Intern & Trainee Program Coordinator: Maretta Juarez, LCSW

Santa Clara County Mental Health Department, Learning Partnership Division

1075 E. Santa Clara St. 2nd Floor, San Jose, CA 95116

Email: Maretta.Juarez@hhs.sccgov.org

Program Overview

The Santa Clara County Mental Health Department is dedicated to assisting individuals in our community affected by mental illness and serious emotional disturbance to achieve their hopes, dreams and quality of life goals. To accomplish this, services must be delivered in the least restrictive, non-stigmatizing, most accessible environment within a coordinated system of community and self-care, respectful of a person's family and loved ones, language, culture, ethnicity, gender and sexual identity.

The Student Intern Program is designed to offer placement opportunities which will enhance professional and clinical skills for graduate students interested in or actively pursuing careers in mental health. Graduate level internships are available for students enrolled in MSW or MFT programs.  Undergraduate level internships are limited.  Interns are provided regular individual and group supervision.  The program is also proud of its in depth training seminar program.

Seminar Training Program

The mission of the Seminar Training Program is to provide an enriched clinical training experience focusing on building clinical and cultural competency for students preparing for a career in mental health.  This comprehensive program provides over 100 hours of classroom training spanning 14 weeks each fall and spring semester.

Stipend Program

The Mental Health Department offers stipends for qualified MSW Interns and MFT Trainees.  All interns are encouraged to apply.  Please indicate on your application that you are requesting a stipend.  There is an application and selection process.

Application/Selection Process

Recruitment for potential interns/trainees begins at the end of January each year.  The Student Intern Program accepts qualified students enrolled in an accredited university/college training program. Two informational meetings will be scheduled in February. Applications must be complete and submitted to the Student Intern Coordinator with the requested documents. If selected, you will be invited for an in-person interview. Following these interviews, interviews to individual clinic sites are arranged.