University of Southern Maine School of Social Work
Agency Profile for Undergraduate/Graduate Student Placements
Name of agency:
Sweetser School-based Outpatient Services Date: 11/15/11
Agency address: 50 Moody St. Saco, Maine
Agency telephone phone number: 294-4728
In arranging for field placements, whom should student contact? Wendy Anders
Name of Field Instructor: There are five possible field instructors depending upon location
Field Instructor telephone number: 294-4728
Field Instructor email address:
wanders@sweetser.org
Name of agency director and/or key administrative personnel:
Name
Position
Wendy Anders LCSW
Agency is able to handle:
Director School-based Services
BSW student__N/A__ MSW foundation year student_N/A__
MSW concentration year student _X only__
How many students can your agency accommodate?
We can accommodate up to 4 or 5 students (1 in the Belfast area, 1 in the Rockland are, 1
in the Brunswick area, 1 in the Saco area, and 1 in the Sanford area)
Briefly describe the basic services/programs of the agency, client population served, and
the size of your staff.
We are a School-based outpatient therapy program. We collaborate with 20 school
districts throughout the State of Maine. We provider outpatient individual and Family
therapy to school aged children and their families. We also available to do some adult and
couples work. We can provide some opportunities to do group work.
When (day and time) are agency staff and other important meetings held?
The team meetings will vary depending upon geographical location. The meetings are
typically scheduled for after school hours between 3pm and 5pm. The team meetings
typically happen once a month. There is a week long intensive orientation process that
does require the student to be available for a full week prior to beginning the intership.
What characteristics or qualities would be helpful for a student to have to best utilize the
placement as a learning opportunity?
Prior experience in the field as either a Youth and Family Counselor in a Residential or
Group Home setting, or prior experience as either a Case Manager or a Behavioral Health
Professional would be helpful. The candidate must be comfortable using the computer
because we do have an Electronic Client Record. The student will be provided a laptop
and training with our ECR.
Would a student who needs a highly structured learning environment do well in this
placement? ____Yes __X__No Other comments: The placement will evolve into the
student being able to exhibit a great deal of autonomy. The supervisor is not always on site
and available.
List the learning opportunities available for the student in your setting:
-
-
Extensive experience in learning and conduction Comprehensive Assessments that
include the mini status, diagnosis, administering the DLA 20, and administering the
COD/OK to assess the most appropriate level of care (LOC).
Extensive experience in learning and developing an Integrated Care Treatment
Plan.
Experience with collaborating with other service providers within the community.
Experience with navigating multiple and complex systems.
Opportunity to develop the skills to write effective progress notes
Opportunity to develop a working understanding of the concept of the “Golden
Thread”.
Participation in weekly team meetings with current licensed School-based
Therapists.
Access to the opportunity to provide a combination of individual, family, couples or
group therapy.
Is there adequate physical space for the student(s)?
The students will share space as available with the clinicians already established in the
schools. They will also have access to the shared office spaces that are available at each of
our Sweetser locations.
Does the student need a car?
Yes
Is mileage reimbursable?
No
Can your agency provide an opportunity for students to fulfill part of their required
placement hours on evenings or weekends?
We have after school and early evening hours available during the week but weekends are
rare.
Does your agency require any formal training for interns? Yes….one week at hire.
If yes, how many training hours are required? 40 hours Mon – Fri for the first week.
When is the training offered? Every other week. The laptops and cell phones are assigned
during this training. The training includes HR, ECR and Program Specific training.
Can the training be completed online? No.
Is the agency handicapped accessible? Yes.
Agency Requirements:
Background check (SBI)
Physical Exam
Immunizations
Other pertinent information:
Yes__X_
No___
Yes___
No___
Yes___
No___
(If yes, please name
immunizations required)