Clinical/Therapeutic Internships
Autism Behavior Intervention http://www.teamabi.com/
Autism Learning Partners is a paid employment/internship position. To interview for the position, it is a minimum requirement that staff (including interns) be available to work at least 15 hours per week and the organization has specific availability requirements for that 15 hours.
Autism Spectrum Therapies http://www.autismtherapies.com/
Child Development Institute (in-person offerings available at one or both locations)
CDI Early Learning Center (Canoga Park)
7260 Owensmouth Avenue
Canoga Park, CA 91303
CDI Early Learning Center (Reseda)
18050 Vanowen Street
Reseda, CA 91335
Contact: Jamie Olivas, ELC Program Supervisor
E-mail: Jolivas@cdikids.org
Telephone: 818-888-4559
Web site: www.cdikids.org
Preferred Method for Contact: Via email
Days and Hours of Service: Flexible, Monday through Friday (9:30am to 4:15pm), except for a mandatory hour of group supervision per week (day and time to be determined).
Period of Service: Follows CSUN academic calendar
Mission of Organization:
The mission of the Child Development Institute (CDI) is to help all children reach their full potential by supporting the relationships and environments that shape early development.
Population and/or Ages Served: Children ages 0-6 and their caregivers
Roles and Responsibilities of Interns:
- Curriculum planning and implementation at the CDI Early Learning Center
- Observe and assist lead therapist providing early intervention services (subject to availability)
- Video tape therapeutic sessions, as needed
- Support general office duties; filing, copying and data entry, etc.
- Attend and support activities community outing activities (may involve some weekends)
- Other duties, as needed
Student Learning Objectives:
- Understand and be knowledgeable about typical and atypical development in children, birth through six years of age
- Create and implement developmentally and age-appropriate activities for children
- Understand range of individual differences that exist in children and how these differences influence behavior and learning
- Understand and be sensitive to social, cultural, and societal contexts and diversity within which children develop
- Communicate and interact effectively and appropriately with children and families at sites
Number of Hours of Supervision per Week:
- 1 hour of Group Supervision weekly
- Quarterly One-to-One Supervision and as needed
Additional Program Requirements for Students:
* Interview Process and Requirements:
Date(s) of Interviewing: late April, date to be determined
Interview Procedures: Group interview
* Orientation Process and Requirements:
Date(s) of Orientation: Typically, the First Friday of the semester, 9:30am – 12:30 pm, currently via Zoom.
Orientation Description:
- Agency – HIPPA policy and procedures
- Overview of syllabus
- Training on ELC Curriculum Planning and Strengthening Families
Student Requirements: TB Clearance (cost is student’s responsibility); proof of COVID vaccination with booster, if eligible; face mask and name badge/apron (provided by CDI).
Child Life Program
4650 Sunset Blvd. MS#28
Los Angeles, CA 90027
323.361-3420
Website: http://www.childrenshospitalla.org
Contacts:
Amanda Brown, Child Life Specialist III| ambrown@chla.usc.edu | 323-361-3731
Population Served: Hospitalized patients ages birth - 21 years old and their families
Mission of Organization:
Child Life services in healthcare settings strive to promote optimum development of children and their families, to maintain normal living patterns and to minimize psychological trauma. As integral members of the healthcare team in both the ambulatory care and inpatient settings, Child Life staff provide children with opportunities for gaining a sense of mastery, for play, for learning, for self-expression, for family involvement and for peer interaction (Child Life Council, 2004).
Philosophy/Mission of Student Programs at CHLA:
The Child Life Program is in alignment with the standards, philosophy, and mission of the Child Life Council including the Standards for Academic and Clinical Preparation. The Child Life Program values the reflective and critical process that is integral to helping students learn about Child Life. We strongly believe it is one of the ways students learn best. Through this experience, students will engage in enriching and thought provoking learning opportunities, which link theory to actual "hands-on" practices with children, youth and families (Chase Child Life Internship, 1999).
Description of Placement:
This community service experience was created in collaboration with CSUN Department of Child and Adolescent Development and CHLA Child Life Program. The focus of this experience is to promote learning in the field of child and adolescent development by linking theory to hands on practical opportunities in the health care setting. This community setting is a place that will support students interested in pursuing a career in Child Life, as well as increase students’ overall skills in working with children, youth and families.
WHY CHOOSE Children’s Hospital Los Angeles? WHY CHILD LIFE?
- You have an interest in exploring Child Life as a career option
- To expand your hands-on experiences with children and families in a unique health care setting
- To gain professional skills for supporting the overall development, especially the social/emotional needs, of children and families that can be used across settings
- Be in a fast paced environment where multitasking and flexibility is key
- To expand your knowledge of child and adolescent development theories and put it into practice with children and families
- To enhance your critical and reflective thinking skills
- To support your overall professional growth and development
- To work with children and families from culturally diverse backgrounds
Period of Service: Follows CSUN Academic Calendar
Days/Hours of Service: Primarily Monday through Friday 9:00am to 12:00pm and 1:30pm to 4:30pm
Limited evening and weekend hours are available. If an intern is placed in an evening or weekend shift one semester the intern needs to be available during the weekdays the following semester.
Students Requirements:
Interns need to have taken CADV 450 or be enrolled in course for the fall or spring semester during their internship, name badge, background check, TB test, Child Life Orientation.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This FIELDWORK placement does not satisfy Practicum hours required for application to Masters in Child Life program. Students aspiring to become a Child Life Specialist will need to obtain a Child Life Practicum and a Child Life Internship. More information on these requirements is available at: http://www.childlife.org/certification
Become a trained volunteer coach monitor and provide court ordered supervised family visits so that children, removed from the care of their parents, can visit their parents in a physically and emotionally safe setting. Each visitation site is filled with toys, games, books and art materials to provide a comfortable environment for children and their parents to have positive experiences together. These visits are an essential service to increase the family’s chances for reunification and reduce the children’s anxiety while in out-of-home placement.
We are especially interested in bilingual volunteers who speak Spanish.
See flyer for more information
Contact: dianne.philibosian@csun.edu
Note: Fall placement requires prior Spring training: dates TBD
New Growth, Inc. was created to ensure that families in Los Angeles have an accessible and inclusive space for their children. At the heart of our efforts, we aim to develop programs that serve diverse populations and strive for more equity amongst the participants. Specialists, staff, volunteers, peer mentors, and parents will make up the community within the New Growth family. We invite all to “Come as You Are,” so we can truly design a “Safe Place for all Humans.”
Email: newgrowthincla@gmail.com
Phone Number: 818-253-9082
Kelly’s Captains is a volunteer and mentorship program at Camp Kelly. This mentorship will take place at an inclusive summer day camp for children between the ages of 5 through 18 that encourages all to become involved in a safe environment free of judgments, stereotypes, and bullying. Kelly’s Captains are taught to help and encourage the children they mentor. They aim to strengthen Camp Kelly's daily operations.
Kelly’s Captains Mentorship Responsibilities & Tasks:
- Create and plan new activities for campers
- Attend trainings to better assist campers
- Implement positive reinforcement techniques when needed
- Support camp staff to ensure safety for all campers
- Work 1 to 1 with campers that may require more assistance
Information and Interest Form: https://www.newgrowthla.org/camp-kelly/volunteer
Camp Dates: July 10 to 14; July 17 to 21; July 24 to 27; and July 31 to August 4
Website: Help Group http://www.thehelpgroup.org/
CONTACT NAME: Dianne Lotivio, Attendance Counselor | mailto:dlotivio@thehelpgroup.org | 818-781-0360 x5565
2024 INTERN POSITION DESCRIPTIONS: 
- BRIDGEPORT SCHOOL INTERN
- EVENT COORDINATION INTERN
- KIDS LIKE ME PROGRAM INTERN
- SCHOOL BUSINESS OFFICE INTERN
- SUMMIT VIEW SCHOOL INTERN
- SUNRISE SCHOOL INTERN
- VILLAGE GLEN SCHOOL INTERN
- ADMINISTRATIVE INTERN CLINICAL DEPARTMENT
APPLICATION PROCESS: After resumes are provided to the Help Group, all candidates will be offered an in-person interview. Candidates will also be asked to verify their preferred program. Upon acceptance, candidate must complete all qualifications needed to volunteer:
1) Volunteer Application and Commitment form
2) TB and fingerprint clearance (funded by the Help Group)
3) Background check (funded by the Help Group)
4) Proof of COVID Vaccination
San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center
16360 Roscoe Blvd, 2nd Floor
Van Nuys, CA 91406
Office: (818) 908-4999
Contact: Karen Quarterman (mailto:kquarterman@sfvcmhc.org)
Director of Child & Adolescent Community Based Services
SFVCMHC, Inc. Family Wellness Center (FWC):
As a program of the San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center, Inc., the Family Wellness Center offers supportive, adjunctive activities to the children and parents/families receiving services from our Children’s mental health programs. Student Interns will have the opportunity to participate in multiple group activities (e.g. Parent Support Group, Teen groups), provide tutoring, “child led” activities, participate in program meetings (e.g. staff meetings and client case consultations), and attend relevant meetings with community partners (e.g. DMH, DCFS, other Community Based Organizations) addressing issues of child abuse prevention, and how to best serve the growing population of children birth to 5 years of age who are involved with the Child Welfare System. Students will also have the opportunity to attend trainings and workshops to expand their understanding of issues surrounding child/adolescent mental health.
Job Description:
Bachelor’s level Student Interns will work alongside the Manager of the Family Wellness Center to plan and implement some of the aforementioned activities. Through participation in the Parent Support Group and as a facilitator of “child led” activities Interns will have the opportunity to hear different perspectives within a family system. Students will learn about the impact of trauma and toxic stress as well as receive training in how to screen for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Through the provision of weekly tutoring sessions, Students will have an opportunity to work one on one with children whose trauma and mental health diagnoses are interfering with their capacity to access academics, interact effectively with others, and manage their impulses. These adjunctive services are an integral part of the overall services offered. Students will be trained in and have opportunity to practice de-escalation skills, Child Abuse reporting, and how to support children in implementing effective pro-social coping skills. Students will function as part of the broader treatment team working with Center clients and their families and as such will have the opportunity to participate in team Staff Meetings and Case Consultations.
Schedule:
Students will work 6 hours/week. Their schedule will be established around existing groups and after school hours to meet the needs of clients. The work schedule will also change based on whether Internship is occurring on-site or remotely.
Remote Schedule:
- Monday: TBD
- Tuesday: 3:00pm to 5:00pm (Teen Group; Tutoring)
- Wednesday: Parent Support Group (Spanish) 3:30pm to 4:30pm
- Thursday: Parent Support Group (English) 3:30pm to 4:30pm
- Friday: Supervision and planning
**minimum 1 hour each week of Tutoring**
Onsite Schedule:
- Monday: TBD
- Tuesday: 3:00pm to 5:00pm (Tutoring)
- Wednesday: 10:00am to 12:00pm (Parent Socialization Group/Child led activities)
- Thursday: 5:00pm to 7:00pm (Parent Support Group/Child led activities)
- Friday: Supervision and planning
Other opportunities for learning to be scheduled in collaboration with Family Wellness Center Manager include:
- Project SAFE Collaborative meeting (4th Tuesday of each month)
- Child Abuse Prevention Council (2nd Tuesday of each month)
- Case Consultations
- Staff Meetings
- Locate, update, and organize resources (food, housing, financial, employment, social services, etc.)
- Participation in trainings
- Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) parenting workshops – series of 3
- Youth Mental Health First Aid
Additional Information:
Prior to start of semester, Students are required to obtain a TB test and LiveScan fingerprint clearance, at no cost to them. They will also need to complete the Student Intern packet and review Center policies and procedures with Family Wellness Center Manager or designee. Online HIPAA, Bloodborne Pathogens, Office Safety, and Sexual Harassment trainings are required after the Student starts field placement.
Strength United http://www.csun.edu/eisner-education/strength-united
Contact: Lunx Girgado, Director of Advocacy & Outreach
Organization Description
We are a non-profit Camp in Southern California for children with serious medical conditions. Our mission is to provide a year-round, life-changing environment and authentic camp experience for children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses. We have a medical facility on-site that is staffed with care providers. Our intentional and adaptive programming at Camp, from a wheelchair-friendly ropes course to exceptional on-site medical care, is designed to allow all campers to participate in all activities. Camp programs are completely FREE of charge for all campers and their families!
Health & Safety
Additional requirements and/or considerations
- Background Check (e.g. fingerprinting/livescan, driving record)
- Pre-Placement Training
- Vaccinations
- RISK: Students may be working with behaviorally challenged populations.
- SAFETY: Students are NOT PERMITTED to take photos or video while on site.
- SUPERVISION: Students may be required to work at night (after 6pm).
Site Details
Address
17000 Elizabeth Lake Rd
P.O. Box 455
Lake Hughes, CA 93532
United States
General Phone
General Email
Website:
https://www.thepaintedturtle.org/
Student Contact
Name
Julia Bossi
Job Title
(empty)
Phone
Current Opportunities
| Title | Program | Start Date | Location Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Family Weekend Volunteer | Academic Internship, Service Learning | Ongoing | On-site |