Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) is the public health leader in Whatcom County. WCHCS provides direct public health services to the community, promotes individual and community health, provides disease education and prevention services, tracks and reports public health data, prepares for and responds to health hazards and emergencies, and convenes stakeholders for policy and evidence-based decision making.

The Response Systems division within WCHCS provides direct crisis and long-term services to vulnerable community members. There are five internship opportunities, each working directly in one of the following service areas:

Ground Level Response and Coordinated Engagement (GRACE)

GRACE provides intensive, coordinated services to high utilizers of emergency and criminal justice systems whose needs span beyond any single agency. Intensive Case Managers support service providers in working with the complex needs of GRACE members. With the goals of reducing reliance on emergency systems and improving access to effective care that helps build a more stable, independent life. GRACE serves people dealing with multiple and complex issues such as disabilities, medical problems, mental or behavioral health needs, substance use and unstable or no housing.

Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD)

The LEAD program enhances safety, health, and equity by building a community-based alternative to arrest and incarceration for people whose unlawful behavior stems from unmanaged substance use, mental health challenges, or extreme poverty. Members get help with their immediate worries such as a meal, place to sleep, or clean clothes, and they continue building a relationship with their intensive case manager over months to deal with the roots of their challenges.

ART- Alternative Response Team

The ART program sends a behavioral health specialist and a public health nurse to respond to specific non-violent behavioral health 911 calls for people that are in immediate or emergent crisis, including mental health, substance use crisis, or inability to care for themselves in the moment of crisis. ART works to de-escalate tense situations and engage someone experiencing a crisis in a non-judgmental way. They also focus on enhancing community safety through strengthened partnerships between first responders and community services. ART staff are not long-term case managers, but they work closely with community programs to make sure the person in need is connected to follow-up support.

Mental Health Court (MHC)

MHC is a therapeutic court designed to provide wraparound support and intervene when someone’s mental health challenges have brought them into the judicial system. MHC seeks to promote engagement in mental health care, recovery and wellness to both prevent future involvement in the judicial system and build capacity for healthy, independent living. MHC serves adults with serious mental illness who have pending legal charges, a high likelihood for further charges without intervention, and a willingness to engage in recovery.

Street Medicine

RSD Street Medicine program provides direct medical care including wound care, medication prescribing, and hospital follow up to people experiencing homelessness and those with recent history of chronic homelessness in Whatcom County.  The Street Medicine team (ARNP, RN) provide medical care coordination and connection to case management for homeless individuals with complex medical needs.   In addition, the team coordinates with Peace Health to identify patients who are admitted with homeless diagnosis to provide additional support on discharge to promote improved health outcomes and reduce inpatient re-admits.  The program seeks to divert individuals from unnecessary Emergency Department visits/EMS activation and seeks to connect individuals to ongoing primary care services.

Interns will provide one on one crisis management, intensive case management, assessment, and interventions to individual response clients. In GRACE, LEAD, Mental Health Court and Street Medicine, interns may be assigned a caseload, complete all necessary paperwork for the clients, coordinate with other team members and external service providers, and help clients connect with community resources. Students do not complete independent assessments but may participate with/shadow another member of the team to observe assessments, with client permission.

Interns will participate in multi-disciplinary case management teams to develop care management plans. They will participate in meetings and convene with program partners and social services to address related community issues, improve programming, and enhance social change. They will contact appropriate social, mental health, medical, legal and/or community service agencies.

Interns will work with division leaders to identify policies, regulations, legislation, and laws that impact the participants served and response systems. They will participate in program evaluation efforts, gather and analyze data. There may be possible opportunities to meet and collaborate with local government leaders. In addition, students interested in macro work will have opportunities to work on system improvement projects involving the legal system, corrections, health care, mental health and SUD.

A minimum of 1 year of experience working with vulnerable populations. Additionally, we are looking for candidates who have a desire to work with adults impacted by homelessness, addiction, chronic health conditions and extreme poverty.

Ideal candidates will have a thoughtful understanding of homelessness, social determinants of health, harm reduction, trauma informed care and system improvement strategies.

Complete a cover letter detailing your background and experience and please indicate which Response program(s) you are most interested in working with. Email to MChriste@co.whatcom.wa.us and JGay@co.whatcom.wa.us