The Wellness Workforce Collaborative Internship Program builds the next generation of school-based mental health professionals by connecting graduate interns with high-quality, supported placements across New York State. Through a Collective Care Team model, interns receive meaningful field experience, strong supervision, and real-world preparation while districts strengthen their workforce pipeline. Together, we Shift the Lift, supporting interns, schools, and communities to grow and sustain mental health services where they are needed most.
Who the Program Is For
Graduate students in school counseling, school psychology, social work, and mental health counseling
Partner school districts and BOCES seeking high-quality, supported interns
Colleges and universities committed to practice-ready preparation
Internship & Practicum Placements
Paid placements (stipends vary by role and funding source)
Practicum and internship opportunities available
Placements aligned with degree requirements and licensure pathways
Competitive application and interview process
What Interns Receive
High-quality, school-based field placements
Ongoing interdisciplinary supervision and support from qualified site supervisors
Access to NYSMHA professional learning, resources, and coaching supports
Experience working within a Collective Care Team model
Clear pathways to post-graduation employment in partner districts
What Districts Receive
Access to a reliable, well-supported intern pipeline
Coordination of placements, onboarding, and expectations
Support with supervision structures and compliance
Improved recruitment and retention of future mental health staff
Program Coordination & Quality Assurance
Centralized coordination through NYSMHA
Strong alignment between district needs, university programs, and grant requirements
Data tracking and continuous improvement to ensure quality placements
Emphasis on long-term sustainability, not short-term staffing fixes
Our Impact
Interns placed across urban, suburban, and rural districts
High rates of intern-to-hire conversion
Strengthened partnerships between K–12 schools and higher education
Expanded access to mental health supports for students statewide
Internship Coordinator
Sandra Ordan, Peaceful Schools
“Participating in interdisciplinary supervision helped me grow as a school based mental health professional in many ways. First it allowed me to gain exposure to different perspectives and approaches from other fields, such as counseling, which helped expand my knowledge of different interventions and increased my understanding of the complex needs of students. Second, it allowed me to work with other professionals in the field which gave me the opportunity to collaborate and engage in problem-solving, resulting in improved treatment outcomes."
Ashley Homer, 2023
What our interns Are Saying
“I'm very grateful for this experience. It is one of the most organized, structured, and supportive internship/practicum experiences I've had. I came in with several goals, both professional and career-oriented, and I have either achieved these goals or made significant progress towards them."
Marguerite Mosher, 2024
“I loved being able to learn from others, especially people in the differing fields. It informed not only my own practice when they provided insight into how they might work with a similar student, but also helped me understand the practice of those at my placement, as I was of course working with multiple professions."
Halle Fridman, 2023
"I really appreciate the opportunity to be a part of this amazing and unique experience!"
Destiny Harrison, 2024
“My one consistent student I did CICO with twice a week, I feel as if I have really impacted him so much. I have seen a huge growth for him as a student especially once the elementary kiddos came back everyday. In person is so much better in gaining rapport. I also had to make a phone call home about this students attendance and ever since that phone call I had not experienced attendance issues.”
Melissa Poppenberg, 2022