MSW Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program

Program Description

The California State University, Chico, School of Social Work is a participant in the statewide Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program, a collaborative project of the California Department of Social Services, the County Welfare Directors Association, California’s graduate schools of social work and social welfare, and the California Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). The primary goal is to professionalize child welfare services by increasing the number of master's-degreed social workers who provide services to children and their families.

The Title IV-E stipends provide financial support each academic year for students in the full- and part-Time MSW Program. To receive this stipend, students must have applied and been accepted into the Title IV-E MSW program.

One-Year Program

Eligibility – Students accepted to the MSW One-Year Program.

• Students enrolled in the One-Year Title IV-E Training Program receive support for one year only in the amount of $18,500.
• 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 stipend awarded.
• Students who are DSS/CDSS or CWS employees on educational leave must return to work in their home county upon graduation.

Two-Year Program

Eligibility – Students accepted to the MSW Two-Year Program.

• Students in the Two-Year Title IV-E Training Program receive support in the amount of $18,500 per year based upon funds availability.
• 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. An 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 program, 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 stipend awarded.
• Students who are DSS/CDSS or CWS employees on educational leave must return to work in their home county upon graduation.

Three-Year Program (Part-Time Stipends Only)

Eligibility – Students accepted to the MSW Three-Year Program.

• Three-year part-time training is limited to current employees of a county of the state Department of Social Services.
• Applicants must have a letter of support from the director of the county’s child welfare services.
• Students receive full tuition and fees, costs of required books, and a travel allowance for each day of class or fieldwork.
• Students sign a contract agreeing to pay back this award by fulfilling a work commitment of two years of continuous and satisfactory employment.

Note: Title IV-E stipend recipients are required to take the Advanced Child Welfare and Substance Abuse electives.

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 Process

Applying for the Title IV-E MSW Stipend Program is a three-step process.

Step 1: Apply for admittance to the Office of Graduate Studies online and pay the application fee.

Step 2: Apply to the CSU, Chico, School of Social Work MSW Program. Download all application materials, complete the application, and mail or deliver to the School of Social Work. Applicants must be accepted in the MSW Program before applying to the Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program.

Step 3: Once candidates are notified of their acceptance into the MSW program, those who have applied for the Title IV-E stipend will be interviewed by a panel consisting of University and county public child welfare agency 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, interview qualifying candidates, and finalize selection of candidates to whom the award will be offered.