Internship application
For graduate students in school psychology, social work, or school counseling who have an internship offer in BPS.
ApplyProject PROVIDE
A mental health workforce that reflects the students it serves
Project PROVIDE seeks to recruit, train, and retain a linguistically and racially diverse mental health workforce that reflects the students we serve, ensuring high-quality, culturally responsive care that allows students to succeed academically and thrive in all aspects of development.
About the Project
A federal grant, put to work in Boston's schools
In 2023, Boston Public Schools received a grant through the U.S. Department of Education's Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program. Project PROVIDE is designed to increase the number, quality, and racial and linguistic diversity of school psychology, social work, and school counseling interns in BPS, and to enhance the quality of training and support for interns, supervisors, and staff.
Core goals
- Build a workforce pipeline by partnering with local colleges and universities to create pathways into BPS mental health careers.
- Provide co-training across BPS and institutions of higher education to ensure the use of evidence-based practices, high-quality preparation, and ongoing support.
- Strengthen community connections with mental health agencies to enhance wraparound services for BPS youth.
Project PROVIDE impacts over 46,000 students by recruiting and training school psychologists, school counselors, and social workers. It also helps BPS transition trainees to full-time roles more efficiently, filling openings and retaining mental health providers who already know the district.
96%
of surveyed participants reported that Project PROVIDE had a meaningful impact on their professional growth.
2025 Impact Report46,000+
Students impacted140+
Practitioners supported300+
Conference attendeesCitywide conference for school mental health providers3
ProfessionsSchool psychology, social work, school counseling
Funded through the U.S. Department of Education Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program, in partnership with UMass Boston and Boston University.
Year 3 Outcomes, 2025–26
What the grant delivered this year
In partnership with Boston University, Project PROVIDE graduated its third cohort in 2025–26. Since 2023 the grant has brought $1 million in funds to Boston's school mental health workforce.
30+
Interns trainedStudents from universities across the country completed training at the master's, specialist, and doctoral levels to become school psychologists, school counselors, or social workers40+
Staff mentoredStaff in their first three years at BPS were paired with a mentor, across social work, school counseling, and school psychology200+
PD hours since 2023Free professional development on evidence-based practices for BPS and community mental health practitioners4
New hiresCohort One interns hired by the district as school psychologists in 2025–26Source: BHS Annual Report 2025–26, Project PROVIDE Year 3 Outcomes. The figures above are from the separate 2025 Impact Report.
Voices from the Field
In their own words
“Project PROVIDE has given our mentees a pathway to licensure and retention. Mentees have received vital supervision that has contributed to positive outcomes for students, schools, and mentees. The experience and support mentors share with mentees cultivate the best practices and professionalism for students and families.”A Project PROVIDE mentor, Voices From the Field, 2025
“The financial component made it so I didn't need to seek a part-time job or worry about paying rent, which allowed me to focus on honing my skills and being fully present with my students. Better practitioners mean happier and healthier children.”A school psychology trainee, Voices From the Field, 2025
Applications for SY2026–27
Four ways to take part
Interns and their field supervisors each submit an application. For deadlines, stipend details, eligibility, and expectations, read the internship application guide. Questions: Cynthia Lê, cle2@bostonpublicschools.org.
Mentee application
Be paired with an experienced BPS practitioner for the year.
ApplyMentor application
Share what you know with a trainee entering the field.
ApplyField supervisor application
Supervise an intern in your school and help shape their practice.
Apply
Stipends (2025–26 guide)
Accepted interns are designated BPS employees and paid a daily rate not exceeding $16,130 for school psychology interns working five days a week, $9,670 for second-year social work and school counseling interns working three days, and $6,450 for first-year social work interns working two days. Stipends depend on continued federal funding.
Intern handbook
Expectations, supports, and logistics for the internship year.
Voices From the Field
Interns, mentors, and supervisors on what the program has meant to them.
The PROVIDE Community
Interns, mentors, and supervisors
