. Once to twice a month (1st and 3rd Wednesday) we hold trainings on various topics that support the work with children and families. Various topics that have been presented previously include crisis intervention, compassion fatigue, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, attachment, brain development, Relationship Based Approach, art therapy and sensory processing disorders.

Physical Requirements

To perform this job the individual must be able to carry out all essential functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Approximately 50% of time is spent sitting, while frequently required to walk, stand and bend.
• Must be able to speak and hear well.
• Good vision is imperative.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Employee will be required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds without assistance.

Expectations for All Para Los Niños Staff


Candidates for employment at Para Los Niños, regardless of position, will consistently demonstrate the following:

• Unwavering belief in and commitment to fulfill the mission of Para Los Niños.
• Deep commitment to the success of all PLN students and families.
• Commitment to excellence and high standards -- for self, students, and colleagues.
• Continuous learning by engaging in reflection, self-assessment, and individual professional development.
• Use of data to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement.
• Ability to thrive as a member of a collaborative team.
• Self-motivation and initiative with solutions-oriented disposition.
• Belief in and ability to develop respectful relationship with parents and children marked by sensitivity to the students' cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations.
• Comfort with basic Microsoft Office applications and a curiosity and propensity to push own adoption of new technology and approaches.
• Regular, punctual attendance and professional appearance.

Para Los Niños is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

It is the established policy of Para Los Niños (PLN) to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief (including dress or grooming practices), color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breast feeding), age, national origin (including possessing a driver's license issued under Vehicle Code § 12801.9), ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. PLN also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.