REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
October 26, 2021
FROM
VERONICA KELLEY, Director, Department of Behavioral Health
SUBJECT
Title
Non-Financial Student Internship Program Agreement with the University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve the non-financial student internship program agreement with University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, that establishes the terms and conditions for training and field experience of student interns provided by the Department of Behavioral Health, for the period of October 26, 2021 through June 30, 2024.
(Presenter: Veronica Kelley, Director, 388-0801)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Promote the Countywide Vision.
Create, Maintain and Grow Jobs and Economic Value in the County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The student internship program agreement is non-financial; therefore, this item does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) employs qualified professionals in a variety of areas, including Medicine, Nursing, Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Social Work. DBH can provide the needed tutelage and guidance to student interns participating in a variety of behavioral health related educational programs. Reciprocally, the use of interns to assist the County’s workforce is a valuable means of maximizing available public resources. Through the student internship program, DBH provides learning experiences that will help students receive the skills they need to prosper in the 21st century economy, which aligns with the San Bernardino Countywide Vision2Succeed initiative.
Since 2008, DBH has operated a successful unpaid internship program through agreements with schools/other institutions that establish the terms and conditions under which DBH will accept students into the internship program. Agreements with schools/other institutions enable students to earn required internship hours while working under the supervision of DBH staff.
On May 21, 2019 (Item No. 26), the Board of Supervisors (Board) approved a non-financial standard student internship program agreement template (agreement template) for public schools/other institutions. On March 10, 2020 (Item No. 20), the Board approved an agreement template for private schools/other institutions. The recommended agreement with the University of Southern California (USC) Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, contains modifications to the agreement templates previously approved by the Board. The modifications include revisions to the insurance provisions as to proof of coverage, privacy and security protocol, workers compensation coverage, commercial/general liability insurance, automobile and cyber liability insurance claims, errors and omissions liability insurance, directors and officers insurance, and “claims made” policy which have been approved by Risk Management. The modifications do not impact any potential risk of exposure to the County in regards to the internship program.
The recommended agreement will allow students from USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work the opportunity to intern with DBH.
PROCUREMENT
N/A
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Behavioral Health Contracts (Ellayna Hoatson, Contracts Supervisor, 388-0858) on September 27, 2021; Human Resources (Michelle Calanchini, Human Resources Business Partner, 388-0821) on September 24, 2021; Risk Management (Rafael Viteri, Deputy Director, 386-8730) on August 18, 2021; County Counsel (Dawn Martin, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on September 29, 2021; Finance (Christopher Lange, Administrative Analyst, 386-8393) on October 1, 2021; and County Finance and Administration (Tanya Bratton, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0332) on October 5, 2021.