Internship Sites

Description of Agency:
Mental Health Case Management - All inmates are screened at intake for mental illness, and all inmates are evaluated later in their incarceration if severe mental health problems arise. Those inmates with particularly severe diagnoses are monitored and routinely re-evaluated throughout their incarceration by mental health case managers. The mental health case managers assign mentally ill inmates to the programs listed below as needed. They also provide mental health crisis services. The mental health case managers routinely provide consultation and training to institution correctional officers and to other institution staff. Individual and Group Treatment - The Department contracts with licensed mental health providers for individual and group treatment of severe and persistent mental illness. Individual sessions are short-term, and restricted to crisis situations. Group treatment focuses on learning the skills to manage mental illness within the institutions, and in the community after prison discharge. There are four facilities in Western Oregon: two in Salem, Coffee Creek in Wilsonville, one near the airport, and a new facility coming in Bend.

Procedure for applying:
Contact Shari Melton, Psy.D., at (503) 378-8373 or Shari.J.Melton@doc.state.or.us

Contact Person for Site:
Shari Melton, Psy.D.

Requirements:
This is a SECOND INTERNSHIP placement only. Interns must demonstrate maturity, flexibility, and an ability to maintain good boundaries.

Specific Schedule Requirements?
Two days per week are required, but hours are very flexible. Hours vary by site, predominantly daytime hours.

Stressors at this Site:
Safety issues are of some concern. The intern must be flexible. It is a military-style environment with many strict rules which must be observed and enforced. Sometimes there are challenging staff dynamics. The intern must be self-confident, but willing to adhere to rules.

Summary Comments:
There are good opportunities for a motivated intern. Interns must attend two trainings (which are offered on a monthly basis): a 6-hour training on a Saturday and a 4-hour training on an evening. These trainings must be accomplished BEFORE the start of the internship. The intern will also be required to be fingerprinted and undergo a background check. The intern must be able to maintain good boundaries with a population who will tend to be demanding.

Directions:
South on I-5 to Exit 253 (Stayton Santiam). Go east approximately three miles and take the Gaffin Road Exit. OSCI is located at the foot of the ramp on the right. Going west, take the Gaffin Road Exit, turn right and stop at the speaker box inside the entrance. Turn left at the next driveway, go past the parking lot on the right and stop at the first building on your left.