CSULB, SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK
ORIENTATION FOR 3-YEAR GRADUATE STUDENTS
GOING INTO THEIR FOUNDATION YEAR OF FIELD EDUCATION
2015-2016
Director of Field Education: Rebecca Sander
(562) 985-8178, SPA 130
rebecca.sander@csulb.edu
Assistant Director of Field Education: Saana’ Polk
(562) 985-4647, SPA 152
saana.polk@csulb.edu
CalSWEC Child Welfare Coordinator: Joy Rubin
(562) 985-5652, SPA 134
joy.rubin@csulb.edu
Field Placement Consultants
If you have questions about the matching process or if you need to update your Field Application, please
contact the field consultant who is assigned to the first letter of your last name.
If your last name starts with
Then contact:
A through B
Mike Foster
(562) 985-7025
C, D, E, F
Judy Green
(562) 985-4315
G, H, I, J
Stacey Peyer
(562) 985-7027
K, L, M
Saana Polk
(562) 985-4647
N, O, P, Q, R
Joy Rubin
(562) 985-5652
S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z
Susan Salas
(562) 985-2375
Key dates
AY-1 Field Interviews
Placement grid posted on BeachBoard
Mandatory MSW Field Lab
Ay-1 Field Orientation Script - Revised 2.24.15
Start week of March 16, 2015
Early June
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
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1.
2.
Introduction
a.
Field education is an integral part of the MSW curriculum and is one of the sequences.
b.
Opportunity to integrate theoretical knowledge into practice at a master’s level
c.
It's the "heart" of social work!
d.
Also - the most exciting, but also the most challenging
Basic Information
a.
Your field internship gives you the opportunity to learn in the context of the agency, not
practice as an employee.
b.
We will be responsible for finding you an internship, a placement that is different from
your previous experiences and one that fits with your specific learning needs and
interests.
c.
We will be responsible for protecting the educational integrity of the field experience;
you will be responsible for your own learning and to conduct yourself in a professional
manner according to the Code of Ethics of NASW.
d.
You will have two field internship experiences:
1.
The two internships will be at two different agencies.
2.
Your 2nd-year internship will be concentration-specific.
3.
You will complete at least 500 hours each year for which you will receive 12
units of credit.
e.
You will spend 16 hours per week in the assigned agency from September to mid-May.
f.
Field internship hours are scheduled during full-functioning agency hours of operation,
between 8am and 5pm, Monday through Friday. These hours are to meet the needs of the
agency. Some agencies have limited evening hours (typically until 7 or 8pm). Students must
have at least one full 8 hour weekday available for field. The other 8 hours may be divided
into a minimum of two 4-hour days. PLEASE NOTE: Schedule restrictions like this, or
limits on which days you can be in field, will limit you from certain placements due to
agency needs, and requirements so be aware of that when you determine how much of a
priority any particular schedule is for you.
No weekend hours are available.
3-year students must be available for classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings,
as well as Saturdays. Therefore, Saturday cannot be a field day for 3-year students.
Ay-1 Field Orientation Script - Revised 2.24.15
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g.
The only stipend available for Foundation students is CalSWEC Child Welfare
(for PCW employees only). Information on this program and on stipends available for
Advanced Year students can be found on the social work website.
h.
Foundation year placements are always direct practice (working directly with clients);
in your second year field placement students can:
1.
Select a macro/administrative placement
2.
Propose to use your own agency of employment for your placement if it meets
certain criteria.
3.
Choose to work on a Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC) if you choose
the CFWB concentration. If you might be interested, let us know during your
interview this year. This is important so we do not place you in a school-based
program in your 1st year internships as internships must be in different types of
agencies.
4.
Apply for the CalSWEC CW or UCCF Public Child Welfare stipend program (if
you concentrate in CFWB)
5.
Apply for the LAC DMH Stipend Program— must take the Mental Health
elective, SW 677
6.
Apply for the GSWEC program (for those concentrating in Adulthood and
Aging)
You will learn more about all of these second year options next year.
i.
As part of field education, you will participate in a weekly seminar on campus, where
field issues are discussed in a small group experience. Field faculty will make the
seminar assignment.
1.
The seminar allows you an opportunity to integrate theory and practice. It is
composed of a small group of student (approx. 14-16 students). The format is
group process, facilitated by a seminar instructor (also your field liaison). You
will remain in the same seminar (same students and instructor) for the entire
Academic Year. During your second-year field placement, you will be assigned
to a new seminar group. (Second-year seminars meet every other week.)
2.
Attendance at the seminar meetings is mandatory; the time spent in the seminar
is not included in the 500 hours of field placement.
3.
Grading Policy. The grade for field is based upon your performance in the field
and in the seminar. The grade is given by the seminar instructor. This is a
Credit/No Credit course. Keep in mind that credit is given not just by "showing
up"; you must demonstrate your ability. If a student has missed excessive time
in any semester of field work, or has not completed the required assignments on
time, they will receive a grade of “Incomplete”.
j.
You will be required to enroll in corequisite practice classes in both semester of each
year you are in a field internship.
Ay-1 Field Orientation Script - Revised 2.24.15
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3.
Placement Process
a.
The Foundation Field Application is posted on the CSULB School of Social Work
website under Field education – forms- forms for students in first year field 2015-2016.
The information you give us on the form will assist us in finding the best possible
placement for you. Do not fill this out quickly-take some time in completing this form.
[Review the form carefully, page by page and emphasize the following:]
 e-mail address (encourage a CSULB e-mail address)
 What is most important to you (priorities)?
 Type of agency
 Location of agency
Please note that you will be asked on this form to attach a photocopy of your Driver’s
License and Proof of Car Insurance. I’d like to draw your attention to page 5 of the
application and impress upon you how important it is to complete the Accommodations
section if you will need any kind of accommodation, as well as the “Past
History/Special Circumstances” And “Background and Health Checks” Sections. Your
honesty and openness will again assist us in matching you with the best possible
agency.
Please note, if you require accommodation in your field placement under the Americans
with Disabilities Act, and in order for us to assist you in this process, you must first go
to the Campus Disabled Students Services Office and officially register (Brotman Hall)
b.
You will schedule a brief meeting with one of our field faculty to review the
information you have provided on the Foundation Field Internship Application. Signup sheets will be posted on the Graduate Field Bulletin Board outside of SSPA 161 at
the end of this week.
Remember to bring the application with you to your interview completely filled
out. If not, you will not be interviewed, and will have to reschedule.
c.
4.
Decisions regarding your field placement will be made in June and information will be
made available to you on BeachBoard. We will e-mail you when your placement
information is posted on BeachBoard.
Agency Interview – keep in mind the following (this is information which will be given to
you again when you are referred to an agency.)
a.
Once you receive information regarding your placement, you will be required to contact
the agency and schedule a pre-placement interview. You must bring with you a
completed Student Summary Form which can be accessed on our website
(http://www.csulb.edu/colleges/chhs/departments/social-work/field education; field
Ay-1 Field Orientation Script - Revised 2.24.15
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education forms). The purpose of the student resume is to provide the agency with
specific information regarding your learning needs and is not considered a job
interview. Complete this, and bring it with you to the agency interview. You are also
encouraged to bring a professional resume.
b.
To prepare for your interview, review a form entitled “Field Placement Interviewing
Tips.” You will find helpful tips, and answers to more of your questions about field
placements. You can find this on the social work website
c.
If the agency accepts you, it will be your placement for your Foundation Year. We
suggest you contact them to discuss any clearance processes and orientation dates in
August/September 2015.
Please note that most agencies require students to pay for the cost of background and
health checks. The cost of these could be up to $300 but more typically is less.
d.
If the agency does not accept you, the Field Department will refer you to another
agency for an interview.
5.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW – AY-1 Field Education students MUST attend the
MSW Field Lab on Tuesday, September 1, 2015.
6.
Seminars for 3-year students
Seminars for 3-year students are held either Monday nights from 5-6:45 pm or Saturday
mornings from 8:00-9:45 am. You already received a survey which asked you to choose either
Monday evening or Saturday morning for our seminar. The School schedules the number of
Monday and Saturday seminars and instructors based upon the information on this form. You
will be assigned a seminar based on your response to the survey
7.
Review “Most Commonly Asked Questions” form
8.
Other information:
a.
Classes begin the week of Monday, August 24, 2015. Monday Seminars will begin on
August 24th. September 7th is Labor Day; the university is closed. .
b.
Field lab is Tuesday, September 1st, 8:30-5:00: MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!
You are required to attend this mandatory orientation lab that will provide basic
information about the field. There will be a lab fee of $25 or less. You will receive
more information regarding the lab. You will receive 8 hours of field credit for
your attendance at the lab.
Ay-1 Field Orientation Script - Revised 2.24.15
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REMEMBER – SIGN UP FOR YOUR FIELD INTERVIEW ON THE BOARDS OUTSIDE SPA161 AND BRING YOUR COMPLETED APPLICATION WITH YOU TO THE INTERVIEW.
IF YOU NEED TO CHANGE AN APPOINTMENT TIME, SIMPLY CHANGE IT ON THE
SIGN-IN SHEET. OR, ASK ANOTHER STUDENT WHO WILL BE ON CAMPUS TO MAKE
THE CHANGES FOR YOU.
Please let us know in advance if you are taking an extended vacation this summer and will not have
access to your e-mail. Also, let us know immediately of any change of address - contact Frannie Ngo,
Administrative Assistant at Frannie.Ngo@CSULB.edu.
Ay-1 Field Orientation Script - Revised 2.24.15
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