WREDI Summer Externship Memory Book 2023

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Summer Externship Program

Letter from Executive Director Lisa Albert In 2020, the 40+ members of The Network of Behavioral Health Providers (NBHP) met to discuss the behavioral health workforce shortage. While not a new phenomenon, it was becoming more dire as more people were experiencing and seeking help for mental health and substance use conditions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the support of its member organizations, NBHP kicked off the Behavioral Health Workforce, Recruitment, Education, and Development Initiative (WREDI) in the Fall of 2021. WREDI aims to develop a pipeline to increase the number of culturally- and linguistically-responsive mental health and substance use treatment providers serving in the greater Houston area. As we wrap up the successful completion of WREDI’s second season we were pleased to have provided 76 presentations, reaching 2,306 high school and college students (an increase of 906 students), provided 30 paid Externships, and awarded scholarships to 15 (increase of 3 scholarships) undergraduate and graduate behavioral health students. In addition, we continue to develop our NBHP Behavioral Health Roundtable which focuses on bringing behavioral health entities and local education entities together with the goal of closing gaps in behavioral health care workforce shortages.

WREDI's second year Externship season culminated with a four-week summer externship program for high school and college students. The Externs worked for 16 hours each week at one to two behavioral health sites and had the opportunity to shadow personnel, assist with intake procedures, and provide administrative and other support for the organizations.

Every Friday, the Externs engaged in four hours of professional and educational development, which included tours to agencies like the West Oaks Behavioral Health Hospital, Open Door Mission, and the John S. Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center at UTHealth Houston, as well as panel discussions with behavioral health professionals, people with lived experience, and representatives from local colleges. After four weeks of participation, the externs were leading discussions about the differences between psycho-social and clinical settings

and micro- vs. macro-level work, maintaining appropriate boundaries in the professional/client relationship, and how stigma impacts access to treatment. we had two externs who were offered a paid position at their sites, one who co-led a psychoeducational group, and one extern who was featured on a local radio show sharing her experiences with mental health.

When I reflect on this past season, I can’t help but feel an enormous sense of excitement and hope not only in the future of our behavioral health workforce, but in the future of these bright and focused individuals who had the courage to embark on this journey. I want to thank everyone who made this externship season possible: The George Foundation, Harris County Office of Administration, and Humana and for their generous financial support; Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia and his staff, who generously provided transportation for the four behavioral health tours; the more than 40+ NBHP Membership organizations who continue to support and encourage this program and provide externship sites and supervisors who volunteer their time to give the students an amazing experience. I also want to thank NBHP’s WREDI Program Manager, Chelsey Gutierrez, whose work, dedication, enthusiasm and creativity has been instrumental in the success and continued development of this program.

To our Externs: Thank you for your commitment, dedication, professionalism, and enthusiasm. For many of you, this was your first experience in the behavioral health field and our hope is that it has sparked a lifelong desire to make a difference in the lives of others.

Lisa Albert, MSW, LCSW-S “People may forget what you did, they may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel”.

Maya Angelou

Extern Victory and her site supervisor, LaVondia Menephee, before going live on the radio!

Thank you to Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia for providing buses for our field trips

We are so grateful for all of our guest speakers!

19 Behavioral Health Host Sites 30 Student Externs 8 Field Trips: West Oaks Hospital Open Door Mission The Women's Home, John S. Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center at UTHealth Houston Alexander JFS The Harris Center Respite, Rehabilitation, and Re-Entry Center NeuroPsychiatric Center (NPC) The Harris Center Youth Diversion Center

The summer of a lifetime!

Session 1

Session 1 externs and their supervisors on Orientation Day

With Jackie St. Germain The Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center UTHealth Houston

Ameerah Lawal has finished her junior year at Jordan High school and will be entering senior year in the fall of 2023.

Ameerah's two externship sites were AccessHealth and Hope Fort Bend Clubhouse. Her favorite part of the externship experience was visiting the UTHealth Dunn Center and meeting people in the field. She enjoyed learning about different colleges and their behavioral health majors at our College Fair. The behavioral health career path she hopes to pursue is Social Work because of its diversity and ability to move throughout different careers.

Ameerah Lawal Andrew Bright has finished his second year at San Jacinto College and will be enrolling in University of Houston Clear Lake in the fall. Andrew spent his time at Open Door Mission and his favorite part was learning more about the field he'll be joining one day and being able to help others. Andrew also enjoyed learning from his peers. He hopes to become an adolescent therapist so that he can make positive change in the lives of the youth.

Andrew Bright Jada Talley is a recent graduate from Jack Yates High School and will be attending Lamar University next school year. Jada was placed at NAMI Greater Houston and learned all about social media campaigns. Her favorite part of the externship was the field trips and she enjoyed learning about different types of anger, depression, and breath work to help calm her mind. Jada hopes to one day become a grief therapist because she's dealt with a lot in her life and she knows how to help others deal with grief.

Jada Talley

Jekel Woods

Jovanny Rosero

Jekel Woods graduated from Texas Southern University with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and plans to enter a graduate program next year. Jekel was assigned to Mental Health America of Greater Houston and The Women's Home.

Jekel's favorite part was meeting new people and making connections. She enjoyed learning about mental health resources available for low-income households. She also enjoyed learning about effective ways to host meetings, events, and group therapy. Jekel hopes to become a Psychologist to give her the opportunity to open her own private practice and she hopes to open a Mindful Retreat Center where people can come to take a break from the world and learn mindfulness skills to utilize in their everyday life.

Jovanny Rosero finished his junior year at George Bush High School and will be entering his senior year in the fall.

Jovanny's externship placement was at West Oaks Hospital and his favorite part of the program was interacting with all of the friendly West Oaks staff. He enjoyed learning about how to handle medical records and how they're stored. He hopes to one day become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner because he's always wanted to help others with health related issues and due to his own personal family history.

Jovanny hopes his career can tie physical health with behavioral health.

Kennesha Jamison will be entering her junior year at Texas Southern University. During the externship, she was placed at Harris County Resources for Children and Adults. Her favorite part of the program was networking and being able to meet so many behavioral health professionals. They were all so excited to help Kennesha expand her knowledge and offered her a variety of opportunities and support after graduation. One day, Kennesha would like to be a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) to help restore families and help children build healthy patterns.

Kennesha Jamison

Lauren Kukla

Layla Swinford

Leslie Cruz

Lauren Kukla just finished her second year at San Jacinto College and will be entering The University of Houston - Clear Lake in the fall. Lauren was placed at Communities in Schools Houston and The Parris Foundation and was able to learn how these organizations assist school-age children and young adults. Her favorite part of the externship was going on field trips to see the contrast between all of the places.

She's enjoyed learning about meditation and breathing techniques to stay grounded when stressed. The behavioral health field she hopes to enter is counseling. She's unsure of her focus, but is definitely going to change her major to Social Work!

Layla Swinford has just completed her junior year at George Ranch High School and is excited to start her senior year in August. Layla's externship was at Hope Fort Bend Clubhouse learning how to use Canva to design flyers for member events and helping out in the kitchen. Layla's favorite part of the externship experience was visiting the John S. Dunn Behavioral Sciences Center at UTHealth and she wants to work there one day. She enjoyed learning about the diversity of behavioral health from the clubhouse model all the way to residential drug and alcohol treatment programs. Layla states, "my therapist saved my life and I want to become a Teen Therapist to help those vulnerable teens that feel that here is no hope because I was once in their position".

Leslie Cruz is a student at Westchester Academy for International Studies and will be entering her senior year in the fall of 2023. Her favorite part of the externship experience was meeting new people and going on field trips to learn about the environment and how different organizations help people in a variety of ways. During the externship, Leslie was placed at The Alliance and she enjoyed learning about how they create opportunities for refugees to achieve their goals and improve their quality of life. The behavioral health career path Leslie hopes to enter is becoming a family therapist to help family members improve their communication and lifestyle.

Melanie Martinez Paris

Melanie Martinez Paris is a Jordan High School student entering her senior year in the fall of 2023. Melanie divided her time between two locations; Mental Health America and AccessHealth. Her favorite part of the externship experience was meeting new people and getting a deeper understanding of the behavioral health field. She's enjoyed learning about all of the different career paths that behavioral health has to offer. One day, she hopes to become a psychologist because she enjoys the research aspect of this career, as well as the psychological aspect of being able to help others in their mental heath journey.

Nayeli Ramos recently finished her junior year at Westchester Academy for International Studies and will be a senior in the fall. Nayeli spent her externship at Katy Christian Ministries rotating between the food pantry, crisis center, and the social services department. Nayeli's favorite part was giving community members food at the pantry. She enjoyed learning about mental health and seeing a different side of medicine.

Nayeli has always been interested in nursing and says the externship help narrow the field and would like to study to become a Psychiatric Registered Nurse.

Nayeli Ramos

Nivedita Hari

Nivedita "Nivi" Hari is a student at Jordan High School and will be entering her senior year in the fall of 2023. Her favorite part of the externship experience was meeting the team at The Alliance. She says, "Everyone there was welcoming and kind, and it was a pleasure to have been able to work with them." Nivi enjoyed learning how The Alliance takes cares of refugees and immigrants mentally and physically. Nivi is still deciding which behavioral health career is for her, but right now, she's leaning towards Psychiatry because she's interested in becoming a doctor and working a hospital setting.

Rachel Thomas

Rachel Thomas just finished her freshman year at Texas Southern University and is pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work Degree. Rachel completed her externship at Alexander Jewish Family Service and her favorite part was observing client meetings and watching individuals get back on their feet. She also enjoyed learning about neurodiversity and the different types of ways that employees can help neurodivergent people succeed in the workplace. Rachel hopes to become a Social Worker because she loves helping others and has gotten help from so many others that she wants to give back to the community.

Zina Nnatah recently graduated from Cypress Park High School and will be attending Louisiana State University in the fall. Zina was placed at Fort Bend Women's Center and her favorite part of the program was meeting with her peers on Fridays and learning about the wide ranges of behavioral health professions. Zina hopes to become a psychologist one day.

Zinabari Nnatah

There is no health without mental health

Friday Professional and Educational Development

Session 2

Session 2 Externs on Orientation Day

With Evelyn Locklin The Harris Center Respite, Rehabilitation and Re-Entry Center

Alex Lopez-Izquierdo graduated from Jordan High School and will be attending Texas A&M - College Station in the fall. The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD hosted Alex for her 4week externship experience and her favorite part was being able to deconstruct her understanding of behavioral health.

She hopes to become a social worker to utilize her resources to help people get back on their feet.

Alexandra Lopez-Izquierdo Amanda Stone is a student at Jordan High School and will be entering her senior year in the fall of 2023. During the externship, Amanda was placed at West Oaks Hospital, meeting with staff and working on patient records. She really enjoyed learning about all the different types of career paths in the psychology and behavioral health fields. Amanda eventually hopes to become a psychologist and wants to immerse herself in research or clinical practice and be able to teach.

Amanda Stone Andrea Mejia will be entering her senior year at Westchester Academy for International Studies in Spring Branch this fall. Her externship placement was at Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and she enjoyed the connections she made there and helping others. The highlight of Andrea's externship experience included learning about substance use, different mental health issues, and the variety of professions in the field.

Andrea hopes to be a Psychiatric Advanced Nurse Practitioner.

Andrea Mejia

Ava Harris is a recent graduate of Young Women's College Preparatory Academy and will be entering her freshman year at Sam Houston State University in the fall. Ava spent her summer at Alexander Jewish Family Service in their career counseling department. She enjoyed learning about underserved people obtain jobs through different programs at Alexander JFS. One day, she hopes to become a Case Manager because there are so many individuals to help.

Ava Harris Azul Pelcastre is a junior at Westchester Academy of International Studies and will be entering her senior year in the fall of 2023. During the externship, Azul was placed Katy Christian Ministries, learning about all of the different resources KCM has to offer. She enjoyed interacting with all of the volunteers and employees and listening to their stories. Azul hopes to become a social worker because it feel good to be able to give back to others in the community.

Azul Pelcastre Dalasia R. Farrington is a recent graduate of Young Women's College Preparatory Academy and will be attending the University of Houston-Downtown in the fall.

This summer, Dalasia was placed at Career and Recovery Resources where she learned about substance use disorder and how people adapt and adjust to their situations. One day, Dalasia hopes to become a Social Worker.

Dalasia R. Farrington

Julia Nwachukwu was a senior at George Bush High School and will be entering Texas State University in the fall of 2023.

Julia divided her time between two externship sites: Fort Bend Women's Center and Hope Fort Bend Clubhouse. Her favorite part of the program was going to the field trips, specifically The Harris Center's Youth Diversion Program.

Julia eventually hopes to become a psychiatric nuse because she enjoys nursing and helping others. Julia wants to be a mental health advocate and could talk for hours on the topic!

Julia Nwachukwu Mallory Andrade finished her junior year at Second Baptist School and will be enrolling at Lone Star College in the fall.

Mallory completed her externship experience at The Alliance and helped promote their annual Back to School event.

Mallory enjoyed learning about all different types of behavioral health career paths and working alongside the different teams at The Alliance. Mallory hopes to become a Social Worker or Counselor one day to fulfill her passion to help people better themselves.

Mallory Andrade Matthew Maravilla will be a senior at Foster High School in the fall. He divided his time between two externship sites: AccessHealth and Hope Fort Bend Clubhouse. He enjoyed learning about substance use and talking to different behavioral health professionals. One day, Matthew hopes to become a psychologist because it is an interesting field.

Matthew Maravilla

Nyla Asante-Ansong is a student at Tompkins High School and will be entering her senior year in the fall of 2023. During the externship, Nyla was placed at Hope Fort Bend Clubhouse, where she worked with Clubhouse members in the kitchen, front desk, and office areas. She enjoyed learning about different careers and programs, especially the field trips! Nyla eventually hopes to enter the field of psychology or child-related neuroscience because she loves working with kids and learning about the brain and behavior.

Nyla Asante-Ansong

Riley Buhr

Riley Buhr is a student at Jordan High School and will be entering her senior year in the fall of 2023. Riley split her time between Mental Health America of Greater Houston and Katy Christian Ministries learning about both macro- and micro-level organizations. Her favorite part of the externship experience was the Friday professional development sessions because they allowed for room to grow. She says the externship program allowed her to spark her true interests and recognize misconceptions about mental/behavioral health that she had prior to beginning the program. Riley hopes to student psychology or counseling because she loves to watch people grow and change.

Rose Garcia completed her junior year at Academy of Choice and will be entering her senior year at Westchester Academy of International Studies. Rose spent her externship at The Council on Recovery and rotated through four different departments: Outreach, Screening, Assessment, and Referral (OSAR) program, Community Behavioral Health, Community Intervention & Support Services, and Prevention. Rose hopes to study psychology because she's interested in all things mental health related.

Rose Garcia

Tianna Cosey is a junior at Westfield High School and will be entering her senior year this fall. During the externship, Tianna was placed at The Alliance. Tianna enjoyed going on the field trips and learning about what different behavioral health programs had to offer. Psychology has always been a passion of Tianna's and she hopes to study it one day because she can't see herself doing anything else.

Tianna Cosey Victoria Perez will be a senior at Westchester Academy for International Studies and was placed at Ben Taub Hospital with Harris Health System. Victoria enjoyed getting to visit other behavioral health sites and learning more about options for those struggling with their mental health. One day, she aims to be a Psychiatrist because she knows she wants to earn her M.D. and is really interested in neuroscience, psychiatry, and mental health. Victoria is passionate about serving and making a difference in the lives of people who don't have the same privilege as others.

Victoria Perez Victory Etiemonu is a student at George Bush High School and will be entering her senior year in the Fall of 2023.

Victory's externship was split between NAMI Greater Houston and AccessHeatlh. Her highlight was being interviewed about mental health on a podcast and broadcasting over the radio. Victory hopes to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner because she wants to help her community mentally and go into medicine.

Victory Etiemonu

I got glowing reports from every director that worked with our extern. She did an amazing job!!! Everyone loved her!

-- Pat McElliot The Council on Recovery

Our externs are very engaging and have an opportunity to learn from our members rather than any style curriculum. This is a wonderful program for youth interested in this field of work.

-- Michelle Lovelace Hope Fort Bend Clubhouse

My extern was very well prepared, she was very knowledgeable and she kept an open mind about learning new things.

-- Francine Stewart The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD

The greatest thing about having our extern around was his attitude. He was always eager, pleasant and smiling. It was infectious to the rest of the staff that worked with him.

-- Philip Vaughn Open Door Mission

Those of us at the Alliance who had the pleasure to work with our extern were amazed by her lovely personality & maturity beyond her years. She accomplished so much in her short time with us, and we are looking forward to seeing her future accomplishments too.

-- Maryam Nabhani The Alliance

Our extern was a soaking sponge- always eager to learn!

She was on fire from the very first day she arrived at KCM! I was extremely happy and shocked when I was told by my staff that she had already interviewed our Social Services Therapist on day one!! She was wasting no time, which is commendable!

-- Deysi Crespo Katy Christian Ministries

This externship gives you a look into all kinds of psychology jobs, helping you better understand the industry and narrow down your career paths.

-- Amanda Stone I considered [the externship] a lot of fun.

The Friday meetings were fun and so were the field trips. I think it is very informative and will definitely help you with your career choice.

-- Julia Nwachukwu

This is a very hands-on learning experience. I enjoyed it as I was able to be in different positions. I would definitely recommend to others.

-- Andrea Mejia This experience requires dedication and reliability, but it gives you real-world experience in the world of mental health and prepares you for the profession.

-- Nyla Asante-Ansong This experience has allowed me to develop skills in a professional work environment which has helped me become a more dedicated and attentive. I have been able to have a much more first-hand experience in the behavioral health field. -- Riley Buhr

This externship experience was really eye-opening because I realized how many different fields fall under behavioral health and I got the amazing opportunity to meet and connect with new people.

-- Nivedita "Nivi' Hari

This externship experience was very eyeopening. I increased my communication skills and built friendships as well as healthy habits.

-- Leslie Cruz

This externship experience allowed me to make the best of my summer.

-- Jada Talley

It is an insightful externship where you learn about different careers and jobs in the behavioral health field.

-- Victory Etiemonu

I loved this experience, this was my first time in an externship/internship and I feel it was a great start for me in the professional world. We learned so much about the mental health field.

-- Rachel Thomas It was very informative and emotion sparking.

Advice to future externs: take notes and really absorb all the knowledge that will be thrown at you.

-- Layla Swinford

This externship was a once in a lifetime experience! Very helpful with deciding my future plans.

-- Lauren Kukla

Thank you to our externship sites!

AccessHealth Community Health Center

Alexander Jewish Family Service

Career and Recovery Resources, Inc.

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

Communities in Schools Houston

Fort Bend Women's Center

Harris County Resources for Children and Adults

Harris Health System

Hope Fort Bend Clubhouuse

Katy Christian Ministries

Mental Health America of Greater Houston

NAMI Greater Houston

Open Door Mission

The Alliance

The Council on Recovery

The Harris Center for Mental Health & IDD

The Parris Foundation

The Women's Home

West Oaks Hospital