Internships offer a valuable exchange of knowledge and practice which benefits students as well as enriches the field. Interns and supervisors work together to design an internship plan that best fits the needs and interests of each student, meets their college course requirements, and contributes to our programs. CDFH offers internships for undergraduate students in collaboration with colleges and universities. Internships may include working directly with youth and families delivering evidence-based prevention programs; conducting activities to promote prevention awareness and education in schools and the community; facilitating youth leadership groups; building community capacity to take action; and other experiences related to service provision and contracts as a non-profit agency. Contact and referral for placement by the college and interview is required. The number of internships accepted for our prevention program is determined each semester and ranges from one to three positions.
Our Family Intervention and Training Services (FITS) program offers practicum placements for graduate students in mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, social work, and other related fields based upon school-specific training requirements. Practicum students may provide services to youth and/or families enrolled in the Juvenile Drug Court Program or the School-Based Substance Use Treatment Program. Interested students must submit a referral from the student’s graduate program, cover letter, and CV to the FITS Clinical Supervisor; interview(s) are also required as selection is competitive and based upon fit with our services and the student’s prior clinical experience and training needs. For student’s offered practicum placement with FITS, a contract regarding clinical supervision and reporting to the student’s graduate program will be required. One to two students will be selected annually and students are required to commit one academic year to the practicum placement. Opportunities for post-graduate licensure hours may also be available.