Title IV-E BSW Employment Payback Requirement

A student who is employed in a county public social services agency position or a California Department of Social Services (CDSS) position must return to that agency and render one calendar year of continuous and satisfactory full-time employment for each year of full-time or part-time graduate support in a position at a level appropriate to a new BSW in child welfare service.  Appointment to and continuation in all such positions shall be subject to all applicable County Civil Service rules and departmental policies. 

• The student must report to work at the assigned position within six (6) months of graduation from the University with a BSW Degree.
  
• If the County Department is unable to provide appropriate employment within the six (6) month period, the student must seek employment in a county public child welfare services (CWS) agency within 75 miles of his/her home.
  
• If no county public CWS position is available within a 75-miles radius, the student must seek employment within the State of California in a county public CWS agency.
  
• If there is no qualifying County CWS position available within the State of California, the student must then request permission to seek employment in a nonprofit agency serving IV-E clients.
  
• Should no qualifying position in a county public CWS agency or in CDSS/CWD or within the State of California or in a nonprofit agency serving county IV-E child welfare clients be available within 12 months of graduation, the student may apply for a waiver of employment payback requirements.  Such a request must be submitted in writing to the Title IV-E Project Coordinator at the University and the student must provide documentation of a comprehensive employment search of all relevant agencies.

A student who is not employed in a county public social services agency or a CDSS must apply for and accept employment in a county public CWS agency in CDSS/CWD in a position at least at a level appropriate to a new BSW in child welfare services within a radius of 75 miles from his/her home.  The student must render one year of continuous and satisfactory full-time employment for each year of graduate support.

• Should no such qualifying position be available within six (6) months from graduation ,the student must seek employment within the State of California in a county public CWS agency.
  
• If there is no qualifying county public CWS agency position available within the State of California, the student must then request permission to seek employment in a nonprofit agency serving IV-E clients.
  
• Should no qualifying position in a county public CWS agency or in CDSS/CWS or within the State of California or in a nonprofit agency serving county IV-E welfare clients be available within 12 months of graduation, the student may apply for a waiver of employment payback requirements.

Students who are American Indians with tribal rights may complete their work commitment in the following setting as alternatives to California CWS:

1. a reservation or rancheria providing CWS in California;
2. an Urban Indian agency in California serving IV-E eligible children and families, or
3. a reservation providing CWS in another state.

Student Job Search
As stated in the guidelines above, the student has the responsibility of searching and securing a job in public child welfare in a position that is appropriate for an entering BSW.

1. We will assist you in any way to secure employment that will satisfy your employment obligations.
2. You must keep all documents pertaining to your job search.  A Mandatory Job Search Form, approved by the Award and Stipends Committee of the Governing Boards, must be utilized by each student and forwarded to CalSWEC upon request.
3. Once you have secured employment, you must have an Employment Verification Form completed and returned to the IV-E office.
4. Once you have fulfilled your employment obligation, you must submit a completed Employment Completion Form and send to the IV-E office.
5. During the payback period we will contact you and/or your employer to verify that you are fulfilling the work requirement and we will submit information to CalSWEC's central office.

To assist you in your job search, there are additional resources available. 

1. CalSWEC's central office will disseminate at regular intervals information on counties that are hiring and we will forward it to you via e-mail.

2. Merit System (Cooperative Personnel Services) serves the 30 small counties.  This agency will provide information on their affiliated counties on which counties are hiring and any other important information. http://www.mss.ca.gov/index.asp

3. You will receive weekly e-mails from the IV-E office advising you of any current openings in the 58 California Counties and their closing dates.

Tasks

The schools will assist the student with the job search by providing information as to current CWS openings.  Schools will help the student in the employment/application process, and report the students' employment progress to CalSWEC.  Demographics on graduates will also be reported to CalSWEC.