University of Southern Maine School of Social Work
Agency Profile for Undergraduate/Graduate Student Placements
Name of agency: Maine College of Art (MECA)
Date: 1/22/09 10/14/2011
Agency address: 522 Congress Street, Portland, ME (Porteous Buliding)
Agency telephone phone number: 699-5056 Sheila Geant
--This may have changed as offices were re-located with building renovation.
In arranging for field placements, whom should student contact?
Jackie Oliveri: Volunteer LCSW Field Instructor
Sheila Geant Director of Counseling Services/Health and Wellness Coordinator, MECA
Name of Field Instructor: Jackie Oliveri, Ed.M, LCSW
Field Instructor telephone number: 207-775-5609
Field Instructor email address: joliveri@gwi.net
Name of agency director and/or key administrative personnel:
Name Sheila Geant
Health and Wellness Coordinator/Director of Counseling, MECA
Agency is able to handle:
Position
BSW student____
MSW foundation year student_____
MSW concentration year student __X
Our strong preference is either an Advanced Standing Student or an MSW Concentration Year Student.
HOWEVER, if there is a Foundation Year Student who comes with previous professional experience of
some sort, we would certainly be willing to talk with her/him as well._
How many students can your agency accommodate?
ONE
Is there adequate physical space for the student(s)
YES
Does the student need a car? NO
Is Mileage reimbursable? NA
Briefly describe the basic services/programs of the agency, client population served, and the size of
your staff.
-Mostly individual counseling services with students who seek out services or who are
referred by faculty and/or staff
-The possibility for group work always exists. However, as is the case in most colleges,
getting students to meet together for any group purpose is never easy. We do. however, encourage
creativity on the part of the intern where groups are concerned and would support most initiatives
he/she might want to try.
-The possibility exist for some work with the Director of Residence Life and her student
staff.
-Finally, though this placement is concerned mostly with Individual Direct Practice
Services, there will also always be a need for some case management skills (or skill development)
when the need arises.
Can your agency provide an opportunity for students to fulfill part of their required placement
hours on evenings or weekends?
Yes, that possibility exists---more so on evenings rather than weekends.
When (day and time) are agency staff and other important meetings held?
This year the appropriate Student Services Staff Meeting occurs on Mondays. However,
that really does change from year to year , depending on staff and course schedules. MECA will
attempt to accommodate the Intern’s schedule for this weekly staff Meeting wherever possible.
What characteristics or qualities would be helpful for a student to have to best utilize the
placement as a learning opportunity?
Again, our preference would be someone who comes with some previous professional
experience in a social work, or social work related, field. This has been the case with the three
(actually, 3 Ø) students who have interned here before. It is a wonderful opportunity for students
to get some Direct Practice experience in a one on one setting with clients. And, as such, is a rich
placement for the right student!
List the learning opportunities available for the student in your setting:
PLEASE SEE THE QUESTION ABOVE RELATED TO AGENCY SERVICES
Is the agency handicapped accessible? Yes_X__ No____
**Though there are elevators that make access to the bulding possible for a handicapped person, please
remember that this is a city campus with buildings on one of Portland’s busiest and most crowded
streets. As a result, accessing the campus itself is challenging! For example, if the intern drives to
MECA, there is no parking associated with the building in which the intern would work. There are
many parking garages nearby, but no specific parking area that MECA owns.
Agency Requirements:
Background check (SBI)
Yes___
No_X__
Physical Exam
Yes___
No_X__
Immunizations
(If yes, please name
Yes___
No__X_
immunizations required)