Whatcom Center for Early Learning (WCEL) provides transformational services for children and their families located in beautiful Whatcom County, WA—where the mountains meet the sea. Founded in 1973, WCEL partners with families to provide high-quality, equitable, and comprehensive therapy and support services to children experiencing developmental delays and disabilities. WCEL is a non-profit organization with a $4 million annual budget and approximately 50 employees. For more information, please visit www.wcel.net.

The MSW intern will assist the Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in providing support to families in Whatcom County with children aged 0-5.

Parenting a child with a chronic or complex health issue, extra medical equipment, or severe behavioral challenges can be depleting for a child’s family. Parents and caregivers may struggle with a child’s diagnosis, concerns about housing and basic needs, financial stability, mental health concerns, as well as additional environmental, institutional, or cultural stressors which can inhibit a caregiver’s ability to focus on their child’s needs and therapy services. A child’s mental health is closely linked to that of their caregiver, therefore mental health support for parents is crucial.

This is a fantastic opportunity to learn from licensed mental health providers and grow your skills in the realm of infant mental health and perinatal mental health.

• Carry a caseload of up to 8 children and provide telehealth and in-home parent-child relational support around issues of attachment, social/emotional development, child directed play, daily structure and routine, and other issues of concern reported by parents are caregivers.
• Assess the development of social-emotional functioning; design and implement individual treatment plans; prepare progress notes; review medical records; and maintain accurate records of contact.
• Collaborate and consult with community multi-disciplinary staff on treatment(s) for children receiving therapy services and their families.
• Become trained in The Incredible Years parenting program and assist the mental health team in providing The Incredible Years training.
• Participate in Levels 1 and 2 of Promoting First Relationships program, a program for service providers to help caregivers nurture children’s social and emotional development.
• Assist mental health team in program planning and execution including presentations, materials, referrals, inter-team collaborations, etc.
• Attend perinatal mental health trainings through Perinatal Support Washington and Postpartum Support International.
• Participate in training opportunities through the Center for Early Relational Health for infant mental health.

Ability to attend community task force meetings surrounding perinatal mental health and infant mental health.
Ability to coordinate care with the school district.
Ability to participate in grant writing.

While not a major part of this program, we will review options students can engage in.

• Enrolled in a Masters of Social Work program;
• Valid Washington State Drivers license and valid automobile insurance including access to dependable personal transportation;
• Strong desire to pursue certification in perinatal mental health and infant mental health.

Email amanda@wcel.net or call cell phone 360-208-7350 to schedule an interview.