John Calamari, Ph.D. Chairman Phone: (847) 578-8747 || Fax: (847) 578-8758 Return to Deparment Homepage
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Head Start of Lake County First Year Practicum
Type: Consultation, assessment, and behavioral intervention
Setting: Federal early childhood program
Location: Various locations throughout Lake County, Illinois
Description of Practicum: Head Start is a free, comprehensive preschool program that services children ages 3 to 5 years. To enroll in Head Start, a family must meet low-income qualifications.
All Head Start children must be screened for a wide range of disabilities. This requirement involves observing each child individually to determine the possible presence of developmental delays, behavioral problems, and/or emotional distress. Head Start of Lake County has contracted with the FUHS/CMS Department of Psychology in order to provide these screening services. In addition to direct behavioral observations, we also develop classroom behavioral management strategies for specific students and consult with teachers and other Head Start staff on a regular basis. Occasionally, we assist children in obtaining free/low cost disability services (e.g., speech therapy) through the local school district. We also have the opportunity to participate in staff training.
Collaborating with Head Start is a mutually beneficial endeavor. For Head Start of Lake County, we not only fulfill their federal mandate but we also provide a level of expertise and quality of service that they would not necessarily receive otherwise. For practicum students, the exposure to a richly diverse preschool population within a publicly funded organization proves to be invaluable experience on a number of levels. Thus, the Head Start practicum is a thriving clinical opportunity for students.
Practicum Requirements: none
Supervision: 90 minutes of group supervision weekly; On-site individual supervision
Supervisor(s): Chinni Chilamkurti, Ph.D. (847) 578-8748 or chinni.chilamkurti@rosalindfranklin.edu
Didactic Training Opportunities: Consultation skills, behavioral intervention skills, Special Populations, cultural diversity, and child development
Application Process: Practicum requirements: Enrolled as a first year student in clinical psychology doctoral program
Application Deadline: N/A