College of Health Sciences and Human Services

The CHHS Field Practice Program (FPP) at CSUMB provides students with an integrated academic and community learning experience by placing students in health and human service agencies throughout the region. Students in the CHHS major are required to complete a minimum of 240 hours in placement prior to graduation and are generally in the field approximately six to eight hours a week during the field experience.

The primary purpose of the field experience is to promote the professional development of students by providing opportunities to apply knowledge gained in the classroom out in the community in preparation for entry level employment in the health and human service fields. Student learning is supported and facilitated by field seminars in both the junior and senior years, which focus on reflection activities and integration of new skills required for professional work in the areas of social work, community health, public administration and public safety. Inquiries regarding the Field Practice Program should be directed to the FPP Coordinator at chhsfield@csumb.edu.

The Field Practice Program faculty and staff assist students with the selection of an appropriate field experience. Most students will have one agency placement spanning three semesters to provide depth in the learning experience. All students must be in field sites that are approved for use by the Field Practice Program.

CHHS Field Placement Program Presentation

CHHS strives to provide students with a range of approved health and human service agencies for placement in the region. Collaboration and professional development are a major focus for students' experiences in the field. Agencies interested in working with CHHS students should complete the Agency Application and UAAPS Template forms as part of the process to become an approved FPP site.

Once received, a site visit will be scheduled to complete the approval process. Agency field mentors are strongly encouraged to attend the Field Mentor Orientation provided at the beginning of each semester. This event provides new and continuing mentors with an orientation and updates to the CHHS goals and requirements related to the Field Practice Program.

The following guidelines are considered in the selection and approval of a field placement:

• The agency's philosophy of service and practice should embody the ethics and values of social work, public health and/or public safety
• The agency is in good standing in the community and in its respective profession
• The agency's programs or collaborative network is broad enough for the student to experience the various perspectives and professional relationships involved in a multidisciplinary environment. Specific sites can be identified for students to work internally across departments of an agency and/or externally among agencies working on collaborative community projects
• The agency's administration, staff and governing body are aware of and support the goals of field-based education and allow the agency field mentor to adequate time for mentoring the student(s)
• The agency is willing to accept students without regard to age, gender, race, national origin, physical disabilities or sexual orientation
• The agency will provide adequate space in a safe, professional environment, and provide orientation to the student that includes safety policies
• The agency will commit to providing a sustainable field placement site for current and future CHHS students

The collaborative effort of the university and the agency is an essential element to the success of the field practice program. The sponsoring agency's responsibility to the student is to provide experiences that facilitate their professional development and include:

• Completion of the Interview Response Form the end of the interview with a CHHS Intern Candidate. The response form allows us to track the status of students securing placements, needing time to decide, and those that are not a fit so returning this form is critical for the program to know the status of students and site availability.

• An agency field mentor who will oversee and assess and evaluate the student's field practice experience; who will share organizational values, personal experiences and contacts with the student to facilitate a successful inter-professional education internship; and evaluate the student, as required, at the end of each semester
• Ongoing supervision of at least one hour per week to discuss the student's progress on projects and learning activities, professional development, and related challenges
• A formal orientation to the agency, it's mission, policies and procedures (including workplace safety), various departments or programs, and any collaborating partnerships in the community, at the beginning of the internship
• Adequate workspace and training for the student to perform the duties required by the agency and fulfill the designated Major Learning Outcomes (MLOs)
• Facilitate student involvement in agency staff and committee meetings, conferences and seminars, and any related activities that provide the student with opportunities for making professional contacts
• Engage student in a variety of experiences as an active participant in providing agency services
• Adequate student access to appropriate agency records for the student's research and class assignments, respecting the confidentiality of clients
• Agreed-upon experiences, activities, and duties that assist the student in achieving the MLOs outlined in the Field Learning Agreement (see Field Forms below) and as described in the CalState S4 Database. It is the agency's responsibility to update the database prior to recruitment of interns each semester. Either the agency's identified site program manager can update the site or notify the Field Practice Program Coordinator of any necessary changes.
• Mentor availability for consultation with the Field Practice Program Coordinator and/or staff.
• Mentor attendance at a CHHS-sponsored Mentor Orientation
• Awareness and understanding of the CHHS Academic & Field Policies. The CHHS program has developed this set of policies/guidelines for both the academic program and the field program, to guide students, advisors, mentors, and instructors during students' progress toward graduation.

The agency mentor's role is a combination of educator, role model, and evaluator. It is crucial to the professional development of the student to provide encouragement, reassurance and positive reinforcement, and to foster a relationship of rapport and trust. Approachability, reliability, and empathy are essential in creating an environment that is safe and encourages learning.

Agency mentors provide support and guidance to students in three main areas:

The first role is that of an educator, serving to extend the formal academic training into the field. The educational function(s) may include:

• Knowledge of health and human service delivery systems and the professional roles and behaviors expected within these systems
• Self-awareness and awareness of interpersonal behaviors, that can be appropriately modeled for students
• Effective teaching techniques that include one-on-one supervision, group supervision, and use of reflective journals
• Support for student's agreed-upon CHHS Capstone Project

The second role is that of role model, assisting the student in professional development, and in attaining the knowledge, values and skills necessary for work in the health and human service fields. This includes:

• Explaining the legal and ethical issues pertinent to the helping professionals
• Clarifying the student's role and learning exercises as an intern
• Student participation in academic field seminars, which also focus on ethics and professional development
• Emphasis on desirable professional conduct and support for the transition from student to professional

The third role is that of evaluator, providing the student with ongoing feedback and assessment. This helps the student gain awareness of their strengths and areas in need of improvement and provides an opportunity to explore career goals. Frequent feedback allows the student to develop skills more quickly and to make adjustments in the Field Learning Agreement as necessary. This includes:

• Agency field mentors are responsible for meeting with the student on a regular basis (a minimum of one hour per week) to provide ongoing feedback to the student on their performance and provide the student with time away from work to discuss professional development issues
• Mentors will complete an evaluation of the student at the end of each semester. This evaluation provides valuable guidance to the student and faculty about the student's progress towards developing competence in the MLOs, as well as their professional growth and development
• The process of sharing this information and also asking the student to evaluate their own performance can be a powerful learning experience and an opportunity for the student to begin to use self-monitoring and self-evaluation skills
• The CHHS Program appreciates ongoing feedback from our community partners regarding program strengths and areas for improvement. Please complete this form to provide feedback.
  

Agency mentors are responsible for completing documentation related to the student's field placement in the CalState S4 database, using these instructions for guidance.

Questions and concerns regarding student performance should be directed to the Field Program Coordinator.

The field experience provides students with exposure and access to organizations at a level which most undergraduates will not have the opportunity to enjoy during the early part of their careers. Students are expected to behave in a professional manner while working on projects and activities and interacting with the agency's administrators and other staff.

During the field experience, the student is responsible to the agency mentor for agreed upon projects and work duties. Students are expected to:

• The CalState S4 Field Learning Agreement (FLA) (see Field Forms below) should be completed in collaboration with the field mentor at the beginning of each semester.
  
• Report to the agency on a regular and timely basis. Complete the CHHS Timelog in the CalState S4 Database at minimum monthly and a maximum of once per week as agreed upon with the agency mentor, and then at the end of each semester and intersession.
• Negotiate a consistent schedule with the field mentor and obtain approval in advance for any changes or absences.
• Develop high quality, professional and ethical work products.
• Comply with all the agency's policies and procedures.
• Complete all academic and professional assignments in a timely and agreed-upon manner.
• Complete their field placement Self Assessment through the CalState S4 database, to rate their progress during the semester field experience. Students will then initiate a meeting with the agency field mentor to discuss progress toward professional goals. Students are responsible for ensuring their mentor has completed the student evaluation.
• Complete the Student Evaluation of Agency.
• Read and understand the CHHS Academic & Field Policies. The CHHS program has developed this set of policies/guidelines for both the academic program and the field program, to guide students, advisors, mentors, and instructors during students' progress toward graduation.
• Completion of all required forms in CalState S4, using the following instructions for support in completing documentation:
  
  • 396S instructions
    
  • 496A instructions
    
  • 496B instructions

• Interview Response Form: The Interview Response Form is completed by the agency representative at the end of the interview with a CHHS Intern Candidate.
  
• CalState S4 Field Learning Agreement: The Field Learning Agreement (FLA) should be completed by the student in collaboration with the field mentor at the beginning of each semester. It is the clear description of the projects, activities, and expectations of the student intern while engaging in selected Major Learning Outcomes (MLOs) at the agency. The FLA is a tool for the student, the agency staff/mentor, and CHHS faculty supervisor to have clarity about the internship experience at the agency. The document allows students and mentors to identify planned assignments and projects that students will engage in at the agency in order to gain knowledge, skills and attitudes and choose major learning outcomes to focus on for the activities. The learning agreement becomes a guide for the learning opportunities and expectations for the student and the mentor for each semester at the agency. All parties should have sufficient clarity about those planned activities and experiences upon reading the document.
  
• CHHS Timelog: The CHHS Timelog is completed by the student, and approved by the agency mentor, on a regular and timely basis in the CalState S4 Database.
• Evaluations: The field program uses a number of assessments to evaluate and provide feedback for improvement. The student evaluations measure student progress each semester. Students also have the opportunity to provide feedback about their agency experiences, and agencies have the opportunity to provide feedback about the CHHS program.
  • Students complete their field placement Self Assessment through the CalState S4 database, to rate their progress during each semester of their field experience. Students will then initiate a meeting with the agency field mentor to discuss progress toward professional goals. Students are responsible for ensuring their mentor has completed the student evaluation.
    
  • Students may use this form to provide feedback to the CHHS program about their agency experience: Student Evaluation of Agency.
  • Agency staff may use this form to provide feedback to the CHHS field practice program: Field Mentor Assessment of CHHS Field Program.
    

Terminology

Agency:

A public, nonprofit or other organization that accepts students for field placement.

Agency Field Mentor:

The professional at the agency who directly supervises, mentors, provides guidance and assists the student in developing a professional network for future career development. The mentor assists the students in selecting experiences that would enhance interprofessional skill development and evaluates student performance for the CHHS MLOs.

Field Placement:

A structured, supervised professional experience at an HHSPP approved agency that provides the student with a meaningful learning experience and an opportunity to fulfill their CHHS Major Learning Outcomes (MLO) requirement.

Field Practice Program Coordinator:

The primary liaison between the agency, HHSPP and the student. The Field Practice Program Coordinator works closely with the student and the agency mentor throughout the placement and evaluation process.

Assistant Field Practice Program Coordinator:

The assistant conducts site visits to recruit new agencies and works closely with the Field Practice Program Coordinator in the administration of the Field Practice Program.

Field Practice Program Director:

The faculty member responsible for oversight of the Field Practice Program.

Field Faculty:

The faculty member facilitating the field practice program seminar(s)

Service Learning: Service learning is a direct expression of the CSUMB vision statement. The goal is to help students develop "the social responsibility and skills to be community builders."

Service Learning

Steps to Service Learning

Campus Health Center Resources

TB Testing

Risk Management

Background Check and Fingerprinting

Chinatown Information

Resources on Diversity and Inclusiveness

CSUMB Office of Inclusive Excellence:

https://csumb.edu/diversity

World Trust Resources-Social Impact through Film and Dialogue- “Cracking the Code”

http://world-trust.org/shop/films/cracking-codes-system-racial-inequity/

Communicating Cross-Culturally-What Teachers Should Know

http://iteslj.org/Articles/Pratt-Johnson-CrossCultural.html

Cross-cultural Communication Strategies

http://www.colorado.edu/conflict/peace/treatment/xcolcomm.htm

US Office of Veterans Affairs-Office of Diversity and Inclusion

http://www.diversity.va.gov/training/

National Association of Social Workers

http://www.helpstartshere.org/?s=diversity

Sexual Harassment

Title IX

Federal Law on Internships