Child Welfare Training Program
The Child Welfare Training Program at the University of South Florida is a joint
partnership between the Florida Department of Children and Families and the University
of South Florida School of Social Work. This partnership is funded with federal
monies available through the
Title IV-E Child Welfare Training Program of the Social Security Act. The
program serves to reinforce and strengthen Florida’s public child welfare workforce
and produce social work leaders as child welfare practitioners, supervisors, and
managers.
BSW and MSW TITLE IV-E Stipends:
Both BSW and MSW interested in social work practice with families and children of
Florida who are at risk of abuse and/or neglect are encouraged to apply to this
program. The primary goal of this program is to increase the number of BSW and MSW
degreed social workers to provide services to children and their families in child
welfare. To reach this goal, Title IV-E provides stipends to students enrolled in
the School of Social Work who demonstrate a commitment to work in child welfare
upon completion of their academic studies.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE:
Any full-time student accepted into the BSW or MSW program at the University
of South Florida School of Social Work who is interested in a career in child welfare.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: To be considered for a stipend, a student must:
- Be accepted and enrolled in the BSW or MSW program.
- Demonstrate a willingness to be contractually obligated to work in foster care and/or
adoptions for a specified period of time after graduation as payback for the scholarship
(12 months for each year of aid awarded).
- Be willing to accept employment in foster care and/or adoptions in counties where
there is the greatest need for qualified social workers.
- Fully understand that if the work commitment is not met, that the student will repay
the scholarship to DCF in a timely fashion.
- Complete a Title IV-E application form.
- Successfully complete a screening interview by a panel consisting of representatives
from child welfare and the School of Social Work.
Stipends: Students who meet the above criteria may be awarded scholarships
to help defray educational expenses. Students accepting scholarships are required
to take child welfare related courses. Students must complete one year of field
placement in a child welfare placement. Upon completion of the BSW or MSW degree,
students then enter employment with child welfare agencies throughout the state.
Additional information is available by contacting Chris Simmons, Child Welfare Training
Program Coordinator. Telephone is 813-974-1178 and email address is
csimmons@cas.usf.edu.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
BSW (SOW 4930):
(3 credits) Child Maltreatment & Family
Violence
(3 credits) Social Work Practice with Special
Needs Children, Adolescents, &
Families
MSW (SOW 6931)
(3 credits) Child Maltreatment & Family
Violence
(3 credits) Social Work Practice with Special
Needs Children, Adolescents, &
Families
Download Application