School Social Work Undergraduate Trainee

About PLN

Founded on Skid Row in 1980, Para Los Niños (PLN) partners with more than 10,000 children, youth, and families each year through integrated education, wellness supports and advocacy, addressing individual and systemic barriers to create pathways to success. In addition to operating early education centers, charter elementary and middle schools, youth workforce development sites and family services, PLN is the only children’s mental health provider in the Skid Row neighborhood. PLN's community transformation work brings together community members, community-based organizations, city and county agencies, elected officials, and businesses to tackle issues that impact PLN families. Ninety-three percent of families served by PLN live in areas with the highest levels of food insecurity and homelessness in L.A. County.

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 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

• Works directly on School Social Work team and manager of Culture and Belonging; collaborating with supervisor, School Social Worker, PPS Interns and other school personnel as needed.
• Assists school administrators by facilitating responsive, neutral harm circles, and supporting student conflict mediation.
• Supports classroom social-emotional presentations, including facilitating SEL instruction and leading Community Building Circles in classrooms as needed.
• Supports truancy and chronic absenteeism efforts by making outreach calls, mentoring students, and contributing to Tier 1 schoolwide initiatives to improve attendance.
• Supports and strengthens a positive school climate and culture by contributing to Tier 1 schoolwide campaigns and initiatives that promote student engagement, belonging, and well-being.
• Documents student contacts and track caseload progress to support the CYBHI initiative, ensuring timely, accurate, and compliant documentation in the Wellness Coach role.
• Follows state laws regarding child abuse reporting, mental health issues and FERPA.

This internship is 16-20 hours a week commitment. Internship days are flexible, Monday through Friday; however, attendance at the site must be during school hours (i.e. 7:30am-3:30pm).

Supervision and Training Plan

Supervision: Students receive 1 hour of individual supervision weekly in person. We offer reflective, strength-based supervision that creates a supportive space for interns to critically examine their decision-making and emotional responses. Through guided reflection, we help interns integrate theory with practice, build self-awareness, and develop ethical, culturally responsive clinical skills.

Meetings with Preceptors: Students are assigned a preceptor at the beginning of the training year who provides additional needed support for the student to acclimate their placement and be available in the event they have questions or crises arise.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics

• Must be enrolled in an accredited college or university, be in good academic standing, and meet the institution’s eligibility requirements for internship placement, preferably pursuing a degree aligned with CYBHI wellness coaching pathways (e.g., Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Public Health, Human Development, or a closely related behavioral health or social service field).
• Must be able to commit to the duration and hours required by both the academic institution and the internship program.
• Students pursuing degrees approved under CYBHI guidelines for wellness coaching, including but not limited to: Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Public Health, Human Development, or other closely related behavioral health or social service fields.
• Successfully pass all post offer, pre-employment screening requirements, including criminal background check, and provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
• Current certification in CPR/First Aid.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English are required, and we celebrate linguistic diversity, valuing the unique perspectives and strengths that multilingual team members bring to our organization.
• Utilizes Microsoft Office Suite and other business systems to perform daily administrative functions, including data entry, document management, and professional correspondence.
• Travel Requirements: This position does not require travel; however, you must have reliable transportation (e.g., rideshare, bus, or bike) to commute to work.

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.
• TB test clearance to be renewed every two years.
• Verification of Immunizations required by the California Department of Health (Pertussis, Measles and Influenza).

This job description does not encompass all essential functions and responsibilities. Para Los Niños reserves the right to modify or add to the typical duties of a position at any time.

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 relationships with families and children informed by 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.