2026-2027 Multicultural Student Stipend Program (MSSP)
The MSSP is a workforce development program that started in 1988. The goal is to support people in San Francisco who often don’t get the help they need. This program helps students build the skills they need to work with people from many different racial and cultural backgrounds and train future mental health workers to help these communities. These skills include speaking different languages, understanding different cultures and disabilities, and knowing how to support people using trauma-informed care and recovery methods.Program Details
Eligibility Criteria
Stipends are available to student interns and trainees who are:
- Placed in mental health, substance use, and integrated treatment programs of Behavioral Health Services (both civil service and contracted, partner agencies) for a minimum of 16 hours per week for at least 7 months.
- Although priority is given to students completing graduate degrees in counseling, psychology, and social work, others (including undergraduate and post-graduate interns) will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The program at which the student is interning must provide adequate supervision by a licensed and/or otherwise qualified clinician who meets the minimum supervisor requirements of the student's academic institution.
- Current civil service employees are not eligible to apply.
Selection Criteria
- Knowledge of and sensitivity to the special needs of racial and culturally diverse client populations for which there are health disparities
- Bicultural and/or bilingual skills in cultures and languages of clients served by BHS programs
- Experience with and/or a demonstrated commitment to working with behavioral health clients of diverse backgrounds, including language, age, gender-identity, culture and ability
- Acceptance and placement at a BHS funded site which can provide specialized training and supervision in the delivery of mental health and/or substance use services to diverse client populations
- Stated financial need
- Placement for at least 16 hours per week for at least 7 months
Awards
- Award amounts vary year to year depending on number of awardees and available budget
- Generally, stipends have ranged between $1K to $5K per awardee
- Awarded applicants will receive the award paid out in two payments: first payment in February and second payment at the end of the spring semester
Application Materials
A completed application will consist of:
- Completed application
- Current resume or CV
- Statement of Purpose (350 words or less) on placement agency letterhead
- Reference form completed directly by supervisor or clinic director
2026-2027 Applications will open September 8th, 2026 and close October 30, 2026.
Go to the 2026-2027 Application
All application material should be submitted together.
Statement of Purpose
The San Francisco Department of Public Health, Behavioral Health Services (BHS) is committed to leading with race and prioritizing Intersectionality, including sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, class, nationality, language, and ability. BHS strives to move forward on the continuum of becoming an anti-racist
institution through dismantling racism, building solidarity among racial groups, and working towards becoming a Trauma-Informed/Trauma Healing Organization in partnership with staff, clients, communities, and our contractors.
Please upload a brief essay (350 words or less) on your placement agency’s letterhead, describing your personal and professional goals. Include your interests, skills, and experience working with racial and/or cultural and linguistically diverse and underserved populations. Describe any racial and/or cultural knowledge and skills you bring to this internship. Also, comment on your reasons for selecting your current placement and how it fits into your long-term career goals.
Reference Form
Other Program Materials
For MSSP application related questions please contact:
BHS Internship Coordinator
MSSP Policy
2026-2027 MSSP Program Description
About
The San Francisco Department of Public Health, Behavioral Health Services (BHS) is committed to leading with race and prioritizing intersectionality, including sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, class, nationality, language and ability. BHS strives to move forward on the continuum of becoming an anti-racist institution through dismantling racism, building solidarity among racial groups, and working towards becoming a Trauma-Informed/Trauma Healing Organization in partnership with staff, clients, communities and our contractors.