A Win for the Movement Towards Paid Internships

Last week the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) sent out a press release acknowledging the $4.5 million dollar grant that was awarded to “expand the number of school-based mental health service providers in high-need schools”. 

It is planned that this grant will be used towards the Michigan Earn, Learn, and Serve in Schools (Mi-ELSiS) program. This program will use some of the funds to provide 165 graduate-level trainees a $20,000 stipend for working in high-need schools for a minimum of one year. These institutions and districts will place school social work, school psychology, and school counseling graduate students in high-need schools to complete their” program internship. 

The project’s target is to hire half (83 of 165 graduate trainees) for employment as mental health services providers after they complete a 52-week service obligation in a high-need school.

“NASW-Michigan is thrilled to be able to continue our positive momentum to create more paid internship opportunities for social workers and other behavioral health professions,” said Duane Breijak, NASW-Michigan Executive Director. “These stipends will both increase the number of social workers able to enter our workforce and provide a critical pipeline to quality jobs in schools across Michigan. We look forward to seeing this implemented in the fall and thank the Michigan Health Council for their leadership.”

The funding for the Mi-ELSiS is being managed by the Michigan Health Counsel and funded through the U.S. Department of Education. NASW-Michigan worked closely with the Michigan Health Council to secure this funding. More information about implementation will be available in the upcoming weeks.