Internship FAQ

• Where will I be working?

  We have three main sites: San Jose, Morgan Hill, and Gilroy, with a fourth, smaller site in Hollister. The Gilroy office is our headquarters, where a majority of CS leadership and infrastructure is housed. Interns are assigned a home office based on program location and proximity. However, staff and interns mostly do community-based work, seeing clients in their preferred environment, with remote options available around specific tasks like admin tasks and training.

• What will I be doing?

  Community Solutions offers a wide range of experience to our staff and interns. Intern duties vary based on assigned program, degree, and experience level. Clinical interns provide therapy services, including mental health assessment, treatment planning, care coordination, and more. Bachelor’s level and MSW 1st year students perform primarily case management services, including connection to resources, skill-building, outreach, and advocacy.

  Additionally, our CS Learning Training Institute offers numerous training opportunities to interns, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Seeking Safety, Understanding Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression (SOGIE), Intro to Trauma Informed Care, and more! Through our learning partnership with Santa Clara County (SCC Learn), Community Solutions’ staff and interns also have access to county trainings, including Solutions Focused Brief Therapy and Trauma-Focused CBT.

• Is there compensation available?

  Yes! Our current intern pay rates are:

  Master’s Level: $23/hour

  Bachelor’s Level: $20/hour

  Mileage Reimbursement: All interns are reimbursed at the federal rate for agency related travel apart from commute to their home office.

  Sick Time: All interns receive 40 hours of sick time per calendar year.

  Equipment: Community Solutions provides each intern with an agency laptop, cell phone, and HIPAA-compliant backpack while they are completing their internship.

• What does supervision look like?

  All interns receive 1 hour of weekly 1:1 reflective supervision from a BBS-certified supervisor. All interns providing clinical services also receive 2 hours of group supervision per week.

• Is your organization affiliated with my school program?

  We are currently partnered with over 20 universities nationwide to provide placement opportunities for students. If you are offered an internship placement with the agency and we are not yet partnered with your university, our team will work to execute an agreement prior to the start of your internship.

• Am I eligible for an internship with Community Solutions?

  To be eligible for the position, all potential interns must:

  1. Must be able to meet and receive a criminal records clearance as required by specific programs, licensing regulations and Community Solutions practices.
  2. Possess a valid California driver’s license, current car insurance and a good driving record as documented by a DMV report and consistent with the Agency’s liability insurance requirements.
  3. Possess an automobile to perform routine job duties.
  4. Be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless a reasonable accommodation is approved or as otherwise required by law.

• What are the benefits to interning with Community Solutions?

  • Wide range of programs & services
  • Diverse client population
  • Comprehensive LIVE trainings w/ CEUs
  • Guaranteed individual & group supervision
  • PAID internship
  • PAID sick time
  • Mileage Reimbursement
  • Emphasis on work/life balance
  • State-recognized leader in internships per Advocates for Human Potential (AHP)
  • Employment opportunities post-graduation

The Internship Program Over the Years