School Social Work Graduate Trainee (CMS)
About PLN
Founded on Skid Row in 1980, Para Los Niños provides education and wraparound support, serving over 10,000 children, youth, and families annually in some of the most underserved areas in Los Angeles. PLN fosters pathways to success by striving for excellence in education, family support, and comprehensive social-emotional, and community-based services.
Through early education, TK-8th grade education, youth workforce services, and family and community services Para Los Niño’s’ model provides a comprehensive, holistic approach to break the cycle of poverty and help children and youth thrive.
Position Overview
This training track is for students seeking a Field Placement that leads to eligibility for the Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC) in school social work. This track entails placement at one of our three Charter schools. We currently have a middle school (6th-8th grades), elementary (TK-grade 5) and a primary center (Tk-1st grade). Training within this track includes supporting with individual and small group counseling, attendance (includes tracking, meeting with parents, conducting home visits, supporting school staff with incentive programs); classroom interventions; presentations (i.e. topics such as bullying, conflict resolution, etc..); parent workshops; case management and crisis intervention. Students will have the opportunity to co-facilitate groups on topics such as social skills, bullying, etc.
Available Internship Days and Times
This internship is a 20 hours a week commitment. Internship days are flexible, however attendance at the site must be during school hours (i.e. 7:30am-3:30pm). If you would like to qualify for the PPSC, you will need to serve at one site for 16 hours and the remaining four at another site. 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. There will be a 2-day orientation that will take place in late August (date to be determined) in order to help the students with onboarding activities. This 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 for 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
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Supervision: Students receive 1 hour of individual and 2 hours of group supervision weekly. Individual supervision is done in person while group supervision is conducted via telehealth format. 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.
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Meetings with Preceptors: Students are assigned a preceptor at the beginning of the training year who provides additional needed supports for the student to acclimate to their placement and be available in the event they have questions or crises arise.
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Trainings: Students participate in bi-monthly trainings. Trainings take place on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm. Various topics that have been presented previously include crisis intervention, compassion fatigue, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, attachment, brain development, toxic stress, art therapy and sensory processing disorders.
Qualifications and Experience Requirements
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, sills, and/or abilities required to perform the job successfully.
- Bilingual English/Spanish preferred. English proficiency supporting professional-level verbal and written communication to children, parents and other staff members required.
Education and Certification Requirements
- BA / BS Degree
- Concurrent enrollment in a graduate degree program
- Successfully pass all post offer, pre-employment screening requirements, including criminal background check, drug test and provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
Other Requirements
- Must have reliable transportation and State required automobile insurance coverage and valid Class C California driver’s license (mileage to be reimbursed)
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.
Other details
- Job Function Part Time
- Employment Indicator Internship
- Required Education Bachelor’s Degree
- Clinical Services 6th Street, 849 E. 6th Street, Los Angeles, California, United States of America