Title IV-E Policies & Procedures

Training/Seminars

As stated in the contract, students are to take and satisfactorily complete the courses, training, seminars, and field placements designated to meet the requirements of the university.  Title IV-E students are expected to attend all seminars in regard to the field placement, and any other trainings related to child welfare that are mandated by the Title IV-E Program Coordinator.

In addition, workshops, trainings, and inservices will be recommended throughout the year by the Title IV-E Program Coordinator.

Title IV-E Students on Academic Probation

BSW Student Grading Policy

Student agrees to maintain satisfactory academic performance, and must receive a grade of C- in courses; however, the following courses require a C:  SWRK 325, 435, 445.

MSW Student Grading Policy

As stated in the application and Title IV-E Contract, the student is required to maintain a "B" or 3.0 grade point average each semester of the program.  Should their grade point average fall below 3.0, their monthly stipend checks (or expense reimbursements for part-time students) will be stopped until they raise their grade point average to 3.0 or above.  At that time the student will receive any monies that were due them and had been withheld.

Thesis Content for Child Welfare

The School of Social Work strongly recommends that students receiving the Title IV-E stipend elect to take the comprehensive exam, in lieu of the Thesis/Project.  In order to meet the competencies that have been established by the California Social Work Center, Title IV-E students will be required to take electives that will assist in completing the competencies.  If a student still wants to consider a thesis or project the emphasis will need to be in the area of Child Welfare.

BSW Course Requirements

Title IV-E BSW students are required to take the following "elective" in order to be able to complete the curriculum competencies as established by the California Social Worik Education Center: SWRK 320 - Child Welfare

BSW IV-E Students are required to complete a Curriculum Competencies for Public Welfare, BSW Student Curriculum Competencies Inventory.

MSW Course Requirements

Title IV-E students are required to take the following “electives” in order to be able to complete the curriculum competencies as established by the California Social Work Education Center.

SWRK 677 – Substance Abuse Foundations of Social Work Practice

SWRK 687 – Advanced Child Welfare

IV-E Students are required to complete an Addendum to the MSW Child Welfare Learning Contract.  Thee are forms for Foundation and Concentrations year here Title IV-E Addendum to the MSW Foundation Child Welfare Training Congract  Title IV-E Addendum to the MSW Advanced Child Welfare Training Contract.

Criminal Record Clearance Procedures

Students authorized to receive the Title IV-E stipend or reimbursement award must attest to the fact that they have never been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor crime nor any crime involving harm to children that would disqualify them from service in a county public child welfare services agency.

Students who are employees of a county or state public child welfare services agency have already obtained criminal record clearance.  However, when the student is placed at a private non-profit agency that serves IV-E eligible children and families, the agency may request and obtain another criminal clearance from the intern.

All other Title IV-E students will be required to obtain a criminal record clearance from public agencies where they do their field placement and may also be required to obtain a clearance from their non-profit agency placement.

Early Termination in Full-Time Title IV-E Stipend Program

If a student terminates the Title IV-E Stipend Program before the two years, repayment can begin while he/she is still a graduate student.  The student cannot receive one year of stipend and work one year in a county CWS to repay the one-year stipend.  The program is designated to be a two-year MSW program with a child welfare specialization.

NOTE

The Research Foundation has determined that the stipend falls under the IRS definition of a "scholarship or fellowship."  Therefore, the Research Foundation will not issue a 1099 Form for stipend payments.

However, per the IRS, this amount is taxable income.  It is the student's responsibility to report it on federal and state income tax returns.

Also, per the IRS, this income can be offset with allowable education expenses.  Work with a tax advisor for the proper method of declaring this income and associated expenses.