AGENCY AND PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

For Internships Starting in January 2027 St. David's Developmental & Therapeutic Services is a regional leader in child and family development. We offer therapeutic, educational, and support services, including mental health and pediatric therapies, autism treatment, home visiting, an inclusive preschool, and disability services. Over 4,000 children and families access these services at our three early intervention centers in Minneapolis and Minnetonka, more than 30 partner sites, and hundreds of homes across the community. We provide a continuum of relationship-based mental health services for nearly 2,000 children ages birth to adolescence and their families, including those impacted by trauma and early adversity, engaging them at home, in the community, and in center-based treatment programs. Our Autism Day Treatment Program is an intensive day treatment service for preschool children (ages 2-6) diagnosed with autism or other neurodevelopment disorder, aimed at improving social communication, emotional regulation, and interpersonal interaction. Clients attend the program daily to receive relationship-based group therapy, as well as speech and occupational therapy. All therapies are integrated and work collaboratively within the treatment classroom. Mental health therapists utilize the SCERTS treatment framework as well as the Greenspan Floortime intervention model. Families in the program receive a variety of family support services, including family therapy and skills training. We love to hire our successful interns! St. David's has a long tradition of investing in the professional development of our mental health employees, starting with the interns we hire. All post-graduate clinical trainees receive free licensure supervision as part of our benefit package and evidence of our investment in professional development.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

In Autism Day Treatment, internships are offered at our Minnetonka Center and at our location within our partner site, Harley Hopkins Family Center, for the following placement cycles: Spring-Summer (approx. January-August) Summer Block (approx. May-August) Summer-Fall (approx. May-December) Fall-Spring/Academic Year (approx. September-May) Availability varies by placement cycle and by location. Please follow the application process detailed below if you are interested. Interns are required to be present within the day treatment classroom a minimum of three days per week. Morning and Afternoon shifts are available (Hours are 7:30am to 12:30pm or 11:30am to 4:30pm). Students will be matched with a morning or afternoon treatment team, depending on program and supervisor availability. We do our best to accommodate preferred schedules.

Foundation and Clinical Students will:

Work alongside a multidisciplinary team of professionals. Learn to support, then plan, then facilitate a treatment day. Learn therapeutic interventions that target social and emotional development. Create individualized treatment plans and complete daily and weekly documentation. Observe and learn about diagnostic assessments, including extended

DC:

0-5 diagnostic assessments. In addition, Clinical Students will have the opportunity to: Participate in extended

DC:

0-5 diagnostic assessments with the program supervisor. Collaborate on the development and implementation of individualized treatment plans. Observe or co-facilitate individual or family therapy or skills training sessions. Learn standard outcome measurement tools (e.g.

ECSII, CBCL

). Learn treatment models such as SCERTS and Greenspan Floortime. Multidisciplinary learning opportunities for Foundation and Clinical Students may also include: Observing occupational and speech therapy sessions. Observing outpatient mental health diagnostic assessments. Observing typical child development in our Early Childhood Education Program. Observing other mental health programs in the agency (school-based mental health treatment, Family Place Preschool Mental Health Day Treatment, etc). Opportunity for DEI focused work, such as BIPOC reflective practice group participation, DEI panels and meetings, etc.

SUPERVISION AND TRAINING

Students will receive individual reflective supervision every week and will participate in weekly clinical consultation meetings with the treatment team. In addition, students will have the opportunity to participate in program and agency trainings on a wide variety of relevant topics. Students are encouraged to bring in and integrate readings and assignments from their academic courses.

STUDENT EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT

Master's Level:

Must be enrolled in a Master's Degree Program for Social Work, Clinical Counseling, or Marriage and Family Therapy.

Bachelor's Level:

Must be enrolled in a Bachelor's Degree Program in a related field.

STUDENT QUALITIES DESIRED FOR EFFECTIVE WORK IN THIS PROGRAM

Work or life experience with children. Ability to take direction and work as a team member. Strong communication and written skills. Ability to establish positive, respectful working relationships with a diverse population of adults and children. Flexibility, creativity, and the ability to think on your feet and problem solve. Must be able to participate in a fast-paced, physically active classroom setting.

PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR AUTISM DAY TREATMENT

Placement requirements: In Person Field hours availability: Daytime hours: Monday - Friday Specific hours or days: Interns are required to be present within the day treatment classroom a minimum of three days per week. Morning and Afternoon shifts are available (Hours are 7:30am to 12:30pm or 11:30am to 4:30pm). Students will be matched with a morning or afternoon treatment team, depending on program and supervisor availability. We do our best to accommodate preferred schedules. Car required? No Required orientation? All interns are required to attend a New Employee Orientation before beginning their internship. They are held 2x/month on Monday mornings from 8:45am-12:15pm on our Minneapolis Campus with free parking available; exact date will be determined based on student start date. Students will receive a training schedule following Orientation. Training will consist of both online and hands-on experiences. Background check required? Yes. Agency will cover the cost.

APPLICATION PROCESS

If you are participating in the

Minnesota MSW Metro Collaborative Interview and Match Process:

o Please send your cover letter and resume to: Leanne Popehn (lpopehn@Stdavidsmn.org) Do not apply online until you have been matched with our agency. If you are NOT participating in the

Minnesota MSW Metro Collaborative Interview and Match Process:

o Please apply online for this internship opportunity: Career Opportunities - St. Davids Center for Child & Family Development careers § Use the "APPLY" link in the posting.

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY, PLEASE CONTACT

Leanne Popehn (lpopehn@Stdavidsmn.org)

FOR GENERAL QUESTIONS REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH INTERNSHIPS AT ST. DAVID'S, PLEASE CONTACT

Sarah Ahlfs-Dunn, PhD, LP (sahlfs-dunn@stdavidscenter.org)