Jump Start Application
The Spring 2023 session is from April 10 - June 30, 2023. The deadline to apply is March 30, 2023.

Jump Start prepares and assists graduates in obtaining entry-level employment in the field of public mental health in Los Angeles County.

The training is a combination of full days in the *classroom integrated with full days in a field internship.

  • *Classroom: Monday through Friday, 9 AM - 3 PM, weeks one and two. Mondays and Fridays, weeks three to 12.
  • Internship: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, weeks three to 12. Hours are based on internship agency hours (typically 8 AM - 5 PM).

*PLEASE NOTE: Classroom courses may take place online and/or in person, depending on COVID-19 restrictions and space availability for social distancing.

A calendar with dates for classroom versus field days and the location for specific classroom days will be given upon acceptance into the program.

I. Application

Along with your application, you will need to submit:

  1. Current resume (in PDF or Word format only)
  2. Copy of your COVID-19 vaccination card

Applications will be reviewed for completeness, employment goals, desire to work in the field, potential internship matching, and other factors that can contribute to your success in the program.

The deadline to apply is March 30, 2023.

II. Interview

Based on the results of the application review, successful applicants will be invited to interview. Not all applicants will be invited to interview.

If you are selected to become a Jump Start Fellow, you will be required to attend a pre-program orientation.

III. Orientation 

Orientation will be held on April 10. Attendance is mandatory.

At Orientation, you will:

  • Receive an overview of the program, what to expect, logistics, etc.
  • Complete Jump Start paperwork
  • Receive the first week's reading for Jump Start
  • Receive information regarding your second orientation meeting at the field site where you will intern

For information, call 562-999-6964 or email us at training@mhala.org.

"*" indicates required fields

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Name*
Address*
Have you ever applied to the Jump Start Fellowship Program before?*
If we place you for employment, you will be required to provide proof of your identity and legal right to work in the United States. Will you able to provide this information upon employment placement?*
Do you need any accommodations to complete the basic requirements of the program?*
Are you applying to graduate school for the 2023 or 2024 school year?
Are you currently participating in any educational or training programs such as certificate programs and licensing?*
Do you currently live in LA County?*
Are you willing to accept employment within LA County after completion of JumpStart?*

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Drop files here or
Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, Max. file size: 10 MB, Max. files: 3.
    Jump Start regularly uses software such as Zoom, email, Dropbox, MS Word, PowerPoint, etc. Do you anticipate that you will need technical assistance using any of these computer software programs?*
    Do you have or can you install a camera on your computer?*

    INTERNSHIP QUESTIONS

    Most of the agencies we work with run background checks prior to placement. Please note that your acceptance into the Jump Start program is not contingent on your criminal background history. However, if you are accepted into the Jump Start program, your criminal background history will be considered for your internship placement, dependent upon placement agency requirements.

    Are you confident that you will pass a criminal background check?*
    An affirmative response to this question will NOT result in an automatic disqualification from the Jump Start program.

    Your full participation in the Jump Start program may be contingent on your vaccination status (such as classroom, internship and any in person activities) depending on your Covid-19 status.

    Have you been fully vaccinated for COVID-19?*
    Accepted file types: jpg, pdf, png, Max. file size: 10 MB.
    Please note that your acceptance into the Jump Start program is not contingent on your vaccination status but it may hinder in-person participation. If you are accepted into the Jump Start program, your proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be used to determine your internship placement and ability to participate in any in-person activities.
    Do you have a California driver's license?*
    Not having a CA Driver’s License and/or vehicle does NOT disqualify you from Jump Start, but it may be a barrier in obtaining employment in the mental health field.
    Do you have a vehicle? (If you answer no, please disregard the following three questions.)*
    If you answered yes, do you have insurance?*
    If you answered yes, could your car pass a vehicle inspection?*
    If you answered yes, are you willing to use your car for the internship, including transporting clients?*
    Do you have any moving violations on your driving record?*
    An affirmative response to this question will NOT result in your automatic disqualification from the Jump Start program.
    Which areas of LA County would you be able to travel to as part of your internship? (Select all that apply)*
    For assistance choosing areas of LA County, please reference this map of Los Angeles.

    ESSAYS

    You application essays are very important to your application. Jump Start is a highly competitive program and your essays provide an opportunity for the Jump Start team to learn more about you. We strongly suggest you prepare and save your essays for this application in a Word document and cut and paste into the application.

    Consent*
    It is the policy of Mental Health America of Los Angeles to provide equal internship opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran’s status or presence of disability.

    Voluntary Disclosure of Self-Identification

    It is the policy of Mental Health America of Los Angeles to provide equal internship opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran’s status or presence of disability. While it is your choice to provide us with the following information, it is important that we are successful in our efforts to reach out to a diverse constituency. We appreciate you providing us with the following demographic information to help gauge the success of these efforts.

    Do you identify as LGBTQ+?
    Ethnicity (select all that apply):
    Education:
    Languages you speak other than English (select all that apply):
    Which of the following best describes you (check all that apply):
    This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

    Mental Health America of Los Angeles