Encompass is large organization with 40 programs and 500 employees, making you part of a diverse, powerful local network of change makers. As an intern, you will work at one of our programs in Santa Cruz County acquiring skills in many facets of community behavioral health services for families and individuals of all ages. That program will serve as your internship home-base. Our programs use evidence-based practices and outcome-driven strategies to create social change for individuals in our community. You'll find passionate individuals working together, giving back to our community, and leading with exceptional ideas.
Take a look at the information below to better understand our programs, which are organized by service area. Think about which program interests you the most and may be an option for your internship setting.
Interested? e-mail: [email protected]
Internship Program Settings
►INTEGRATED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PLACEMENTS
ALTO Counseling Center - We provide outpatient counseling for substance use and co-occurring disorders in both Santa Cruz and Watsonville. We serve the Santa Cruz Community through a variety of counseling services including: group and individual counseling; anger management; in-custody treatment; and various court-ordered programs.
Youth Services – Counseling for children and youth provided in the office or community using trauma-informed, family-based interventions. Trainees are placed in either schools or one of our office locations. Our internship program is designed to begin mid-August and go through mid-June (all placements are Monday-Friday).
Families Together – Voluntary home-visiting program utilizing the Differential Response Model of child abuse prevention. Our clinicians provide counseling and case management for families to improve home safety, child development, and parent-child relationships. Trainees support clinicians and families through case management support and some counseling services.
Transition Age Youth (TAY) - Our clinicians provide counseling and case management for youth ages 15-21 who are current and former foster youth. Services are provided on-site at our drop-in resource center and/or in the field. The goal of the program is to provide assistance in building life skills in order for our youth to make a successful transition to adulthood.
Residential Treatment Programs
Casa Pacific – Is a 12-bed residential program for individuals with mental illness and co-occurring substance use issues. We are part of an innovative project which centers on work and meaningful daily activities as the core of the treatment approach.
El Dorado Center (EDC) – Is a 16-bed, short-term, residential program for individuals who are in need of wrap-around support and daily structure. Most of our residents are stepping down from Psychiatric Health Facilities (PHFs) or long-term locked care units. We provide a supportive environment with structured activities including, individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and community engagement.
Santa Cruz Residential – Is a 30-bed, residential treatment program. We provide comprehensive recovery services to men and women with substance use disorder and co-occurring disorders.
Sí Se Puede – Is a 23-bed residential treatment program providing comprehensive recovery services to men with substance use and co-occurring disorders. Our services are provided in English and Spanish. Our intern candidates are required to be bilingual or bicultural.
Telos – Is a 10-bed short-term crisis residential program, which serves as a diversion from inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. Our program provides a healing environment with intensive individual support, crisis intervention, and group counseling.
►COMMUNITY-BASED SUPPORT PLACEMENTS
Housing for Health (H4H) – A program embodying a Housing First model focused on removing structural barriers to housing so that chronically homeless persons can obtain and retain permanent housing in Santa Cruz County. We provide a continuum of services to increase the well-being and quality of life for chronically homeless persons with co-occurring disorders and medical vulnerabilities.
The Housing Support Team – We provide support to over 135 tenants in agency-owned permanent and transitional housing for individuals with psychiatric disabilities. The team facilitates house meetings and assists tenants in maintaining stability in their housing and in connecting to the community.
Santa Cruz AIDS Project – We serve 200 Santa Cruz County residents who are living with HIV. Services include case management, outreach and education, HIV testing, transitional housing, benefits advocacy and financial assistance with living expenses.
►CHILD DEVELOPMENT PLACEMENTS
Encompass has a large early childhood education area through our Head Start and Early Head Start programs. We oversee more than 20 Head Start facilities in the county. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more, contact our team about connecting with our Head Start staff.
►ADDITIONAL PLACEMENTS
Racial Equity Initiative Intern
We are seeking a passionate, self-motivated intern with strong organizational and project management skills who shares our excitement for and commitment to working toward racial equity and social justice. In this internship, you will play an integral role in helping our internal Racial Equity Workgroup conduct an agency-wide assessment to identify areas of strength and opportunities for growth. You will work directly with organizational leadership, gain first-hand experience developing skills in advancing racial equity and confronting racism, and will have access to racial equity trainings and speaker opportunities.
Operational Improvement Intern:
We are seeking a committed, self-motivated intern with strong analytical and communication skills who shares our excitement for and commitment to serving our community. In this internship, you will drive strategic operational improvements by partnering with teams in the Operations Division, including the Compliance & Quality Improvement, Development & Communications, and Data Analytics & Reporting teams. You will work directly with organizational leadership across the agency in making evidence-based recommendations for optimizing services to our community. You will collaborate with staff across the agency to raise awareness of and support for the Encompass mission, programs, and story. You will play an integral role in supporting the implementation of our agency’s strategic plan.
Interested? E-mail: [email protected]