Internship Program

The Whittier Area Cooperative Special Education- Mental Health Department Intern Program has been in existence since 2013.  Our Program offers interns a first hand experience on providing direct support services to students (both general and special education) and their families within our local 7 districts.   

Why Choose WACSEP?

• Experience in providing individual counseling for general education and special education students

• Support various grade levels from elementary to high school 

• Experience in completing classroom observations, teacher consultation and classroom behavior management

• Experience in providing group counseling (topics: emotional regulation, anger, social skills, grief and loss)

• Learn how to complete thorough bio-psycho-social assessments, formulate a treatment plan and complete clinical documentation

• Certification in Non-violent Crisis Intervention that is good for 2 years. 

• PPSC Interns have the opportunity to accrue hours for their Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Social Work and Child Welfare and Attendance.

• Experience in parent outreach, consultation and training 

• Experience in providing case management services to families

• Resource and linkage coordination

• Support with crisis intervention

• Individualized Education Plan (IEP) related assessment and consultation

• Implementation of evidence based social-emotional curriculum

• Weekly individual supervision with an LCSW along with group supervision 1-2x/semester.

• Experience working collaboratively with various disciplines.  

• On-going trainings throughout the academic school year related to at risk populations, like LGBTQ+, cultural humility, art and play therapy, trauma in schools, and other relevant topics

What's expected of WACSEP Interns?

• Participate in a pre-placement interview (coordinated by your University)

• Participate in our 4 day Orientation Boot Camp in August

• Pass Clearance process with our Administrative Unit-Whittier Union High School District (TB test and Fingerprinting) 

**If you would like further information about our program feel free to send us an email (info can be found on our home page). We'd be happy to answer your questions.**   

"Interning at WACSEP was a great learning experience for my personal and professional development. WACSEP was a great stepping stone in helping me develop my clinical, facilitator, and social work skills. I learned to trust the process, trust myself, and ask enough questions. I enjoyed connecting and learning from school social workers, school psychologists, and fellow interns. The highlight of my internship was meeting with my clients, supporting them, and witnessing their growth. It was a rocky start for me at WACSEP- considering everyone has a different learning curve but thanks to my supervision sessions, I learned how to move forward. Overall, I felt supported not only by my supervisor but also by the school staff at various school sites. I am grateful for all the connections I made and everything I learned at WACSEP." -Yahaira S. MSW Intern, 2022-2023, CSULA

"During my time in the Whittier Area Cooperative Special Education Program, I had the opportunity to learn about the lifestyle of a social worker. The program provided me with an understanding of the role of a social worker in society, including the various responsibilities they have in helping people in need. As I progressed through the program, I developed confidence in my ability to make right decisions. WACSEP provided me with numerous opportunities to gain hands-on experience in the field of social work. I was given responsibilities that allowed me to work with individuals and families in need. These experiences helped me to develop my skills and knowledge and gave me a sense of purpose and fulfillment. In addition, the program provided me with excellent mentorship from experienced social workers who were committed to helping me achieve my goals. They provided me with guidance and support whenever I needed it, helping me to overcome obstacles and reach my full potential. Overall, my experience in the Whittier Area Cooperative Special Education Program was transformative. It gave me the skills and confidence I needed to pursue a career in social work and helped me to develop a sense of ambition and purpose. I am grateful for the opportunities and experiences that the program provided me and look forward to using my knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on society." -Luis H. BSW Intern, 2022-2023, CSULA

“My experience as a Bachelor of Social Work intern at WACSEP was overall a rewarding experience. When I first began my internship, I must admit that it was quite challenging. The field of social work can be demanding, and I faced many situations that tested my skills. However, I quickly realized that these challenges were instrumental in my personal and professional growth. Through perseverance and a strong commitment to learning, I was able to engage with diverse populations, and develop a deeper understanding of the social issues at hand. One crucial lesson I learned during my internship was the importance of maintaining open and effective communication with all of your colleagues. Building strong relationships with your colleagues is very important, network with them, collaborate on interventions and resources. By staying connected and fostering clear lines of communication with your supervisor, I was able to receive valuable guidance and support, enabling me to provide the best possible care to those I worked with. As a result, I witnessed positive changes in the lives of the individuals I served, and the feeling of making a meaningful difference was incredibly rewarding. Lastly, make sure that you have a good way to manage time and all of your responsibilities. If you are able to balance all your responsibilities, the tasks that you do at internship will not feel so heavy and you will not bring the stress home with you either. In conclusion, my experience as a BSW intern was both challenging and rewarding. Despite the initial learning curve, I persevered and embraced the obstacles as opportunities for growth. By prioritizing effective communication and seeking guidance when needed, a good time managing system, I was able to succeed in my internship and positively impact the lives of others. I am grateful for the invaluable relationships, experiences and lessons I gained, and I look forward to continuing my journey in the field of social work, armed with the knowledge and skills acquired during this transformative internship. I am forever grateful for WACSEP and skills that they prepared me with."- Ila A. BSW Intern, 2022-2023, CSULA  

“Working at WACSEP was a rewarding experience for me that has greatly improved my social work skills. I have learned many additional skills and interventions during my first year internship to help students of various grade levels reach their goals during their school year. In addition to working with many wonderful students, I was trained and advised by knowledgeable and patient staff that have a passion for teaching their interns essential skills that will be carried throughout their professional careers.” -Kevin G. MSW Intern, 2021-2022, CSULA

"Interning at WACSEP was a rewarding experience. I was able to develop and enhance my skills as an MSW student and intern. Additionally, during my time at WACSEP, I was able to conduct numerous tasks such as work one on one with students, co-facilitate groups, collaborate with school staff, connect with parents, and implement a variety of evidence-based interventions. Obtaining support from other interns and my field instructor were also major parts to my professional development while at WACSEP. Furthermore, the trainings’ provided were very informative and useful to the work I did. WACSEP provides an array of opportunities to grow and make connections along the way. I can say I left WACSEP with a lot more confidence than when I first arrived, and I feel prepared for my next professional endeavors." -Karina H.  MSW Intern, 2021-2022, CSULB 

“My experience as an MSW Intern at WACSEP was both challenging and rewarding, but I wouldn't change any stressful experience because it made me a stronger intern and helped reinforce the fact that I want to pursue my PPSC and become a school-based social worker. I had the opportunity to work with students from different age groups, from kindergarten to sophomore students in high school, and, most importantly, provide services to students with various developmental needs. Because of the diverse population and needs, I collaborated with school-based social workers, psychologists, teachers, parents, and my field instructor to ensure that I was doing my best to meet the needs of the students I was servicing. When I first started my internship, I was nervous and overwhelmed about facilitating groups because I thought it would be chaotic, and honestly, it was out of my comfort zone, however, it was a fantastic experience where I was able to utilize all of my skills at once meaning managing participation, adjusting my facilitation style, establishing expectations, and maintaining communication with school staff, etc. There was never a group session in which I didn't have a funny or warming experience with at least one of the students, which helped my year at WACSEP be rewarding and unique.” -Gabriela P. MSW Intern, 2021-2022, CSULA

“Hello everyone my name is Bryant Renteria MSW graduate class of 2022, and if you are reading this you have or are in the process of completing your last leg of your MSW journey, and for that I congratulate you. I understand that this time has been a long time coming, and at times feels like a surreal moment that cannot be explained. Tell me about it. I was there not that long ago, but what I can say is take in every moment, because before you know it in a blink of an eye next year will roll through, and you will be reminiscing about your time and experience at WACSEP. Which is why I am here today writing this letter to you. My time at WACSEP can be summed up in one word. It would be grateful. You might be asking yourself why grateful, and not amazing, awesome, incredible? As fantastic as those words are, they do not express the magnitude of what this internship experience meant to me. The reason why I am grateful for my time at WACSEP is because the journey I was able to embark on was by far the best experience I have ever encountered. I say this without hesitation because it’s the truth. From the initial start with all the training, documentation, supervision, being nervous meeting your first client, and coming up with a strategic plan to balance your work to completing all your processing records. There was a lesson and a skill learned from each of these experiences. I can truly say that every moment spent at WACSEP you’re not just learning to further develop your skills as a clinical social worker you are developing and finding yourself as an individual. I can say with confidence that when I started my journey with WACSEP I doubted my abilities as a social worker, but not only did WACSEP change that narrative I left feeling confident and prepared for what was to come as I ventured into life post grad school. So I leave you with this, your time at WACSEP will be challenging and stressful, but that is the beauty about this internship that by the end of your journey you as I have will look back at this moment and realize just how grateful you were to part take on this journey because that is were you will find yourself. -Bryant Renteria MSW Intern, 2021-2022, APU

“My internship at WACSEP provided me with valuable hands-on experience. It allowed me to learn, practice and improve skills such as developing rapport with clients, conducting biopsychosocial assessments, planning and facilitating support groups, documentation, and providing resources. I learned so much through their comprehensive training and was able to reflect through supervision and progress notes. It was amazing working with my supervisor Yvonne, my fellow interns, and the rest of the team. WACSEP was and still is an extremely loving and supportive environment where I experienced great personal and professional growth. This internship made me love this field even more and showed me what I wanted my career to look like.” -Kim C. BSW Intern, 2019-2020, CSULA

“There is so much I can say about my WACSEP MSW internship. They helped me meet all of my requirements for my PPSC in my 2nd year and gave me amazing opportunities to grow clinically and professionally. The work was challenging but I always felt supported and encouraged by my supervisors. They equipped me with the skills to be the school social worker that I am today! If given the opportunity to recommend WACSEP to anyone for either services or internship opportunities, I will without a doubt.” -Miranda P. MSW Intern, 2018-2019, APU

"My experience as an MSW Intern with WACSEP was well beyond my expectations. It was a critical part of building my foundation as a professional in Social Work. I was challenged to grow beyond my limits, while also receiving the support and guidance I needed to keep me motivated. One highlight from my experience was the variety of experiences afforded to me in my caseload. It reflected an intentional effort by the field instructors to give each intern a well rounded experience that would help them sharpen their strengths and grow in their areas of opportunity. Furthermore, we were pushed to expand our ability to seek out resources and colleagues in support of our work. I was often encouraged to utilize my resources and network to build well rounded solutions for my clients. The most notable part of my experience was the support and mentorship from my field instructor. I never felt alone in my journey, and at the same time felt like I had plenty of room to learn and grow. It was clear to me early on in the experience that the field instructors at WACSEP prioritize the holistic development of interns, with an understanding that they would soon become impactful colleagues. It goes without saying, WACSEP is a top notch field placement for any intern looking to develop as a strong, compassionate leader in the field." -Michael L. MSW Intern 2016-2018, USC