University of Southern Maine School of Social Work
Agency Profile for Undergraduate/Graduate Student Placements
Name of agency: Milestone Foundation, Inc. Date: 12/3/2009
Agency address: 65 India Street, Portland, ME 04101; 28 Portland Avenue, Old Orchard Beach, ME 04064
Agency telephone phone number:
Portland - 207-775-4790; OOB - 207-934-5231
In arranging for field placements, whom should student contact?
Linda Brown, LCSW, CCS, Clinical Director; 207-590-0845
Name of Field Instructor: Portland: Cliff Thibodeau, LADC, CCS; 207-775-4790
OOB: Lynn Avigo, LADC, CCS; 207-934-5231
Field Instructor telephone number: see above
Field Instructor email address: lindab@milestonefoundation.org
;
Name of agency director and/or key administrative personnel:
Name Position
Tom Allan, LCSW, LADC, CCS Executive Director
Linda S. Brown, LCSW, CCS Clinical Director
Colleen Pleau Administration Director
Agency is able to handle: BSW student__1__ MSW foundation year student__1___
MSW concentration year student _1__
How many students can your agency accommodate? 2 – The BSW placement would be in Portland; the MSW placement in OOB – the MSW student profile will include a mature individual with capacity to work in a team setting but also able to be self-directed – the year in the program is not as important as the individual’s capacity
Briefly describe the basic services/programs of the agency, client population served, and the size of your staff.
The Portland site provides Emergency Wet Shelter services and detoxification/counseling services. The wet shelter is staffed with non-professionals [14-16], most whom have completed treatment programs for addiction and are maintaining abstinence and changing their lives in a positive manner. The detoxification unit is staffed with RNs and CNAs [minimum of 1 per shift] – the medical director, Dr. Mary Dowd [who also provides services to individuals w/o homes through the City of Portland] is present 4-5 afternoons per week. We have 2 LADCs, 4 ADCs, and 1 ADCA who cover 2 shifts per day, 6 days per week, and 1 shift on Sundays. The Clinical Director oversees all treatment issues and provides supervision for social work students. The LADC, CCS provides direct on-site oversight and training in the agency mission and work. The BSW will learn engagement, group facilitation, assessment, case management, referral, and self-assessment on a busy unit that serves up to 18 clients per day in the detox. Most clients struggle with chronic addiction, periods of homelessness, and multiple physical and mental health problems. We offer the BSW student an opportunity to spend time in the emergency wet shelter as well, if so desired.
We will introduce the MSW student to the work at 65 India Street [approximately 2 weeks] and then orient that individual to the Extended Care Program in OOB that serves 20 men in the main phase of care and 4 in the re-entry phase. Staff members include 2 LADCs, 2 CADCs, and 3 ADCA/attendants. Lynn Avigo provides on-site supervision and Linda Brown provides social work supervision. The program is run as a therapeutic community with limited focus on addiction as “illness”. The program is focused on choice, structure, behaviors, with “community as method.” It is an intensive program where men with chronic environmental, interpersonal, mental health, addiction issues are supported to make daily choices to change attitudes and behaviors that no longer serve them well. The MSW student has the opportunity to facilitate groups, assess for level of care, engage in individual sessions, learn the TC methodology, follow individuals throughout the stay, provide all documentation etc.
When (day and time) are agency staff and other important meetings held?
Portland: Group supervision is on Thursday at 2 PM. The agency staff meeting [primarily department heads] meets on Tuesday at 1:30 and a student is welcome to attend
In OOB both the staff meeting and group supervision is on Wednesday – from 1:30- 2:30 and 2:45- 4 [supervision] We have quarterly all-staff meetings and I often attend various interagency meetings in Portland and bring students with me.
What characteristics or qualities would be helpful for a student to have to best utilize the placement as a learning opportunity?
· Open-mindedness about TREATMENT for individuals struggling with addictive behaviors
· Maturity – the client group at both sites is challenging: primarily male with limited impulse control and other issues
· Ability to both take direction well, and to self-direct
· Questioning, inquisitive mind, good humor
· The student who needs a lot of reassurance and individual time will not fare as well in either of these settings
List the learning opportunities available for the student in your setting: See above
Is there adequate physical space for the student(s)? We share space, and a student will have the same access that staff members have.
Does the student need a car? Only to get to the site[s] Is mileage reimbursable? No
Can your agency provide an opportunity for students to fulfill part of their required placement hours on evenings or weekends? Absolutely
Does your agency require any formal training for interns? Orientation, CPR, 1st aid
If yes, how many training hours are required? Approximately 6
When is the training offered? As needed
Can the training be completed online? NO
Is the agency handicapped accessible? Somewhat – the Portland site is less so because the main entrance is stairs, and the elevator entrance requires a staff member to escort the individual to the back of the building. All counseling work at OOB is conducted on the 1st floor and has handicapped bathroom and entrances – a large wheel chair would not be accommodated in the office spaces.
Agency Requirements:
Background check (SBI) Yes_Y__ No___
Physical Exam Yes_Y__ No___
Immunizations Yes___ No_X_
(If yes, please name immunizations required) We believe the immunizations required by the university are sufficient.
Other pertinent information: A Hep B series is recommended, and the agency would pay for that if the student is willing.
All staff and students are tested for TB – that is done by the nurse manager in house [RN].