Graduate Practicum Program

Most of my clients would say I changed them, but little do they know, they changed me! Working at Crittenton has been an experience I absolutely love.

Alexandra Wehrman

former CSU Fullerton intern

We are proud partners with a number of colleges and universities throughout Southern California. Crittenton is committed to giving back to the human services profession by offering graduate students enrolled in Social Work, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy and other related academic programs a chance to fulfill practicum field experience requirements.

Our practicum program helps provide graduate students with “real world” experience. Crittenton firmly believes in making sure all students that take interest in our mission are given a positive learning experience, thus, making coaching, mentoring, and supervision a top priority.

Required Qualifications

Fingerprinting: All practicum students must be fingerprinted and pass the Federal/State fingerprinting clearance due to our licensing regulations, if there is any misdemeanor or felony on one’s criminal record one is not eligible for a practicum placement.

TB Test: Current TB test (within past two years).

Valid Identification: Valid driver’s license, state identification, or student identification. In addition, current car insurance and DMV clearance are required for practicum placements that require driving.

University Enrollment: Students must be enrolled in a graduate program at an accredited university in order to be eligible for practicum placement.

Contact Us

Crittenton Services for Children and Families offers opportunities for graduate students at several locations, during the Fall and Spring semesters. When sending a request for information please include your university/program information as well as specific time frame your practicum needs to be completed.

Crittenton’s Graduate Practicum Program : afisherprice@crittentonsocal.org

*Thank you for your interest in our mission. Please note that given the number of inquiries about our practicum program “interested applicants” will only be contacted when openings are available or on an as needed basis.

Practicum Sites:

Click the name to learn more about each site

Family Preservation

Location: Long Beach and Commerce, CA

Population: Children and adults referred by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services who are receiving Family Preservation Services who are in need of individual, group, and family therapy.

Experience: Provide individual and family therapy to Family Preservation clients. Interns will also document necessary information regrading the client’s sessions and mental health needs and assessments.

Supervision: Weekly individual and group supervision is provided as indicated.

Foster Care Program

Location: Fullerton and Moreno Valley, CA

Population: Crittenton’s Foster Care Program serves children from birth up to 17 -years-of-age as well as young adults ages (18-24) in our Independent Living Program. Youth are referred by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services or from the California Department of Social Services – Refugee Programs Bureau. Many Clients have a history of abuse and/or neglect and have a wide range of needs and diagnoses. Clients are provided individual, family, and group counseling as indicated.

Experience: Provide case management services in the foster/resource family home to assigned children. Interns will also document necessary information regarding the client’s progress.

Supervision: Weekly individual and group supervision is provided as indicated.

Shelter Services for Children and Youth

Location: Fullerton, CA

Population: Shelter Services Program is a 24/7 short-term placement that serves youth up to the age of 18. Clients are placed by the US Department of Health and Human Services and are provided shelter, medical, educational services, recreational services, and individual and group counseling. Clients stay with Crittenton until agency staff are able to find biological family, extended family or other legal guardians that can assume responsibility for the well-being of the youth.

Experience: Interns will work directly with clients and interact with them one-on-one and in groups. Interns will also document necessary information regarding a client’s case.

Supervision: Individual and/or Weekly group supervision is provided as indicated.

Requirement: Practicum students must speak Spanish.

Community-Based Services

Location: Long Beach, Commerce, Norwalk, Rancho Dominguez/Compton, and Pomona, CA

Population: Children, their families or transitional age youth are referred by the Los Angeles or Orange County Department of Children and Family Services, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, or other school-based partners. Clients who are receiving assistance from our community-based team are transitional age youth in our Stepping Stones program or can be community or school-based youth and their families in need of individual, group, or family therapy.

Experience: Provide in-home, office-based, or school-linked mental health or case management services to clients including completion of necessary documentation.

Supervision: Weekly individual and group supervision is provided as indicated.

Outpatient Mental Health Services

Location: Long Beach, Norwalk, Rancho Dominguez/Compton, and Pomona, CA

Population: Children and their families referred by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, Los Angeles County Probation Department, Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, or other school-based partners. Clients who are receiving Outpatient Mental Health Services are in need of individual, group, and family therapy.

Experience: Provide in-home or office based mental health services to clients including completion of necessary documentation.

Supervision: Weekly individual and group supervision is provided as indicated.