MFT/MSW Graduate Student Trainee (Family Preservation)

Para Los Niños; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 20,664 - 27,552; Full time

Job summary

A community organization for children and families in Los Angeles is looking for an MFT/MSW Graduate Student Trainee to provide in-home outreach counseling and advocacy services. The ideal candidate will be involved in conducting assessments, facilitating case conferences, and ensuring communication with community resources. This role requires a commitment to supporting low-income families and the ability to produce thorough documentation. Applicants must be pursuing relevant degrees and possess compassion and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing an MSW, MFT or MA in a related field.
• TB test clearance required every two years.
• Ability to maintain good communication with families.

Responsibilities

• Conduct psychosocial assessments and in-home outreach counseling.
• Participate in Quality Assurance efforts for family services.
• Facilitate case conferences and maintain communication with community resources.

Skills

Experience with low-income children and families

Communication skills

Leadership skills

Crisis intervention knowledge

Education

MSW, MFT or MA in related field

Job description

MFT/MSW Graduate Student Trainee (Family Preservation)

3751 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA

Job Description

Posted Thursday, December 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM

About PLN

Founded on Skid Row in 1980, Para Los Niños (PLN) partners with more than 10,000 children, youth, and families each year through integrated education, wellness supports and advocacy, addressing individual and systemic barriers to create pathways to success. In addition to operating early education centers, charter elementary and middle schools, youth workforce development sites and family services, PLN is the only children’s mental health provider in the Skid Row neighborhood. PLN's community transformation work brings together community members, community-based organizations, city and county agencies, elected officials, and businesses to tackle issues that impact PLN families. Ninety-three percent of families served by PLN live in areas with the highest levels of food insecurity and homelessness in L.A. County.

Position Overview

Under the supervision of the Family Preservation Clinical Coordinator, the MFT Trainee/MSW Student Trainee is responsible for completing psychosocial assessments and in-home outreach counseling services for families in the Family Preservation Program. The trainee will provide advocacy and therapeutic intervention for children and families in a manner consistent with best practices and contractual requirements from DCFS.

Duties

• Participates in the ongoing Quality Assurance efforts for the provision of family preservation services to children and families.
• Conducts in home visits and works with clients following their initiative in the development and achievement of their case plan goals.
• In collaboration with members of the client’s treatment team, facilitates multi-disciplinary case conferences to develop initial treatment plans as well as to review ongoing progress.
• Maintains and seeks communication with community groups and resources, which support the client’s psychological functioning.
• Participates in staff meetings, case conferences, training, and professional consultation as necessary.
• Participates in weekly individual and group supervision.
• Follows state laws regarding confidential information in verbal and written communication.
• Maintains client files to level of requirements mandated in agency policy and completes documentation in a timely manner.
• Must be able to produce documentation in Standard English, which is legible and coherent.
• Prepares correspondence and reports in connection with case requirements by contracting entities, such as family assessment form (FAF), weekly progress notes, monthly and termination reports.
• Must be able to maintain positive working collaborative relationships with family services staff.
• Performs other job-related duties as directed by supervisor or director.

Qualifications and Experience Requirements

• Preferred experience working with low-income children and families.
• Leadership skills desired with some foundational knowledge of human development and family dynamics.
• Ability to nurture respectful relationships with families and children, and be sensitive to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Knowledge of child abuse/crisis intervention techniques.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• TB test clearance (to be renewed every two years).

Education and Certification Requirements

• Currently pursuing an MSW, MFT or MA in related field. Be approved for field work/practicum placement by department director.
• Must have a reliable automobile for use on the job (mileage will be reimbursed). Valid California Driver License. State required automobile insurance coverage.

Physical Requirements

To perform this job the individual must be able to carry out all essential functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

• Approximately 50% of time is spent sitting, while frequently required to walk, stand and bend.
• Must be able to speak and hear well.
• Good vision is imperative.
• Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Employee will be required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds without assistance.
• Up to 50% field work required.

Candidate Expectations

• Unwavering belief in and commitment to fulfill the mission of Para Los Niños.
• Deep commitment to the success of all PLN students and families.
• Commitment to excellence and high standards -- for self, students, and colleagues.
• Continuous learning by engaging in reflection, self-assessment, and individual professional development.
• Use of data to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement.
• Ability to thrive as a member of a collaborative team.
• Self-motivation and initiative with solutions-oriented disposition.
• Belief in and ability to develop respectful relationships with parents and children marked by sensitivity to the students’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively handle challenging situations.
• Comfort with basic Microsoft Office applications and a curiosity and propensity to push one’s own adoption of new technology and approaches.
• Regular, punctual attendance and professional appearance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is the established policy of Para Los Niños (PLN) to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief (including dress or grooming practices), color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breast feeding), age, national origin (including possessing a driver’s license issued under Vehicle Code § 12801.9), ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. PLN also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.