Helping children, youth, young adults, and their families find their path to healing and hope is at the core of our work. We can only achieve this by striving for excellence and providing an array of services that are needed and wanted by the community we serve. We are continuing to expand our programs and locations where we provide services with therapists in more schools and social service agencies. As we expand to serve more than 800 children, youth, and young adults each month – regardless of payer, gender identity, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, or place of origin – we do so with the intention that we would want our own families to use these services should they need them.  Read more about our services at www.ryther.org/services.

Ryther offers a broad continuum of services for children, youth, and young adults. We provide comprehensive behavioral health services to a wide range of clients ages birth to 24y.o. and their families. The decisions made at the local, state, and federal level greatly impact our work with young people. We are looking to place MSW student with a passionate for advocacy and policy development across areas such healthcare accessibility, adolescent mental health, funding for behavioral health, unhoused/homeless youth, neurodivergent youth, justice and equity in healthcare, and infant/early childhood mental health.

Potential learning activities at the micro level:
-Speak with individual clients, staff, families, and/or other constituents about their experiences and challenges in accessing healthcare.
-Support staff in learning individual advocacy skills and actions.
-Work closely with the Development team on specific funding and communication projects.
-Sharpen your skills through individual and group supervision weekly
-Apply SW theories to client/constituent relationships
-Conduct independent research on policy issues and political trends relevant to Ryther's work

For a full description of each placement opportunity, go to: https://www.ryther.org/learning

Potential learning activities at the mezzo level:

-Collaborate at weekly support team meetings
-Learn from weekly consultations, including psychiatric/grand rounds consultations if desired
-Participate in agency committees related to equity and social justice
-Grow knowledge and usefulness of various community resources, benefits, and services
-Attend meetings with city/county collaborators and community partners
-Attend Ryther Board meetings and present updates on research and policy work
-Meet regularly with Executive Director and senior leadership to develop policy priorities

Potential learning activities at the macro level:

-Explore application of human rights, anti-oppression lenses, and research to work via group supervision
-Apply macro theories to community mental health organization context as relevant to work
-Advocate for changes to policies that impact our clients and staff
-Attend advocacy days and committee hearings in Olympia and/or King County or Seattle City Councils
-Publish action item alerts regarding specific legislation and policies

Stipend funding is guaranteed through the end of 2025. We are working with a grantor to renew for 2026 and anticipate being able to continue stipends throughout 2026.

Basic knowledge of legislative and policy-development systems and practices is needed. Will train on specifics related to this work.

Occassional travel may be required to attend public meetings/hearings. Will reimburse milage of incurred.

English. A second language could be advantageous but not required.

Complete application at www.ryther.org/learning