San Diego County Juvenile Forensic Services, Health & Human Services

(858) 541-5245

Current Training/Cohort

# of Half-Time PREDOCTORAL INTERNS in current training cohort: 1

# of Full-Time PREDOCTORAL INTERNS in current training cohort: 2

Number of current Predoctoral Intern Positions Filled Listed By Doctoral Program of Enrollment:

Half-Time Full-Time
Program 1: Alliant/CSPP-SD 0 2
Program 2: The Chicago School-Southern California 1 0

Other Trainees in Current Training Program:

Postdoc, or Practicum Number
psychology practicum students 0
psychology postdocs 3
MSW 0
MFT 0

Agency Description:

We have a significant role to play in San Diego County HHSA service delivery. Juvenile Forensic Services is organized to provide clinical services and crises intervention to youth and their families in the Juvenile Justice System. We provide Crisis Intervention and on-going treatment to children and adolescents detained in two Juvenile Halls and two Probation Camp facilities. In this context we work closely with the general health clinic located in our detention facilities. We also provide consultation and training to Probation staff. We do psychological assessments at the request of the Court and provide intervention for minors in crisis over their arrest or the serious charges they may be facing. We do follow up counseling and medication for mentally unstable youth in these circumstances, and do evaluations for medication referrals and competency to stand trial questions. We do group therapy and currently run a variety of therapy groups especially in the Camp programs. We provide consultation to Probation on placement and planning issues. We assess and collaborate for court specific programs (JFAST -mental health court; Drug Court; and CSEC-focused Court) which has the goal of diverting emotionally disturbed youth out of the Probation system, while setting up intensive mental health treatment and family support in the community.

Agency Mission:

To provide mental health assessment, intervention, and services to those children and their families who are involved in the Juvenile Justice System and who are without other resources to secure such services. To coordinate mental health services with those of the Probation Department in such a manner as to promote the best interests of this population of special needs youth and prevent their chronic, generational involvement in the mental health, social services, and criminal justice systems of San Diego County.

Theoretical Orientation(s) of Staff:

Bio-psychosocial, Cognitive behavioral, Family Systems, Humanistic/Existential, Integrative, Jungian, Narrative, Other: Cross-cultural, Psychodynamic/Psychoanalytic, Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Transpersonal

Comments Regarding Theoretical Orientation of Staff

This is a highly experienced, practical, down-to-earth group of clinicians who work with a very collaborative team approach. We care a lot about the kids, their welfare, and the ethical issues. We love to joke, socialize, and eat good food. We rise to every challenge, and no minor is ever unimportant, even if we are forced to triage. We continuously experiment with new and better ways to serve the needs of as many kids as possible. With all that goes on here, theoretical issues are good for lively staff meeting discussions, and then its back to the nitty gritty of getting the job done as best we can. Mostly, we are doing crises intervention and treatment with the goal of stabilizing our youth and helping to transition them back into the community. We use the acronyn STAT-Team which stands for: Stabilization, Transition, Assessment & Treatment team.

AGENCY ACCESSIBILITY AND DISABILITY ISSUES

Are you familiar with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990? Yes
If not, would you like information? No
Is the agency wheelchair accessible? Yes
Do trainees have access to computers to do their paperwork? Yes
Has there been a student/intern/trainee with a disability at the agency within the last five years? Yes
Are there any training staff with disabilities at the agency? Yes
Has the agency provided in-service training on disabilities in the past five years? Yes

Comments on agency accessibility:

We have ramps or a level entrance to most facilities, but not all. There is appropriate access to bathrooms as well. Some of the newer facilities are less cramped than the old ones, but even there, access is workable if not deluxe.
  • County - SAN DIEGO
  • Contact Person Title - Director of Intern Training
  • Contact Person - Norman Severe, PsyD
  • Dir. of Training Title - Director of Intern Training
  • Dir. of Training - Norman Severe, PsyD

  • Last Updated - 30 December 2019

  • Number of Applicants Last Year -

  • Participating in CURRENT Match process - No

  • CAPIC Program ID - I-185
  • CAPIC Member Since - 2003
  • Region - So. Cal
  • Internships Status - Half
  • Statuses approved by CAPIC
    • Half-Time 1 Year - Yes
    • Half-Time 2 Years - No
    • Full-Time 1 Year - Yes
  • CAPIC Internship Types Available:
    • Half-Time 1 Year - Yes
    • Half-Time 2 Years - No
    • Full-Time 1 Year - No

Primary Location

  • Executive Director - Carlos Nelson, PhD
  • 2901 MEADOW LARK DRIVE
  • San diego, CA 92123
  • Phone - (858) 541-5245
  • Fax - (858) 541-5245

Training/Clinical Services Offered

  • Assessment
  • Brief
  • Crisis
  • Family
  • Group
  • Individual
  • Long Term
  • Outpatient
  • Psych. Testing