Summer Volunteer Internship at Connecticut Mental Health Center

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1 Summer Volunteer Internship at Connecticut Mental Health Center The Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC) is a unique and vibrant community mental health facility operating in an urban environment within greater New Haven, CT. CMHC is a cooperative endeavor of the Yale University School of Medicine, and the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). Founded in 1966 with the goal of providing recovery oriented care for people with mental illness and/or addictions, Connecticut Mental Health Center cares for over 4,000 people a year. POSITION DESCRIPTION: Time commitment of 9 weeks; work hours per week (beginning Tuesday, May 31 st, 2016 and ending July 29 th, 2016, with the possibility of continuing longer depending on interest and availability) Preliminary training about the work environment and work tasks Attendance in 2 didactic weekly seminars focused on gaining knowledge of mental illness, helping skills, recovery, and potential career trajectories in mental health Active engagement in a 1 hour supervision group per week Completion and presentation of an individual project during the course of the internship POSITION REQUIREMENTS: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, and openness to enhancing those skills Reliability and ability to engage in a professional environment Baseline and internet computer skills Successful completion of a criminal background check INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY: Individuals who want to learn more about recovery and mental illness Students who are interested in majoring in a field such as psychology, social work, psychiatry and want a hands-on experience in a mental health setting Individuals with a commitment to service in the community and who have a desire to have a growth experience by helping others Individuals who have a commitment to volunteer work POSSIBLE VOLUNTEER PLACEMENTS AND SPECIFIC TASKS WITHIN CMHC: Our outpatient clinical team serves people with serious mental illness living in the community on an outpatient basis. The team is multidisciplinary, including licensed

2 clinical social workers, psychiatrists, community clinicians, nursing, psychology and psychiatry trainees, substance use specialists, employment and rehabilitation specialists. The team provides a range of services to holistically care for each individual and support their recovery and pursuit of life goals. Volunteers placed with this team would have the opportunity to shadow clinicians, attend rehabilitation groups, attend treatment team meetings, as well as complete faxing, filing, copying, and other basic clerical work tasks. The Young Adult Services (YAS) program within the Connecticut Mental Health Center provides recovery-oriented care and developmentally-oriented comprehensive services to young adults between ages 18 and 25. YAS provides a person-centered approach to care and includes residential care, employment and educational supports, life skills development and clinical care designed to support a young adult s personal journey toward independent living. A placement on the Young Adult Service offers volunteers a unique opportunity to be involved with the treatment of young adult clients who are in the transitional process from child to adult systems of care, to be a part of the clinical team, and other duties including potentially co-leading groups, attending meetings, filing copying and other basic clerical work. Specialized Treatment for Early Psychosis (STEP) Clinic is a research and care clinic specifically addressing the needs of those individuals who have recently developed a psychotic illness. STEP s goal is to work with people and their families to improve functioning, reduce stress, and minimize symptoms to facilitate independence and life satisfaction. Early intervention maximizes the chances of returning individuals to their desired goals whether a job, school, or valued roles in their family or community. Interns in this setting will attend trainings, shadow clinical staff, attend meetings, learn about research protocols, and assist with clerical tasks such as filing and copying. Yale Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Research Clinic placement would involve having the opportunity to assist in various undergoing research studies of obsessive-compulsive disorder, including an ongoing double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Riluzole (a psychopharmaceutical drug) to treat refractory OCD and various neuroimaging studies of OCD involving MRS and fmri. Specific duties might entail data entry, filing and copying research materials, observation of clinical evaluations of OCD clients, and participation in an OCD support group.

3 APPLICATION MATERIALS: 1. Fill out Internship Application. 2. Provide two reference letters from an employer, professor, or advisor that can speak to your qualifications for this position. These should be in envelopes that are signed on the back by the reference, or ed directly from the writer to Norma Gibson at with the subject line: SVI2016 Letter. 3. Submit a Statement of Interest (minimum 500 words, maximum 1000 words) that speaks to why you are interested in this position. 4. Include a copy of your CV/Resume 5. Submit in packet the application, reference letters, and statement of interest to: Coordinator, Volunteer Services CMHC, Rm Park Street New Haven, CT Or submit via to Norma Gibson at norma.gibson@yale.edu with the subject line: SVI2016 Application DUE DATE for application: February 1, 2016 Please note: There is no need to complete volunteer services paperwork prior to acceptance to the internship.

4 Internship Application First name: BASIC INFORMATION Last Name: Permanent address: Contact info: (check Cell: which is best way to be reached) How did you hear about this internship? VOLUNTEER AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES AGENCY/ORGANIZATION POSITION/ROLE DATES EDUCATION TYPE OF SCHOOL NAME OF SCHOOL MAJOR DATES OF ATTENDENCE/ GRADUATION/DEGREE High School/GED College/University Graduate study EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYER POSITION DATES EMPLOYER POSITION DATES EMPLOYER POSITION DATES REFERENCES Please list at least 3 references you have known for at least a year (do not include relatives). These

5 can include your letter writers. NAME RELATIONSHIP CONTACT INFORMATION EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION Name/Relationship Phone #: CMHC considers volunteer applicants without regard to race, religion, creed, gender, ethnicity, nationality, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected status. If you are a person with a disability and need accommodation in order to apply please contact Norma Gibson at norma.gibson@yale.edu I certify that the above information is correct and reported to the best of my ability. I understand that misrepresenting my information may exclude me from the volunteer position. Signature Date

6 1. Do you provide housing? CMHC Summer Volunteer Internship Frequently Asked Questions Unfortunately we cannot provide housing for summer interns. Past interns have found sublets in the area using craigslist.org or at Yale off campus housing listings at 2. Is there a stipend related to the internship? No, there is no associated stipend. 3. What will my schedule look like? Can I work during the internship? Your schedule is determined with your site supervisor after acceptance to the internship, and depends on opportunities specific to your site. Seminars are Tuesday/Thursday 9-10, and group supervision is Thursday at the 34 Park Street location. Other interns have held part- time jobs during the internship. 4. Can I interview via phone/skype? We do conduct interviews via Skype if necessary, but an in person interview is preferred if possible. 5. My school requires volunteer work/an internship. Can this count? It s possible depending on the specific requirements of your school. We re happy to talk to you further about this.