LOS ANGELES COUNTY
DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH
  Policy 614.05 Student Placement in DMH Programs
 
  PROCEDURES
Placement of students in Departmental programs shall be preceded by coordinated planning involving the Student Professional Development Program (SPDP), the designated DMH Field Instructor, and the Director of Clinical Training (DCT) at the affiliated academic institution.

A. Designation of Supervisors
DMH Field Instructors designated by Deputy Directors, Program Managers, or their designees, shall be involved in the planning and delivery of clinical or administrative supervision.

B. Initiation of Placement
Once a DMH field placement site has been identified and matched with a student, the placement process begins with the submission of a Notice of Placement (NOP) form (Exhibit B) by the DCT of the affiliated university to the SPDP Coordinator.

C. Onboarding Process
Upon receipt of the NOP, the SPDP Coordinator shall initiate the onboarding process by distributing the required forms to the student and copying the DCT.
  1. Required forms include, but are not limited to:
    a. Student Intern/Volunteer Packet
    b. Online Health Services Information Sheet
  2. Students are required to submit the following documentation as part of the onboarding process:
    a. A copy of their Social Security card
    b. A copy of their state-issued identification card or driver’s license
  3. Upon receipt of completed materials, the SPDP Coordinator shall:
    a. Review all documentation for accuracy and completeness
    b. Forward the verified packet to the Department of Mental Health Human Resources Bureau (DMH HRB) for processing
  4. Following submission to DMH HRB, the student will be contacted to schedule:
    a. Live Scan fingerprinting
    b. Photo ID processing
  5. Appointments for Live Scan and badge processing will be scheduled only after all required documentation has been received.
  6. A DMH-issued ID badge will be provided to the student upon successful completion of the background check.
  7. Students are not permitted to begin their internship until all onboarding requirements have been fulfilled, and background clearance is confirmed.
  8. The student’s supervisor shall be notified to coordinate the official start date, and the student shall be informed of the location and time to pick up their ID badge from DMH HRB.
D. Intern Supervision Requirements
DMH staff serving in a supervisory capacity for student interns must meet all supervisory requirements as defined by the affiliated academic institution and applicable professional standards.
  1. Supervisors are responsible for:
a. Providing individual and/or group supervision consistent with academic and DMH standards
b. Conducting regular evaluations of student performance
c. Ensuring legal and ethical standards are clearly communicated and upheld throughout the internship
d. Maintaining accurate weekly records of intern hours and reporting total hours quarterly to the Volunteer Coordination Program, in accordance with DMH Policy No. 600.11

E. Midpoint Check-In and Ongoing Engagement
To ensure a successful internship experience and alignment with educational and departmental goals, student interns shall participate in a midpoint review.
  1. The midpoint evaluation shall:
a. Assess the student’s progress toward established learning objectives
b. Identify areas for improvement
c. Ensure alignment between academic requirements and field placement activities
  1. A formal midpoint evaluation shall be conducted among:
a. The student intern
b. The designated DMH Field Instructor
c. The affiliated academic institution
  1. The SPDP Coordinator and academic field liaison may participate in this process as appropriate.
  2. Throughout the placement, student performance and integration into the department shall be monitored by the Field Instructor in collaboration with the SPDP Coordinator.
  3. Supervision and feedback shall be provided continuously to support the student’s development and ensure compliance with DMH policies and expectations.
  4. Consistent and transparent communication among the student, Field Instructor, and academic institution is essential throughout the duration of the placement.
Should any challenges or concerns arise, they shall be communicated promptly to the academic institution’s DCT to facilitate timely support and appropriate resolution.

F. Conclusion of Placement
At the conclusion of the student intern's placement, a formal exit process shall be completed to ensure proper closure of departmental access, return of property, and final evaluation of the internship experience.
  1. Final Evaluation and Feedback
    a. Prior to departure, the student shall complete an evaluation of their placement experience and provide feedback regarding supervision, training, and overall field learning.
    b. This evaluation shall be submitted to the SPDP Coordinator for program review and quality improvement purposes.
  2. Badge Retrieval and Property Return
    a. The DMH supervisor is responsible for retrieving the student’s DMH-issued ID badge on or before the intern’s final day.
    b. The badge shall be returned to the Volunteer Coordination Program in accordance with DMH Policy No. 600.11.
    c. Any additional County-issued property or access credentials must also be collected and submitted to DMH HRB.
  3. Account Closure and Documentation
    a. The DMH supervisor shall initiate all required documentation to close out the student’s account and access to departmental systems.
    b. This includes notifying appropriate administrative personnel and completing any necessary internal forms or system access removal requests.