MSW Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program

The California State University, Chico, School of Social Work is a participant in the statewide Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Project, a  joint effort of California graduate schools of social welfare, County Welfare Directors, National Association of Social Workers (NASW), mental health representatives, and private foundations.  The primary goal is to professionalize child welfare services by increasing the number of masters' degreed social workers who provide services to children and their families.

Program Description

The IV-E stipends provide support of $18,500 per year for students in the Full-time MSW Program.

• Full-time students must agree to enroll in the Children, Youth & Family Focus in their second year of graduate study.
• First year field placements must be in agencies serving child welfare (IV-E) clients.  Such clients are children and families who would have been eligible for AFDC prior to TANF and receiving child welfare related services.  Eligible setting could include county child mental health and probation, nonprofit contract or referral agencies (i.e. residential treatment, child abuse treatment services, pediatric health programs, and school-based services in which CWS participates.
• Second year field placements must be in California County Child Welfare Agencies.
• Students sign a contract agreeing to pay back this award by securing employment in a California County Department of Child Welfare Services, or Social Services, Child Welfare Division within six months of graduation.  They must work one year for each year of aid awarded.
• Students who are DSS/CDSS or CSW employees on educational leave must return to work in their home county upon graduation.

Qualifications

Students must be accepted to the California State University, Chico, School of Social Work to be eligible to compete for the Title IV-E Program.  The number of stipends is limited.  Applications must demonstrate commitment to public child welfare.  Priority will be given to current employees of the County/State Department of Social Services, and who reflect the diverse client populations currently served by child welfare agencies in California.  Fluency in a high demand language is also given priority.

Application (click here)

Applying for the Title IV-E stipend is a two-part process. First a candidate for the MSW program must complete the Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Project application and be accepted into the MSW program. Once candidates are notified of their acceptance into the program, those who have applied for the stipend will be intereviewed by a panel consisting of University representatives.

Awards Process

An awards committee, made up of representatives of the CSU, School of Social Work, and representatives of public child welfare agencies from counties surrounding the University, will review all applications and finalize selection of candidates to whom the award will be offered.