Mental Health Training Program
INFORMATION MEETING
December 4th 2015
San Diego State University School of Social Work
AGENDA
 Introduction & Vision of MHTP
 Eligibility criteria
 University/School’s obligations
 Student obligations
 Questions and Answers
MH Internship Student Orientation
FUTURE MH STIPEND
CONTRACT
 A contract for Academic Years 2014-17 was
signed in Spring 2014
 Good News – the stipend program was
continued for 2 more years
 Bad News – the number of stipends was
drastically reduced
 2014-15 Seven Stipends
 2015-16 Six Stipends (10 actually awarded!)
 2016-17 Zero Stipends – tracking grads only
MH Internship Student Orientation
New Contract for 2016-17?
• As of right now – December 2015
• There is no new contract WITH stipends
for 2016-17
• However we have info from Cal-SWEC
that a new contract IS being negotiated
with OSHPD. (The State moves slowly)
• We are hopeful that a new contract WILL
be awarded – details are unknown
MH Internship Student Orientation
Likely new contract 2016-17
/continued.
• Details that are unknown:
• How many stipends awarded to each
school?
• How much money is awarded?
• The details of the contract ?
• We are guessing that the contract will be
similar to previous years - $18,500 p.a.
• Number of stipends? 5-10 per year?
MH Internship Student Orientation
Students who are Eligible to
Apply ?
• Final year MSW Clinical students only (SW 750)
in current contract.
• We do not know if admin/CD students will be
eligible in new contract
• Final Year 2016-17 Students who have chosen
an eligible 2nd year mental health agency
• Students committed to work in the public mental
health field after graduation
• Who select 3 possible MH internship sites
MH Internship Student Orientation
INTRODUCTION- BACKGROUND
& VISION OF MHTP PROGRAM
 Mental Health Services Act (MHSA)
Passed in November 2004 (Proposition 63)
“To transform the delivery of mental health
services in California. To enhance voluntary
culturally competent, mental health services
that promote recovery, wellness and
resilience”.
MH Internship Student Orientation
Mental Health Services Act
If you are applying for the MHTP you
need to become familiar with the
Mental Health Services Act – its
vision, goals, philosophy
www.dmh.ca.gov/Prop_63/MHS
A/default.asp
MH Internship Student Orientation
State Partners Funding MHTP
Stipend Program
The MHTP program is a collaboration
between the State OSHPD, Cal-SWEC
and individual schools of social work
in California
• California Social Work Education Council
 http://calswec.berkeley.edu/CalSWEC/
 OSHPD Office of Statewide Health
Planning and Development
 http://www.oshpd.ca.gov/
MH Internship Student Orientation
San Diego County Behavioral
Health Network of Care
• Useful site about San Diego County
Behavioral Health system of care and local
implementation of Mental Health Services
Act
• http://sandiego.networkofcare.org/mh/
MH Internship Student Orientation
ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY
•
•
•
•
Final year of MSW program
Academic good standing
3.0 GPA Full Time Course Load
Direct practice ONLY eligible to
apply - New Contract???
Admin/CD – may be eligible
• Citizen or permanent resident –
able to work in California
MH Internship Student Orientation
Selection Criteria
• Application, essay, interview
• Mental health work or internship
experience
• Language/cultural diversity
• Lived experience as consumer or
family member a plus
MH Internship Student Orientation
Commitment to work in public
mental health
• Career goals – commitment to work in
public mental health field.
• Things to bear in mind – Pros and Cons
• One year of employment pay-back in an
eligible agency
• Some internships and jobs are not eligible
• $18,500 stipend supports graduate
education
MH Internship Student Orientation
Student’s Employment Pay
Back Obligation
CURRENT CONTRACT
$18,500 for the final one year of MSW
Student’s obligation in the contract is to
“pay back” one year of employment in an
eligible agency in the public mental health
system anywhere in California
We don’t know – but anticipate the next
contract 2016-17 will be similar / same?
MH Internship Student Orientation
SDSU SCHOOL SOCIAL WORK WILL
 Facilitate Field Placement in Mental Health
Agency
 Assure Criminal Background
Prescreening, Fingerprinting
 Provide Funds $18,500 per academic
year (or whatever new contract provides)
 Assist with Employment post graduation
MH Internship Student Orientation
STUDENT CONTRACT
OBLIGATIONS
Internship in appropriate mental health
agency
Employment Obligation – one year in eligible
agency in California
• Pass Fingerprint /Live Scan
• Disclose any barriers to passing
background checks Ex. DUI
• Maintain satisfactory Academic Progress
 Participation in Surveys, Seminars,
Field trips i.e. extra commitments
MH Internship Student Orientation
EMPLOYMENT OBLIGATION
 Within 6 months Post Graduation
 County or Contract Mental Health Agency
• Accept one of first 3 full time job offered
• One Year Commitment
• Provisions for part time and voluntary pay-back
 Extension Possible
• SDSU AND OSHPD Approval
 Other Counties in California OK
 Apply for waiver – or Consequences
MH Internship Student Orientation
REPAYMENT OF STIPEND
1. Does not finish school


Repay all funds
Interest rate 3-5%
2. Withdraws after graduation
3. Accept Ineligible job
3. Untimely payment



Block records/Transcripts
Intercept tax returns
Report to credit bureaus
MH Internship Student Orientation
HARDSHIP, DISABILITY
 REQUEST MODIFICATION
• Specific Time Frame
• Pro-Rata Repayment
 WAIVER
• Due to illness, disability, hardship,
military deployment
• SDSU/CalSWEC Approval
MH Internship Student Orientation
Evaluation Activities
 Provide Permanent Address
• Maintain/update – agree to respond to
surveys post graduation and payback period
 Consent for contact
• For documentation of completion of
employment, program reports & evaluations
MH Internship Student Orientation
Specialized MH Curriculum
 Cal-SWEC Mental Health Competencies
 Specialized Curriculum
• 702 – Mental Health Policy
• 720 – Psychopathology (DSM)
• 781 Seminar: Psychosocial Rehabilitation for
individuals with serious mental illness
• Enrichment seminars
• FIELD TRIPS – Ex. Patton State Hospital,
The village in Long Beach
MH Internship Student Orientation
Internship & Employment
Eligibility
 Internship and Employment post grad
must be in a voluntary setting
 County or County Contract Agency
 i.e. Cannot be in an in-patient
psychiatric hospital, jail, prison, State
Hospital, VA, private entity not funded
by County, Example – Hospice
MH Internship Student Orientation
Weigh Pros and Cons before applying
 PROS
 $18,500 stipend (we are assuming)
 Participation in prestigious program well known in the
community – 90+ % students get jobs within 6 months
 Assistance with job search post graduation
 Specialized curriculum – area of expertize
 Enrichment seminars, speakers, field trips,
 ONE year of employment pay back obligation
 CONS / Things to bear in mind:
 There are some limitations to internship and employment
choices – extra commitment of time/expectations
MH Internship Student Orientation
Cons / Disadvantages
• Uncertainty about the new contract
• You will have to commit to an eligible
mental health agency before you know if
you do or do not have the stipend
• You might have to give up the option of
going to in-eligible agencies that you are
interested in. Ex. Medical hospitals, psych
hospitals, VAMC, Kaiser, Prison/Jails
MH Internship Student Orientation
STEPS TO
APPLY
 Apply for & get accepted at an Eligible
MHTP Field Agency for final year (3
choices)
 Complete Application
 Write essay/statement on mental health
practice & MHSA Vision
 Review contract obligations
Applications are due by
Friday Feb. 5th, 2016 (same day as Field
Application)
 Paper copy due to SSW office
MH Internship Student Orientation
DUE DATE
•
•
•
•
DUE DATE FOR MHTP APPLICATION
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 5th, 2016
BY 4:30 PM
HARD COPY TURNED IN TO SCHOOL
OF SOCIAL WORK OFFICE
MH Internship Student Orientation
ESSAY
• Applicant asked to address 5 topics:
• Mental Health Services Act
• Prior personal and professional
experience in mental health/career goals
• Recovery Model vs. Medical Model
• Barriers to treatment, role of stigma
• Why you are a good candidate
MH Internship Student Orientation
DATES TO REMEMBER
 Placement planning meeting Friday, January 22, 2016
 (9 am to 11 am, Rosecrans Street)
 Agency Fair – Friday January 29th, 2016 (9:00 to 12
noon Montezuma Hall on campus)
 Field Application deadline Friday February 5th
 (Note Correction in due date – typo in previous PP)
 Via IPT – complete field application and agency choices
 MHTP applicant interviews late February/early March
 Students who are confirmed in an eligible mental health
agency are eligible for interview (or in process of referral)
MH Internship Student Orientation
MHTP Interviews & Results
• Interviews and notifications
• Will take place in March/April
• Successful candidates confirmed in
eligible MHTP agency
MH Internship Student Orientation
List of Eligible MHTP Agencies
• The Finalized List of Eligible Mental Health
Training program agencies will be available at
MHTP Information Meeting & at the Agency Fair
• Current List Available on Line – Agency &
Internship slots vary year to year
• http://socialwork.sdsu.edu/degreesprograms/graduate-programs/mental-healthtraining-program/mhtp-eligible-sites/
MH Internship Student Orientation
Thanks and Good Luck
• Thank you for your interest in the program
• Check the web site regularly for any
updates
• Any other questions:
• Candy Elson candy.elson@mail.sdsu.edu
• (619) 594 5144
MH Internship Student Orientation